fill
A short rhythmic or melodic passage played between phrases to maintain momentum.
In Depth
Drum fills are the most common type, bridging sections of a song with a burst of rhythmic energy. Bass fills, guitar fills, and keyboard fills serve similar transitional purposes. A great fill signals upcoming changes to both the band and the audience. Fills range from subtle single-stroke rolls to elaborate patterns that momentarily take centre stage.
Phil Collins' iconic drum fill in In the Air Tonight is regularly cited as the most famous fill in pop music history, despite being played on electronic drums.