Midnight Sky

Midnight Sky
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Miley Cyrus on Drums

Intermediate to Advanced

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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:
Intermediate to Advanced
Sheet Preview
  • Exactly as played on the original recording
  • All fills & ghost notes
  • Full arrangement
SIMPLIFIED VERSION
Difficulty Level:
Easy to Intermediate
Sheet Preview
  • Easier to learn
  • Simplified fills
  • Reduced ghost notes
  • Perfect for beginners & intermediates

Not sure which version?

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 Midnight Sky

  • Four-on-the-Floor Groove Consistency
  • Metronomic Drumming Timing Precision
  • Precise Hi-Hat Opening Coordination
  • Rhythmic Endurance and Pocket Control
  • Clean Linear Fill Execution Control

Recommended For

This drum notation is highly recommended for advanced-beginner to intermediate drummers aiming to solidify their four-on-the-floor timing precision and eighth-note electronic pop-rock feel. It provides exceptional value for players looking to develop strict rhythmic endurance, clean hi-hat bark coordination, and the discipline required to drive modern pop-synth arrangements.

Learn to play Midnight Sky on drums

Play Midnight Sky 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 driving retro pop beat. Slow down challenging four-on-the-floor rhythms using tempo control, loop sections where the electronic snare fills bridge the arrangement, and utilize isolated drums to capture the precise, snappy production details of Andrew Watt's performance. By shifting away from static PDF files, this interactive drum sheet allows you to build timing precision and four-on-the-floor endurance more efficiently. Dive into the vintage synth-pop energy and elevate your groove consistency today.

Song information

Artist: Miley Cyrus

Drummer: Andrew Watt

Sheet Music Details

Length

3 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

110-119

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features a strict four-on-the-floor bass drum groove, disco-influenced eighth-note hi-hat patterns, syncopation via crisp hi-hat openings, and precise linear fills requiring disciplined dynamic control.

Song's Overview

Released in 2020 as the lead single from the album Plastic Hearts, Midnight Sky signaled a major shift toward a gritty, synth-pop and disco-rock fusion that revitalized 1980s textures for a modern era. The track relies heavily on a thumping electronic bassline and a heavy, direct backbeat reminiscent of classic pop-rock, drawing a direct lineage to the chugging drive of tracks like Stevie Nicks’ "Edge of Seventeen." For drummers who want to learn Midnight Sky on drums, the track presents a masterclass in modern four-on-the-floor precision. Instead of overwhelming the listener with dense syncopation, the drumming relies on meticulous note placement and a rock-solid pocket to cut through a dense mix of analog synthesizers. Working on a Midnight Sky drum cover requires maintaining unwavering metronomic control while executing punchy electronic-style snare hits on beats two and four. The subtle micro-details, like the crisp hi-hat openings and snappy linear fills, provide just enough rhythmic variance to keep the electronic pulse feeling dynamic and alive. Practicing with a detailed Midnight Sky drum sheet helps players decode these production nuances, turning a straightforward disco beat into an exercise in endurance, balance, and pure groove authority.

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About the Drummer

Andrew Watt is best known as a Grammy-winning producer, but he is also a talented multi-instrumentalist who plays drums, guitar, and bass. Although he is not primarily known as a professional touring drummer, his deep understanding of rhythm and groove has made him a highly respected collaborator in the studio. His ability to communicate with top musicians has helped shape the sound of countless modern rock and pop recordings.

 

 

Drumming Style

Andrew Watt's drumming is simple, musical, and song-focused. Rather than relying on technical complexity, he emphasizes solid timing, natural feel, and tasteful dynamics. His grooves are rooted in classic rock, with influences from blues, funk, and modern alternative rock. When he plays drums in the studio, he prioritizes supporting the song, creating strong pocket grooves, and delivering energetic performances that feel authentic and live. His approach reflects his philosophy as a producer: every drum part should enhance the music without drawing unnecessary attention to itself.

Practice Advice

01
Lock the Four-on-the-Floor Early
The pulse relies on an unyielding kick drum. Begin practicing at 90 BPM before pushing to the studio tempo of 110 BPM. Use a metronome to guarantee that your bass drum hits do not shift or drag against the quarter-note pulse.
02
Loop the Electronic Fill Transitions
Isolate the short, snappy electronic-style fills at the end of the chorus sections. Use a loop player to repeat these transitions continuously, focusing on clean hand-to-foot coordination so you exit the fill seamlessly without rushing the downbeat.
03
Avoid Rushing the Backbeat
A frequent mistake here is rushing the snare on beats two and four due to the driving bassline. Keep your snare hits perfectly centered in the pocket, pulling back slightly to match the electronic, clinical precision of the track.
04
Master the Crisp Hi-Hat Openings
Focus on the brief, syncopated hi-hat openings scattered across the pre-chorus. Ensure the foot closes sharply exactly on the following beat, creating a clean, choked sound that mimics the song's tightly edited electronic production.

Learning Roadmap

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

Isolate the foundational verse rhythm. Concentrate on keeping a rock-solid, unyielding bass drum pattern on all four beats while stacking sharp backbeats on two and four. Practice this slowly to ensure flawless separation between your limbs.

Phase 2: Integrate Syncopated Hi-Hat Openings

Incorporate the subtle eighth-note variations and hi-hat barks in the pre-chorus. Focus on the coordination needed to open and choke the hi-hat cleanly without altering the steady, continuous momentum of your bass drum foot.

Phase 3: Smooth Out the Fill Transitions

Examine the punchy linear snare and tom fills that connect the song’s main sections. Work on executing these fills with rigid rhythmic precision, ensuring you dive back into the primary groove without disturbing the underlying synth-pop pulse.

Phase 4: Build Full Arrangement Endurance

Piece all the sections together and play along with the full song. Focus on structural awareness and physical consistency, maintaining identical dynamic power and timing precision from the opening synth layers to the final outro groove.

FAQ

Is Midnight Sky suitable for beginners?
Midnight Sky is better suited for intermediate to advanced drummers. However, it can be a great long-term goal as your skills improve.
Can I learn Midnight Sky if I’m not very confident reading drum notation?
Midnight Sky 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 Midnight Sky?
While some fills may require toms or cymbals, the core of Midnight Sky can be practiced on a smaller kit.
How will learning Midnight Sky improve my drumming skills?
By learning Midnight Sky, 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 Midnight Sky?
To learn Midnight Sky, you’ll need solid timing, good coordination, and experience with more complex drum patterns.

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