Metallica – Master Of Puppets

Master Of Puppets drum sheet music – a note-for-note transcription of Lars Ulrich’s drum part on Metallica’s “Master Of Puppets”, from the album Master Of Puppets (1986). Every groove, fill and cymbal hit is written out from the original recording in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About the drum part

“Master Of Puppets” is the title track of Metallica’s 1986 album and one of the most famous thrash metal songs ever recorded. At around 210 bpm it is a real test of speed and stamina, but the hardest part is not the tempo – it is the precision of all the stops, hits and meter changes.

The song opens with tight unison hits: choked crash cymbals with the bass drum, separated by bars of rest, followed by a snare build that doubles from eighth notes to sixteenths. From there Lars Ulrich locks into a driving eighth-note groove. In the main riff sections, a 3/4 bar closes every phrase, so you have to count the bar lengths rather than play on autopilot.

What’s in the Master Of Puppets drum sheet music

Every section of this Master Of Puppets drum sheet music is labelled (intro, main riff sections and verses), and the chart uses repeats, first- and second-time endings and “no crash” markings to keep it easy to follow. The choked cymbal hits are marked “choke” over each note, and the time-signature changes are written into the staff exactly where they happen.

Looking for Master Of Puppets drum tabs? This is full drum notation on a five-line staff, so it shows the exact rhythm of every note – something tabs can’t do.

Song facts

• Artist: Metallica
• Album: Master Of Puppets (1986)
• Drummer: Lars Ulrich
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 210
• Time signature: 4/4, with 3/4 bars in the main riff
• Style: Thrash metal
• Level: Advanced

What you get

• 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 Master Of Puppets on drums

Once you have the Master Of Puppets drum sheet music, here is a good way to learn it:

1. Learn the intro hits first. The choked crashes and rests have to be exactly in time with the guitars. Count every rest out loud.
2. Count the 3/4 bars. Play the main riff groove slowly and say “1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3” until the short bar feels natural.
3. Build speed in steps. Start around 150 bpm and move up 5 bpm at a time. Only go faster when the eighth notes stay even.
4. Work on endurance. The song is long and fast. Practise full sections without stopping to build stamina in your wrists and feet.
5. Play along with the record. Once each section is solid, put it all together with the original recording.

Reading tips for this chart

• Open and closed hi-hat are marked with a small “o” (open) and “+” (closed) above the note. The timing of the openings is part of the groove, so follow them closely.
• First- and second-time endings show which bars to play on each pass of a repeat. Play the bracket marked “1.” the first time and skip to “2.” the next time.
• Choked cymbals are marked “choke”. Hit the cymbal and grab it straight away with your other hand so the sound stops short.
• Repeat bars (the slash signs) mean “play the previous bar or bars again”. The small numbers above them count the bars so you do not lose your place.
• Time-signature changes are written exactly where they happen. When a new one appears, count the smallest note value (eighths or sixteenths) until it feels natural.

Who is it for?

This Master Of Puppets drum sheet music is for advanced rock and metal drummers who want to master one of the genre’s defining songs. It is also great practice for drummers working on speed, endurance and reading meter changes at a fast tempo.

More Metallica drum sheet music

You might also like Ride The Lightning, The Unforgiven, Nothing Else Matters, and the rest of the Metallica drum sheet music collection.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Master Of Puppets drum sheet music the full song?

Yes. It is the complete drum part, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording on Master Of Puppets. Nothing is simplified.

Is it a drum tab or real notation?

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

How do I get the PDF after I buy?

The download link appears straight after checkout and is also sent to your email. You can print the PDF or read it on a tablet.

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