Billy Taylor - Iwish I knew...

[Mr-Wizard]

Hi guys,

This is my first message at this forum, so try and be nice

I'm currently learning Billy Taylor's classic 'I wish I knew how it feels to be free', however, there's a couple of chords that really don't sound right, to me anyway.

Anyway here's the the third bar where the 'problem' is:



I've circled the chords in question.  Just before I ramble on anyway more, I better give a bit of background info.  I've only been teaching myself piano for 6 weeks and have never had a piano lesson in my life!  Therefore, I little knowledge of music theory etc...  Basically, what i'm saying is:  if anyway can help me, try and keep it really simple.

Anyway, where the above two chords are played together they just don;t sound right.  i'm playing a 'D' and a 'B' in my RH, and a 'C' and a 'Eb' in my LH.  In wouldn't suprise me if the problem is related to my lack of musical knowledge and i'm just missing something obvious.

So, take a look at the score and see what you think, I am playing it right?  Are the notes I mention above the correct notes? etc....  I know this is Jazz, but it really doesn't sound right.

Sorry for the long message. thanks in advance.

Matt

[xvimbi]

I don't know the piece. What's the key signature?

[Mr-Wizard]

ok, here's the first 5 bars as they apear on the sheet music:



Actaully, another question, what does the 'C' shapred symbol  mean just after the Cleff's?

[xvimbi]

The "b" (flat sign) after the clef means that all B's in the piece are played as Bb (because it is in the locations of the B's), unless preceded by the natural sign (like you have it on the "C" before the "offending chord"). It will probably sound better that way

The "C" means "common time" or 4/4. That's your meter.

I'd recommend you read a basic introduction into music theory. There is lots available on the web, or get a book from the library, or buy one.