Rolling In The Deep

Rolling In The Deep
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Adele on Drums

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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
Sheet Preview
  • Exactly as played on the original recording
  • All fills & ghost notes
  • Full arrangement
SIMPLIFIED VERSION
Difficulty Level:
Easy
Sheet Preview
  • Easier to learn
  • Simplified fills
  • Reduced ghost notes
  • Perfect for beginners & intermediates

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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 Rolling In The Deep

  • Four-on-the-Floor Bass Drum Endurance
  • Dynamic Crescendo Control Precision
  • Pop-Soul Rhythmic Restraint Management
  • Cross-Stick Accent Volume Uniformity
  • Multi-Layered Auxiliary Subdivision Independence

Recommended For

This printable drum sheet is recommended for intermediate drummers looking to develop exceptional four-on-the-floor pocket consistency, dynamic crescendo control, and deep rhythmic restraint. It is highly valuable for players wanting to master clean cross-stick phrasing and steady pop-soul texturing, while learning to back an emotionally driven vocal arrangement with absolute metronomic timing stability, complete physical confidence, structural control, and deep musicality.

Learn to play Rolling In The Deep on drums

Play Rolling in the Deep drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized video player. Follow every note in real time as the synchronized drum notation moves with the music, slow down Leo Taylor's heavy, rhythmic gospel-pop pulse with tempo control, loop difficult floor tom build-ups until they feel completely natural, and use isolated drums to lock into the driving quarter-note kick drum pulse. Whether you are building solid bass drum endurance or mastering dramatic crescendo dynamics, our step-by-step learning tools make using this interactive drum sheet faster and far more effective than practicing from a static PDF alone. Grab your drumsticks, load your notation, and start driving this powerful rhythm today!

Song information

Artist: Adele

Drummer: Leo Taylor

Album: 21

Released: 2011

Sheet Music Details

Length

3 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

100-109

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features a driving four-on-the-floor pop-soul pulse, uniform cross-stick accents, building pre-chorus floor tom crescendos, layered auxiliary percussion patterns, and clean ride cymbal shifts requiring strong dynamic restraint and timing stability.

Song's Overview

Released in 2011 on Adele's breakout album 21, Rolling in the Deep transformed contemporary pop by fusing classic dark blues with a heavy, stomping soul rhythm. Built around a driving acoustic guitar pluck and raw vocal delivery, the track relies on a stark, minimalist percussive arrangement to build immense emotional tension from the opening bar. For musicians who want to learn rolling in the deep on drums, the performance by Leo Taylor is an excellent lesson in rhythmic restraint and structural scaling. The drumming avoids standard snare backbeats during the verses, opting instead for a steady, pulsing four-on-the-floor kick drum pattern layered with sparse cross-sticks and auxiliary handclaps. This unique arrangement choice creates a brooding pocket that matches the lyrical intensity perfectly.As the track moves toward the refrain, the rolling in the deep drum cover demands a powerful transition into a full eighth-note ride cymbal pattern and heavy floor tom crescendos. Studying an accurate rolling in the deep drum sheet allows intermediate players to analyze these precise dynamic builds and steady accent placements. This historical drum transcription proves that deep sonic weight comes from precise note separation and unwavering tempo control, making this drum sheet a definitive study in modern pop-soul drumming.

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About the Drummer

Leo Taylor is a session drummer known for his powerful work on Adele’s global hit "Rolling In The Deep." He provides the driving, tribal pulse that gives the song its intense, soulful energy. He is a great example for students learning drums on how to create a massive sound with a simple beat.

Drumming Style

His style is characterized by a heavy, driving quarter-note pulse and a very "dry," punchy snare sound. Playing drums to this track requires a rock-solid kick drum and a focus on building tension. His soulful grooves are popular choices for modern drum covers and drum lessons on pop-soul.

Practice Advice

01
Start Below Full Speed
The song's heavy, understated pattern requires strict metronomic accuracy. Begin practicing the core pulse at 85 BPM using tempo control before working toward the original 105 BPM. Focus on clean hand-to-foot separation to establish a completely stable rhythmic base.
02
Loop the Pre-Chorus Transitions
The transition from the sparse verse to the roaring chorus features building floor tom notes. Use loop mode to isolate these specific measures, repeating them until your volume crescendos flow smoothly without causing your limb movements to rush ahead.
03
Avoid Overplaying the Verse
A frequent mistake when reading these drum tabs is inserting unnecessary acoustic fills during the quiet sections. Leo Taylor's performance derives its strength from intense structural restraint. Prioritize a deep pocket and let the minimalist beat drive the track.
04
Lock the Quarter-Note Pulse
Develop excellent timing consistency by anchoring your bass drum firmly on every single downbeat. Keep your kick notes perfectly synchronized with the pulsing acoustic guitar and bass line, ensuring the groove remains completely centered and unyielding.
05
Master Cross-Stick Sound Consistency
The primary physical challenge is delivering clean, woody cross-stick cracks during the verses. Practice finding the optimal striking angle on your snare drum rim, ensuring each hit delivers uniform volume that blends perfectly with the underlying auxiliary percussive layers.

Learning Roadmap

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

Isolate the primary verse rhythm within the drum notation. Focus entirely on maintaining a completely relaxed, unwavering quarter-note bass drum pattern while layering accurate cross-stick accents. Practice at a reduced tempo to build core muscle memory.

Phase 2: Coordinate Auxiliary Percussion Layers

Incorporate the syncopated handclap sounds and subtle tambourine textures into your pattern. Practice keeping your hand tracking completely steady, ensuring the additional off-beat subdivisions do not cause your lower-body timing to shift or fluctuate.

Phase 3: Master Pre-Chorus Floor Tom Crescendos

Analyze the rolling eighth-note floor tom patterns that drive the pre-chorus transitions. Focus on your stick-height dynamics, practicing smooth volume increases that elevate the track's tension cleanly without pushing the underlying tempo forward.

Phase 4: Perform the Full Arrangement Confidently

Combine all sections to execute the complete drum score from the sparse opening to the final ringing crash. Focus on managing your physical endurance, keeping your backbeat velocity uniform and your groove locked across every single section.

FAQ

Is Rolling In The Deep suitable for beginners?
Rolling In The Deep is better suited for intermediate to advanced drummers. However, it can be a great long-term goal as your skills improve.
Can I learn Rolling In The Deep if I’m not very confident reading drum notation?
Yes — our interactive player makes it much easier. You can watch, listen, slow things down, and gradually get familiar with the notation as you play.
Do I need a full drum kit to play Rolling In The Deep?
No — you don’t need a full drum kit to play Rolling In The Deep. A basic setup (kick, snare, hi-hat) is enough to get started.
How will learning Rolling In The Deep improve my drumming skills?
By learning Rolling In The Deep, you’ll work on coordination between your hands and feet, as well as transitions between grooves and fills.
What skills do I need before learning Rolling In The Deep?
Before learning Rolling In The Deep, it helps to be comfortable with basic grooves, simple fills, and maintaining steady timing.

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