Dream Theater – Pull Me Under

Pull Me Under drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Mike Portnoy's drum part on Dream Theater's “Pull Me Under”, from the album Images And Words (1992). Every groove and fill is written out in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About Pull Me Under drum sheet music

“Pull Me Under” opens Images And Words, Dream Theater’s breakthrough album. It became the band’s only real radio hit, reaching the top 10 of the US Mainstream Rock chart.

Mike Portnoy plays powerful grooves and technical fills at around 102 bpm. It is one of the more approachable Dream Theater songs, making it a great challenge for intermediate and advanced drummers getting into progressive metal.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

This Pull Me Under 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 Pull Me Under 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: Images And Words (1992)
• Drummer: Mike Portnoy
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 102
• Style: progressive metal

What you get

When you buy Pull Me Under 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 Pull Me Under on drums

A step-by-step way to learn Pull Me Under on drums with the sheet music:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Follow the song’s long structure.
2. Practise the main grooves. Use a metronome at ♩ ≈ 102.
3. Learn the fills. Portnoy’s fills are precise – learn them slowly.
4. Practise the transitions. Join sections smoothly.
5. Play with the record. Lock in with the riffs.
6. Record yourself. Check every fill is clean.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Most free Pull Me Under 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?

Pull Me Under drum sheet music suits intermediate to advanced drummers and Dream Theater fans – a great first Dream Theater song.

About Mike Portnoy

Mike Portnoy co-founded Dream Theater and played on classics such as Images And Words and Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory. He returned to the band in 2023.

More Dream Theater drum sheet music

Want more than one song? The Dream Theater Ultimate Drum Collection includes Pull Me Under 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, Overture 1928 and Erotomania. See them all on the Dream Theater drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Does the sheet music cover the whole of Pull Me Under?

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 Pull Me Under a good first Dream Theater song?

Yes – it is one of the more approachable songs, with strong grooves and clear sections.

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