Virtual Insanity
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Jamiroquai on Drums

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Choose your Drum Sheet Version

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

ORIGINAL VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Advanced

Exactly as played on the original recording
All fills & ghost notes
Full arrangement

Purchase for only 1.90$

SIMPLIFIED VERSION

Difficulty Level:

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 Virtual Insanity

Acid Jazz Groove Consistency
Precise Hi-Hat Opening Control
Syncopated Bass Drum Independence
Snare Ghost Note Dynamics
Micro-Timing and Pocket Control

Recommended For

This printable drum sheet is highly recommended for intermediate players looking to develop an advanced funk pocket and hi-hat independence. It is an exceptional tool for drummers who want to master precise ghost notes, smooth out syncopated bass drum patterns, and build authentic groove authority within the acid jazz genre.

Learn to play Virtual Insanity on drums

Play Virtual Insanity drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized media player. Follow every note in real time with our synchronized drum notation, slow down challenging sections with tempo control, use looping sections to repeat difficult phrases until they feel natural, and utilize isolated drums to hear every subtle hi-hat accent and ghost note. Whether you are building your syncopated funk coordination or refining your pocket stability in an acid jazz context, our step-by-step learning tools make mastering this track faster, easier, and far more effective than practicing from a static PDF alone. Grab your sticks and start grooving right now!

Song information

Artist: Jamiroquai

Drummer: Derrick McKenzie

Album: Travelling Without Moving

Released: 1996

Sheet Music Details

Length

4 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

90-99

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

This notation highlights intricate 16th-note hi-hat embellishments, crisp off-beat bass drum syncopation, and delicate ghost note placement. It provides an accurate guide to mastering acid jazz phrasing, dynamic control, and tight groove consistency.

Song's Overview

Released in 1996 on Jamiroquai's breakthrough album Travelling Without Moving, Virtual Insanity became a defining milestone for acid jazz and funk music in the late nineties. Built upon a sophisticated piano progression and an incredibly infectious bassline, the track blends classic 1970s soul influences with a modern, tight production style that gives the entire rhythm section an inescapable forward momentum. For drummers who want to learn Virtual Insanity on drums, the track serves as a masterclass in syncopated ghost notes and hi-hat control. Rather than relying on heavy rock beats, the drumming utilizes subtle multi-layered subdivisions and snappy off-beat placements that lock tightly with the bass guitar. Recording a Virtual Insanity drum cover requires intense focus on the micro-timing of the snare hand and consistent posture to maintain the crisp, driving nature of the groove. Every section of this Virtual Insanity drum sheet reveals how a player can build infectious energy while staying relaxed in the pocket. Decades after its release, studying this specific drumming performance remains essential for musicians looking to elevate their funk-soul groove control and precise note placement.

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About the Drummer

Derrick McKenzie is best known as the longtime drummer of Jamiroquai, bringing a powerful groove-driven style to the band’s signature sound. His drumming combines funk, soul, jazz, and tight pocket playing with impressive consistency and musicality. Derrick became highly respected among drummers for his dynamic feel, tasteful ghost notes, and energetic live performances. If you're looking to learn to play Jamiroquai songs on drums, studying Derrick McKenzie’s grooves is an excellent way to improve timing, feel, and control while practicing interactive drum covers and drum sheet exercises.

Drumming Style

Derrick McKenzie’s drumming style is deeply rooted in funk and acid jazz, with an emphasis on groove, precision, and feel rather than flashy fills. His playing often features syncopated hi-hat patterns, strong kick drum phrasing, and smooth ghost-note work that creates a flowing rhythmic pocket. Many Jamiroquai drum parts are ideal for intermediate players who want to develop groove-oriented drumming skills and musicality. Learning these songs through drum sheet notation, tempo control, and structured beginner drum lessons can greatly improve coordination and rhythmic confidence.

Practice Advice

Start Below Full Speed

The song’s snappy acid jazz groove requires exceptional precision. Begin practicing at around 75 BPM before tackling the original 92 BPM tempo. Focus on clean alignment between your kick drum and the subtle open hi-hat notes to build an accurate foundational pulse.

Loop the Verse Embellishments

The verses feature sophisticated hi-hat openings and quick ghost notes on the snare. Use the looping sections feature to isolate these four-bar blocks. Repeating these patterns continuously helps cement the muscle memory needed to play them automatically during a full performance.

Avoid Rushing the Off-Beats

A common mistake when practicing this track is pushing the tempo during the syncopated bass drum hits. Derrick McKenzie keeps the groove extremely laid back yet crisp. Ensure your snare backbeat remains firmly on beats two and four without leaning forward.

Lock into the Bassline

To truly master the pocket of this track, align your bass drum closely with the syncopated synth-bass rhythm. Focus on the microscopic spaces between notes, ensuring your hi-hat work stays tight and uniform throughout the transitions between the verse and chorus.

Refine Your Ghost Note Dynamics

The magic of this drum score lies in the extreme dynamic contrast between loud accents and quiet ghost notes. Practice keeping your unaccented snare notes less than two inches off the drumhead while maintaining crisp, snappy rimshots on the main backbeats.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Solidify the Foundational Funk Pocket

Isolate the straight-ahead verse rhythm without the complex hi-hat embellishments. Focus on establishing a rock-solid kick and snare pattern at a relaxed tempo, ensuring your main eighth-note hi-hat pulse remains perfectly steady against the syncopated bass line.

Phase 2: Integrate Hi-Hat Openings and Ghost Notes

Layer in the subtle intermediate techniques that define the performance. Practice the precise timing of the open-and-close hi-hat figures and add quiet ghost notes on the snare drum, building the necessary limb independence to maintain a crisp texture.

Phase 3: Smooth Out Chorus Transitions

Analyze the subtle changes in intensity when moving from the verse to the melodic chorus. Work on executing the short drum fills and anticipations cleanly, making sure you do not rush the downbeats when the full arrangement opens up.

Phase 4: Perform the Complete Groove Arrangement

Piece all sections together and play through the full track duration. Maintain physical relaxation while focusing on micro-timing consistency and dynamic control from the opening piano hook all the way to the final faded outro groove.

FAQ

Is Virtual Insanity suitable for beginners?

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

Can I learn Virtual Insanity if I’m not very confident reading drum notation?

Virtual Insanity involves more complex patterns, so reading drum notation will make the learning process much easier and faster.

Do I need a full drum kit to play Virtual Insanity?

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

How will learning Virtual Insanity improve my drumming skills?

By learning Virtual Insanity, 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 Virtual Insanity?

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