Guns N’ Roses – Don’t Cry

Don't Cry drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Matt Sorum's drum part on Guns N' Roses' “Don't Cry”, from the album Use Your Illusion I (1991). Every groove and fill is written out exactly as recorded, in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About Don't Cry drum sheet music

“Don’t Cry” was released on both Use Your Illusion albums in 1991 (with different lyrics on II) and became a top-10 hit in the US. It is one of Guns N’ Roses’ best-loved ballads.

The drum part is a slow, emotional rock ballad groove with a laid-back feel and dramatic fills. At around 60 bpm, it is great for practising feel at a slow tempo.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

Every bar of this Don't Cry drum transcription comes from the original recording. Instead of an approximate groove with a couple of fills, you get the whole drum part – so if you need Don't Cry drum notes that sound like the record when you play them, this is the version to use.

The sheet music is professionally engraved and easy to read on a music stand or on a tablet. Each part of the song is clearly labelled, and repeats with first- and second-time endings keep the layout compact, so you spend less time turning pages and more time playing.

Song facts

• Artist: Guns N' Roses
• Album: Use Your Illusion I (1991)
• Drummer: Matt Sorum
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 60
• Style: rock ballad

What you get

Your Don't Cry drum sheet music download includes:

• 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 Don't Cry on drums

Here is a practice plan that works well for Don't Cry:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Feel the slow groove.
2. Subdivide at ♩ ≈ 60. Count sixteenths.
3. Play laid-back. Let the backbeat sit back.
4. Learn the fills. Slowly and evenly.
5. Play with the record. Follow Axl’s vocal.
6. Record yourself. Check the slow time.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Learning Don't Cry by ear or from a free tab usually means guessing the details – which fill goes where, what the hi-hat is doing, how a section ends. Accurate sheet music takes the guesswork out: the rhythms are exact, the song structure is clear, and you can focus on playing instead of decoding.

Who is this sheet music for?

Don’t Cry drum sheet music suits intermediate drummers and Guns N’ Roses tribute bands.

About Matt Sorum

Matt Sorum joined Guns N’ Roses in 1990 and played on Use Your Illusion I and II. He later co-founded Velvet Revolver.

More Guns N' Roses drum sheet music

Other Guns N' Roses songs in the store: Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door, Paradise City, Welcome To The Jungle and Sweet Child O’ Mine. See them all on the Guns N' Roses drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the complete Don't Cry drum part?

Yes. The whole song is transcribed note-for-note from the record, including every fill, as heard on Use Your Illusion I.

Is Don't Cry drum sheet music a tab or real notation?

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

How is the sheet music delivered?

As a PDF download. The link shows up as soon as you complete checkout and is emailed to you as well.

Which version is this?

It is transcribed from the original recording on Use Your Illusion I.

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