AC/DC – Thunderstruck

Thunderstruck drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Chris Slade's drum part on AC/DC's “Thunderstruck”, from the album The Razors Edge (1990). Every groove and fill is written out exactly as recorded, in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About Thunderstruck drum sheet music

“Thunderstruck” opens The Razors Edge, AC/DC’s 1990 album. Its famous guitar intro and chanted vocals make it one of the most recognisable rock songs in the world.

Chris Slade plays a high-energy hard-rock groove at around 134 bpm, driving and powerful. A crowd-pleaser and a great workout for stamina.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

Every bar of this Thunderstruck 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 Thunderstruck 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: AC/DC
• Album: The Razors Edge (1990)
• Drummer: Chris Slade
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 134
• Style: hard rock

What you get

Your Thunderstruck 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 Thunderstruck on drums

Here is a practice plan that works well for Thunderstruck:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Count the long intro.
2. Lock in at ♩ ≈ 134. Play the groove with a metronome.
3. Build stamina. Play the song without stopping.
4. Learn the fills. Slowly first, then in context.
5. Play with the record. Lock in with the guitars.
6. Record yourself. Check your time.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Learning Thunderstruck 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?

Thunderstruck drum sheet music suits beginner-to-intermediate drummers and AC/DC cover bands.

About Chris Slade

Chris Slade played with AC/DC from 1989 to 1994 and again from 2015, as well as with Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, The Firm and Asia.

More AC/DC drum sheet music

Other AC/DC songs in the store: Back in Black, You Shook Me All Night Long, Highway To Hell and For Those About To Rock. See them all on the AC/DC drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the complete Thunderstruck drum part?

Yes. The whole song is transcribed note-for-note from the record, including every fill, as heard on The Razors Edge.

Is Thunderstruck 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.

What tempo is Thunderstruck?

Around ♩ ≈ 134.

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