Lock into the high-velocity funk-punk fusion of a modern rock classic with this highly accurate sheet music for "By the Way" by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Originally performed by powerhouse drummer Chad Smith as the title track of the band's multi-platinum 2002 album By the Way, this transcription charts out every ghost-note texture, explosive transition, and driving pocket exactly as it was captured on the studio master.

Transcription Details:

• Artist: Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP)

• Song: By the Way

• Album: By the Way

• Original Drummer: Chad Smith

• Transcribed by: Lucas Ventura

• Format: High-Quality PDF Download

Chad Smith’s playing on "By the Way" is a masterclass in managing dramatic arrangement contrasts and maintaining relentless rhythmic forward momentum. He navigates the song's extreme dynamic shifts flawlessly—anchoring the verses with a doubled-up, driving eighth-note groove that stacks the floor tom against a steady left-foot hi-hat pattern. Smith balances the track's tension by transitioning from a crisp side-stick pocket in the soft choruses to explosive ride patterns and ripping fills when the arrangement reaches its heaviest peaks. The dual demands of upper-tempo endurance and deep 4-way independence will push any drummer to their limit. This clean, easy-to-read chart maps out every ghost note and dynamic nuance, taking the guesswork out of the phrasing so you can master that signature Chad Smith power.