Another One Bites The Dust Drum Tab

Practice Queen on Drums

Easy

Want access to all lessons?

View Plans >>

Master This Song Faster With Interactive Drum Sheets

Original

$10 / month

Billed at $120 per year

7-day free trial
Full access to all songs
Interactive player
Downloadable drum sheets
Full support
Cancel anytime
30-day money-back guarantee

Start with 7-Day Trial

$15 / month

Billed at $15 per month

Full access to all songs
Interactive player
Downloadable drum sheets
Full support
Cancel anytime

Purchase

Learn to play Another One Bites The Dust on drums

Play Another One Bites the Dust drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized video player. Follow every note in real time as the synchronized drum notation moves along with the audio track. If the syncopated breaks challenge your timing, utilize tempo control to slow down the speed, or use looping sections to repeat the four-on-the-floor pocket until it becomes second nature. You can also listen to isolated drums to capture Roger Taylor's exact snare placement. Whether you are building precise meter consistency or refining your bass drum endurance, this interactive drum sheet makes mastering the groove faster and more intuitive than standard static PDFs. Grab your sticks and start practicing this funk-rock staple today!

Song information

Artist: Queen

Drummer: Roger Taylor

Album: The Game

Released: 1980

Sheet Music Details

Length

2 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

100-109

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features a strict disco-funk four-on-the-floor kick pattern, precise open and closed hi-hat syncopations, an unwavering mid-tempo pocket, and a minimalist drum score layout that prioritizes metronomic accuracy and timing control.

Song's Overview

Released in 1980 on Queen’s album The Game, Another One Bites the Dust represents a pivotal shift where rock music incorporated heavy funk and disco influences. Written by bassist John Deacon, the track relies on a tight, repetitive groove that altered how rock bands approached rhythm sections during that era. The emphasis shifted away from heavy guitar distortion toward a clean, bass-driven arrangement. For drummers who want to learn Another One Bites the Dust on drums, the track serves as a masterclass in minimalism and absolute precision. Roger Taylor's drumming strips away all unnecessary fills, locking directly into a strict four-on-the-floor bass drum pattern paired with a sharp backbeat on the snare. To deliver an accurate Another One Bites the Dust drum cover, a player must focus entirely on micro-timing and consistency rather than technical flash. The subtle open hi-hat accents and the distinct drum loop production technique require exceptional control over note values and dynamics. This Another One Bites the Dust drum sheet provides the exact transcription needed to study this minimalist approach. Analyzing this performance reveals how space and restraint can drive a stadium-sized rock arrangement more effectively than complex fills, making it a staple study for timing development.

Want access to all lessons?

View Plans >>

About the Drummer

Roger Taylor is the legendary drummer and backing vocalist for Queen, known for his orchestral and theatrical approach to rock drumming. He played a crucial role in creating some of the most recognizable anthems in history, making his work essential for those learning drums. His ability to combine pop appeal with technical rock skill makes him a favorite in the drumming community.

Drumming Style

His style is characterized by a crisp, "fat" snare sound and a signature use of open hi-hats to punctuate the rhythm. When playing drums like Taylor, one must focus on stadium-sized dynamics and dramatic fills that serve the vocal melody. Aspiring creators often choose his songs for drum covers to showcase both their technical control and their sense of musicality, which are key themes in modern drum lessons.

Practice Advice

Lock the Foot Tempo First

The song relies on an unwavering pulse at 110 BPM. Begin your tempo control practice at 90 BPM. Focus on burying the click with your bass drum before speeding up, ensuring the rhythm stays perfectly flat without rushing.

Loop the Hi-Hat Accents

The subtle open hi-hat barks before the chorus require precise coordination. Isolate these transition measures using looping sections. Practice matching the open sound exactly with the bass guitar riff until the closing note is perfectly clean.

Eliminate Overplayed Fills

A frequent error when playing this track is adding extra snare hits or rolls. The original drum score is defined by extreme restraint. Resist the urge to overplay, keeping your grooves entirely clean and supportive of the bassline.

Maintain a Heavy Pocket

Focus your energy entirely on the relationship between your bass drum and snare backbeat. Keep the hi-hat dynamic relatively quiet while making the snare hit solidly on beats two and four to achieve the deep, danceable rock feel.

Develop Foot Independence

The continuous quarter-note bass drum pattern demands strong foot control. Practice keeping the ankle relaxed throughout the full arrangement, ensuring the volume of each kick remains identical from the opening measure to the final fade-out.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Solidify the Four-on-the-Floor Base

Isolate the main verse groove, focusing exclusively on steady quarter notes on the bass drum and crisp hi-hat taps. Practice maintaining a perfectly even internal clock without shifting your micro-timing when the bass entry occurs.

Phase 2: Sync the Open Hi-Hat Taps

Introduce the specific open-and-close hi-hat accents that signal the transitions. Practice lifting and closing the hi-hat cymbals precisely on the off-beats without disrupting the steady momentum of your right foot.

Phase 3: Smooth Out Section Transitions

Analyze the minimalist structural adjustments between the verses, choruses, and the sparse bridge section. Work on entering each part smoothly, maintaining identical dynamics across the entire drum score without dropping or accelerating the tempo.

Phase 4: Perform the Full Arrangement Consistently

Execute the complete layout along with the track. Prioritize physical pocket endurance and strict note placement, ensuring your groove remains unshakeable and perfectly locked with the rhythm section from start to finish.

Skills You'll Improve

Four-on-the-Floor Kick Consistency
Micro-Timing and Meter Precision
Hi-Hat Open Close Coordination
Minimalist Groove Pocket Control
Section Transition Playing Endurance

Recommended For

This printable drum sheet is recommended for beginner and intermediate drummers seeking to build absolute pocket control and micro-timing precision. It is highly valuable for players wanting to master the restraint of funk-infused rock drumming and develop the stamina needed to drive an arrangement with unwavering rhythmic consistency.