Tool – The Pot

The Pot drum sheet music – a note-for-note transcription of Danny Carey’s drum part on Tool’s “The Pot”, from the album 10,000 Days (2006). Every groove, fill and cymbal hit is written out from the original recording in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About the drum part

“The Pot” from Tool’s 10,000 Days is one of Danny Carey’s grooviest parts, and one of the most popular Tool songs among drummers. It sounds heavy, but the magic is in the constant small changes inside the groove.

The song opens with the bass drum on 2 and 4 under the a-cappella vocal, followed by a sixteenth-note snare and tom fill. The verse is written out bar by bar rather than with repeat signs, because Carey keeps changing kick placements, ghosted snares and open hi-hats – no two bars are quite the same.

What’s in the The Pot drum sheet music

This The Pot drum sheet music writes out the verse in full, so every small variation is on the page. Sections are labelled, the loose groove is marked, first- and second-time endings are used where the part really does repeat, and every open hi-hat is shown.

Looking for The Pot 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: Tool
• Album: 10,000 Days (2006)
• Drummer: Danny Carey
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 105
• Time signature: 4/4
• Style: Progressive metal
• Level: Advanced

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 The Pot on drums

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

1. Learn the core groove first. Find the basic pattern that most bars share, then add the variations one by one.
2. Practise the syncopated kicks. Many bass drum notes land on sixteenth-note offbeats. Count them slowly.
3. Keep it loose. The chart marks the groove as loose – do not play it stiff.
4. Work in sections. Learn four bars at a time before linking them together.

Reading tips for this chart

• Ghost notes are written in brackets. Play them very softly – they add texture under the main groove and should be felt more than heard.
• 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.
• First- and second-time endings show which bars to play on each pass of a repeat. Play the bracket marked “1.” the first time and skip to “2.” the next time.
• 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 The Pot drum sheet music is for advanced drummers and Tool fans who want to understand how Danny Carey builds a groove. It is also great practice for reading long, written-out parts.

More Tool drum sheet music

You might also like Forty Six & 2, Schism, Sober, and the rest of the Tool drum sheet music collection.

Frequently asked questions

Is this The Pot drum sheet music the full song?

Yes. It is the complete drum part, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording on 10,000 Days. 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