Max Roach Solo – Cherokee

Cherokee drum solo transcription – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Max Roach’s drum solo on “Cherokee”, from the album Study In Brown. Every phrase is written out in clean, print-ready drum sheet music.

About Cherokee drum sheet music

“Cherokee” is the classic test piece of bebop, famously used by Charlie Parker. The Clifford Brown–Max Roach Quintet recorded a legendary version at an extremely fast tempo on Study In Brown.

At around 360 bpm, Roach’s solo is one of the most famous fast-tempo drum solos in jazz. Even at this speed, his phrases are clear and musical.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

Every bar of this Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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: Max Roach
• Album: Study In Brown (1955)
• Drummer: Max Roach
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 360
• Style: bebop jazz drum solo

What you get

Your Cherokee 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 Cherokee on drums

Here is a practice plan that works well for Cherokee:

1. Listen many times. Sing the phrases.
2. Practise very slowly. Learn the notes at a fraction of the tempo.
3. Learn phrase by phrase. Join phrases only when secure.
4. Stay relaxed. Tension is the enemy at this speed.
5. Build up gradually. Raise the tempo in small steps.
6. Play along with the record. Aim for clarity, not just speed.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Learning Cherokee 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?

This transcription is for advanced jazz drummers who want to master very fast bebop.

About Max Roach

Max Roach was a founder of bebop drumming who played with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Bud Powell. With trumpeter Clifford Brown he co-led one of the greatest quintets of the 1950s, and his melodic approach to the drum kit influenced every jazz drummer who followed.

More jazz drum sheet music

Want more than one song? The Max Roach Drum Solo Transcriptions Collection includes Cherokee together with other songs, at a lower price than buying them one by one. You can also get other jazz songs one by one: What Is This Thing Called Love, Rhythm, I’ll Remember April and Hard Wired. See them all on the jazz drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the complete Cherokee drum part?

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

Is Cherokee 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.

How fast is Cherokee?

Extremely fast – around ♩ ≈ 360.

Can’t find the song you need?

Order a custom drum transcription of any song on YouTube.

Listen to the song on YouTube · Got any questions? Get in touch