David Bowie – Life On Mars

Life On Mars drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Mick "Woody" Woodmansey’s drum part on David Bowie’s “Life On Mars”, from the album Hunky Dory (1971). Every fill, cymbal crash and dramatic build-up is written out exactly as it was played, in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About Life On Mars drum sheet music

“Life On Mars?” is one of David Bowie’s best-loved songs – a sweeping, cinematic ballad from Hunky Dory, with Rick Wakeman’s piano and Mick Ronson’s string arrangement. It has been voted one of the greatest songs of all time and is still a favourite for bands, singers and pianists.

The drums don’t keep a simple beat here – they follow the orchestra. Woody Woodmansey’s part is built on big, melodic tom fills, sudden stops and powerful build-ups into each chorus, with plenty of space in between. At a slow tempo of around 62 bpm, the challenge is control: placing every fill exactly, keeping the time steady through the quiet bars and growing with the arrangement.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

The Life On Mars 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 Life On Mars 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: David Bowie
• Album: Hunky Dory (1971)
• Drummer: Mick "Woody" Woodmansey
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 62
• Style: orchestral rock ballad

What you get

Here is what is included with Life On Mars 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 Life On Mars on drums

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

1. Listen through with the sheet music. Mark where the drums play and where they rest – the song’s shape is all about contrast.
2. Count the slow tempo. At ♩ ≈ 62, subdivide in eighth or sixteenth notes in your head so the long notes and gaps stay in time.
3. Learn the fills one at a time. Woody’s fills are melodic; play them slowly and evenly before bringing them up to speed.
4. Practise the build-ups. Work on the crescendos into the choruses so the volume grows smoothly, not suddenly.
5. Play with the record. The track has no click, so listen closely to the piano and let the band guide you.
6. Record yourself. Slow songs show every timing slip – a phone recording helps you hear where fills rush.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Free versions of Life On Mars 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?

Life On Mars drum sheet music is a great choice for intermediate drummers who want to play musically rather than fast. It is also ideal for teachers working on dynamics and slow-tempo time, and for Bowie tribute and cover bands who want the fills to sound like the record.

About Mick Woodmansey

Mick “Woody” Woodmansey was the drummer in David Bowie’s Spiders from Mars and played on the classic early-’70s albums The Man Who Sold the World, Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Aladdin Sane. His playing combines rock power with a strong sense of melody, which is exactly what “Life On Mars?” needs.

More David Bowie drum sheet music

This is currently the only David Bowie song in the store – the David Bowie drum sheet music page will list new ones as they are added. In the meantime, browse the full drum sheet music store – try other classic rock ballads such as Queen’s “The Show Must Go On” or Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Life On Mars drum sheet music the full song?

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

Are these Life On Mars 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.

Is Life On Mars hard to play on drums?

It is not fast, but it is demanding. The slow tempo, the stops and the dramatic fills need good control and steady time, so it suits intermediate drummers best.

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