Queens of the Stone Age – A Song for the Dead

A Song For The Dead drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Dave Grohl's drum part on Queens Of The Stone Age's “A Song For The Dead”, from the album Songs For The Deaf (2002). Every fill of Dave Grohl’s powerhouse performance is written out in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About A Song For The Dead drum sheet music

“A Song For The Dead” closes the main part of Songs For The Deaf, Queens Of The Stone Age’s breakthrough 2002 album. Dave Grohl joined the band to record the album, and his drumming on it is often called some of the best of his career.

This is Grohl at full power: fast, relentless and packed with energetic fills, on one of the heaviest stoner-rock tracks of the 2000s. At around 210 bpm, the part is a real workout for speed and stamina, and it also needs control – the fills have to stay clean and in time while the band hammers on.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

The A Song For The Dead drum transcription on this page is written from the original studio recording – not from a live version and not from a simplified arrangement. If you have been searching for A Song For The Dead drum notes that actually match the record, this is the complete part, from the first bar to the last.

Song sections are clearly labelled, so you always know where you are, and the layout follows the song from start to finish. The PDF is professionally engraved, prints cleanly and reads just as well on an iPad or any other tablet.

Song facts

• Artist: Queens Of The Stone Age
• Album: Songs For The Deaf (2002)
• Drummer: Dave Grohl
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 210
• Style: stoner rock / hard rock

What you get

Here is what is included with A Song For The Dead drum sheet music:

• 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 A Song For The Dead on drums

Once you have the A Song For The Dead drum sheet music, here is a simple way to learn it:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Mark the main grooves and the big fills.
2. Start well below tempo. Practise at 140–160 bpm until everything is clean.
3. Build stamina. Play long sections without stopping to build endurance.
4. Isolate Grohl’s fills. Practise them slowly, then at speed.
5. Increase the tempo gradually. Work up to ♩ ≈ 210 a few bpm at a time.
6. Play with the record. Then record yourself and check nothing drags or rushes.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Free versions of A Song For The Dead drum notes online are often tabs typed out by ear, with missing fills and rhythms that don’t match the record. A proper transcription saves you hours of guessing: every part is checked against the original recording, the rhythms are exact, and the layout follows the song so you always know where you are.

Who is this sheet music for?

A Song For The Dead drum sheet music is for intermediate to advanced rock drummers who want a serious workout, and for Dave Grohl and QOTSA fans who want his exact part.

About Dave Grohl

Dave Grohl first became famous as Nirvana’s drummer on Nevermind and In Utero, and later founded Foo Fighters. His drumming on Songs For The Deaf and in Them Crooked Vultures shows his huge power and energy behind the kit.

More Queens Of The Stone Age drum sheet music

This is currently the only Queens Of The Stone Age song in the store – the Queens Of The Stone Age drum sheet music page will list new ones as they are added. In the meantime, browse the full drum sheet music store.

Frequently asked questions

Is this A Song For The Dead drum sheet music the full song?

Yes. It is the full song, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording on Songs For The Deaf. Nothing is simplified.

Are these A Song For The Dead drum tabs?

No – it is proper drum notation, which is more precise than tabs because it shows exactly when every note falls. If you are new to reading, it is easier than it looks – each drum and cymbal has its own place on the staff.

When do I get the PDF?

Straight away – the download link appears right after checkout and arrives in your inbox, so you can print it or open it on a tablet.

What tempo is A Song For The Dead?

It is very fast – around ♩ ≈ 210. Start much slower and build up step by step.

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