I Want It That Way
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Backstreets Boys on Drums

Easy

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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:

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 I Want It That Way

Ballad Timing and Precision
Cross-Stick Dynamic Sound Consistency
Pop Groove Rhythmic Restraint
Smooth Sectional Transition Control
Balanced Electronic Limb Independence

Recommended For

This drum notation is recommended for intermediate drummers looking to develop immaculate pop timing, pristine cross-stick consistency, and strict rhythmic restraint. It is highly valuable for players wanting to master the art of supporting polished mainstream commercial arrangements with steady, balanced dynamics and flawless execution of modern mid-tempo ballad grooves.

Learn to play I Want It That Way on drums

Play I Want It That Way 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. Use tempo control to slow down the subtle entry of the verse pocket, select looping sections to master the precise transition into the explosive final chorus, and isolate the drum track to analyze every crisp cross-stick hit and shaker layer. Whether you are developing pop ballad timing consistency or mastering precise electronic-influenced accents, our modern learning tools make studying this arrangement faster, easier, and much more effective than reading a static printable drum sheet alone.

Song information

Artist: Backstreets Boys

Drummer: Drums Programming

Album: Millennium

Released: 1999

Sheet Music Details

Length

2 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

90-99

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

This complete drum transcription features tight electronic-style cross-stick grooves, smooth acoustic snare choruses, precise micro-timing demands, and balanced dynamic layers. It tests your ballad time-keeping consistency and sectional pop transitions.

Song's Overview

Released in 1999 on the Backstreet Boys' landmark album Millennium, "I Want It That Way" stands as a masterclass in late-nineties pop production and arrangement. Written and produced by Max Martin and Kristian Lundin, the track relies on meticulous rhythmic precision and emotional dynamic shifts to balance its acoustic guitar arpeggios and rich vocal harmonies. For players who want to learn I Want It That Way on drums, the programmed arrangement offers a great lesson in restraint, spacing, and structural support. Instead of crowding the track with dense fills, the drumming focuses entirely on keeping a flawless, pristine pocket. The verses utilize a subtle, soft cross-stick pattern combined with a delicate shaker layer before expanding into a solid, deep-cutting acoustic snare backbeat in the chorus. Studying this I Want It That Way drum sheet reveals how small shifts in electronic percussion textures can dictate the emotional rise and fall of a track. Analyzing an accurate I Want It That Way drum cover shows that maintaining sub-millisecond precision on these clean, minimalist patterns is vital to achieving the polished, professional feel expected in top-tier pop performances.

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About the Drummer

Drums Programming

Drumming Style

Drums Programming

Practice Advice

Lock the Downbeat Tempo

The original groove sits at a steady 99 BPM, which requires clean separation. Use tempo control to practice at 80 BPM, focusing entirely on keeping your kick drum and cross-stick perfectly aligned with the grid before accelerating.

Loop the Key Change Transition

The modulation into the final chorus injects a massive wave of vocal energy. Isolate and loop this dramatic transition to practice entering the final chorus downbeat with a powerful, confident crash cymbal accent.

Avoid Rushing the Spaces

A frequent mistake on slow pop ballads is rushing the wide-open space between the backbeats. Keep your arms relaxed and use a metronome to ensure your snare cracks land precisely on beats two and four.

Perfect Your Cross-Stick Consistency

The verse relies on a pristine electronic cross-stick texture. Focus on striking your drumstick against the rim at the exact same spot each time, ensuring an even, balanced tone that doesn't overpower the vocals.

Balance Electronic and Acoustic Dynamics

This track blends programmed electronic elements with rich acoustic accents. Focus on dynamic control, keeping your shaker and hi-hat subdivisions smooth and subtle while delivering solid, deep-cutting snare drum strokes during the main choruses.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Internalize the Verse Cross-Stick Pocket

Isolate the minimalist verse groove. Focus on the steady eighth-note hi-hat pulse while locking your bass drum and clean cross-stick patterns together. Practice slowly to build a completely smooth, unwavering internal clock during the low-intensity sections.

Phase 2: Transition into the Acoustic Chorus

Practice the shift from the tight verse cross-stick into the full acoustic snare backbeat of the chorus. Work on opening up your dynamics smoothly without rushing the tempo, ensuring the groove remains perfectly grounded.

Phase 3: Master the Modulated Final Chorus

Analyze the key change towards the end of the song. Use looping tools to practice executing the transition smoothly, focusing on delivering a powerful crash accent that lifts the arrangement into its highest emotional peak.

Phase 4: Perform the Entire Polished Arrangement

Combine all sections and play along with the full song. Maintain complete micro-timing precision and dynamic balance from the opening acoustic guitar intro to the final fade-out, keeping the pop pocket pristine.

FAQ

Is I Want It That Way suitable for beginners?

It’s more suited for beginners with some experience. Using features like tempo control and looping can help you learn it at your own pace.

Can I learn I Want It That Way if I’m not very confident reading drum notation?

It’s possible to learn I Want It That Way by ear, especially if you break it into sections. Over time, you’ll also improve your ability to read drum notation.

Do I need a full drum kit to play I Want It That Way?

While some fills may require toms or cymbals, the core of I Want It That Way can be practiced on a smaller kit.

How will learning I Want It That Way improve my drumming skills?

By learning I Want It That Way, 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 I Want It That Way?

To learn I Want It That Way, you’ll need solid timing, good coordination, and experience with more complex drum patterns.