Transcriptions
On this page you will find transcriptions, many of which appeared in Rock Charts, the rock transcription column in Modern Drummer, of which I was the author for several years. Other transcriptions are excerpted from my books (all the transcriptions were done by me, except where noted).
“OUT ON THE TILES” & “ROSANNA”
- “Out on the Tiles” by Led Zeppelin (from Led Zeppelin III, 1970) – Drummer: John Bonham
- “Rosanna” by Toto (from Toto IV, 1982) – Drummer: Jeff Porcaro
- These two transcriptions can be found in MD Classic Tracks (available here), and were excerpted for an article in Drumhead magazine’s special 2016 issue paying tribute to John Bonham, Buddy Rich, Tony Willams and Jeff Porcaro. The PDF linked below is the article. The “Rosanna” transcription was updated by Joe in 2016 to correct some errors in the book version.
- Drumhead article: Transcribing the Greats (“Out on the Tiles” & “Rosanna”)
LOUIE BELLSON’S SOLOS ON “SKIN DEEP”
- by Duke Ellington (from Ellington Uptown, 1953) – Drummer: Louie Bellson
- Skin Deep – Louie Bellson pt 1
- Skin Deep – Louie Bellson pt 2
“SECOND OVERTURE”
- by Spock’s Beard (from Snow, 2003) – Drummer: Nick D’Virgilio
- Click to download pdf
“CAUGHT IN THE BALANCE”
- by Toto (from Mindfields, 1999) – Drummer: Simon Phillips
- Click to download pdf
- Caught in the Balance key
“EYES OF A STRANGER”
- by Queensryche (from Operation:Mindcrime) – Drummer: Scott Rockenfield
- Click to download pdf
- Transcription by Craig LeMay
“PANASONIC YOUTH”
- by Dillinger Escape Plan (from Miss Machine) – Drummer: Chris Pennie
- Transcription by Chris Pennie
- Click to download pdf
“THE LIGHT THAT BLINDS”
- by Shadows Fall (from The War Within) – Drummer: Jason Bittner
- Transcription by Willie Rose
- Click to download pdf
“LEAVE THAT THING ALONE!”
- by Rush (unpublished, handwritten transcription, 1995) – Drummer: Neil Peart
- Click to download pdf