What am I doing wrong?

[cryptkeeper]

I have a question. I have downloaded the never ever sheet(all saints) from https://bladmuziek.bestmusicpages.com/index2.htm but when I try to play it some notes aren't correct. The first two for example. When I play the second note sharp it is correct. Now my question is: Are the notes wrong on the pdf file or am I reading them wrong(most likely:) ). If so what am I doing wrong, I'm only a beginner.
Thanx in advance.

[88keys]

Take a look at the very first measure, before the music starts but after the clefs: You'll see there 5 flats which are not attached to any note.

This "floating" flats are called "the key signature" of the piece. It tells you which notes should ALWAYS be flatted in the music that follows.

Take a careful look at the "key signature" of the piece you've downloaded. There are 5 flats, sitting on the places of the notes B, E, A, D and G.

So whenever one if these notes appear in the score, it should be flatted.

And since the score begins with "D F", you should actually play "Db F". And this, of-course, is the same interval as playing "D F#" which you did.

Anyway, I don't think that reading music in 5 flats is something you should do right now... I would recommend you look for an arrangement of the song in a more comfortable key - preferribly without any "floating" accidentials at all.

To be honest,  I really don't get why the guys on that site made such a difficult arrangement. Nothing would have been lost, had they transposed the music down to the key of C major (i.e. the key with no "floating" accidentals).

[cryptkeeper]

Thanx alot 88keys!! That explains alot. I know I should be playing beginner pieces but the temptation to try a music piece from a song you like is so great.
Thanx again!

[cryptkeeper]

As I am trying to put your explenation in practice, I still don't quite follow. I understand the key signature but the 5th paragraphe I don't understand. Why is Db F the same as D F#?
Also I don't know what to make of the second note in the first measure. It is an F so why do I have to play it as an F# as the flats are on B,E,A,D and G.

Sorry to let you explain all this to me because to you guys this is probably very natural.

[Diabolos]

Well, the fifth paragraph is basically dealing with music theory.

First of all, you should know that the gap between two notes is called an interval. You name these counting the gaps between two keys following each other.
You got two options counting, for example:
Start with a C to a D; from C to the black key next to it (either Csharp or Cflat) it is one semitone step, from the black key to D it is one semitone step,too - this equals one full tone (a full tone consists of two semitones and is usually counting by going from one white key to the next). Ok, now to D-Fsharp and Db to F.

If you start counting the semitones, you'll find that it's both times 4, so you have the same interval (a major 3rd, by the way). Since both intervalls are the same, they sound the same, too (besides the fact that D-Fsharp is a little higher).

You should get yourself a book for beginners in music theory - it'll do you good, since theory knowledge often makes playing easier.

Ok, I don't know if I explained that understandably, but I do -at least - hope so :-)

Good luck with that piece.

Regards,

[cryptkeeper]

I'm beginning to understand. I know now that the piece is written in Dflat, but I'm having trouble understanding why the first chord has to be played as D A Fsharp as it is written the sheet as D A F. If I understand what 88keys was explaining I should be playing Dflat A F (as it is in Dflat). Why does it have to be played as D A Fsharp.
I guess i'm just trying to run while I can't walk.

Anyway thanks for the reply guys.