Try it for free

Get Unlimited Access to All Songs for 7 Days

Learn to play Smoke On The Water on drums | by Deep Purple

Interactive Drum Sheet Music and Play-Along Tools

Technical details

Song name

Smoke On The Water

Difficulty

BPM

Time Signature

Decade

Genre

Drummer name

Ian Paice

Version

Drum it
Download Drum Sheet
Browse more songs

About the drummer

Ian Paice is the legendary drummer for Deep Purple and the only constant member of the band's history. Known for his incredible speed and single-stroke rolls, he is a pioneer of hard rock and heavy metal drumming. Every student learning drums for rock must study his technical mastery.

Drummer style

His style is a mix of high-speed technicality and a swinging jazz-influenced rock groove. When playing drums to "Smoke on the Water," focus on the steady, driving snare and the iconic fills that punctuate the riff. His work is a cornerstone of classic rock drum lessons and drum covers.

FAQ

Is Smoke On The Water suitable for beginners?
Smoke On The Water is better suited for intermediate to advanced drummers. However, it can be a great long-term goal as your skills improve.
Can I learn Smoke On The Water if I’m not very confident reading drum notation?
Smoke On The Water involves more complex patterns, so reading drum notation will make the learning process much easier and faster.
Do I need a full drum kit to play Smoke On The Water?
Yes — to fully play Smoke On The Water as recorded, a full drum kit is recommended due to the use of multiple toms and cymbals.
How will learning Smoke On The Water improve my drumming skills?
Learning Smoke On The Water 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 Smoke On The Water?
Smoke On The Water requires control over dynamics, transitions, and more advanced techniques, so it’s best suited for intermediate to advanced drummers.

Technical details

Song name

Smoke On The Water

Difficulty

Advanced

BPM

110-119

Time Signature

4/4

Decade

1970's

Genre

Hard Rock

Drummer name

Ian Paice

Version

Original

Learn to play

Plans:

$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

Related Songs

Simplified
Tenacious D

Tribute

Easy to Intermediate
Length: 4:08
drum icon Drum It
Original
Tenacious D

Tribute

Intermediate to Advanced
Length: 4:08
drum icon Drum It
Simplified
Ghost (Band)

Square Hammer

Intermediate
Length: 3:57
drum icon Drum It
Load More
Pro Practice Feature

Still figuring this song out on your own?

Learn this drum cover faster with our interactive player:

  • Control audio channels separately
  • Slow it down & loop tricky parts
  • See the drum notation synced to the music & add metronome
Try if free for 7 days

Used by +1,000 drummers worldwide

close menu icon

Registr to start your Week Free Trial