lead fill tecnique

[Markelberry]

I am playing in my first real bluegrass band in awhile,when I do my fills they are usually in the breatrh during vocal line however when we exchange breaks (split breaks I have been coming in when the previous player ends his break creating I suppose a void somewhat? Does anyone start there break quietly a coulple notes or more ahead of time so that there is a smoother transition? Hope I made sense. Mark

[Pete Martin]

Does anyone start there break quietly a coulple notes or more ahead of time so that there is a smoother transition? Hope I made sense. Mark

Bill Monroe used to do this a lot.

[earthsave]

Yep, Monroe would drop the chop many measures before his breaks would come up. Which may just been him walking to the solo mic on some shows. When Lester joined the band, you can really here Bill going off in the background while Lester sings the lead.

[ronlane3]

Markelberry, As stated, I stop my chop in order to be ready to pick up the lead of the break on time without any dead space. As time goes by and I get better and watch other players (Steffey, McCoury, Lawson), I have noticed that it gets easier to transition.