Led Zeppelin – Good Times Bad Times

Good Times Bad Times drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of John Bonham's drum part on Led Zeppelin's “Good Times Bad Times”, from the album Led Zeppelin (1969). Every famous triplet bass-drum figure and fill is written out in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About Good Times Bad Times drum sheet music

“Good Times Bad Times” is the opening track of Led Zeppelin’s 1969 debut album. In under three minutes it introduced the world to the band – and to John Bonham’s drumming, which drummers still study more than fifty years later.

This is one of Bonham’s most celebrated performances. The part is full of inventive, powerful playing, including the famous fast bass-drum triplets that many drummers first thought were played with two pedals. At around 90 bpm it is not fast, but the foot technique, feel and fills make it a real challenge – and a must-study for every rock drummer.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

Every bar of this Good Times Bad Times 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 Good Times Bad Times 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: Led Zeppelin
• Album: Led Zeppelin (1969)
• Drummer: John Bonham
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 90
• Style: hard rock

What you get

Your Good Times Bad Times 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 Good Times Bad Times on drums

Here is a practice plan that works well for Good Times Bad Times:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Find the bass-drum triplet passages and the main fills.
2. Practise the foot patterns alone. Play the kick triplets slowly with a metronome until they are even.
3. Add the hands. Combine hands and feet slowly before building speed.
4. Learn the groove at ♩ ≈ 90. Keep the backbeat heavy and relaxed.
5. Play with the record. Feel Bonham’s swing and power.
6. Record yourself. Check your kick triplets are clean and even.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Learning Good Times Bad Times 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?

Good Times Bad Times drum sheet music is for intermediate to advanced drummers who want to learn Bonham’s bass-drum technique, and for Zeppelin tribute bands and teachers.

About John Bonham

John Bonham drummed with Led Zeppelin from 1968 to 1980. His heavy groove, huge sound and creative bass-drum work on songs such as “Good Times Bad Times”, “Immigrant Song” and “When the Levee Breaks” made him one of the most influential drummers in rock history.

More Led Zeppelin drum sheet music

Want more than one song? The Led Zeppelin Ultimate Drum Sheet Music Collection includes Good Times Bad Times together with other songs, at a lower price than buying them one by one. You can also get other Led Zeppelin songs one by one: Stairway To Heaven, Immigrant Song, Whole Lotta Love and Since I’ve Been Loving You. See them all on the Led Zeppelin drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the complete Good Times Bad Times drum part?

Yes. The whole song is transcribed note-for-note from the record, including every fill, as heard on Led Zeppelin.

Is Good Times Bad Times 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.

Did John Bonham use a double pedal on Good Times Bad Times?

No – the fast bass-drum triplets were played with a single pedal. The sheet music shows exactly how the patterns are written.

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