Red Hot Chili Peppers – By The Way

By The Way drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Chad Smith's drum part on Red Hot Chili Peppers' “By The Way”, from the album By The Way (2002). Every groove and fill is written out exactly as recorded, in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About By The Way drum sheet music

“By The Way” is the title track of the Chili Peppers’ 2002 album and topped the US Modern Rock chart. It switches between fast, punchy verses and a melodic chorus.

Chad Smith’s part is energetic and funky, with punchy, driving playing at around 120 bpm. Great for drummers who love funk rock and want to work on switching between feels.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

The By The Way 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 By The Way 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: Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Album: By The Way (2002)
• Drummer: Chad Smith
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 120
• Style: funk rock

What you get

Here is what is included with By The Way 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 By The Way on drums

Once you have the By The Way drum sheet music, here is a simple way to learn it:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Mark the verse and chorus grooves.
2. Practise each groove. Play them with a metronome.
3. Practise the switches. Move cleanly between sections.
4. Learn the fills. Slowly first, then in context.
5. Play with the record. Lock in with Flea.
6. Record yourself. Check your transitions.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Free versions of By The Way 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?

By The Way drum sheet music suits intermediate drummers and Chili Peppers fans and cover bands.

About Chad Smith

Chad Smith has played drums for the Red Hot Chili Peppers since 1988, on albums such as Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Californication and By The Way.

More Red Hot Chili Peppers drum sheet music

Other Red Hot Chili Peppers songs in the store: Otherside, Around The World, Give It Away and Under The Bridge. See them all on the Red Hot Chili Peppers drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Is this By The Way drum sheet music the full song?

Yes. It is the full song, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording on By The Way. Nothing is simplified.

Are these By The Way 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 By The Way?

Around ♩ ≈ 120.

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