Aerials
Drum Sheet Music

Practice System Of A Down on Drums

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Learn to Play Aerials Faster With Pro Interactive Drum Player

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

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 Aerials

Syncopated Tom Groove Independence
Managing Drastic Dynamic Shifting
Half-Time Heavy Metal Pocket
Precise Transition Fill Timing
Upper-Body Cross-Kit Fluidity

Recommended For

This printable drum sheet is recommended for intermediate drummers looking to develop syncopated tom independence and heavy half-time control. It is highly valuable for alternative rock players who want to master sudden dynamic shifts, fluid cross-kit movements, and precise fill transitions with absolute rhythmic stability.

Learn to play Aerials on drums

Play Aerials drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized video player. Follow every note in real time as the 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 John Dolmayan's powerful alternative metal patterns. Whether you are developing independence with syncopated tom grooves or refining your endurance through heavy open hi-hat choruses, our step-by-step learning tools make mastering this track faster, easier, and far more effective than practicing from a static PDF alone. Grab your sticks, lock into the rhythm, and start practicing today!

Song information

Artist: System Of A Down

Drummer: John Dolmayan

Album: Toxicity

Released: 2001

Sheet Music Details

Length

3 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

80-89

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features a distinct tribal tom groove, heavy half-time choruses, dramatic dynamic drops, syncopated bass drum placement, and explosive linear fills that test transition timing and upper-body relaxation.

Song's Overview

Released in 2001 on System of a Down's breakthrough album Toxicity, Aerials stands as a compelling study in dynamic tension and progressive rhythmic structuring within alternative metal. The track relies heavily on a hypnotic, drop-C tuned guitar riff that moves through unexpected metrical shifts, forcing the drums to act as both a heavy anchor and a driving melodic counterpoint. To learn Aerials on drums, players must analyze how the track masterfully shifts between spark, spacious verses and explosive, wall-of-sound choruses. John Dolmayan’s drumming avoids standard timekeeping formulas by introducing heavily syncopated floor tom rhythms and intricate hi-hat work that mirrors the eastern-influenced melodies of the song. The main groove presents an unusual rhythmic phrasing that challenges your limb independence, while the heavy choruses require a powerful, driving half-time feel played with relentless energy. Studying this Aerials drum cover provides invaluable insights into managing dramatic dynamic shifts and maintaining steady timing during complex transitions. Working with an accurate Aerials drum sheet lets intermediate drummers visualize the precise placement of the ghost notes, heavy accents, and tribal-style tom fills that give the track its unique identity. It remains a staple study for any drummer looking to expand their alternative rock and heavy metal vocabulary.

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About the Drummer

John Dolmayan is the drummer for System of a Down, recognized for his incredibly fast and technical approach to metal. He has a unique ability to weave intricate, non-traditional rhythms into heavy alternative metal tracks. He is a primary influence for drummers looking to push the boundaries of the genre.

Drumming Style

Dolmayan’s style is known for rapid-fire fills, syncopated hi-hat work, and a very "dry," punchy snare sound. Playing drums like John requires exceptional coordination and speed. His work is frequently used in drum lessons as a challenge for students learning drums in the metal style.

Practice Advice

Start Below Full Speed

The song's primary tempo rests around 86 BPM. Begin practicing the syncopated tom patterns at 65-70 BPM. Focus on the precise placement of your bass drum notes against the ride cymbal to establish a rock-solid rhythmic baseline before accelerating.

Loop the Tom Grooves

The tribal-style rhythms in the verses require fluid movement across the kit. Use loop mode to repeat these specific measures continuously, building muscle memory until the shifting hand patterns feel entirely natural and effortless.

Avoid Rushing the Choruses

A common mistake when learning this track is rushing the transition into the explosive chorus downbeat. Keep your body relaxed as the intensity increases; do not let the heavy open hi-hat wash pull your timing forward.

Lock the Dynamic Contrast

This track relies heavily on dramatic volume shifts. Practice dropping your volume instantly during the quiet, ambient verse sections, then explode into full-power accents during the chorus without fluctuating your inner metronome pulse.

Master the Syncopated Accents

John Dolmayan utilizes unexpected snare and tom accents throughout the arrangement. Practice isolating these syncopated strokes slowly, ensuring your limbs remain loose so each accent sounds crisp, intentional, and perfectly separated.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Master the Syncopated Verse Patterns

Isolate the hypnotic, tribal-inspired tom and bass drum groove that defines the verses. Focus on aligning your hand movements across the kit while maintaining a steady pulse, practicing slowly to build underlying coordination.

Phase 2: Solidify the Heavy Chorus Pocket

Transition into the high-energy chorus, shifting from complex tom syncopation to a massive, half-time heavy metal groove. Work on maintaining a driving, loose hi-hat wash while keeping your snare backbeat perfectly grounded.

Phase 3: Execute Precise Fill Transitions

Analyze the rapid snare and tom fills that bridge the song's extreme dynamic shifts. Practice entering and exiting these transitions using tempo control, ensuring your timing does not stutter when the music explodes.

Phase 4: Build Endurance for Full Performance

Combine all distinct phases and play along with the complete drum notation. Focus on managing your physical energy and stick heights across the shifting arrangement, executing every massive peak with absolute confidence.