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George Harrison - Drum Sheet Music
George Harrison was an English rock musician and singer-songwriter from Liverpool, born in 1943, who rose to international fame as the lead guitarist of The Beatles before achieving widespread success as a solo artist. His music blended classic rock with Eastern-influenced sounds, making him one of the most culturally significant figures of the rock era. Harrison's solo catalogue, alongside his legendary Beatles work, remains a cornerstone of British rock history.
The Beatles were anchored by the iconic drumming of Ringo Starr, whose deceptively simple yet deeply musical style perfectly complemented Harrison's melodic guitar work and songwriting. Ringo's playing is celebrated for its impeccable feel, tasteful fills, and a groove-first approach that prioritised serving the song over technical showmanship.
Drumming Style & Techniques
- Understated, song-serving groove with a strong emphasis on feel over complexity
- Distinctive use of the hi-hat with a loose, swinging open-hat technique
- Melodic tom fills that move around the kit with a musical, tuneful quality
- Solid backbeat with a characteristically soft touch on the snare, often producing a warm, dry tone
- Steady, locked-in kick and snare patterns that anchor Harrison's guitar-driven arrangements
All Things Must Pass (1970)
Released in November 1970, All Things Must Pass is George Harrison's landmark triple album and one of the most celebrated solo debuts in rock history. The record showcases Harrison's artistic maturity after years in a supporting role with the Beatles, featuring hit singles "My Sweet Lord" and "What Is Life" alongside deeply personal tracks like "Isn't It a Pity." Produced by Phil Spector and Harrison, the album's sweeping Wall of Sound production made it a defining statement of early 1970s rock.
The drumming across All Things Must Pass is rooted in a loose, organic feel that complements the album's warm, layered production style, drawing on the country-rock and roots-influenced sounds Harrison absorbed through his collaborations with Bob Dylan, the Band, and Delaney & Bonnie. The drum parts prioritize groove and dynamics over complexity, locking tightly with the album's dense arrangements of guitars, horns, and keyboards to create a full, textured rhythmic foundation.
Drumming Highlights
- Steady, mid-tempo backbeat grooves on "My Sweet Lord" that anchor the song's layered Wall of Sound production
- Driving, uptempo rock patterns on "What Is Life" featuring assertive snare accents and energetic hi-hat work
- Restrained, dynamic brushwork and soft fills that support the slow, reflective pacing of "Isn't It a Pity"
- Roots-influenced, relaxed shuffle feels reflecting the country and Americana styles of Harrison's collaborators
- Consistent use of open space and minimal ornamentation, allowing the drum parts to serve the song rather than dominate the mix
Cloud Nine (George Harrison Album) (1987)
George Harrison's Cloud Nine was released in 1987, marking his triumphant return to the charts after a five-year recording absence. Produced by Jeff Lynne, the album blended classic rock sensibilities with polished 1980s production, reaching the top ten in both the UK and US and spawning the hit single "Got My Mind Set on You." The record is widely regarded as one of Harrison's strongest solo efforts, signaling a creative resurgence that carried into his work with the Traveling Wilburys.
The drumming across Cloud Nine is crisp and tightly arranged, reflecting the era's studio-driven approach with gated reverb tones and precise, locked-in grooves that support the melodic songwriting without overplaying. Jim Keltner, a seasoned session drummer renowned for his taste and feel, contributes performances that balance rhythmic restraint with subtle dynamic shading throughout the record.
Drumming Highlights
- Gated snare sounds prominent on mid-tempo rock tracks, characteristic of late 1980s production techniques
- Jim Keltner's use of ghost notes on the snare adds texture beneath the main backbeat without cluttering the mix
- Steady, driving eighth-note hi-hat patterns anchor the straight-ahead rock feel of tracks like "Got My Mind Set on You"
- Subtle use of tom fills to transition between verse and chorus sections, keeping arrangements flowing naturally
- Restrained kick drum patterns that lock tightly with the bass, prioritizing pocket and groove over complexity
Brainwashed (2002)
Brainwashed is the twelfth and final studio album by George Harrison, released posthumously on 18 November 2002, nearly a year after his passing at age 58. The album carries deep emotional and artistic significance as Harrison's farewell statement, blending soft rock, psychedelic textures, and spiritual themes across tracks that had been in development since as early as 1988. Completed by his son Dhani, Jeff Lynne, and session drummer Jim Keltner, the record stands as a treasured closing chapter in Harrison's legendary catalog.
Jim Keltner's drumming on Brainwashed is a masterclass in restrained, tasteful playing that serves the album's reflective and melodic soft rock character. Keltner brings his signature feel-based approach to the kit, favoring subtle groove, dynamic sensitivity, and understated cymbal work that supports Harrison's gentle songwriting without overpowering it.
Drumming Highlights
- Jim Keltner's use of light snare ghost notes and brushed textures adds warmth and intimacy throughout the album's slower, more contemplative tracks
- Subtle hi-hat work with controlled dynamics reinforces the soft rock feel, with Keltner rarely pushing beyond a mid-tempo groove
- Sparse kick drum patterns leave deliberate space in the mix, complementing the album's layered acoustic and slide guitar arrangements
- Understated cymbal transitions between song sections demonstrate Keltner's signature economy of playing and groove-first philosophy
- The rhythmic foundation across tracks reflects overdub-era session drumming precision, with parts carefully fitted around pre-existing recordings from across more than a decade
Other Releases (George Harrison)
George Harrison's catalog of other releases spans his remarkable solo career beyond his landmark albums, encompassing a range of rock, pop, and world-influenced recordings that highlight his evolution as a songwriter and musician. These releases showcase Harrison's eclectic musical tastes, blending Western rock with Indian classical influences and introspective lyricism. Collectively, they represent an important chapter in post-Beatles rock history, demonstrating Harrison's willingness to experiment across genres and eras.
The drumming across Harrison's broader catalog is notable for its stylistic versatility, with contributions from world-class session and touring drummers who adapted their playing to suit Harrison's layered, texture-driven arrangements. Drum parts on these recordings often prioritize feel and groove over showmanship, supporting Harrison's guitar work and melodic sensibilities with tasteful, well-placed fills and solid rhythmic foundations.
Drumming Highlights
- Steady, mid-tempo rock grooves that anchor Harrison's signature slide guitar lines without overplaying
- Tasteful use of hi-hat patterns and ride cymbal work to complement layered acoustic and electric arrangements
- Subtle dynamic shifts between verses and choruses, reflecting a restrained, song-serving drumming approach
- Occasional incorporation of looser, shuffle-influenced feels that reflect Harrison's appreciation for roots rock and rhythm and blues
- Supportive snare placement and cross-stick techniques used to maintain intimacy in softer, introspective tracks
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Recommended Lessons
- The Four Stroke Ruff Played On The Hands And Feet
- D.C. Al Coda
- Constant Eighth '33343' Syncopated Groove
- Four Beat Fills At The End Of A Bar Of 7/4
- Swung 'A B A C' Patterns In 3/4
- '3 3 3 3 4' Syncopated 16th Note Grouping
- 4/4 To Simple Time 7/8 In An 'A A A B' Structure
- 16th Note '233' Kick Snare Placement
- 'F F F H' 16th Grouping Exercise
- Combining Right Hand Eighths And Left Hand Offbeat Eighth Concepts