Paranoid Android
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Radiohead on Drums

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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:

Advanced

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

Purchase for only 1.90$

SIMPLIFIED VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Intermediate to Advanced

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 Paranoid Android

Odd Meter Time Signature Fluency
Dynamic Independence and Ghosting
Complex Section Transition Management
Precise Subdivided Hi-Hat Articulation
Full Arrangement Structural Endurance

Recommended For

This drum notation is recommended for advanced intermediate drummers seeking to master odd time signatures and complex linear rhythms. It provides an excellent challenge for players looking to develop nuanced control, dynamic restraint, and the coordination required to transition smoothly between distinct musical movements within an unconventional alternative rock framework.

Learn to play Paranoid Android on drums

Play Paranoid Android drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized video player. Follow Phil Selway's sophisticated patterns in real time as the synchronized drum notation moves along with the music. Slow down challenging odd-meter sections like the 7/8 passages using tempo control, and use looping sections to practice the complex transitions until they feel entirely natural. You can also utilize isolated drums to clearly hear every intricate hi-hat accent and ghost note. Mastering this dynamic drum lesson helps develop advanced skills like time signature fluency and dynamic independence. Grab your sticks and start practicing this multi-part arrangement today!

Song information

Artist: Radiohead

Drummer: Philip Selway

Album: OK Computer

Released: 1997

Sheet Music Details

Length

5 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

150+

Time Signature

4/4, 7/4

Key features

Features explicit notation for complex 7/8 time signature changes, intricate sixteenth-note hi-hat accent structures, precise snare ghost notes, and sudden high-velocity fills that demand exceptional linear coordination and dynamic shifting.

Song's Overview

Released in 1997 on Radiohead's album OK Computer, this track fundamentally shifted the boundaries of alternative rock by proving that a single composition could stitch together multiple disparate musical suites. For musicians, the piece acts as a modern multi-part epic, shifting seamlessly between acoustic melancholy, explosive guitar solos, and a haunting choral breakdown. If you want to learn Paranoid Android on drums, you must prepare for a masterclass in shifting time signatures and rhythmic textures. Phil Selway's drumming provides the essential connective tissue across these distinct movements. The opening segment establishes a deceptively relaxed feel in a 4/4 meter, colored by intricate percussive elements. However, the track soon shifts gears into an aggressive, driving groove set in a challenging 7/8 time signature. Navigating a Paranoid Android drum cover requires intense focus on both metric stability and dynamic control. You cannot rely on standard rock patterns here; instead, this Paranoid Android drum sheet maps out a precise blend of rhythmic discipline and heavy syncopation. The drumming anchors the band's avant-garde experimentation, demonstrating how a drummer can guide a band through chaotic stylistic shifts while maintaining an ironclad sense of time.

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About the Drummer

Philip Selway is the drummer for Radiohead, known for his ability to blend traditional rock drumming with complex, electronic-influenced rhythms. His subtle and creative approach is highly respected in the alternative rock community. Every student learning drums in the alternative genre studies his unique parts.

Drumming Style

Selway’s style is precise and often features intricate hi-hat work and syncopated snare patterns. Playing drums in his style involves a focus on nuance and creating a rhythmic "mood" for the song. His tracks are popular for artistic drum covers and are featured in drum lessons.

Practice Advice

Internalize the 7/8 Slower Tempo

The aggressive second section shifts into a jagged 7/8 time signature. Begin practicing this specific groove at 65 BPM using a metronome. Focus on counting the eighth notes aloud (1-2, 1-2, 1-2-3) to internalize the uneven pulse before accelerating to the full recording speed.

Loop the Section Transitions

Isolate the exact moments where the song abruptly transitions from the mellow 4/4 acoustic groove into the heavy 7/8 rock section. Use looping to repeat these multi-measure handovers, ensuring your arms and feet adjust immediately to the metric shift without dropping the beat.

Don't Rush the Slow Outro

A frequent mistake drummers make is rushing the somber 4/4 section near the end. Phil Selway plays with profound restraint here. Avoid pushing the tempo or adding unnecessary fills; lock your bass drum tightly with the bassline to maintain the hypnotic atmosphere.

Lock into the Subdivided Groove

To maintain absolute consistency during the complex syncopated parts, keep a strong mental subdivision running in your head. Focus on aligning your hi-hat strikes perfectly with the snare ghost notes, preventing your pocket from rushing or dragging during the dense polyrhythmic interactions.

Master the Cabasa-Style Hi-Hat

The opening verse uses an intricate percussive texture modeled after a shaker or cabasa pattern. Practice playing tight, sixteenth-note accent permutations on the hi-hat while maintaining independent, sparse bass drum placement. Keep your shoulder relaxed to prevent tension during these long, repetitive phrases.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Decode the Textured 4/4 Verse Groove

Isolate the intricate sixteenth-note hi-hat patterns of the opening section. Practice layering the quiet snare ghost notes and sparse bass drum hits underneath this steady rhythm, focusing entirely on clean limb independence and low-volume dynamic control.

Phase 2: Conquer the 7/8 Aggressive Riffs

Switch focus to the heavy rock sections written in 7/8 time. Break down the asymmetrical pulse slowly, ensuring your snare backbeat aligns perfectly with the heavy guitar riffs. Build muscle memory for this irregular meter before increasing the tempo.

Phase 3: Smooth Out the Dynamic Transitions

Practice navigating the sharp musical drops and sudden builds between the acoustic, rock, and choral movements. Work on adapting your volume and touch instantaneously, preventing any tempo fluctuations as you shift between frantic syncopated playing and minimalist restraint.

Phase 4: Build Endurance for the Full Arrangement

Combine all movements into a single, cohesive performance. Play along with the full song, focusing on your mental focus and physical stamina across the entire six-minute track. Ensure every rhythmic change hits seamlessly from the intro to the final crash.