Thinking Out Loud
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Ed Sheeran on Drums

Easy to Intermediate

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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:

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 Thinking Out Loud

Slow Tempo Pocket Consistency
Left Foot Hi Hat Control
Precise Micro Timing Placement
Dynamic Restraint and Balance
Solid Kick Snare Alignmen

Recommended For

This drum score is recommended for early intermediate players aiming to master slow tempo consistency and precision. It is highly valuable for pop musicians looking to cultivate deep pocket restraint, foot hi hat control, and the essential ability to support a ballad layout with absolute stability.

Learn to play Thinking Out Loud on drums

Play Thinking Out Loud drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized video player. Follow every note in real time as the synchronized drum notation guides your limbs, allowing you to slow down the rhythm with tempo control or use looping sections to nail the precise kick drum placements. By adjusting the player to hear isolated drums, you can lock into the subtle backbeat pocket and build exceptional micro-timing consistency at a relaxed tempo. This interactive drum sheet transforms a deceptively simple pop ballad into an invaluable masterclass for your groove foundation. Grab your sticks and start practicing this essential groove today!

Song information

Artist: Ed Sheeran

Drummer: Jake Gosling

Album: ×

Released: 2014

Sheet Music Details

Length

2 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

70-79

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features a slow-tempo pop-soul groove focusing on precise backbeat placement, subtle hi-hat foot chicks on the offbeats, exceptional dynamic restraint, and minimalist kick-snare coordination tailored for developing solid inner timing.

Song's Overview

Released in 2014 on Ed Sheeran's second studio album ×, Thinking Out Loud carved out a significant space in modern popular music by bringing a raw, blue-eyed soul arrangement back to mainstream radio. Musically, the track relies heavily on an organic, acoustic atmosphere reminiscent of classic Motown and late-70s soul records. For players looking to learn Thinking Out Loud on drums, the piece offers an exceptional study in restraint and micro-timing. Rather than driving the rhythm with a busy pattern, the drumming relies on a stark, minimalist 4/4 pocket. The groove stands out due to its deliberate placement of the backbeat and a signature rim click or snare snap paired with a rhythmic hi-hat foot chick on the offbeats. This creates a distinct challenge: maintaining flawless internal timing at a slow tempo of around 79 BPM without rushing. Studying a Thinking Out Loud drum cover forces you to focus entirely on note values, space, and the subtle interplay between the bass drum and the vocal phrasing. It proves that what you choose not to play can define the character of a track. Utilizing an accurate Thinking Out Loud drum sheet allows drummers to internalize this spacious feel, developing a mature pocket that benefits any contemporary musical setting.

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About the Drummer

Jake Gosling is a renowned producer and musician known for his work with Ed Sheeran, including songs like Thinking Out Loud. While primarily a producer, he plays a key role in shaping the drum groove and rhythmic feel of the track. Drummers who want to learn to play Thinking Out Loud on drums can study his production approach to understand the groove. His work is widely explored in drum cover videos and beginner drum lessons.

Drumming Style

Gosling’s style blends live drumming with subtle programmed elements, focusing on smooth, laid-back grooves. He emphasizes feel, timing, and simplicity rather than technical complexity. When practicing a drum cover, beginners should focus on dynamics and consistency. His approach is perfect for beginner drum lessons and for learning to play slow, expressive pop songs on drums.

Practice Advice

Lock the Slow Tresillo Pulse

The song sits at a relaxed 79 BPM. Begin practicing the main pattern at 60 BPM to ensure your limb coordination is perfectly aligned. Avoid rushing the backbeat; slow practice builds the muscle memory needed to sit deep inside this spacious groove.

Loop the Verse Transition

sIsolate the bars where the rhythm transitions into the chorus. Use loop mode to repeat these sections seamlessly. This helps you maintain a steady, unhurried pulse as the dynamics shift slightly, preventing any unintentional rushing during the musical changes.

Avoid Rushing the Space

A common mistake here is overplaying or anticipating the next note due to the slow tempo. Resist the urge to fill the empty spaces with unnecessary micro-fills. Keep your patterns clean, intentional, and perfectly synchronized with the underlying bassline.

Internalize the Inner Pulse

Develop a strong internal metronome by focusing on the quarter-note pulse. Ensure your snare or rim-clicks land dead-center on beats two and four. Consistent pocket playing requires total alignment between your bass drum hits and the hi-hat hand.

Master the Foot Hi-Hat Chick

The song features a subtle hi-hat chick played with the foot on the offbeats. Focus heavily on left-foot coordination, making sure the foot pedal opens and closes crisply without disrupting the steady timing of your right hand and bass drum patterns.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Master the Slow Backbeat Groove

Isolate the primary 4/4 rhythm of the verse. Focus entirely on clean coordination between your bass drum and the snare or cross-stick on beats two and four. Practice at a reduced speed to keep the pattern entirely relaxed.

Phase 2: Integrate Left Foot Offbeat Control

Add the hi-hat foot pedal on the offbeats. This requires developing independent limb control while keeping your primary hand pattern steady. Focus on keeping the foot chicks crisp and perfectly placed between the main quarter-note pulses.

Phase 3: Smooth Out Section Transitions

Analyze the minor dynamic shifts between the verses, pre-choruses, and choruses. Practice transitioning between these parts smoothly without dragging or rushing the tempo, ensuring the minimalist nature of the song remains undisturbed throughout the arrangement.

Phase 4: Perform the Full Balanced Arrangement

Combine all sections and play along with the track. Focus on your internal timing consistency and dynamic control, ensuring you maintain a rock-solid pocket and a supportive musical feel from the first beat to the final fade-out.

FAQ

Is Thinking Out Loud 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 Thinking Out Loud if I’m not very confident reading drum notation?

Thinking Out Loud is more notation-heavy, but it’s also a great opportunity to improve your reading skills while learning it step by step.

Do I need a full drum kit to play Thinking Out Loud?

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

How will learning Thinking Out Loud improve my drumming skills?

Thinking Out Loud 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 Thinking Out Loud?

Before learning Thinking Out Loud, it helps to be comfortable with basic grooves, simple fills, and maintaining steady timing.