Nirvana drum sheet music – note-for-note transcriptions of Dave Grohl’s drum parts from Nevermind: “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, “Come As You Are”, “In Bloom” and “Lithium”.Dave Grohl’s drumming on Nevermind is loud, powerful and full of memorable fills – the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” intro fill is one of the most famous in rock. Every transcription is written from the original recording, and they are great songs for beginner to intermediate drummers who want to play grunge with real energy. Looking for Nirvana drum tabs? These are full drum notation with exact rhythms.Can’t find the song you want? Order a custom drum transcription.
About Nirvana
Nirvana formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987, led by Kurt Cobain with bassist Krist Novoselic. With Dave Grohl on drums, their second album Nevermind (1991) knocked Michael Jackson off the top of the US chart and brought grunge into the mainstream.
The band ended after Cobain’s death in 1994, but their influence is still huge, and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. Nirvana songs are classic material for drummers: quiet verses, explosive choruses and some of the most famous drum parts in rock.
Drumming on Nirvana songs
Dave Grohl’s drumming on Nevermind is simple, powerful and iconic: quiet, restrained verses that explode into huge choruses, big tom fills and lots of energy. Nirvana songs are some of the best for learning dynamics and building stamina.
Nirvana drum sheet music in the store
All 4 Nirvana songs in the store are transcribed note-for-note from the original recordings:
- Nirvana – Come As You Are – from Nevermind (1991), drums: Dave Grohl, grunge, ♩ ≈ 120
- Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit – from Nevermind (1991), drums: Dave Grohl, grunge
- Nirvana – In Bloom – from Nevermind (1991), drums: Dave Grohl, grunge, ♩ ≈ 78
- Nirvana – Lithium – from Nevermind (1991), drums: Dave Grohl, grunge
Frequently asked questions about Nirvana drum sheet music
Which Nirvana song should I learn first on drums?
“Come As You Are” is the easiest. Then try “Lithium” and “In Bloom”, and “Smells Like Teen Spirit” for the full Grohl experience.
Is this Nirvana drum sheet music or drum tabs?
It is full drum sheet music – standard drum notation on a five-line staff, transcribed note-for-note from the original recordings. Unlike drum tabs, notation shows the exact rhythm of every note, so you can play the parts exactly as they sound on the record.
Is there a discount for buying several songs?
Yes – buy any 3 songs from the store and the 4th is free. The discount is applied automatically in the cart.
Can I get a Nirvana song that is not listed here?
Yes. Order a custom drum transcription of any song on YouTube and it will be transcribed note-for-note for you.