Guns N’ Roses – Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door drum sheet music – a note-for-note transcription of the drum part on Guns N’ Roses’ “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”, from the album Use Your Illusion II (1991). Every groove, fill and cymbal hit is written out from the original recording in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About the drum part

Guns N’ Roses turned Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” into a huge rock anthem on Use Your Illusion II. The drum part is a slow, powerful ballad groove that leaves plenty of space for the vocals and guitar solos.

After three bars of rest, a short grace-note fill brings the drums in. Much of the song sits on a sixteenth-note hi-hat groove with syncopated bass drum notes and open hi-hat accents, while the verses use a lighter eighth-note feel. The solo section and later choruses add small variations, fills and flams.

What’s in the Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door drum sheet music

This Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door drum sheet music labels every section (intro, verses, choruses and solo), and uses repeats with first- and second-time endings and “2nd only” notes for the changes between passes. Grace notes and open hi-hats are all written in.

Looking for Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door 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: Guns N’ Roses
• Album: Use Your Illusion II (1991)
• Tempo: ♩ = 66
• Time signature: 4/4
• Style: Rock ballad
• Level: 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 Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door on drums

Once you have the Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door drum sheet music, here is a good way to learn it:

1. Relax at the slow tempo. At 66 bpm, even sixteenth notes are slow. Keep your hi-hat relaxed and steady.
2. Lock the bass drum with the hi-hat. Practise the syncopated kick notes against the sixteenths slowly.
3. Shape the dynamics. Verses are lighter, choruses fuller. Let the song breathe.
4. Mark the repeats. Follow the endings and “2nd only” notes so each pass sounds right.

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 Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door drum sheet music suits intermediate drummers, cover-band players and anyone who wants a classic rock ballad to work on time, feel and sixteenth-note hi-hat control.

More Guns N’ Roses drum sheet music

You might also like Paradise City, Welcome To The Jungle, Don’t Cry, and the rest of the Guns N’ Roses drum sheet music collection.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door drum sheet music the full song?

Yes. It is the complete drum part, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording on Use Your Illusion II. 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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