Preview of the intermediate drums sheet music arrangement for “Desert Rat” by Michael Murphey.
The progression
Structure & dynamics
What's in the mix
Blue Sky - Night Thunder (1975)
Murphey's fourth studio album, it produced two major singles, the platinum-certified 'Wildfire' and 'Carolina in the Pines', and reached number 18 on the Billboard album chart. Members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band played on several tracks, and the record went on to sell around 800,000 copies in the US.
All of Blue Sky - Night ThunderMichael Murphey
Michael Martin Murphey is a singer-songwriter from Texas, born in 1945, who helped shape progressive country in the early 1970s. His music draws on country, folk, and the traditions of the American West, and later in his career he became a leading figure in the cowboy music revival. He has charted hits across pop, country, and adult contemporary formats over more than five decades.
All Michael Murphey songsFrom a recording to your part in three steps
- Step 1Bring the recording
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- Step 2We transcribe it
Our model listens and arranges this exact performance for drums, at your chosen level.
- Step 3Play & export
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Good to know
What key is "Desert Rat" in?
"Desert Rat" by Michael Murphey is in A minor.
What is the tempo of "Desert Rat"?
"Desert Rat" plays at around 91 BPM in 3/4 time.
What chords are in "Desert Rat"?
The core progression is Am, C, G, A7, D, and Em7, built around the A minor tonal center.
What instruments play on "Desert Rat"?
The recording features acoustic guitar, electric bass, drums, steel guitar, electric guitar, and vocals.
Can I get "Desert Rat" drums sheet music?
Yes. This is the intermediate drums sheet music arrangement of "Desert Rat" by Michael Murphey, transcribed by Songscription.
Is "Desert Rat" drums sheet music easy to play?
"Desert Rat" drums sheet music comes in beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, so there is an easy version to start with. At 91 BPM in A minor with 13 chords to navigate, the part sits at a comfortable intermediate level. You can switch levels on this page before you save it.
Is there an easy, beginner version of "Desert Rat" drums sheet music?
Yes. The beginner drums sheet music for "Desert Rat" simplifies the busiest passages and rhythms while keeping the melody, so it is the easiest way to start. The intermediate and advanced arrangements are one tap away when you want more of the original.
What album is "Desert Rat" on?
"Desert Rat" appears on Blue Sky - Night Thunder (1975).
How does Songscription turn a song into sheet music?
Give it a recording, a YouTube link or an audio file, and its AI transcribes that performance into notation for the instrument and level you choose.
Can I get sheet music for a live or cover version?
Yes. The score is generated from whatever recording you pick, so a live take, a remix, or a cover each match that exact performance.
What instruments and formats are available?
Piano, guitar, violin, trumpet, sax, bass, drums, vocals and more, as standard sheet music, a piano roll, or guitar tabs.
Is Songscription free to use?
You can try it free, with no credit card needed.
Can I download the sheet music as a PDF?
Yes. You get a downloadable PDF, plus in-app playback and the option to transpose or adjust the arrangement before you print.
How accurate is the transcription?
It is produced by AI trained on millions of bars of music, and you can play it back and fine-tune any details before you download.
Is this transcription licensed?
Yes. We have licensed this track from its publisher, so we are permitted to transcribe it and provide the sheet music to you.
Transcribed from licensed catalogs by AI trained on millions of bars of music.
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