Led Zeppelin – Rock And Roll

Rock And Roll drum sheet music – a note-for-note transcription of John Bonham’s drum part on Led Zeppelin’s “Rock And Roll”, 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

“Rock And Roll” from Led Zeppelin IV starts with one of the most famous drum intros in rock – John Bonham alone, playing a loose, driving pattern before the band crashes in. The whole song is a lesson in playing fast with swagger rather than stiffness.

The intro (marked “loose” in the chart) mixes eighth-note hi-hat with snare accents and plenty of ghost notes, building with a crescendo. The verses keep a driving eighth-note groove at about 170 bpm, again with ghost notes on the snare, and the chart marks exactly where the crashes go and where they don’t.

What’s in the Rock And Roll drum sheet music

This Rock And Roll drum sheet music shows every ghost note in brackets, so you can hear how much of Bonham’s feel comes from the quiet notes. Repeat bars are counted (4, 8) so you always know where you are, and the sections are clearly labelled (intro and verses).

Looking for Rock And Roll 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: ♩ ≈ 170
• Time signature: 4/4
• Style: Classic rock
• Level: Intermediate to 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 Rock And Roll on drums

Once you have the Rock And Roll drum sheet music, here is a good way to learn it:

1. Start with the intro alone. Play it slowly and let the ghost notes be really quiet. The feel is loose, not rushed.
2. Balance the ghost notes. Accents and ghost notes should sound very different. Record yourself and listen back.
3. Build up the tempo. Begin around 120 bpm and move up in small steps towards 170.
4. Count the repeat bars. The long groove sections use counted repeats – keep track so you hit the next section on time.

Reading tips for this chart

• Ghost notes are written in brackets. Play them very softly – they add texture under the main groove and should be felt more than heard.
• 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.
• 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 Rock And Roll drum sheet music is for intermediate to advanced drummers who love classic rock and want to capture John Bonham’s feel. It is also a great workout for ghost notes and playing relaxed at a fast tempo.

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 Rock And Roll 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.

Listen to the song on YouTube · Got any questions? Get in touch · Need another song? Custom drum transcriptions