Led Zeppelin – Black Dog

Black Dog drum sheet music – a note-for-note transcription of John Bonham’s drum part on Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog”, from the album Led Zeppelin IV (1971). Every groove, fill and cymbal hit is written out from the original recording in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About the drum part

“Black Dog” opens Led Zeppelin IV and is famous for its call-and-response between Robert Plant’s voice and the band’s twisting riff. For drummers it is a classic puzzle: John Bonham keeps a straight feel while the riff seems to shift against the beat.

The chart shows how it works: the a-cappella vocal bars and a 5/4 bar, then 4/4 and 5/8 bars that follow the riff, with first, second and third-time endings. Between the riff sections Bonham plays eighth-note hi-hat grooves with syncopated sixteenth-note bass drum and grace-note snares, and triplet figures in the fills.

What’s in the Black Dog drum sheet music

The whole Black Dog drum sheet music fits on one page using repeats, endings and a D.C. al Coda, with sections labelled A to E and an outro that repeats until the fade-out. Every time-signature change is written where it happens.

Looking for Black Dog 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: Led Zeppelin
• Album: Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
• Drummer: John Bonham
• Tempo: ♩ = 80
• Time signature: 4/4, with 5/4 and 5/8 bars
• Style: Classic rock / hard rock
• Level: Advanced

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 Black Dog on drums

Once you have the Black Dog drum sheet music, here is a good way to learn it:

1. Count the odd bars. Practise the 5/4 and 5/8 bars slowly, counting eighth notes.
2. Learn the riff first. Sing or hum the guitar riff while you play – it makes the meter changes easier.
3. Follow the road map. Walk through the repeats and D.C. al Coda before playing.
4. Keep the groove heavy. Even with the changes, Bonham’s feel is solid and relaxed.

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.
• Road-map signs (segno, D.S., D.C., “To Coda”) tell you where to jump. Trace the order of sections with your finger before you play.
• 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.
• Time-signature changes are written exactly where they happen. When a new one appears, count the smallest note value (eighths or sixteenths) until it feels natural.

Who is it for?

This Black Dog drum sheet music is for advanced drummers and Led Zeppelin fans who want to master one of the trickiest classic rock riffs and learn how Bonham plays through odd meters.

More Led Zeppelin drum sheet music

You might also like Stairway To Heaven, Good Times Bad Times, Whole Lotta Love, and the rest of the Led Zeppelin drum sheet music collection.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Black Dog drum sheet music the full song?

Yes. It is the complete drum part, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording on Led Zeppelin IV. 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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