In Between Days
Drum Sheet Music

Practice The Cure on Drums

Intermediate to Advanced

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Two versions of the drum sheet - choose the one that fits your level and goals.

ORIGINAL VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Intermediate to Advanced

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

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SIMPLIFIED VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Easy to Intermediate

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

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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 In Between Days

Developing Sustained Hi-Hat Endurance
Precise Bass Drum Syncopation Control
Maintaining High Tempo Consistency
Executing Smooth Section Transitions
Improving Interlimb Coordination And Timing

Recommended For

This drum notation is recommended for intermediate players aiming to build solid high-tempo endurance and precise hi-hat control. It is exceptionally useful for drummers exploring alternative rock and post-punk styles who want to master the art of driving an arrangement forward with relentless consistency, clean syncopation, and musical discipline.

Learn to play In Between Days on drums

Play In Between Days 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, allowing you to slow down the quick alternative rock pulse with precision tempo control. Isolate the drums using the isolated drums audio option to dissect every subtle syncopation, and use looping sections to repeat the fast-paced transitions until they feel completely natural. This interactive drum sheet accelerates your learning by breaking down the track's consistent eighth-note hi-hat drive and sharp snare placements. Lock in your timing and start playing this upbeat track with confidence today!

Song information

Artist: The Cure

Drummer: Boris Williams

Album: The Head on the Door

Released: 1985

Sheet Music Details

Length

2 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

140-149

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features a fast driving eighth-note hi-hat ostinato, precise kick drum syncopations, tight snare backbeats, and crisp transition fills requiring steady upper-body endurance and precise limb independence throughout.

Song's Overview

Released in 1985 on The Cure's album The Head on the Door, In Between Days marked a crucial stylistic shift toward a vibrant, guitar-driven jangle pop and alternative rock sound. The song relies heavily on its bright acoustic guitars and a soaring bassline, all propelled forward by an relentless, upbeat drum part that drives the song's emotional urgency. For musicians wanting to learn In Between Days on drums, the track serves as a masterful study in maintaining high-energy momentum without overcomplicating the arrangement. Drummer Boris Williams provides a driving, continuous eighth-note pattern on the hi-hat that remains perfectly locked with the bass player throughout the track. His drumming utilizes sharp snare placements and tasteful, energetic transitions that perfectly support the shifting dynamics of the song. Rather than dropping intense heavy fills, the focus here is entirely on endurance, clean limb coordination, and deep groove consistency at a fast tempo. Studying this specific In Between Days drum cover gives players a fantastic blueprint for new wave and post-punk rhythms. Analyzing the In Between Days drum sheet reveals how subtle variations in hi-hat openings and kick drum syncopations can keep a repetitive pop structure feeling fresh and dynamic from the first beat to the final fade-out.

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About the Drummer

Boris Williams is best known as the drummer for The Cure, contributing to hits like Friday I’m in Love. His drumming style is subtle but essential to the band’s sound. Drummers who want to learn to play this song on drums will appreciate his musical sensitivity. His work is often studied in drum cover performances and beginner drum lessons.

Drumming Style

Williams focuses on atmosphere and groove rather than technical complexity. His parts are steady and supportive, making them great for beginners. When practicing a drum cover, pay attention to timing and feel. His style fits perfectly into beginner drum lessons and indie rock practice routines.

Practice Advice

Start Below Original Tempo

The fast tempo of 144 BPM can lead to sloppy timing. Begin practicing the core pulse at 110 BPM. Focus on clean, even eighth notes on the hi-hat and perfectly aligned backbeats before working your way up to full speed.

Loop the Verse Transitions

Isolate the sections where the vocals drop out and the fills occur. Use a loop player to repeat these brief moments, ensuring your movement between the steady ride pattern or hi-hat drive and the snappy snare fills remains smooth and unhurried.

Avoid Rushing the Upbeats

A common pitfall on this track is dragging or rushing the kick drum syncopations underneath the steady hi-hat. Keep your foot relaxed and focus on burying the bass drum precisely between the eighth notes, preventing the overall groove from rushing.

Lock with the Bassline

This song thrives on the tight interplay between the drums and the driving bass melody. Practice keeping your kick drum and snare perfectly aligned with the rhythmic pulse of the bass player, establishing a deep, unshakeable pocket that anchors the track.

Build Hi-Hat Hand Endurance

The continuous eighth-note patterns require significant forearm endurance. Relax your wrist and use a Moeller-style pumping motion to maintain the relentless pace without tensing up, ensuring every stroke on the hi-hat sounds clean, even, and dynamic throughout the entire arrangement.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Build the Steady Eighth-Note Drive

Isolate the primary verse groove, focusing entirely on maintaining an even, relentless eighth-note pattern on your hi-hat. Keep your kick and snare locked tightly on beats two and four, establishing the fundamental steady motorik feel that defines the track.

Phase 2: Sync and Coordinate the Bass Drum

Integrate the syncopated bass drum hits that pop up during the chorus and instrumental sections. Practice slowly to ensure your bass drum foot hits accurately between the hi-hat strokes without disrupting your hand's steady tempo and rhythmic flow.

Phase 3: Smooth Out the Fill Transitions

Analyze the concise snare and tom fills that connect the song’s structural sections. Practice entering and exiting each fill cleanly, ensuring you don’t rush the tempo or drop the driving momentum when transitioning back into the main hi-hat groove.

Phase 4: Maintain Endurance Across the Arrangement

Piece the entire track together and play along with the full song. Focus on physical relaxation and consistent wrist motion to maintain the high-tempo energy without fatiguing, driving the track smoothly from the opening bars to the final fade-out.

FAQ

Is In Between Days suitable for beginners?

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

Can I learn In Between Days if I’m not very confident reading drum notation?

In Between Days 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 In Between Days?

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

How will learning In Between Days improve my drumming skills?

Learning In Between Days 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 In Between Days?

To learn In Between Days, you’ll need solid timing, good coordination, and experience with more complex drum patterns.