My Girl
Drum Sheet Music

Practice The Temptations on Drums

Very Easy

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

ORIGINAL VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Easy to Intermediate

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

Purchase for only 1.90$

SIMPLIFIED VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Very Easy

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 My Girl

Motown Pocket Groove Consistency
Cross-Stick Dynamic Accent Control
Quarter-Note Pulse Timing Precision
Verse Chorus Transition Fluidity
Minimalist Fill Placement Accuracy

Recommended For

This drum sheet is recommended for beginner and intermediate drummers looking to master mid-tempo pocket control and soul precision. It is highly valuable for players wanting to develop consistent cross stick dynamics and clean transitions, while learning to support vocal arrangements with absolute structural restraint and confidence.

Learn to play My Girl on drums

Play My Girl 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 the relaxed Motown grooves with tempo control, loop difficult fill transitions until they feel completely natural, and use isolated drums to lock into every nuanced stroke of Benny Benjamin's studio performance. Whether you are developing foundational pocket control or refining your steady quarter-note hi-hat pulse, our step-by-step learning tools make mastering this soulful arrangement faster and far more effective than practicing from a static PDF alone. Grab your drumsticks, open your interactive drum sheet, and start mastering this smooth R&B pulse today!

Song information

Artist: The Temptations

Drummer: Benny Benjamin

Album: he Temptations Sing Smokey

Released: 1965

Sheet Music Details

Length

2 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

100-109

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features a relaxed mid-tempo Motown groove, steady quarter-note hi-hat subdivisions, precise snare cross-stick patterns, clean verse-to-chorus dynamic transitions, and minimalist tom fills requiring strict pocket control and accurate limb alignment.

Song's Overview

Released in 1964 on the Gordy label and later featured on the 1965 album The Temptations Sing Smokey, My Girl stands as a foundational milestone in American soul and pop music. Built around a signature ascending bass line and lush vocal harmonies, the track exemplifies the polished "Motown Sound" that blended rhythm and blues with mainstream pop sensibilities, relying heavily on a clean, disciplined rhythm section to drive its heartfelt arrangement. For musicians who want to learn my girl on drums, the performance illustrates how minimalistic arrangements require absolute precision. Drummer Benny Benjamin establishes a clear, defined mid-tempo pocket, utilizing a steady quarter-note pulse on the hi-hat and a crisp, perfectly placed snare backbeat on beats two and four. Rather than utilizing dense fills, the drumming favors simple, repeating hand-to-foot figures and understated tom fills that accent vocal transitions.Studying a detailed my girl drum cover reveals how subtle volume adjustments and strict tempo control give the track its signature swinging bounce. Practicing with an authentic my girl drum sheet allows intermediate players to dissect how the kick drum locks with the syncopated bass guitar, providing a foundational lesson in R&B interaction, space, and rhythmic restraint.

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About the Drummer

William "Benny" Benjamin, also known as "Papa Zita," was the primary drummer for Motown’s studio band, The Funk Brothers. He played on hundreds of hits for artists like The Temptations and Stevie Wonder, utilizing a unique jazz-influenced style. He is considered one of the most influential pop drummers in history.

Drumming Style

His style is defined by flawless time, creative fills, and a "pick-up" beat that became the Motown signature. Playing drums like Benny requires a focus on a light, swinging touch and a perfect pocket. His legendary grooves are core material for soul drum covers and foundational drum lessons.

Practice Advice

Start Below Full Speed

The song’s relaxed tempo requires excellent internal timekeeping. Begin practicing the basic pocket at 85 BPM before moving up to the original 105 BPM. Focus on perfectly centering your snare strikes to build a rock-solid foundation.

Loop the Verse Groove

The primary groove involves a specific interaction between the kick drum and hi-hat. Use loop mode to repeat these patterns, ensuring your foot hits do not rush or conflict with the steady quarter-note pulse.

Avoid Rushing the Fills

A common mistake is speeding up during the understated tom and snare fills that introduce the chorus. Maintain strict tempo control and let the space between notes breathe naturally without pushing the beat forward.

Lock with the Bassline

Develop exceptional timing consistency by listening closely to the famous bass guitar riff. Focus on aligning your bass drum patterns directly with the low-end notes to create a unified, authentic Motown groove.

Master Cross-Stick Consistency

The song uses delicate snare cross-sticks during the softer verse sections. Work on your striking angle and dynamic control, ensuring each rim click sounds identical in pitch and volume before transitioning to full backbeats.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Solidify the Quarter-Note Pulse

Isolate the primary verse pattern, focusing entirely on a relaxed, steady quarter-note hi-hat texture. Practice aligning your bass drum and cross-stick strikes precisely to establish a firm, unhurried foundation at a reduced tempo.

Phase 2: Master the Snare Transition

Incorporate the transition from the soft cross-stick verse pattern to the full snare backbeats in the chorus. Focus on maintaining identical timekeeping and groove consistency when shifting your hand positions between sections.

Phase 3: Coordinate the Vocal Fills

Analyze the sparse tom and snare fills that punctuate the arrangement. Practice entering and exiting these fills smoothly, ensuring your sticks hit cleanly without dragging the overarching tempo or displacing the main backbeat.

Phase 4: Maintain Complete Pocket Endurance

Combine all phases to perform the full track from the opening count-in to the final fade-out. Focus on your micro-timing accuracy and dynamic control, keeping the Motown swing completely steady throughout the performance.

FAQ

Is My Girl suitable for beginners?

It’s more suited for beginners with some experience. Using features like tempo control and looping can help you learn it at your own pace.

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

Yes — our interactive player makes it much easier. You can watch, listen, slow things down, and gradually get familiar with the notation as you play.

Do I need a full drum kit to play My Girl?

While some fills may require toms or cymbals, the core of My Girl can be practiced on a smaller kit.

How will learning My Girl improve my drumming skills?

My Girl helps you develop a solid sense of groove and consistency. You’ll practice staying locked in with the beat while maintaining control over your dynamics.

What skills do I need before learning My Girl?

Before learning My Girl, it helps to be comfortable with basic grooves, simple fills, and maintaining steady timing.