Something
Drum Sheet Music

Practice The Beatles on Drums

Easy

Want access to all lessons?

View Plans >>

Learn to Play Something 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:

Intermediate

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

Purchase for only 1.90$

SIMPLIFIED VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Easy

Easier to learn
Simplified fills
Reduced ghost notes
Perfect for beginners & intermediates

Purchase for only 1.90$

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.

Unlock all songs library and practice like a pro:

$10 / month

Billed at $120 per year

7-day free trial
Full access to all songs
Interactive player
Downloadable drum sheets
Full support
Cancel anytime
30-day money-back guarantee

Start with 7-Day Trial

$15 / month

Billed at $15 per month

Full access to all songs
Interactive player
Downloadable drum sheets
Full support
Cancel anytime

Purchase

Drumming Techniques You'll Learn in Something

Melodic Drum Phrasing Precision
Dynamic Verse Bridge Transitions
Linear Tom Sweep Accuracy
Micro Timing Pocket Control
Crisp Hi Hat Articulation

Recommended For

This drum sheet is recommended for intermediate drummers looking to master melodic phrasing, dynamic scaling, and expressive pocket control. It is highly valuable for players wanting to develop precise tom fills and subtle texturing, while learning to support a lush rock arrangement with absolute timing stability, confidence, and restraint.

Learn to play Something on drums

Play Something 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 music, slow down challenging syncopated fills with tempo control, loop difficult bridge transitions until they feel completely natural, and isolate the drum track to hear every detail of Ringo Starr's melodic performance. Whether you are building confidence with expressive tom sweeps or refining your hi-hat dynamics, our step-by-step learning tools make mastering this track faster, easier, and far more effective than a static PDF alone. Grab your drumsticks and elevate your pocket today!

Song information

Artist: The Beatles

Drummer: Ringo Starr

Album: Abbey Road

Released: 1969

Sheet Music Details

Length

2 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

60-69

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features highly melodic tom-tom sweeps, fluid eighth-note hi-hat dynamics, stark verse-to-bridge dynamic contrasts, and syncopated fill placement requiring advanced micro-timing control and exceptional phrasing restraint.

Song's Overview

Released in 1969 on The Beatles' album Abbey Road, Something redefined the role of the rhythm section in pop-rock ballads by showcasing an unprecedentedly fluid, melodic drumming style. Ringo Starr’s work on this track provides an exceptional case study in artistic accompaniment, altering how musicians approach slow-tempo arrangements. To learn "Something" on drums, a player must look past basic timekeeping. The musical characteristics of this "Something" drum cover revolve around deep lyrical interaction; the drums actively answer the vocal phrases and guitar lines rather than repeating a rigid sequence. Starr alternates between a delicate, crisp eighth-note hi-hat pulse in the verses and an explosive, heavy rock pocket during the syncopated bridge section. Studying this accurate "Something" drum sheet highlights how strategic tom-tom sweeps and intentional rhythmic pauses create structural tension. Instead of cluttering the mix, each fill functions as a melodic bridge between bars. This drum sheet acts as an essential blueprint for intermediate drummers, demonstrating how a thoughtful mix of restraint and syncopated phrasing can turn a classic ballad into a masterclass of expressive rock drumming.

Want access to all lessons?

View Plans >>

About the Drummer

Ringo Starr is the legendary drummer for The Beatles, often credited with defining the role of the modern rock drummer. On tracks like "A Hard Day's Night," he showed how to provide a steady, creative foundation for iconic pop-rock melodies. He remains a top inspiration for those beginning their journey of learning drums.

Drumming Style

His style focuses on "serving the song," with creative fills that never distract from the vocals or melody. When playing drums to his tracks, the emphasis is on the unique "swing" and steady pulse he brings to the kit. His iconic patterns are fundamental for drum lessons and remain a staple for classic drum covers.

Practice Advice

Start Below Full Speed

The song's expressive subdivisions demand great micro-timing accuracy. Begin practicing the main groove at 55 BPM before advancing to the original 66 BPM tempo. Focus on clean hand-to-foot alignment rather than rushing into the fills.

Loop the Bridge Transitions

Shifting from the quiet, melodic verse to the explosive, hard-driving rock bridge requires perfect control. Use loop mode to isolate these transition bars, repeating them until the dramatic change in volume and energy feels smooth.

Avoid Rushing the Fills

A frequent mistake when learning this drum notation is rushing the syncopated tom sweeps. Ringo Starr's phrasing relies on incredible space and intentional placement. Prioritize a steady pocket and let each fill breathe naturally.

Strengthen Melodic Timing Consistency

Develop a solid internal metronome by locking your eighth-note hi-hat pattern with the fluid bassline. Avoid a rigid delivery; let the groove carry a slight, relaxed breathing space that supports the lead vocals.

Master Linear Tom Sweeps

The track features signature descending tom-tom fills that require excellent stick-height control and wrist relaxation. Practice these movements slowly in isolation to ensure each note speaks clearly without dropping your core body balance.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Lock the Melodic Verse Groove

Isolate the primary verse pattern, focusing on the soft, crisp hi-hat texturing and subtle kick drum support. Practice slowly to build foundational muscle memory and establish complete independence between your hands and feet before tackling fills.

Phase 2: Coordinate Syncopated Tom Fills

Analyze the expressive, linear tom sweeps that mark the phrase transitions. Practice entering and exiting these fills cleanly at a reduced tempo, ensuring your limbs strike accurately without interrupting the song's slow, steady pulse.

Phase 3: Master the Heavy Bridge Dynamics

Transition into the high-energy bridge section. Focus on scaling up your volume by executing a driving rock pocket with powerful snare backbeats, learning to elevate the emotional intensity smoothly without rushing the underlying tempo.

Phase 4: Deliver the Complete Expressive Performance

Combine all phases to execute the entire drum transcription from start to finish. Focus on managing your dynamic control and structural transitions, ensuring the delicate verses and explosive bridge flow together seamlessly until the final hit.

FAQ

Is Something suitable for beginners?

Something is better suited for intermediate to advanced drummers. However, it can be a great long-term goal as your skills improve.

Can I learn Something if I’m not very confident reading drum notation?

Something 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 Something?

Yes — to fully play Something as recorded, a full drum kit is recommended due to the use of multiple toms and cymbals.

How will learning Something improve my drumming skills?

Something challenges you in a musical way, helping you improve not just technique, but also your ability to play with feel, structure, and confidence.

What skills do I need before learning Something?

Something requires control over dynamics, transitions, and more advanced techniques, so it’s best suited for intermediate to advanced drummers.