Dream Theater – Erotomania

Erotomania drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Mike Portnoy's drum part on Dream Theater's “Erotomania”, from the album Awake (1994). Every bar is written out in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About Erotomania drum sheet music

“Erotomania” is the instrumental first part of “A Mind Beside Itself”, the three-part suite on Dream Theater’s 1994 album Awake.

Mike Portnoy’s drumming is complex and high-energy, with unisons, odd groupings and big fills at around 160 bpm. A challenge for advanced drummers.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

This Erotomania drum transcription was written bar by bar from Dream Theater's studio recording and checked against the track. It is not a live take and nothing is simplified – these are the Erotomania drum notes exactly as they were played on the record.

The notation is clean and professionally engraved, with clearly marked sections and repeats, so it is quick to find your place when you jump to a fill or a chorus. Print it for your music stand or keep it on a tablet – both work well.

Song facts

• Artist: Dream Theater
• Album: Awake (1994)
• Drummer: Mike Portnoy
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 160
• Style: progressive metal instrumental

What you get

When you buy Erotomania drum sheet music, you get:

• 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 Erotomania on drums

A step-by-step way to learn Erotomania on drums with the sheet music:

1. Listen many times. Learn the themes.
2. Practise in sections. Slowly with a metronome.
3. Learn the unisons. Play them with the band.
4. Count carefully. Mark the odd groupings.
5. Build up to ♩ ≈ 160. Step by step.
6. Play with the record. Then record yourself.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Most free Erotomania drum tabs are rough sketches – the main groove, maybe a fill or two, and rhythms that are hard to read. Note-for-note sheet music shows exactly what was played and when, so you learn the real part instead of an approximation, and you learn it faster.

Who is this sheet music for?

Erotomania drum sheet music is for advanced drummers and Dream Theater fans.

About Mike Portnoy

Mike Portnoy co-founded Dream Theater and played on their classic albums including Images And Words and Awake.

More Dream Theater drum sheet music

Want more than one song? The Dream Theater Ultimate Drum Collection includes Erotomania together with other songs, at a lower price than buying them one by one. You can also get other Dream Theater songs one by one: The Dance Of Eternity, The Ytse Jam, Pull Me Under and Overture 1928. See them all on the Dream Theater drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Does the sheet music cover the whole of Erotomania?

Yes – every section from the first bar to the last, exactly as played on the original recording. It is not a shortened or simplified version.

Is it written as drum tabs or as drum notation?

As standard drum notation on a five-line staff. Tabs can show which drum to hit but not the exact rhythm – notation shows both.

How do I get the PDF after I buy?

The download link appears straight after checkout and is also sent to your email. You can print the PDF or read it on a tablet.

Is Erotomania hard?

Yes – it is an advanced instrumental.

Can’t find the song you need?

Order a custom drum transcription of any song on YouTube.

Listen to the song on YouTube · Got any questions? Get in touch