Don't Look Back In Anger

Don't Look Back In Anger
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Oasis 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 Don't Look Back In Anger

  • Mid-Tempo Groove Consistency
  • Subdivision and Timing Precision
  • Clean Snare Fill Execution
  • Rock Song Structure Awareness
  • Precise Cymbal Dynamic Control

Recommended For

This drum sheet is recommended for advanced beginner and intermediate drummers looking to develop exceptional groove consistency and timing precision. It is highly valuable for players wanting to master classic British rock drumming, focus on clean fill placement, and learn how to support an arrangement with steady, authoritative pocket control.

Learn to play Don't Look Back In Anger on drums

Play Don't Look Back in Anger drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized video player. Follow every note in real time as the drum notation moves with the music, slow down challenging sections with tempo control, loop difficult grooves until they feel natural, and isolate the drum track to hear every detail of Alan White's precise drumming. Whether you are building your foundational rock pocket or refining your syncopated 16th-note fill transitions, these advanced tools make mastering this British rock anthem faster, cleaner, and far more engaging than working from a static printable drum sheet alone. Grab your drumsticks and start practicing today!

Song information

Artist: Oasis

Drummer: Alan White

Album: (What's the Story) Morning Glory?

Released: 1995

Sheet Music Details

Length

4 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

80-89

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features a steady mid-tempo rock groove, precise 16th-note snare drum rolls, dynamic open hi-hat transitions, and well-placed crash cymbal accents that demand strong timing precision and excellent pocket control throughout the track.

Song's Overview

Released in 1995 on the Oasis album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, Don't Look Back in Anger stands as a masterclass in mid-tempo rock arrangement. The track relies heavily on a solid, driving rhythmic foundation that allows the soaring vocal melodies and guitar work to breathe while maintaining a powerful forward momentum throughout. To learn Don't Look Back in Anger on drums, players must understand how to balance power with restraint. Alan White's performance on this track is defined by its pristine timing and deliberate execution. Rather than overwhelming the arrangement with complex patterns, the drum score focuses on a rock-solid eighth-note groove and clean snare fills that signal transitions between sections with absolute clarity. The opening four-bar drum fill is particularly notable, instantly locking in the tempo and setting an authoritative tone for the rest of the piece. Studying this Don't Look Back in Anger drum cover provides valuable lessons in dynamics and song structure. By practicing with an accurate Don't Look Back in Anger drum sheet, drummers can analyze how the subtle additions of crash cymbals and open hi-hats elevate the chorus without disrupting the pocket, making it an essential drum lesson for developing musicians.

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About the Drummer

Alan White was the long-time drummer for Oasis, bringing a sophisticated touch to the band during their global peak. His steady and melodic playing on "Wonderwall" provided the foundation for one of the most famous songs of the 90s. He is a primary study for anyone learning drums to play anthemic pop-rock.

Drumming Style

His style features a classic British rock feel with a deep, driving pocket and powerful, open-sounding fills. When playing drums to this track, focus on the iconic snare accents that drive the chorus energy. It is a staple in drum lessons and is essentially "mandatory" for anyone producing 90s drum covers.

Practice Advice

01
Start Below Full Speed
The original tempo sits around 84 BPM. Begin practicing at 70 BPM to ensure your bass drum and snare placement align perfectly. Use tempo control to maintain steady subdivisions before speeding up.
02
Loop the Intro Fill
The opening snare roll sets the tone for the entire piece. Use looping sections to repeat this four-bar intro until the transition from the snare drag into the main groove feels seamless.
03
Avoid Rushing the Fills
A common mistake is rushing the 16th-note snare fills before the choruses. Keep your hands relaxed and count the subdivisions internally to avoid pushing the tempo ahead of the beat.
04
Focus on Hi-Hat Consistency
Maintain a steady, relaxed eighth-note pattern on the hi-hat. Ensure your left hand pressure keeps the cymbals tightly closed during verses to preserve the song's clean pocket.
05
Master the Chorus Dynamics
The chorus demands higher energy without getting louder or sloppy. Practice opening up your crash cymbals cleanly on the downbeats while keeping your snare backbeat solid, controlled, and perfectly in time.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Solidify the Main Groove

Isolate the foundational eighth-note verse rhythm. Focus on precise coordination between the steady hi-hat pattern and the straightforward kick-and-snare backbeat, keeping your timing locked in with a metronome.

Phase 2: Practice Section Transitions

Analyze the drum transcription for the pre-chorus and chorus entries. Isolate the 16th-note snare builds and practice moving smoothly between the driving verses and the higher-energy choruses without hesitating.

Phase 3: Refine Intro and Fills

Master the signature opening snare roll and the melodic fills scattered throughout the arrangement. Focus on clean stick execution, ensuring every accent hits with clarity and stays perfectly in the pocket.

Phase 4: Run the Full Arrangement

Combine all sections to play the entire piece from start to finish. Focus on maintaining physical endurance and consistent dynamics, supporting the song's natural emotional build up to the final outro.

FAQ

Is Don't Look Back In Anger 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 Don't Look Back In Anger if I’m not very confident reading drum notation?
It’s possible to learn Don't Look Back In Anger 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 Don't Look Back In Anger?
Yes — to fully play Don't Look Back In Anger as recorded, a full drum kit is recommended due to the use of multiple toms and cymbals.
How will learning Don't Look Back In Anger improve my drumming skills?
Learning Don't Look Back In Anger 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 Don't Look Back In Anger?
Don't Look Back In Anger requires control over dynamics, transitions, and more advanced techniques, so it’s best suited for intermediate to advanced drummers.

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