Alice Cooper – Poison

Poison drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Bobby Chouinard's drum part on Alice Cooper's “Poison”, from the album Trash (1989). Every groove and fill is written out exactly as recorded, in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About Poison drum sheet music

“Poison” was Alice Cooper’s comeback hit from Trash (1989), reaching the top 10 in both the US and the UK. It is one of the defining rock anthems of the late ’80s.

The drum part is a big, anthemic ’80s rock groove with a solid backbeat and energetic fills at around 115 bpm. A crowd-pleaser for cover bands and a great song for learning to play big and steady.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

The Poison drum transcription on this page is written from the original studio recording – not from a live version and not from a simplified arrangement. If you have been searching for Poison drum notes that actually match the record, this is the complete part, from the first bar to the last.

Song sections are clearly labelled, so you always know where you are, and the layout follows the song from start to finish. The PDF is professionally engraved, prints cleanly and reads just as well on an iPad or any other tablet.

Song facts

• Artist: Alice Cooper
• Album: Trash (1989)
• Drummer: Bobby Chouinard
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 115
• Style: ’80s hard rock

What you get

Here is what is included with Poison drum sheet music:

• 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 Poison on drums

Once you have the Poison drum sheet music, here is a simple way to learn it:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Follow the groove and fills.
2. Lock in at ♩ ≈ 115. Play the groove with a metronome.
3. Make the backbeat big. ’80s rock needs a confident snare.
4. Learn the fills. Slowly first, then in context.
5. Play with the record. Feel the energy of the band.
6. Record yourself. Check your time.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Free versions of Poison drum notes online are often tabs typed out by ear, with missing fills and rhythms that don’t match the record. A proper transcription saves you hours of guessing: every part is checked against the original recording, the rhythms are exact, and the layout follows the song so you always know where you are.

Who is this sheet music for?

Poison drum sheet music suits beginner-to-intermediate drummers and ’80s rock cover bands.

About Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper pioneered shock rock in the 1970s with hits such as “School’s Out” and “No More Mr. Nice Guy”, and returned to the top of the charts with Trash in 1989.

More Alice Cooper drum sheet music

This is currently the only Alice Cooper song in the store – the Alice Cooper drum sheet music page will list new ones as they are added. In the meantime, browse the full drum sheet music store – for more ’80s rock, try the Bon Jovi, Europe and Scorpions sheet music.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Poison drum sheet music the full song?

Yes. It is the full song, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording on Trash. Nothing is simplified.

Are these Poison drum tabs?

No – it is proper drum notation, which is more precise than tabs because it shows exactly when every note falls. If you are new to reading, it is easier than it looks – each drum and cymbal has its own place on the staff.

When do I get the PDF?

Straight away – the download link appears right after checkout and arrives in your inbox, so you can print it or open it on a tablet.

What tempo is Poison?

Around ♩ ≈ 115.

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