How Long
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Charlie Puth on Drums

Intermediate

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

ORIGINAL VERSION

Difficulty Level:

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 How Long

Four-on-the-Floor Groove Stability
Precise Hi-Hat Articulation Control
Pop Funk Rhythmic Restraint
Multi-Limb Independence Coordination
Micro Timing Grid Accuracy

Recommended For

This interactive drum sheet is highly recommended for intermediate players looking to improve their electronic groove consistency, micro-timing accuracy, and advanced hi-hat articulation. It is exceptionally valuable for drummers interested in modern pop-funk styles who want to develop the physical coordination and strict rhythmic restraint required to translate polished, programmed commercial tracks onto a live acoustic kit with complete technical authority and crisp precision.

Learn to play How Long on drums

Play How Long drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized video player. Follow every funk-infused electronic beat in real time as the synchronized drum notation moves alongside the music. Use tempo control to slow down the intricate pop-funk hi-hat syncopations, utilize isolated drums to extract the precise kick-to-snare relationship, and choose specific looping sections to practice the transitions seamlessly. Learning this groove helps you master four-on-the-floor stability and precise sixteenth-note hand coordination. Our adaptive learning tools make analyzing this groove faster and more effective than working from a standard printable drum sheet. Grab your sticks and lock into this modern pocket today!

Song information

Artist: Charlie Puth

Drummer: Charlie Puth

Album: Voicenotes

Released: 2017

Sheet Music Details

Length

2 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

110-119

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

This complete drum transcription features a tight four-on-the-floor pop-funk groove, intricate sixteenth-note hi-hat articulations, crisp off-beat pedal openings, and subtle snare ghost notes. It challenges your micro-timing precision, limb independence, and modern pop restraint.

Song's Overview

Released in 2017 as a standout single from Charlie Puth’s second studio album Voicenotes, "How Long" became a definitive milestone in modern pop music by proving that mainstream radio hits could embrace sophisticated, retro-inspired funk instrumentation. Following the stylistic blueprint of his previous work, the track relies heavily on an infectious, slap-heavy bass guitar loop and a pristine rhythmic anchor to establish its irresistible dance floor energy. For musicians who want to learn How Long on drums, the composition offers a magnificent study in electronic loop replication and micro-timing precision. The drumming shifts away from generic electronic programming, opting instead for a highly driving pop-funk groove characterized by a steady four-on-the-floor bass drum pattern and crisp sixteenth-note hi-hat syncopations. Analyzing a precise How Long drum sheet reveals how subtle off-beat openings and ghosted snare accents inject a live, organic feel into a digitized landscape. Rather than overcomplicating the arrangement with heavy tom rolls, the track highlights how steady note placement and strict dynamic restraint give the melodic lines maximum space to breathe. Mastering this upbeat drum cover allows players to explore the vital balance between synthetic grid alignment and humanized groove, providing a crucial training ground for any contemporary commercial drummer.

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About the Drummer

Charlie Puth is a singer, songwriter, and producer known for his modern, funk-influenced pop production. On "How Long," the drum track features a tight, programmed-style groove that is characteristic of current pop-R&B hits. His work is a great study for those learning drums in a modern production context.

Drumming Style

The rhythmic style on this track focuses on a very "dry," snappy snare and a repetitive, syncopated kick drum pattern. When playing drums to this track, the goal is to replicate the crispness of modern production with a human feel. It is a popular choice for trending pop drum covers and hybrid drum lessons.

Practice Advice

Start Below Album Tempo

The track’s electronic pop-funk grid sits at a crisp 110 BPM. Use tempo control to drop the speed to 85 BPM initially, focusing entirely on locking your bass drum quarter notes perfectly in line with the metronome click.

Loop Complex Cymbal Subdivisions

The choruses feature intricate, rapid sixteenth-note hi-hat openings and quick single-stroke decorations. Isolate and loop these specific sections to build the muscle memory needed to execute these embellishments smoothly without interrupting your steady snare backbeat.

Avoid Rushing the Backbeat

A frequent mistake when translating programmed tracks to an acoustic kit is leaning ahead of the beat. Keep your shoulders relaxed and let the drumstick fall naturally on beats two and four to maintain a deep, laid-back pop pocket.

Lock to the Bassline

Develop exceptional groove consistency by matching your bass drum patterns directly with the syncopated bass loops. Listen closely to the low-end frequencies, ensuring every kick drop unifies perfectly with the synthetic bass line to drive the dance rhythm.

Master Crisp Hi-Hat Articulation

The foundational challenge is controlling the open-and-closed hi-hat dynamics. Practice keeping your left-foot pedal movements small and intentional, ensuring your open notes deliver a tight, staccato bark that resolves instantly into the following closed downbeat.

Learning Roadmap

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

Isolate the primary electronic groove by locking your right foot into a steady quarter-note pattern. Pair this with a clean snare backbeat at a reduced tempo to establish fundamental hand-to-foot coordination before introducing subdivisions.

Phase 2: Integrate Subdivided Funk Patterns

Introduce the steady sixteenth-note hi-hat patterns over your established kick-and-snare foundation. Focus on building clean multi-limb independence, ensuring your right-hand strokes do not pull your footing offline or alter the underlying tempo grid.

Phase 3: Coordinate Syncopated Cymbal Articulations

Analyze the quick off-beat hi-hat openings and light ghost notes scattered throughout the verses. Use targeted loops to practice the precise left-foot pedal timing, producing crisp staccato barks that cleanly accentuate the main vocal cues.

Phase 4: Perform the Entire Polished Arrangement

Combine all sections and play along with the complete track. Maintain absolute focus on micro-timing precision, physical wrist relaxation, and uniform dynamic consistency from the opening electronic intro to the final, fading groove bars.

FAQ

Is How Long suitable for beginners?

How Long is better suited for intermediate to advanced drummers. However, it can be a great long-term goal as your skills improve.

Can I learn How Long if I’m not very confident reading drum notation?

It’s possible to learn How Long 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 How Long?

No — you don’t need a full drum kit to play How Long. A basic setup (kick, snare, hi-hat) is enough to get started.

How will learning How Long improve my drumming skills?

Learning How Long with an interactive player allows you to break the song into sections, slow it down, and truly understand every part — helping you improve faster and more efficiently.

What skills do I need before learning How Long?

How Long requires control over dynamics, transitions, and more advanced techniques, so it’s best suited for intermediate to advanced drummers.