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Intermediate drums sheet music for "But I Was Cool" by Oscar Brown Jr., in C minor at about 103 BPM. Transcribed from the track by Songscription. Available as an easy beginner, intermediate, or advanced arrangement.

Intermediate Drums Sheet Music for "But I Was Cool" by Oscar Brown Jr.

Preview of the intermediate drums sheet music arrangement for “But I Was Cool” by Oscar Brown Jr..

But I Was Cool by Oscar Brown Jr.
Drums Sheet Music

PercussionMid-staff range

The drums part reads from percussion, arranged to sit naturally for the instrument.

Difficulty

Intermediate

For players comfortable with the basics.

Inside the music
Signature

Music DNA

Genrejazz · blues · soul
Moodplayful · confident · laid‑back
SignatureOscar Brown Jr.'s cool‑as‑ice storytelling jam
C minor
Key
103
BPM
4/4
Time
Chords

The progression

G7
Cm
Dhdim7
E♭
D7
Fm
C
Gm7
Form

Structure & dynamics

IntroVerseChorusVerseChorusBridgeChorusOutro
Instrumentation

What's in the mix

vocals
male baritone, smooth and confident, delivering a narrative with a slightly playful, almost spoken‑word cadence
drums
tight, swinging jazz kit with crisp snare and ride cymbal
bass
round, syncopated walking bassline driving the groove
piano
bright, percussive comping and occasional melodic fills
tenor saxophone
warm, expressive lead voice with bluesy bends and jazzy phrasing
Album & artist
ALBUM

Sin & Soul (1960)

Brown's debut record, recorded in New York City for Columbia, introduced his approach of setting self-penned lyrics to jazz instrumentals, with tracks like 'Dat Dere', 'Work Song', and 'Afro Blue' becoming some of the album's defining moments. Several songs were later picked up by the 1960s Mod movement, giving the record a wider reach than most jazz vocal albums of the era.

All of Sin & Soul
Artist

Oscar Brown Jr.

Oscar Brown Jr. was a singer, songwriter, poet, and activist from Chicago's South Side, born in 1926. His work sat at the intersection of jazz and social commentary, and he wrote original lyrics to existing jazz instrumentals in a way that influenced vocalists who came after him. He is considered an early voice of political consciousness in Black American music, predating much of what would later surface in soul, funk, and hip-hop.

All Oscar Brown Jr. songs
How it works

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  1. Step 1
    Bring the recording

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  2. Step 2
    We transcribe it

    Our model listens and arranges this exact performance for drums, at your chosen level.

  3. Step 3
    Play & export

    Read it on screen, transpose, slow it down, and export the sheet music when it feels right.

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FAQ

Good to know

What key is "But I Was Cool" in?

"But I Was Cool" by Oscar Brown Jr. is in C minor.

What is the tempo of "But I Was Cool"?

"But I Was Cool" plays at around 103 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chords are in "But I Was Cool"?

The core progression is G7, Cm, Dhdim7, E♭, D7, and Fm, built around the C minor tonal center.

What instruments play on "But I Was Cool"?

The recording features drums, bass, piano, tenor saxophone, and vocals.

Can I get "But I Was Cool" drums sheet music?

Yes. This is the intermediate drums sheet music arrangement of "But I Was Cool" by Oscar Brown Jr., transcribed by Songscription.

Is "But I Was Cool" drums sheet music easy to play?

"But I Was Cool" drums sheet music comes in beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, so there is an easy version to start with. At 103 BPM in C minor with 11 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 "But I Was Cool" drums sheet music?

Yes. The beginner drums sheet music for "But I Was Cool" 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 "But I Was Cool" on?

"But I Was Cool" appears on Sin & Soul (1960).

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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