Counting Stars

Counting Stars
Drum Sheet Music

Practice One Republic on Drums

Intermediate

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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
Sheet Preview
  • Exactly as played on the original recording
  • All fills & ghost notes
  • Full arrangement
SIMPLIFIED VERSION
Difficulty Level:
Easy
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 Counting Stars

  • Four-on-the-Floor Groove Consistency
  • Off-Beat Snare Syncopated Accuracy
  • Dynamic Control During Crescendos
  • Precise Kick Drum Placement
  • Modern Pop-Rock Pattern Endurance

Recommended For

This drum notation is highly recommended for advanced beginners and intermediate drummers seeking to master total rhythmic stability. It provides an excellent workout for players looking to develop clean hand foot independence, precise off beat syncopation, and the electronic dance groove control needed to drive modern pop arrangements with confidence.

Learn to play Counting Stars on drums

Play Counting Stars drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and intuitive learning tools. This pop-rock track relies heavily on steady rhythmic changes and a driving dance-like pulse. By utilizing synchronized drum notation, you can watch the notes move across the screen exactly as the music plays, making it easier to nail the syncopated bass drum kicks and four-on-the-floor groove. Use tempo control to slow down the high-energy bridge build-ups, isolate the drum track with our isolated drums feature to capture every subtle snare accent, and master trickier phrases by looping sections until they become pure muscle memory. It is the perfect interactive drum sheet to elevate your timing precision and dynamic control. Grab your sticks and start building your pocket today!

Song information

Artist: One Republic

Drummer: Eddie Fisher

Album: Native

Released: 2013

Sheet Music Details

Length

3 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

120-129

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features a continuous four-on-the-floor electronic-style groove, syncopated off-beat snare placements, clean eighth-note hi-hat patterns, and a carefully structured dynamic crescendo throughout the bridge section that requires excellent volume control.

Song's Overview

Released in 2013 on OneRepublic’s album Native, Counting Stars bridges folk-pop acoustic textures with an undeniable, dance-infused rock rhythm. The track stands out because it blends a soulful vocal arrangement with a driving beat that builds tension perfectly across different sections, making it an excellent study in modern arrangement dynamics. For anyone looking to learn Counting Stars on drums, the musical composition offers a brilliant blueprint for how pop-rock drumming drives a modern track. Eddie Fisher’s approach ignores unnecessary complexity in favor of continuous forward momentum. The track begins with a slow acoustic introduction before suddenly shifting gears into an energetic four-on-the-floor bass drum pattern that commands the pocket. This contrast challenges players to manage abrupt transitions and maintain strict tempo stability. Utilizing a comprehensive Counting Stars drum sheet helps you break down the subtle hand-to-foot coordination needed to match the rhythmic push and pull of the chorus. Whether you are filming a Counting Stars drum cover or practicing to tighten your inner clock, analyzing this composition reveals how consistent spacing between the snare hits and bass drum kicks forms the backbone of a modern hit.

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About the Drummer

Eddie Fisher, best known as the drummer of OneRepublic, delivers powerful and polished performances on hits like Counting Stars. His drumming blends pop accessibility with strong rhythmic drive, making his parts popular among drummers worldwide. If you want to learn to play Counting Stars on drums, his groove is a perfect starting point. His work is frequently featured in drum cover videos and beginner drum lessons.

Drumming Style

Fisher’s style focuses on tight grooves, strong backbeats, and clean execution. He combines electronic-influenced rhythms with live drumming feel, creating a modern pop sound. When practicing a drum cover, pay attention to consistency, kick placement, and dynamics. His playing is ideal for beginner drum lessons and for anyone learning to play contemporary pop songs on drums.

Practice Advice

01
Start at Slower Tempos
The song plays at 122 BPM. Start your practice around 95-100 BPM using a metronome or tempo control. This slower speed allows you to accurately coordinate the off-beat snare hits without losing your physical balance or dragging the tempo.
02
Loop the Bridge Build-Up
The driving acoustic-to-electronic bridge requires a continuous build-up in velocity. Use looping sections to repeat this part continuously. Isolating this transition ensures your volume rises gradually and evenly without rushing the micro-timing before the main groove returns.
03
Avoid Rushing the Off-Beats
A common mistake here is rushing the syncopated snare accents during the pre-chorus. To fix this, count the eighth-note subdivisions aloud while practicing. Keep your backbeats anchored firmly to prevent the groove from feeling frantic or unstable.
04
Lock in the Dance Groove
To achieve a deep pop pocket, focus on the relationship between your right foot and the bass line. Keep the four-on-the-floor pulse perfectly even, ensuring the weight of each stroke is identical to maintain an infectious dance-rock energy.
05
Develop Foot and Hand Independence
The core chorus groove overlays syncopated hi-hat notes on top of a relentless quarter-note bass drum pattern. Practice isolating just your right foot and right hand to build the necessary coordination before introducing the snare drum backbeats.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Master the Four-on-the-Floor Pulse

Begin by establishing a solid, unyielding bass drum pattern on every beat. Practice keeping this kick rhythm perfectly steady while layering simple eighth-note patterns on the hi-hat, ensuring total foot consistency before introducing any syncopation or fills.

Phase 2: Integrate Syncopated Pre-Chorus Patterns

Isolate the pre-chorus section where the snare placement shifts onto the off-beats. Focus on cleanly executing these displaced notes without letting your bass drum pattern fluctuate in speed or volume, preserving a smooth transition into the upcoming chorus.

Phase 3: Smooth Out the Dynamic Builds

Focus heavily on the bridge section, working on a controlled crescendo. Practice starting with soft, precise ghost notes or light rim clicks, then gradually escalate your stick height and physical velocity to lift the song’s intensity seamlessly without altering the tempo.

Phase 4: Perform the Complete Pop Arrangement

Piece together all the structural transitions from the acoustic intro to the high-energy outro. Play along with the track, focusing on your physical stamina and keeping the pocket absolutely locked in for the entire four-minute performance.

FAQ

Is Counting Stars suitable for beginners?
Counting Stars is better suited for intermediate to advanced drummers. However, it can be a great long-term goal as your skills improve.
Can I learn Counting Stars if I’m not very confident reading drum notation?
Counting Stars is more notation-heavy, but it’s also a great opportunity to improve your reading skills while learning it step by step.
Do I need a full drum kit to play Counting Stars?
No — you don’t need a full drum kit to play Counting Stars. A basic setup (kick, snare, hi-hat) is enough to get started.
How will learning Counting Stars improve my drumming skills?
By learning Counting Stars, 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 Counting Stars?
Even if you’re still developing these skills, you can learn Counting Stars step by step by slowing it down and practicing in sections.

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