As It Was
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Harry Styles 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 to Intermediate

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 As It Was

Four-on-the-Floor Timing Consistency
High-Tempo Hi-Hat Endurance
Metronomic Pop Groove Precision
Subtle Dynamic Level Control
Clean Song Section Transitions

Recommended For

This printable drum sheet is recommended for advanced-beginner to intermediate drummers looking to build solid high-tempo endurance and precise pocket control. It is an excellent choice for players eager to master upbeat synth-pop timing, maintain unyielding groove consistency, and learn to drive a modern pop arrangement with absolute confidence.

Learn to play As It Was on drums

Play As It Was 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 fast, driving eighth-note hi-hat patterns, and use looping sections to repeat the energetic bridge transitions until they feel comfortable. You can also isolate the drums to catch every subtle dynamic change in Mitch Rowland’s performance. This comprehensive interactive drum sheet helps you learn drums faster by breaking down the upbeat synth-pop rhythm into manageable pieces. Lock in your timing, master the four-on-the-floor kick pattern, and start practicing today!

Song information

Artist: Harry Styles

Drummer: Mitch Rowland

Album: Harry's House

Released: 2022

Sheet Music Details

Length

2 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

150+

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features a fast four-on-the-floor kick pattern, steady eighth-note hi-hat grooves, subtle open-handed accents, and a dynamic, high-energy percussion build-up during the outro that tests endurance and pop timing precision.

Song's Overview

Released in 2022 on the album Harry's House, this track represents a significant stylistic shift toward 1980s-inspired synth-pop and new wave textures. For musicians, the track is defined by its bright, uptempo momentum that relies on a continuous, driving rhythm to anchor the melodic synthesizers and indie-pop guitar hooks. To learn As It Was on drums, a player must understand how a simple groove can dictate the energy of an entire arrangement. The drumming features a fast four-on-the-floor bass drum pulse paired with steady, unyielding eighth notes on the hi-hat. This creates an electronic, drum-machine-like precision, yet the live performance introduces subtle variations in velocity and cymbal accents that keep the pocket feeling organic. When practicing this As It Was drum cover, you will notice how the drumming avoids complex syncopation in favor of pure metronomic endurance. The real challenge lies in the high-velocity bridge and outro, where additional percussion and thrashier cymbal layers enter to elevate the song's emotional climax. Working with an accurate As It Was drum sheet lets you map out these small dynamic shifts, ensuring you maintain a rock-solid foundation from the opening count-in to the final beat.

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About the Drummer

Mitch Rowland is a songwriter and musician who plays drums on many of Harry Styles' biggest tracks. His work on "As It Was" provides the driving, uptempo pulse that helped make the song a global phenomenon. He is a great example for those learning drums in a contemporary indie-pop style.

Drumming Style

His style is often linear and driving, focusing on keeping a consistent, upbeat tempo without over-complicating the rhythm. When playing drums to his tracks, maintaining a steady hi-hat and snare relationship is key. His recent hits are very popular for new drum covers and are excellent for drum lessons on pop dynamics.

Practice Advice

Start at a Lower Tempo

The song plays at a fast pace of around 174 BPM. Begin your drum lesson by slowing the track down to 130 BPM using tempo control. Focus on placing the bass drum exactly on every beat before pushing the speed higher.

Loop the High-Energy Outro

The final section introduces dense percussion and a more aggressive cymbal character. Isolate and loop this section using the interactive drum sheet to smoothly manage the sudden shift in velocity without rushing or dragging your timing.

Avoid Rushing the Hi-Hat Eighths

A frequent mistake when playing these drum tabs is letting the continuous eighth notes rush ahead of the beat. Keep your arm relaxed and concentrate on a steady, metronomic motion to prevent the pocket from collapsing.

Lock in the Four-on-the-Floor Pulse

To achieve a solid pop pocket, your bass drum must perfectly align with the synth bassline. Practice with a click track to ensure your kick hits are completely uniform in volume and micro-timing throughout the entire arrangement.

Build Up Hi-Hat Endurance

Maintaining continuous eighth notes at full speed requires physical endurance. Keep your strokes tight and close to the hi-hat cymbal, utilizing wrist motion rather than full arm movements to stay relaxed and clear for the full song.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Internalize the Four-on-the-Floor Foundation

Isolate the basic kick and snare skeleton of the song. Focus entirely on playing a steady bass drum on all four beats while keeping the snare strictly on beats two and four. Ensure your limbs are completely independent before adding cymbals.

Phase 2: Introduce Steady Hi-Hat Subdivisions

Add the continuous eighth-note pattern on the hi-hat over your established kick-and-snare foundation. Practice this primary groove slowly to ensure that the hand and foot hits align perfectly without flamming, maintaining a clean drum transcription feel.

Phase 3: Smooth Out Section Transitions

Practice moving cleanly between the verses, choruses, and the bridge. Pay close attention to the subtle openings of the hi-hat and the entry of additional percussion elements, ensuring your momentum remains unbroken as the musical dynamics change.

Phase 4: Perform Full Endurance Runs

Combine all sections and play along with the complete track at full tempo. Focus on physical relaxation and keeping your timing rock-solid during the driving outro layer, delivering a consistent performance from start to finish.

FAQ

Is As It Was suitable for beginners?

Yes. As It Was is beginner-friendly and helps you develop core drumming skills like keeping time, playing consistent grooves, and understanding song structure.

Can I learn As It Was 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 As It Was?

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

How will learning As It Was improve my drumming skills?

As It Was 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 As It Was?

If you can play a basic groove and keep steady time, you’re ready to start learning As It Was.