Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun

Black Hole Sun drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Matt Cameron's drum part on Soundgarden's “Black Hole Sun”, from the album Superunknown (1994). From the moody verses to the powerful choruses, the drum part is written out in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About Black Hole Sun drum sheet music

“Black Hole Sun” is Soundgarden’s most famous song, from their number-one album Superunknown. It won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance and its surreal video became an MTV classic.

Matt Cameron’s part moves from a moody, restrained groove into powerful choruses. It is slow and heavy, with lots of space, so the challenge is feel and dynamics rather than speed. A great study in playing with restraint and power in the same song.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

The Black Hole Sun 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 Black Hole Sun 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: Soundgarden
• Album: Superunknown (1994)
• Drummer: Matt Cameron
• Style: grunge

What you get

Here is what is included with Black Hole Sun 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 Black Hole Sun on drums

Once you have the Black Hole Sun drum sheet music, here is a simple way to learn it:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Notice the contrast between verses and choruses.
2. Practise the slow groove. Subdivide to keep steady time.
3. Keep the verses soft. Let Chris Cornell’s vocal lead.
4. Open up the choruses. Play heavy and full.
5. Learn the fills. Slowly first, then in context.
6. Play with the record and record yourself. Check your dynamics and time.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Free versions of Black Hole Sun 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?

Black Hole Sun drum sheet music suits intermediate drummers who want to work on feel and dynamics, and ’90s rock and grunge cover bands.

About Matt Cameron

Matt Cameron drummed for Soundgarden from 1986 and joined Pearl Jam in 1998. His inventive grooves and odd-time playing can be heard on Badmotorfinger, Superunknown and many Pearl Jam albums.

More Soundgarden drum sheet music

Want more than one song? The Grunge & 90s Alternative Drum Sheet Music Collection includes Black Hole Sun together with other songs, at a lower price than buying them one by one. You can also get other Soundgarden songs one by one: Blow Up The Outside World. See them all on the Soundgarden drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Black Hole Sun drum sheet music the full song?

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

Are these Black Hole Sun 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.

Is Black Hole Sun hard on drums?

It is an intermediate song. The tempo is slow, and the main challenges are the dynamics and feel.

Can’t find the song you need?

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