Nothing Else Matters
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Metallica 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:

Intermediate to Advanced

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

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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 Nothing Else Matters

6/8 Time Signature Fluency
Rhythmic Space and Restraint
Dynamic Contrast and Control
Precision Triplet Tom Fills
Cymbal Choke Timing Coordination

Recommended For

This clean rock drum transcription is highly recommended for intermediate drummers who want to develop solid 6/8 compound meter fluency and exceptional dynamic restraint. It offers essential practice for modern players aiming to master the art of patient accompaniment, execute controlled triplet tom fills, and support an atmospheric ballad arrangement with absolute rhythmic precision, steady execution, and complete musical confidence.

Learn to play Nothing Else Matters on drums

Play Nothing Else Matters 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, allowing you to master this slow 6/8 power ballad with total precision. Slow down challenging sections with tempo control to get a feel for Lars Ulrich’s powerful tom fills, use looping sections to repeat the heavy bridge grooves until they feel natural, and use the isolated drums feature to hear every accent clearly. This interactive drum sheet helps you build exceptional dynamic restraint and timing consistency. Grab your sticks and start practicing today to elevate your rock drumming!

Song information

Artist: Metallica

Drummer: Lars Ulrich

Album: Metallica

Released: 1991

Sheet Music Details

Length

3 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

140-149

Time Signature

6/8

Key features

Features a slow 6/8 power ballad structure, precise eighth-note triplet tom fills, distinct cymbal chokes, late drum entry coordination, and wide-open spaces requiring exceptional dynamic control and timing consistency.

Song's Overview

Released in 1991 on Metallica's self-titled album, Nothing Else Matters represents a significant stylistic shift for the heavy metal pioneers, introducing a deeply expressive and atmospheric ballad format to their catalog. Built around a somber E-minor acoustic melody, the track trades their signature fast thrash tempos for a heavy, slow-rolling 6/8 time signature that fundamentally changes how the rhythm section operates. For players looking to learn Nothing Else Matters on drums, the track serves as a masterclass in patient accompaniment and space. The drums do not enter until the first chorus, requiring the performer to wait over a minute before executing a massive, explosive entrance. The primary groove is deceptively simple, but maintaining the slow compound meter pulse demands incredible inner-clock accuracy and dynamic restraint. Lars Ulrich drives the musical shifts through deep, resonant tom fills and accented cymbal crashes that anchor the heavy guitar solo. Studying a Nothing Else Matters drum cover reveals how careful placement of the snare on beat four creates a powerful swaying movement rather than standard rock driving force. Utilizing a reliable Nothing Else Matters drum sheet will help you navigate these dynamic peaks and rhythmic nuances effectively.

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About the Drummer

Lars Ulrich is the co-founder of Metallica and a driving force behind the global success of heavy metal. His career has influenced millions of people to start learning drums specifically for metal. He is known for his ability to write rhythms that perfectly lock in with complex guitar riffs.

Drumming Style

Ulrich’s style is defined by driving double-bass work and a punchy, aggressive snare. Playing drums in his style requires great physical stamina and an understanding of heavy metal song structure. His tracks are legendary choices for drum covers and are fundamental to metal drum lessons.

Practice Advice

Start Below Full Speed

The track runs at a slow tempo of roughly 46 BPM for the dotted quarter note. Start practicing with your metronome subdivisions set to eighth notes at 138 BPM. This keeps you from rushing the wide spaces between the backbeats.

Loop Transition Sections

Isolate the transition into the first chorus where the drums suddenly enter. Use loop mode to practice waiting patiently through the silence and hitting the first downbeat with exact precision and full dynamic power without dragging the tempo.

Avoid Overplaying the Groove

A common mistake here is rushing the eighth-note triplet tom fills during the chorus and guitar solo. To prevent this, keep your feet marking the steady pulse on the hi-hat pedal, ensuring your hands do not speed up during transitions.

Strengthen Timing Consistency

Focus on the swaying feel of the 6/8 compound meter. Ensure the kick drum on beat one and the snare on beat four line up perfectly with the bassline, maintaining absolute rhythmic consistency through the quieter verse dynamics.

Master Kick-Snare Coordination

The song features specific accented cymbal hits followed by quick chokes. Practice grabbing the edge of the cymbal immediately after the strike with your non-leading hand to ensure the silence is abrupt and crisp, perfectly matching the guitar cuts.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Count and internalize the 6/8 groove

Begin by tapping out the eighth-note pulse of the slow compound meter. Practice the fundamental kick-on-one and snare-on-four rhythm until it feels natural. Focus entirely on maintaining a relaxed but locked-in pocket without adding any extra accents or fills.

Phase 2: Master the chorus transitions and fills

Isolate the powerful tom roll fills that signal the shifts between verses and choruses. Practice these fills slowly to ensure your spacing is perfectly even, preventing the common tendency to push ahead of the slow, grinding rhythm.

Phase 3: Coordinate the guitar solo accents

Analyze the rhythmic interaction during the guitar solo section. Practice matching the heavy crashes and immediate cymbal chokes with the rhythmic figures of the rhythm guitar, ensuring your bass drum stays rock-solid beneath the upper-register activity.

Phase 4: Build dynamic control across the arrangement

Combine all sections from the silent introduction to the heavy guitar outro. Focus on executing the dramatic shifts in volume, ensuring you support the emotional arc of the ballad while maintaining a steady pulse from start to finish.

FAQ

Is Nothing Else Matters suitable for beginners?

Nothing Else Matters is better suited for intermediate to advanced drummers. However, it can be a great long-term goal as your skills improve.

Can I learn Nothing Else Matters if I’m not very confident reading drum notation?

It’s possible to learn Nothing Else Matters 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 Nothing Else Matters?

Yes — to fully play Nothing Else Matters as recorded, a full drum kit is recommended due to the use of multiple toms and cymbals.

How will learning Nothing Else Matters improve my drumming skills?

By learning Nothing Else Matters, 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 Nothing Else Matters?

Even if you’re still developing these skills, you can learn Nothing Else Matters step by step by slowing it down and practicing in sections.