Queen – Death on Two Legs

Death On Two Legs drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Roger Taylor's drum part on Queen's “Death On Two Legs”, from the album A Night At The Opera (1975). Every groove, fill and dramatic stop is written out in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About Death On Two Legs drum sheet music

“Death On Two Legs (Dedicated to…)” is the opening track of A Night At The Opera, the 1975 album that also gave the world “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Written by Freddie Mercury, it is one of Queen’s most biting and theatrical rock songs.

After the piano intro, Roger Taylor’s drums come in with power and attitude. The part is hard-hitting and dramatic, with tight hits that follow the band’s arrangement and fills that add to the theatre of the song. At around 125 bpm it needs precision as much as power: clean stops, accurate accents and fills that land exactly with the guitars.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

This Death On Two Legs drum transcription was written bar by bar from Queen's studio recording and checked against the track. It is not a live take and nothing is simplified – these are the Death On Two Legs drum notes exactly as they were played on the record.

The notation is clean and professionally engraved, with clearly marked sections and repeats, so it is quick to find your place when you jump to a fill or a chorus. Print it for your music stand or keep it on a tablet – both work well.

Song facts

• Artist: Queen
• Album: A Night At The Opera (1975)
• Drummer: Roger Taylor
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 125
• Style: hard rock

What you get

When you buy Death On Two Legs drum sheet music, 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 Death On Two Legs on drums

A step-by-step way to learn Death On Two Legs on drums with the sheet music:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Follow the arrangement and mark the stops and band hits.
2. Practise below tempo. Start at around 100 bpm and work up to ♩ ≈ 125.
3. Lock in the band hits. Practise the accents and stops until they are tight and confident.
4. Isolate the fills. Play each fill slowly with the bar before and after it.
5. Play along with the record. Follow Freddie’s piano and Brian May’s guitar closely.
6. Record yourself. Check the stops are clean and nothing rushes.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Most free Death On Two Legs drum tabs are rough sketches – the main groove, maybe a fill or two, and rhythms that are hard to read. Note-for-note sheet music shows exactly what was played and when, so you learn the real part instead of an approximation, and you learn it faster.

Who is this sheet music for?

This sheet music suits intermediate drummers who love classic rock and want to play with both precision and drama. It is a great pick for Queen tribute bands and for teachers working on band hits and accents.

About Roger Taylor

Roger Taylor has been Queen’s drummer since 1970. As well as his powerful drumming and high harmony vocals, he wrote hits such as “Radio Ga Ga” and “A Kind of Magic”. His playing on A Night At The Opera shows his range – from heavy rock to delicate, orchestral parts.

More Queen drum sheet music

Want more than one song? The Queen Ultimate Drum Collection includes Death On Two Legs 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, We Are The Champions, The Hitman and Bohemian Rhapsody. See them all on the Queen drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Does the sheet music cover the whole of Death On Two Legs?

Yes – every section from the first bar to the last, exactly as played on the original recording. It is not a shortened or simplified version.

Is it written as drum tabs or as drum notation?

As standard drum notation on a five-line staff. Tabs can show which drum to hit but not the exact rhythm – notation shows both.

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.

What tempo is Death On Two Legs?

The song is at around ♩ ≈ 125, a driving rock tempo, with the drums entering after the piano introduction.

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