Green Day – Wake Me Up When September Ends

Wake Me Up When September Ends drum sheet music – a note-for-note transcription of Tré Cool’s drum part on Green Day’s “Wake Me Up When September Ends”, from the album American Idiot (2004). Every groove, fill and cymbal hit is written out from the original recording in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About the drum part

“Wake Me Up When September Ends” is one of the emotional high points of Green Day’s American Idiot. The drums wait a long time before they come in, and when they do, Tré Cool starts gently and builds the song step by step.

The drums rest through the intro and the first vocal section. They enter on brushes, with a kick and snare pattern that includes grace notes and an open hi-hat at the end of phrases. Later the part moves to a fuller groove with washy crash cymbal eighth notes and sixteenth-note snare fills, so the song grows from quiet to big.

What’s in the Wake Me Up When September Ends drum sheet music

This Wake Me Up When September Ends drum sheet music marks the long rests, the brushes section and the switch to the fuller groove. Sections are labelled, repeat bars are counted (4, 8), and first- and second-time endings keep the layout short.

Looking for Wake Me Up When September Ends drum tabs? This is full drum notation on a five-line staff, so it shows the exact rhythm of every note – something tabs can’t do.

Song facts

• Artist: Green Day
• Album: American Idiot (2004)
• Drummer: Tré Cool
• Tempo: ♩ = 105
• Time signature: 4/4
• Style: Rock ballad
• Level: Beginner to intermediate

What 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 Wake Me Up When September Ends on drums

Once you have the Wake Me Up When September Ends drum sheet music, here is a good way to learn it:

1. Count the rests. The drums enter after twelve bars. Count carefully or follow the vocal.
2. Practise with brushes. If you do not have brushes, play the early section very softly with sticks.
3. Grow the dynamics. Each section should be a little bigger than the one before.
4. Keep fills in time. Play the sixteenth-note fills slowly first so they do not rush.

Reading tips for this chart

• Open and closed hi-hat are marked with a small “o” (open) and “+” (closed) above the note. The timing of the openings is part of the groove, so follow them closely.
• First- and second-time endings show which bars to play on each pass of a repeat. Play the bracket marked “1.” the first time and skip to “2.” the next time.
• Repeat bars (the slash signs) mean “play the previous bar or bars again”. The small numbers above them count the bars so you do not lose your place.
• Grace notes and flams are the small notes just before the main note. Play them softly and slightly ahead of the beat.
• Section labels in boxes (such as I, V1, C1) name each part of the song – intro, verse, chorus and so on – so you can find your place quickly.

Who is it for?

This Wake Me Up When September Ends drum sheet music is great for beginner to intermediate drummers who want a popular song that teaches dynamics, brushes and patience.

More Green Day drum sheet music

You might also like Boulevard Of Broken Dreams, 21 Guns, and the rest of the Green Day drum sheet music collection.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Wake Me Up When September Ends drum sheet music the full song?

Yes. It is the complete drum part, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording on American Idiot. Nothing is simplified.

Is it a drum tab or real notation?

It is real drum notation, the standard way drum parts are written. If you are used to tabs, it is worth the switch – notation shows rhythm exactly, which tabs can’t.

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.

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