System Of A Down – Chop Suey

Chop Suey! drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of John Dolmayan's drum part on System Of A Down's “Chop Suey!”, from the album Toxicity (2001). Every fast section, quiet part and fill is written out in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About Chop Suey! drum sheet music

“Chop Suey!” was the lead single from Toxicity and System Of A Down’s breakthrough hit. It was nominated for a Grammy and is one of the most famous metal songs of the 2000s.

The song switches between fast, intense sections and quieter, melodic ones, and John Dolmayan’s part follows every change. It is a great workout for speed, control and dynamics.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

Every bar of this Chop Suey! 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 Chop Suey! 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: System Of A Down
• Album: Toxicity (2001)
• Drummer: John Dolmayan
• Style: alternative metal

What you get

Your Chop Suey! 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 Chop Suey! on drums

Here is a practice plan that works well for Chop Suey!:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Mark every section change.
2. Practise the fast parts slowly. Then build up the tempo.
3. Practise the quiet parts. Keep them controlled.
4. Work on the transitions. Switching quickly is the main challenge.
5. Play with the record. Lock in with the band.
6. Record yourself. Check the fast sections stay tight.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Learning Chop Suey! 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?

Chop Suey! drum sheet music suits intermediate to advanced drummers and System Of A Down fans and cover bands.

About John Dolmayan

John Dolmayan joined System Of A Down in 1997. His fast, precise and creative drumming drives albums such as Toxicity and Mezmerize.

More System Of A Down drum sheet music

Want more than one song? The System of a Down Ultimate Drum Sheet Music Collection includes Chop Suey! together with other songs, at a lower price than buying them one by one. You can also get other System Of A Down songs one by one: Aerials, Toxicity, Lonely Day and Revenga. See them all on the System Of A Down drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the complete Chop Suey! drum part?

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

Is Chop Suey! 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 Chop Suey! hard on drums?

It is fast and changes often, so it suits intermediate to advanced players.

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