Queen – The Hitman

The Hitman drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Roger Taylor's drum part on Queen's “The Hitman”, from the album Innuendo (1991). Every groove and fill is written out exactly as recorded, in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About The Hitman drum sheet music

“The Hitman” is one of the heaviest tracks on Innuendo, Queen’s last album released during Freddie Mercury’s lifetime. With its crunching guitar riff, it shows the band could still rock as hard as ever.

Roger Taylor plays a hard-hitting rock groove with plenty of power and attitude. The part locks tightly with the riff and pushes the energy all the way through, making it a great song for drummers who love heavy classic rock.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

Every bar of this The Hitman 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 The Hitman 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: Innuendo (1991)
• Drummer: Roger Taylor
• Style: hard rock

What you get

Your The Hitman 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 The Hitman on drums

Here is a practice plan that works well for The Hitman:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Feel how the drums lock with the riff.
2. Practise the groove. Play it with a metronome until it is tight.
3. Play with power. Keep the backbeat strong and confident.
4. Learn the fills. Slowly first, then in context.
5. Play with the record. Lock in with Brian May’s guitar.
6. Record yourself. Check your groove stays tight.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Learning The Hitman 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 sheet music suits intermediate drummers who love heavy classic rock, and Queen tribute bands who want more than the hits.

About Roger Taylor

Roger Taylor has been Queen’s drummer since 1970. His powerful drumming and high harmony vocals are part of the band’s sound, and he wrote hits such as “Radio Ga Ga” and “These Are the Days of Our Lives”.

More Queen drum sheet music

Want more than one song? The Queen Ultimate Drum Collection includes The Hitman 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 Bohemian Rhapsody. See them all on the Queen drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the complete The Hitman drum part?

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

Is The Hitman 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 The Hitman one of Queen’s heavier songs?

Yes – it is one of their heaviest tracks, with a hard-hitting groove that follows the guitar riff.

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