Radiohead – Creep

Creep drum sheet music – a note-for-note transcription of Philip Selway’s drum part on Radiohead’s “Creep”, from the album Pablo Honey (1993). Every groove, fill and cymbal hit is written out from the original recording in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About the drum part

“Creep” was Radiohead’s breakthrough single and it is one of the most popular songs for drummers who are starting to play along with records. Philip Selway’s part serves the song: steady and simple in the verses, then bigger and louder in the choruses when the famous guitar crunch comes in.

The groove is an eighth-note hi-hat pattern with a syncopated sixteenth-note bass drum pickup, and an open hi-hat at the end of phrases. In the second verse the part thins out, and crescendos lead into each chorus. The whole song fits on a single page of this transcription.

What’s in the Creep drum sheet music

The whole Creep drum sheet music fits on one page, which makes it perfect for playing along without page turns. Sections are labelled (intro, verses, choruses and outro), repeats and two-bar repeat signs keep it compact, and the chart shows where to play a crash and where not to (“no crash” / “w/ crash”).

Looking for Creep drum tabs? This is full drum notation on a five-line staff, so it shows the exact rhythm of every note – something tabs can’t do.

Song facts

• Artist: Radiohead
• Album: Pablo Honey (1993)
• Drummer: Philip Selway
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 95
• Time signature: 4/4
• Style: Alternative rock
• Level: Beginner to intermediate

What 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 Creep on drums

Once you have the Creep drum sheet music, here is a good way to learn it:

1. Nail the bass drum pickup. The sixteenth-note kick before beat 3 gives the groove its feel. Practise it slowly with a metronome.
2. Keep the verses soft. Play the hi-hat lightly in the verses so the choruses have room to get bigger.
3. Follow the crescendos. The hairpins show where to build into the chorus. Grow your volume over the whole bar, not just the last beat.
4. Count the repeat bars. Many bars are written as repeat signs. Count them so you always know where you are.

Reading tips for this chart

• Open and closed hi-hat are marked with a small “o” (open) and “+” (closed) above the note. The timing of the openings is part of the groove, so follow them closely.
• Repeat bars (the slash signs) mean “play the previous bar or bars again”. The small numbers above them count the bars so you do not lose your place.
• Section labels in boxes (such as I, V1, C1) name each part of the song – intro, verse, chorus and so on – so you can find your place quickly.

Who is it for?

This Creep drum sheet music is ideal for beginner and intermediate drummers who want a well-known song with a real-world groove. Drum teachers also use it to teach dynamics, open hi-hat and reading repeat signs.

More Radiohead drum sheet music

You might also like Karma Police, and the rest of the Radiohead drum sheet music collection.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Creep drum sheet music the full song?

Yes. It is the complete drum part, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording on Pablo Honey. Nothing is simplified.

Is it a drum tab or real notation?

It is real drum notation, the standard way drum parts are written. If you are used to tabs, it is worth the switch – notation shows rhythm exactly, which tabs can’t.

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.

Listen to the song on YouTube · Got any questions? Get in touch · Need another song? Custom drum transcriptions