Car Radio
Drum Sheet Music

Practice 21 PILOTS on Drums

Intermediate to Advanced

Want access to all lessons?

View Plans >>

Learn to Play Car Radio Faster With Pro Interactive Drum Player

Choose your Drum Sheet Version

Two versions of the drum sheet - choose the one that fits your level and goals.

ORIGINAL VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Intermediate to Advanced

Exactly as played on the original recording
All fills & ghost notes
Full arrangement

Purchase for only 1.90$

SIMPLIFIED VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Easy to Intermediate

Easier to learn
Simplified fills
Reduced ghost notes
Perfect for beginners & intermediates

Purchase for only 1.90$

Not sure which version?

We recommend starting with the Simplified Version and moving to the Original Version once you're comfortable with the groove and structure.

Unlock all songs library and practice like a pro:

$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

Drumming Techniques You'll Learn in Car Radio

Hybrid Electronic Rock Timekeeping
Large Scale Dynamic Pacing
Four On The Floor Endurance
Syncopated Snare Accent Precision
Section Transition Timing Control

Recommended For

This printable drum sheet is recommended for intermediate drummers looking to strengthen hybrid electronic-rock timekeeping, dynamic pacing, and lower-body endurance. It is highly valuable for alternative players who want to master massive structural builds and develop the ability to drive an intense song climax with absolute precision, confidence, and musicality.

Learn to play Car Radio on drums

Play Car Radio drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized video player. Follow every note in real time as the notation moves with the music, slow down challenging sections with tempo control, loop difficult grooves until they feel natural, and isolate the drum track to hear every detail of Josh Dun's intense performance. Whether you are building confidence with electronic-rock hybrid patterns or mastering massive structural crescendos, our step-by-step learning tools make mastering this song faster, easier, and far more effective than practicing from a static PDF alone. Grab your sticks, embrace the build-up, and sync your timing today!

Song information

Artist: 21 PILOTS

Drummer: Josh Dun

Album: Vessel

Released: 2013

Sheet Music Details

Length

3 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

130-139

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features an intense electronic-rock hybrid build, continuous four-on-the-floor bass drum endurance, rapid syncopated snare accents, controlled open cymbal washing, and dramatic large-scale dynamic phrasing.

Song's Overview

Released in 2013 on Twenty One Pilots' breakthrough album Vessel, "Car Radio" stands as a remarkable study in rhythmic tension, electronic hybrid arrangements, and monumental dynamic scaling. The song deviates from standard rock formulas by withholding the full acoustic drum kit for a significant portion of the track, relying instead on a driving electronic pulse and intense vocal delivery to build an overwhelming sense of anticipation. For musicians who want to learn Car Radio on drums, the track highlights the power of patience and explosive execution. Josh Dun's drumming is characterized by a deliberate transition from minimalist electronic patterns into a thunderous, high-energy alternative rock groove during the song's climax. The final section demands an unrelenting four-on-the-floor bass drum foundation mixed with rapid, syncopated snare accents and heavy cymbal washing. Analyzing this Car Radio drum cover shows how critical pacing is to modern alternative music. Using an accurate Car Radio drum sheet helps intermediate players dissect how the live drums lock with synth loops, making it an essential study for anyone looking to master hybrid drumming, dramatic volume builds, and peak physical endurance.

Want access to all lessons?

View Plans >>

About the Drummer

Josh Dun is the energetic drummer for Twenty One Pilots, known for blending electronic pads with a traditional acoustic kit. He is a modern hero for those learning drums, often incorporating hip-hop and indie-pop influences into his playing. His high-energy live performances have made him a global icon for a new generation of drummers.

Drumming Style

His style is eclectic and syncopated, often featuring rapid-fire snare rolls and hybrid electronic-acoustic beats. When playing drums to his tracks, you must be comfortable switching between acoustic and digital sounds. His songs are top-tier choices for modern drum covers and specialized drum lessons on hybrid drumming.

Practice Advice

Start Below Full Speed

The final climax hits around 130 BPM. Start practicing the heavy closing groove at 100 BPM to ensure your hand-to-foot coordination is flawless before increasing the speed.

Loop the Climactic Outro

The ending features rapid snare syncopation and open hi-hat washes. Use loop mode to repeat these high-intensity measures until the pattern flows naturally without physical tension.

Avoid Rushing the Electronic Intro

A frequent mistake is playing over the initial ambient section. Wait for your cue and maintain strict internal timing alongside the synth loops without pushing ahead early.

Ground Your Four-on-the-Floor Pulse

The heavy rock section depends on a steady quarter-note kick drum pulse. Practice with a metronome to keep your foot completely stable beneath the syncopated hands.

Master the Dramatic Dynamic Build

The track relies on a massive structural crescendo. Focus on your stick heights, starting with controlled, lower-volume strokes and expanding to full-power accents as the intensity peaks.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Internalize the Electronic Synth Foundation

Isolate the opening sections of the track. Practice counting along with the ambient synthesizer loops, focusing on maintaining a precise internal clock before the acoustic drum patterns enter the arrangement.

Phase 2: Master the Mid-Tempo Verse Grooves

Begin integrating the initial drum elements, focusing on the tight hi-hat work and steady kick placements. Practice slowly to lock your pocket tightly with the underlying electronic backing track.

Phase 3: Execute the Explosive Outro Climax

Isolate the high-intensity alternative rock groove at the end of the song. Work on the fast four-on-the-floor bass drum coordination and syncopated snare accents using tempo control tools.

Phase 4: Manage Full Arrangement Pacing

Combine all distinct phases and play through the entire drum notation. Focus on physical endurance and managing your dynamic scaling smoothly from the quiet intro to the massive final hit.