Don't Start Now
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Dua Lipa on Drums

Intermediate

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Learn to Play Don't Start Now Faster With Pro Interactive Drum Player

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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 Don't Start Now

Four-On-The-Floor Groove Stability
Crisp Hi-Hat Articulation Control
Micro-Timing Grid Precision
Off-Beat Pedal Coordination Accuracy
Commercial Dance Pop Endurance

Recommended For

This interactive drum sheet is highly recommended for intermediate players looking to strengthen their steady four-on-the-floor pocket consistency, strict metric timing precision, and crisp cymbal articulation control. It is exceptionally valuable for drummers interested in modern dance-pop styles who want to develop the physical discipline necessary to replicate polished, programmed studio beats with absolute live authority and undeniable rhythmic confidence.

Learn to play Don't Start Now on drums

Play Don't Start Now drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized video player. Follow every disco-infused note in real time as the synchronized drum notation moves alongside the track, slow down the intricate hi-hat sixteenth notes with tempo control, loop the pre-chorus transitions until they feel perfectly natural, and isolate the drum track to hear every detail of the programmed pop groove. Whether you're building solid four-on-the-floor kick stamina or refining your off-beat hi-hat placements, our step-by-step learning tools make mastering this Dua Lipa hit faster, easier, and far more effective than practicing from a static printable drum sheet alone. Grab your sticks and lock into this modern dance-pop pocket today!

Song information

Artist: Dua Lipa

Drummer: Ian Kirkpatrick

Album: Future Nostalgia

Released: 2019

Sheet Music Details

Length

2 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

120-129

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

This complete drum transcription features a driving four-on-the-floor disco-pop pocket, tight sixteenth-note hi-hat subdivisions, precise off-beat pedal barks, and strict rhythmic restraint that challenges your metric consistency, limb independence, and commercial pop endurance.

Song's Overview

Released in 2019 as the lead single from her acclaimed album Future Nostalgia, "Don't Start Now" cemented Dua Lipa as a leading force in the modern disco-pop revival. Built around an irresistible, walking funk bassline and vibrant production from Ian Kirkpatrick, the track effortlessly bridges the gap between retro 1970s disco elements and polished, contemporary dance music. For drummers, learning to play Don't Start Now on drums offers a profound lesson in four-on-the-floor metric consistency and rhythmic restraint. Although originally driven by sequenced beats, a live Don't Start Now drum cover requires the player to adopt a machine-like precision, laying down a relentless kick drum pulse that serves as the rhythmic anchor for the syncopated vocal melodies and moving basslines. Analyzing the Don't Start Now drum sheet reveals how tight hi-hat subdivisions and perfectly timed off-beat open barks can create immense forward momentum without cluttering the arrangement. Instead of relying on flashy drum fills, the groove demands strict dynamic control, making it an essential practice track for developing commercial pop stamina. Working through this drum notation teaches players exactly how to support a high-energy dance track with confidence, highlighting that a disciplined, unyielding pocket is often the most critical element of a modern pop hit.

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About the Drummer

Ian Kirkpatrick is a top-tier producer and songwriter responsible for defining the sound of modern disco-pop. On "Don’t Start Now," he used advanced drum programming to create a tight, danceable rhythm. His work is essential for those learning drums in a hybrid or electronic context.

Drumming Style

The programming style here is all about "the four-on-the-floor" kick and a very dry, snappy snare. When playing drums to this track, the challenge is to replicate that machine-like precision while adding a human groove. It’s a favorite for drum covers that utilize electronic triggers and modern drum lessons.

Practice Advice

Start Below Album Tempo

The song's dance-pop groove requires absolute metronomic precision. Begin practicing at 90 BPM before pushing toward the original 124 BPM. Focus entirely on locking your four-on-the-floor kick drum squarely with the click to build a solid rhythmic foundation.

Loop the Open Hi-Hat Transitions

Pay special attention to the off-beat hi-hat barks scattered throughout the pre-chorus. Use looping sections to isolate these exact bars, practicing the foot-pedal coordination repeatedly until the open-and-closed movements feel fluid without disrupting your snare backbeat.

Avoid Rushing the Snare Backbeat

A frequent mistake when tracking high-energy disco tracks is letting your snare hits push ahead of the pulse. Keep your upper body relaxed and let the stick fall naturally on beats two and four to maintain a deep, laid-back pocket.

Strengthen Your Bassline Groove Coordination

Practice regularly alongside the track's prominent funk bassline. Treat your bass drum drops as a unified unit with the low-end frequencies, ensuring every kick note aligns flawlessly to provide a steady anchor for the highly syncopated bass guitar phrasing.

Master Crisp Cymbal Articulation Dynamics

The groove relies on continuous, tight sixteenth-note subdivisions. Work on your right-hand mechanics, keeping your stick height low to deliver a crisp, articulate hi-hat pattern that never overpowers the snare drum or muddies the main vocal lines.

Learning Roadmap

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

Isolate the fundamental dance rhythm by locking down a continuous quarter-note kick drum pulse paired with straight snare backbeats. Practice slowly with a metronome to establish rock-solid core stability before introducing the faster hand subdivisions.

Phase 2: Integrate the Sixteenth-Note Cymbal Subdivisions

Layer the tight sixteenth-note hi-hat patterns over your established foundation. Focus on maintaining completely even stick velocity with your right hand, ensuring the added notes do not pull your kick drum off the underlying tempo grid.

Phase 3: Coordinate the Off-Beat Hi-Hat Barks

Analyze the specific bars where the hi-hat opens on the off-beats. Use targeted looping to synchronize your left-foot pedal lifts smoothly, producing short, staccato barks that accurately mirror the track's synthetic disco programming without breaking the groove.

Phase 4: Execute Full Dance Arrangement Stamina

Combine all structural sections and perform alongside the complete audio track. Focus intensely on physical wrist relaxation, steady breathing patterns, and machine-like timing consistency from the opening vocal intro through the final upbeat pop chorus.

FAQ

Is Don't Start Now 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 Don't Start Now 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 Don't Start Now?

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

How will learning Don't Start Now improve my drumming skills?

Don't Start Now helps you develop a solid sense of groove and consistency. You’ll practice staying locked in with the beat while maintaining control over your dynamics.

What skills do I need before learning Don't Start Now?

Before learning Don't Start Now, it helps to be comfortable with basic grooves, simple fills, and maintaining steady timing.