Are You Gonna Go My Way
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Lenny Kravitz on Drums

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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

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Difficulty Level:

Easy

Easier to learn
Simplified fills
Reduced ghost notes
Perfect for beginners & intermediates

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Drumming Techniques You'll Learn in Are You Gonna Go My Way

Up-Tempo Rhythmic Endurance
Hi-Hat Wash Control
Pocket Consistency at Speed
Rock Backbeat Power
Precision Syncopated Accent Alignment

Recommended For

This drum transcription is recommended for intermediate players looking to build up-tempo rock endurance and precise hi-hat wash control. It is highly beneficial for drummers wanting to develop a powerful, driving pocket and learn how to lock seamlessly with energetic rock arrangements using clean cymbals and steady, authoritative backbeats.

Learn to play Are You Gonna Go My Way on drums

Play Are You Gonna Go My Way drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized video player. Follow every note in real time as the notation moves with the music, helping you master the high-energy rock grooves seamlessly. Use tempo control to slow down the driving rhythms, or loop difficult sections like the energetic transitions until they feel natural. With isolated drums, you can lock into the precise relationship between the kick and snare. Whether you are building up-tempo endurance or refining an open hi-hat rock pocket, these tools make learning faster and more effective than a traditional printable drum sheet. Grab your sticks and start practicing now!

Song information

Artist: Lenny Kravitz

Drummer: Cindy Blackman

Album: Are You Gonna Go My Way

Released: 1993

Sheet Music Details

Length

2 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

120-129

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features a continuous driving open hi-hat groove, authoritative backbeats, up-tempo physical endurance demands, precise cymbal crash accents, and syncopated rock fills that lock tightly with the underlying arrangement.

Song's Overview

Released in 1993 as the title track of his third studio album, Are You Gonna Go My Way stood out in the 90s rock scene by blending raw, retro 1970s hard rock energy with a modern alternative edge. Built on a fierce, driving guitar riff, the track depends heavily on a relentless rhythmic groove that pushes the arrangement forward with immense power.When you learn Are You Gonna Go My Way on drums, you immediately notice that the drumming is about raw power and consistent drive rather than intricate rudiments. Lenny Kravitz played the drums on the studio recording himself, opting for a straight-ahead, aggressive rock style characterized by an open hi-hat wash and punchy snare backbeats. For anyone recording an Are You Gonna Go My Way drum cover, the main challenge lies in maintaining high physical endurance at a brisk tempo of around 129 BPM without rushing the pocket. The patterns on this Are You Gonna Go My Way drum sheet highlight how subtle accents on the crash and snare can elevate a repetitive groove, providing a lesson in rock dynamics. Studying this drum score teaches you how to lock in with a heavy guitar riff and drive a band with sheer authority.

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About the Drummer

Cindy Blackman is a virtuosic drummer known for her work with Lenny Kravitz and her own jazz fusion projects. Her performance on "Are You Gonna Go My Way" is a masterclass in high-energy, classic rock drumming. She is a major inspiration for anyone learning drums with a focus on power and technical proficiency.

Drumming Style

Her style blends the raw power of rock with the sophisticated coordination of jazz. Playing drums like Blackman requires incredible speed, precision, and an aggressive approach to the kit. Her high-octane performances are favorite subjects for challenging drum covers and are frequently highlighted in drum lessons.

Practice Advice

Start at a Controlled Tempo

The original tempo is a brisk 129 BPM. Start practicing at 100 BPM using tempo control. Focus on clean, unified hits between your kick and open hi-hat before gradually stepping up the speed to ensure absolute rhythmic precision.

Loop the Verse Transitions

The shifts from the driving verses into the chorus hit hard. Isolate these transition bars using looping sections. Repeating these boundaries ensures your limbs don't hesitate when shifting accents and that the momentum remains completely unbroken.

Control the Hi-Hat Wash

A common mistake is letting the open hi-hat sound sloppy or overpower the snare. Keep the hi-hat slightly loose but controlled. Ensure your stick striking area is consistent to avoid a muddy wall of noise that buries the backbeat.

Lock with the Guitar Riff

The drum groove acts as a physical anchor for the main guitar riff. Practice with a metronome or backing track, ensuring your bass drum hits precisely lock in with the guitar's low-end rhythm to maximize the overall pocket.

Build Up Your Shoulder Endurance

The continuous up-tempo quarter notes on the open hi-hat require serious physical endurance. Relax your shoulders and use Moeller technique or wrist-driven strokes to prevent cramping during the non-stop driving sections of the song.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Master the Driving Rock Groove

Isolate the main verse rhythm, focusing on the quarter-note open hi-hat pattern and solid snare backbeats on counts two and four. Practice slowly to lock the kick drum placement tightly with the pulse before tracking at full speed.

Phase 2: Refine Accent Placement and Fills

Analyze the precise crash and snare accents scattered across the arrangement. Work on cleanly moving from the steady groove into these short, punchy rock fills without dropping your internal meter or tripping over the sticks.

Phase 3: Develop Up-Tempo Physical Endurance

Practice playing long stretches of the song without stopping. Focus on staying relaxed in your forearms and shoulders while maintaining a consistent wash on the hi-hats, ensuring the energy doesn't drop during the later verses.

Phase 4: Perform the Complete Arrangement

Piece all individual sections together from the explosive opening to the final fading solo. Focus on the structural transitions, dynamic consistency, and delivering an authoritative performance that perfectly supports the driving energy of the track.

FAQ

Is Are You Gonna Go My Way 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 Are You Gonna Go My Way if I’m not very confident reading drum notation?

It’s possible to learn Are You Gonna Go My Way 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 Are You Gonna Go My Way?

No — you don’t need a full drum kit to play Are You Gonna Go My Way. A basic setup (kick, snare, hi-hat) is enough to get started.

How will learning Are You Gonna Go My Way improve my drumming skills?

Learning Are You Gonna Go My Way 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 Are You Gonna Go My Way?

Even if you’re still developing these skills, you can learn Are You Gonna Go My Way step by step by slowing it down and practicing in sections.