Highway To Hell
Drum Sheet Music

Practice AC/DC on Drums

Easy to Intermediate

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Learn to Play Highway To Hell 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:

Easy to Intermediate

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

Purchase for only 1.90$

SIMPLIFIED VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Very Easy

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

Purchase for only 1.90$

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

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Drumming Techniques You'll Learn in Highway To Hell

Developing Rock-Solid Backbeat Consistency
Micro-Timing And Pocket Precision
Rhythmic Endurance And Groove Control
Smooth Verse To Chorus Transitions
Musical Restraint And Fill Placement

Recommended For

This printable drum sheet is recommended for beginner to intermediate drummers seeking to build absolute backbeat authority. It is ideal for players focusing on solid rock timing, groove consistency, and learning how to hold a steady pocket without relying on complex, overplayed fills.

Learn to play Highway To Hell on drums

Play Highway To Hell drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized video player. Follow every note in real time as the drum 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 Phil Rudd’s precise studio performance. Whether you're building rock-solid timing or refining your backbeat consistency, our step-by-step learning tools make mastering this track faster and far more effective than practicing from a static PDF alone. Grab your drumsticks and start locking in the pocket today!

Song information

Artist: AC/DC

Drummer: Phil Rudd

Album: Highway to Hell

Released: 1979

Sheet Music Details

Length

2 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

110-119

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features an unyielding rock backbeat, precise open-and-closed hi-hat transitions, quarter-note bass drum spacing, and minimalist snare fills that challenge a drummer's ultimate timing, pocket control, and rhythmic endurance.

Song's Overview

Released in 1979 on the album of the same name, Highway To Hell became a defining moment for straight-ahead hard rock, showcasing the power of a minimalist, driving rhythm section. Built around a clean, syncopated guitar riff, the track demonstrates how stripped-back arrangements can deliver maximum sonic impact when executed with absolute precision. For drummers, when you choose to learn Highway To Hell on drums, you are studying the ultimate masterclass of the "pocket." The drumming on this track is a perfect lesson in musical restraint. Rather than utilizing complex fills or dense polyrhythms, the groove relies entirely on a relentless, heavy backbeat on the snare and a rock-solid quarter-note bass drum pulse. This specific Highway To Hell drum cover style shows how a player creates forward momentum by locking in perfectly with the rhythm guitar, providing a rock-hard foundation that lets the rest of the band soar. The brilliance of this Highway To Hell drum sheet lies in its absolute clarity, making it an essential piece for developing flawless timing, internal clock consistency, and dynamic endurance.

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About the Drummer

Phil Rudd is the long-time drummer for AC/DC and is frequently called the "human metronome" for his unwavering consistency. He is the perfect example for beginners learning drums on how to hold a band together with absolute precision. His minimalist approach has helped AC/DC become one of the best-selling rock bands of all time.

Drumming Style

Rudd's style is all about the "pocket"—a rock-solid, no-frills groove that provides the foundation for heavy guitar riffs. Playing drums to his tracks teaches the importance of timing and restraint, which are vital components of any foundational drum lessons. Because his beats are so iconic and steady, they are excellent for practicing timing when recording your first few drum covers.

Practice Advice

Start Below Full Speed

The song's driving pulse demands exact precision. Begin practicing at 90 BPM before stepping up to the track’s original 116 BPM tempo. Focus on the exact placement of the bass drum and snare to establish a flawless rhythmic foundation.

Loop the Verse Transitions

Pay close attention to where the drums enter after the initial guitar riff intro. Use loop mode to isolate this entry and the transitions into the chorus. Repeating these changes keeps your timing seamless without dropping or rushing the beat.

Avoid Rushing the Fills

A common mistake here is rushing the simple snare fills. The fills are powerful because they sit right in the center of the pocket. Resist the urge to speed up during these transitions; keep your strokes relaxed and perfectly timed.

Lock in the Backbeat

To achieve the signature hard-rock feel, your snare hits on beats 2 and 4 must be completely consistent. Practice along with a metronome, ensuring your hand and foot patterns do not drift, keeping the groove steady throughout the arrangement.

Master Hi-Hat Consistency

The song relies heavily on a solid, unyielding eighth-note hi-hat pattern. Focus on keeping your wrist relaxed while maintaining an even volume and crisp tone across every note. This endurance forms the backbone of the entire track.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Solidify the Main Groove

Isolate the elementary eighth-note hi-hat rhythm combined with the standard money beat kick and snare. Focus completely on the alignment of your limbs, ensuring every single note is balanced in volume and locked cleanly to a steady pulse.

Phase 2: Refine Entrances and Transitions

Analyze the specific entry point where the drums drop into the track after the opening guitar riff. Practice transitioning smoothly from the steady verse groove into the more driving chorus sections without dragging the overall tempo.

Phase 3: Execute Precise Pocket Fills

Work through the simple yet impactful fills scattered between the choruses and verses. Practice entering and exiting these snare-driven patterns cleanly, focusing on maintaining identical velocity and micro-timing accuracy as you drop back into the main beat.

Phase 4: Perform the Full Arrangement

Combine all individual parts and play along with the full song track. Focus on your physical endurance and unshakeable groove consistency, ensuring your pocket remains locked with unwavering energy from the first crash to the final chord.