Jimmy Chamberlin: Smashing Pumpkins – Jellybelly (Drum Analysis + Full Transcription)

Introduction

“Jellybelly” by The Smashing Pumpkins is an unpredictable episode of energy and raw intensity from the band’s celebrated double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995). With its crushing riffs, relentless drumming, and existential lyrics, the song is a powerful example of the band’s ability to blend heaviness with introspection. Jimmy Chamberlin‘s drumming drives the song’s momentum, combining precision with power. His use of fast double strokes, syncopated snare accents, and seamless transitions between groove and fill elevates the song’s intensity without sacrificing control. From the intense and powerful opening bars to the dynamic chorus, Chamberlin’s performance on “Jellybelly” exemplifies his fusion-influenced approach to rock drumming, injecting technical finesse into an explosive sonic experience.

In the latest blog post, I shared the “Jellybelly” complete drum transcription, representing the band’s most complex track. This new article examines the song’s main drum grooves and parts, analyzing Chamberlin’s drumming in-depth and breaking down his technique.

jimmy chamberlin smashing pumpkins photo by max fairclough — © Max Fairclough

Drum Grooves and Fills

The intro of “Jellybelly” opens with a tight, unison figure between guitars, bass, and drums, based on a 3 over 4 polyrhythmic hemiola pattern. Jimmy Chamberlin orchestrates these accent figures on the crash cymbals in unison with the bass drum, filling with 32nd notes on the snare using double strokes and the left-foot hi-hat in 8th notes. The second measure comprises a continuous 16th-note bass drum pattern (see the section Drum Pedal Technique) in unison with the ride cymbal, representing a tough challenge for every drummer in foot speed and control. The intro’s first part (seven bars) is based essentially on these two bars, with slight variations, such as the addition of accents and rolls. Considering the tempo of 117 bpm, that’s an advanced drum part involving technique, coordination, and foot speed. It’s essential to start slowly and gradually increase the tempo to focus on every aspect and master it.

smashing pumpkins jimmy chamberlin jellybelly intro drum transcription — **Intro Drum Part**

The intro’s second part introduces the recognizable song’s guitar riff, featuring an 8th-note drum groove that comprises a ride cymbal pattern and a driving bass drum/snare pattern. The snare is accented both on the downbeat and the upbeat of beats 2 and 4, in unison with the china cymbal on the last beat. The bass drum pattern “fills” the groove with an intricate 16th-note pattern, reinforcing the snare on the upbeat of beat 4. Chamberlin adds the ride bell on the first two beats, adding flavor to the groove while keeping a solid groove. He plays the ride cymbal pretty close to the bell, moving smoothly between the ride “ping” and “bell” sounds—it’s a fine detail, but it makes all the difference!

smashing pumpkins jimmy chamberlin jellybelly intro drum beat transcription — **Intro Drum Beat**

The verse and chorus drum beats are similar and related to the previous beat. The only difference in the verse is the first measure, consisting of a lighter bass drum/snare pattern, with the addition of a crash hit on the last 16th note of beat 2, played with the left hand while the right hand keeps the 8th-note ride pattern. That adds a subtle syncopated feel to the groove.

smashing pumpkins jimmy chamberlin jellybelly verse drum beat transcription — **Verse Drum Beat**

The same drum groove is played in the chorus, repeated throughout the section with a more dynamic snare part, tom fills, and the recurring 3 over 4 hemiola figure in unison with the band. This hemiola creates rhythmic tension by superimposing a 3-beat pattern over a 4-beat measure, momentarily shifting the listener’s perception of the pulse. Despite the underlying 4/4 time signature, the groove pulls forward in three evenly spaced accents, enhancing the drive and urgency of the section before resolving back into the regular feel.

smashing pumpkins jimmy chamberlin jellybelly chorus drum beat transcription — **Chorus Drum Beat**

smashing pumpkins jimmy chamberlin jellybelly chorus hemiola pattern drum beat transcription — **Hemiola Pattern**

After the second chorus, we have the interlude section. The first part is groove-oriented, accompanied by Billy Corgan’s vocals, similar to the verse. The second part is a reprise of the intro; Chamberlin delivers a relentless four bars packed with razor-sharp rolls, sophisticated snare-tom-bass drum phrases, and syncopated cymbal-snare patterns, expressing his technical proficiency and masterful drumming style.

smashing pumpkins jimmy chamberlin jellybelly interlude drum transcription — **Interlude Drum Part**

In the outro section, the song reprises the intro with a hyper-phrased musical approach, alternating one bar of the hemiola pattern in unison with the band and one bar of rapid 32nd-note snare and tom fills. Chamberlin’s drumming on “Jellybelly” is a showcase of intensity, combining complexity, power, and precision—a rock performance that not only anchors the track but defines its relentless energy and overall feel.

jimmy chamberlin smashing pumpkins drumset photo — © Jimmy Chamberlin

Drum Pedal Technique

Jimmy Chamberlin recorded the album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness with a single bass drum pedal. All evidence suggests that the intro of “Jellybelly” was recorded using a single pedal. Drumming analysts note the intro features a “powerful 16th-note bass drum pattern” played entirely with the right foot.^[1]
That description clarifies that Chamberlin executed the fast foot pattern using only his right pedal on the recording. Chamberlin is known for his fast single-foot technique—Modern Drummer even described his “sizzling single-stroke rolls” as a signature element of his style. In other words, Chamberlin built his chops at a mighty single-pedal speed rather than relying on a double pedal. In practice, the “Jellybelly” blast can be played on one pedal, though it’s very taxing; Chamberlin remarked in recent interviews that the part was famously hard to record with one pedal. Today, he uses the double pedal live for “Jellybelly,” but on the original album take, he used a single pedal with his right foot to “nail” those rapid notes.^[1][2]

Full Drum Transcription

For those who want to study and understand Jimmy Chamberlin’s extraordinary drumming, the complete drum transcription of “Jellybelly” is now available. Elevate your drumming mastery!

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