Lenny Kravitz – Always On The Run

Always On The Run drum sheet music – a note-for-note transcription of Lenny Kravitz’s drum part on Lenny Kravitz’s “Always On The Run”, from the album Mama Said (1991). Every groove, fill and cymbal hit is written out from the original recording in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About the drum part

“Always On The Run” from Mama Said is a funk-rock classic built on a massive riff. Lenny Kravitz played the drums on the record himself, and the part is heavy, funky and full of attitude.

After three bars of rest and a sixteenth-note snare pickup, the main groove comes in: an eighth-note hi-hat beat with syncopated sixteenth-note bass drum notes, in two-bar patterns. The choruses switch to crash cymbal eighth notes with sixteenth-note snare figures in between, and the solo section is marked “loose”, with sextuplet fills and a 3:2 open hi-hat figure.

What’s in the Always On The Run drum sheet music

This Always On The Run drum sheet music labels every section (intro, verses, choruses and solo), uses two-bar repeats and first to fourth-time endings, and marks the “drop on repeat” and “no crash” changes.

Looking for Always On The Run 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: Lenny Kravitz
• Album: Mama Said (1991)
• Drummer: Lenny Kravitz
• Tempo: ♩ = 84
• Time signature: 4/4
• Style: Funk rock
• 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 Always On The Run on drums

Once you have the Always On The Run drum sheet music, here is a good way to learn it:

1. Nail the kick syncopation. Play the bass drum part with the hi-hat alone before adding the snare.
2. Keep it heavy. At 84 bpm the groove should feel deep and solid.
3. Practise the sextuplet fills. Count 1-2-3-4-5-6 per beat and start slowly.
4. Loosen up for the solo. Open the hi-hat slightly where the chart says “loose”.

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.
• 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 Always On The Run drum sheet music is for intermediate drummers who love funk rock and want to work on syncopated bass drum grooves.

More Lenny Kravitz drum sheet music

Browse the Lenny Kravitz drum sheet music page, or order a custom drum transcription of another song.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Always On The Run drum sheet music the full song?

Yes. It is the complete drum part, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording on Mama Said. 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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