Here I Go Again
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Whitesnake on Drums

Easy to Intermediate

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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

Purchase for only 1.90$

SIMPLIFIED VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Easy to 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 Here I Go Again

Arena Rock Groove Consistency
Dynamic Power Ballad Phrasing
Precise Tom Fill Timing
Cross-Stick Velocity Control

Recommended For

This drum sheet is recommended for advanced-beginner to intermediate drummers seeking to refine their dynamic control and rock pocket consistency. It provides excellent practical experience for players wanting to master the build-up techniques and heavy backbeats essential for classic arena rock anthems.

Learn to play Here I Go Again on drums

play Here I Go Again drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized video player. Follow every note in real time as the synchronized drum notation matches the audio perfectly. Use tempo control to slow down the big tom fills building into the chorus, and utilize looping sections to lock in the heavy 4/4 backbeat. Isolate the drums using the isolated drums feature to analyze every nuance of the performance. This interactive drum sheet helps you master arena rock dynamic shifts and cross-stick accuracy faster than static notation, giving you the control to practice with absolute confidence.

Song information

Artist: Whitesnake

Drummer: Denny Carmassi

Album: Whitesnake

Released: 1987

Sheet Music Details

Length

4 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

90-99

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features a dynamic power ballad structure, shifting from delicate cross-stick patterns in the verses to heavy, spacious arena-rock backbeats in the chorus, supported by dramatic, descending sixteenth-note tom fills and syncopated crash accents.

Song's Overview

Released on Whitesnake's 1987 self-titled album, Here I Go Again stands as a masterclass in the arrangement of the 1980s power ballad. The composition relies heavily on a dramatic structural build, shifting from a minimalist intro into a high-energy rock anthem. For anyone wanting to learn Here I Go Again on drums, this arrangement provides an incredible lesson in pacing and dynamic control. The drumming on the track serves as the absolute anchor for this musical shift. Rather than crowding the arrangement with dense patterns, the percussion remains spacious. When the full groove enters, it delivers a heavy, driving pocket characterized by strong backbeats and deliberate tom-driven builds. Mastering this Here I Go Again drum cover requires a deep understanding of rock phrasing, as the accent patterns reinforce the primary riffs. Analyzing the Here I Go Again drum sheet reveals how clean fills and precise cymbal crashes elevate intensity without disrupting the flow. It remains an essential study for players focusing on groove placement, solid timekeeping, and the execution of stadium-level rock anthems.

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About the Drummer

Denny Carmassi is a veteran rock drummer known for his work with Whitesnake, Heart, and Montrose. He is a respected session and touring pro who helped define the polished hard-rock sound of the 1980s. His career is a great study for those learning drums for session work and arena tours.

Drumming Style

His style is characterized by a powerful, "big room" sound and a very steady, heavy backbeat. Playing drums like Carmassi requires a focus on dynamics and creating a solid foundation for heavy guitars. His work on this track is a classic choice for drum covers and is a staple in drum lessons for 80s rock.

Practice Advice

Master the Groove Slowly

The original track sits around 91 BPM. Start practicing the main chorus groove at 70 BPM using a metronome. Focus on clean, authoritative alignment between your bass drum and snare hits before attempting the full-tempo performance.

Isolate the Chorus Transitions

The transition into the explosive first chorus requires perfect timing. Loop this specific section to ensure your fills land exactly on the downbeat without rushing or dragging, maintaining the heavy forward momentum of the song.

Avoid Rushing the Fills

Drummers often anticipate the large tom fills and accelerate ahead of the beat. Keep your subdivisions steady, maintain an internal pulse, and let the space within the fills provide maximum dramatic impact.

Lock in the Heavy Backbeat

This song relies entirely on a deep, unshakeable rock pocket. Ensure your snare drum hits on beats two and four are perfectly consistent, heavy, and dead-center to anchor the entire arrangement effectively.

Control Verse Cross-Stick Dynamics

The verse sections use a soft cross-stick pattern on the snare. Practice achieving a consistent, woody tone while keeping the volume balanced against a steady hi-hat pulse, creating the necessary contrast before the loud chorus.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Develop the Verse Foundations

Focus on the quiet intro and verse sections. Master the clean cross-stick technique and keep a relaxed, accurate open-and-closed hi-hat rhythm to support the vocals before the band enters.

Phase 2: Solidify the Heavy Chorus Groove

Practice the core 4/4 driving rock beat at full volume. Concentrate on strong snare backbeats and solid bass drum placement, ensuring the groove feels grounded, steady, and energetic.

Phase 3: Perfect Transitions and Fills

Isolate the descending tom fills and crash accents that bridge the song's sections. Use tempo controls to master the exact sticking patterns, making sure you land perfectly back into the groove.

Phase 4: Execute Complete Dynamic Control

Put the entire song together from start to finish. Focus on managing your endurance and shifting smoothly between the soft verses and the explosive choruses while maintaining absolute timing accuracy.