Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Roger Taylor's drum part on Queen's “Bohemian Rhapsody”, from the album A Night At The Opera (1975). From the ballad section to the opera and the hard-rock climax, every section is written out clearly in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About Bohemian Rhapsody drum sheet music

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is Queen’s epic masterpiece from A Night At The Opera. Written by Freddie Mercury, it spent nine weeks at number one in the UK in 1975 and returned to the top in 1991. It is one of the most famous rock songs ever made.

The song moves from ballad to opera to hard rock and back, and Roger Taylor’s drums follow every turn – gentle support in the ballad, dramatic hits in the opera section and a powerful groove in the rock section. Every section is written out clearly, making it a fun challenge and a crowd favourite.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

Every bar of this Bohemian Rhapsody 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 Bohemian Rhapsody 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: Queen
• Album: A Night At The Opera (1975)
• Drummer: Roger Taylor
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 70
• Style: rock / progressive rock

What you get

Your Bohemian Rhapsody 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 Bohemian Rhapsody on drums

Here is a practice plan that works well for Bohemian Rhapsody:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Follow each section – there are many.
2. Learn it section by section. Treat the ballad, opera and rock parts as separate pieces.
3. Practise the ballad at ♩ ≈ 70. Keep the slow time steady.
4. Nail the opera hits. Practise the band hits slowly until they are exact.
5. Play the rock section with power. Then practise the transitions.
6. Play the whole song with the record. Record yourself and check every transition.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Learning Bohemian Rhapsody 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?

Bohemian Rhapsody drum sheet music suits intermediate drummers, Queen tribute and cover bands, and anyone who wants to play one of the greatest rock songs ever.

About Roger Taylor

Roger Taylor has been Queen’s drummer since 1970. He also sings the famous high “Galileo” parts on “Bohemian Rhapsody” and wrote hits such as “Radio Ga Ga”.

More Queen drum sheet music

Want more than one song? The Queen Ultimate Drum Collection includes Bohemian Rhapsody together with other songs, at a lower price than buying them one by one. You can also get other Queen songs one by one: The Show Must Go On, Death on Two Legs, We Are The Champions and The Hitman. See them all on the Queen drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the complete Bohemian Rhapsody drum part?

Yes. The whole song is transcribed note-for-note from the record, including every fill, as heard on A Night At The Opera.

Is Bohemian Rhapsody 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.

Is Bohemian Rhapsody hard on drums?

It is not fast, but the many sections and band hits need careful reading. It suits intermediate drummers.

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