The Power of Space: Why Playing Less Can Be More Behind the Kit
- Mark Midwinter
- Jun 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 2
“Sometimes leaving space is the most musical drum fill you can play.”
There’s a moment in every drummer’s journey when you realise that playing less can actually make the music feel better. It’s not about holding back — it’s about making intentional choices.
Especially when it comes to fills and transitions, the space you leave can often be more powerful than the notes you play.
I've noticed this more and more in my playing and how just leaving that space can have such an impact.
Why Drummers Fill (and Overfill)
It’s a natural instinct. The song is building, the chorus is coming, and suddenly the urge hits: do something big. Add energy, show control, contribute something exciting.
But not every transition needs a flurry of notes.
Sometimes the most musical move you can make is to do less — or even nothing at all. That silence? That pause? It can speak volumes.
The Role of Space in Music
Think about the grooves that move you — the ones that stick in your mind and in your body. Chances are, they’re not just about what was played, but what was left out.
Space creates tension, breath, and feel. When you leave a moment open — especially in a spot where a fill usually goes — you allow the rest of the music to shine.
This is what sets drummers like Steve Gadd or Bernard Purdie apart. Their grooves feel alive not just because of what they play — but because of their discipline to leave space.
If you're playing in a band with vocals its important that they're not masked in any way - playing too busy fills can just go against the phrasing and the melody of the vocals. In this instance sometimes playing nothing or selected notes is the best option.
How to Practice Leaving Space and playing less
If you want to build this mindset into your playing, try these simple but powerful exercises:
For me the easiest way to practice this is to play a groove and drop out. For example - play a groove up until beat 4 and then don't play anything until beat 2 of the following bar. So assuming backbeats on 2 and 4 this means there is nothing between beats 4 and 2 of the next bar.
You can also do a similar stopping on beat 3 on the bass drum and then drop until beat 1 of the following bar.
Or practice just playing ONE note on a tom or similar to train your brain to not play just anything - rather be intentional about it.
What Producers and Bandleaders Want
If you’re working with artists, producers, or songwriters, understand this: they usually don’t want flash — they want feel.
Leaving space isn’t just tasteful — it’s professional. It shows that you’re not just playing the drums… you’re listening. You’re supporting the music. And that makes the whole band sound better — and the mix easier to shape.
Final Thought
Leaving space isn’t doing nothing — it’s making a musical decision.
It’s a way to show maturity, control, and feel. The next time your instincts tell you to throw in a big fill, pause and ask:
“What happens if I don’t?”
You might discover that the space you leave becomes the most powerful part of the groove.
Enjoyed this? If you’re into groove, feel, and building musical drum parts that serve the song, follow along on Instagram @markmidwinterdrums.
ABOUT MARK
Mark is an online session drummer and producer based in Reading UK providing remotely recorded drums to clients all over the world.
His main focus on the drums is to always serve the song and listen to what is being played by the other instruments in the band. Be aware of the song and how it develops.
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