Foo Fighters – The Pretender

The Pretender drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Taylor Hawkins' drum part on Foo Fighters' “The Pretender”, from the album Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007). From the quiet intro to the explosive groove, every bar is written out in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About The Pretender drum sheet music

“The Pretender” was the lead single from Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace. It topped the US Modern Rock chart for 18 weeks and won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance.

Taylor Hawkins’ part builds from a quiet intro into an explosive, high-energy groove. It is fast and intense, so it is a great workout for speed and stamina – and for keeping control when the band is at full power.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

Every bar of this The Pretender drum transcription comes from the original recording. Instead of an approximate groove with a couple of fills, you get the whole drum part – so if you need The Pretender drum notes that sound like the record when you play them, this is the version to use.

The sheet music is professionally engraved and easy to read on a music stand or on a tablet. Each part of the song is clearly labelled, and repeats with first- and second-time endings keep the layout compact, so you spend less time turning pages and more time playing.

Song facts

• Artist: Foo Fighters
• Album: Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007)
• Drummer: Taylor Hawkins
• Style: alternative rock

What you get

Your The Pretender drum sheet music download includes:

• The full song, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording
• Clearly labelled song sections
• Professionally engraved, print-ready PDF
• Instant download after purchase

How to practise The Pretender on drums

Here is a practice plan that works well for The Pretender:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Note where the intro ends and the groove takes off.
2. Practise the fast groove slowly. Then build up the tempo.
3. Build stamina. Play the loud sections without stopping.
4. Learn the fills. Slowly first, then in context.
5. Play with the record. Lock in with the band.
6. Record yourself. Check you stay in time at full speed.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Learning The Pretender by ear or from a free tab usually means guessing the details – which fill goes where, what the hi-hat is doing, how a section ends. Accurate sheet music takes the guesswork out: the rhythms are exact, the song structure is clear, and you can focus on playing instead of decoding.

Who is this sheet music for?

The Pretender drum sheet music suits intermediate drummers who want a high-energy rock workout, and Foo Fighters cover bands.

About Taylor Hawkins

Taylor Hawkins joined Foo Fighters in 1997 and played with the band until his death in 2022. His energy and power behind the kit made him one of the most loved rock drummers of his generation.

More Foo Fighters drum sheet music

Other Foo Fighters songs in the store: Low, Times Like These, All My Life and The Sky Is A Neighborhood. See them all on the Foo Fighters drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the complete The Pretender drum part?

Yes. The whole song is transcribed note-for-note from the record, including every fill, as heard on Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace.

Is The Pretender drum sheet music a tab or real notation?

It is real drum notation on a five-line staff, the standard way drum parts are written. If you are used to tabs, it is worth the switch – notation shows the rhythm exactly, which tabs can’t.

How is the sheet music delivered?

As a PDF download. The link shows up as soon as you complete checkout and is emailed to you as well.

Is The Pretender hard to play on drums?

It is an intermediate-to-advanced song because of its speed and energy. Start slowly and build up.

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