Adele – Skyfall

Skyfall drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of the drum part on Adele’s “Skyfall”, the theme song from the James Bond film Skyfall (2012). From the quiet opening to the orchestral climax, every bar is written out in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About Skyfall drum sheet music

“Skyfall” was written by Adele and Paul Epworth for the 23rd James Bond film. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Golden Globe and a Grammy, and became one of the most successful Bond themes ever.

The drums build with the orchestra from a hushed start to a powerful climax. The groove uses a swung sixteenth-note feel, so it is great for practising dynamics and a relaxed, slightly swung pocket at a slow tempo.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

Every bar of this Skyfall 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 Skyfall 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: Adele
• Released: 2012
• Style: cinematic ballad

What you get

Your Skyfall 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 Skyfall on drums

Here is a practice plan that works well for Skyfall:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Follow the build from the first verse to the climax.
2. Practise the swung feel. Use a metronome and keep the sixteenths relaxed and even.
3. Start soft. The opening needs a light touch.
4. Grow with the orchestra. Plan where each section gets bigger.
5. Play with the record. Follow Adele’s phrasing.
6. Record yourself. Check the swing feel and dynamics.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Learning Skyfall 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?

Skyfall drum sheet music suits intermediate drummers who want to work on dynamics and feel, and pop, function and orchestra drummers playing Bond themes.

About Adele

Adele is one of the best-selling artists of her generation, with albums 19, 21, 25 and 30. “Skyfall” made her the first artist to win an Oscar for a James Bond theme.

More Adele drum sheet music

Want more than one song? The Adele Ultimate Drum Collection includes Skyfall together with other songs, at a lower price than buying them one by one. You can also get other Adele songs one by one: Chasing Pavements, Set Fire To The Rain, I’ll Be Waiting and Rumour Has It. See them all on the Adele drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the complete Skyfall drum part?

Yes. The whole song is transcribed note-for-note from the record, including every fill.

Is Skyfall 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 Skyfall played with a swing feel?

Yes – the groove has a swung sixteenth-note feel. The sheet music shows the rhythm, and the record shows the feel.

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