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Topic: Notereading, having a tough time! Newbie.  (Read 1284 times)

Offline jontah

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Notereading, having a tough time! Newbie.
on: November 19, 2012, 04:42:25 PM
Hi!

I'm trying to learn how to read notes. I'm well on the way with knowing the names of the notes and the rhythms.

I am trying to learn this song to begin with , as it's pretty easy.

https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0068287&arp=2&affsid=LS-Affiliate

If I got it right, the first 2 bars are D in the bass all the time (is it played on every note/every beat really?), and a F#, A, E, D, E, D, A, D in the right hand, then that repeats for 1 more bar (2 bars in total). But on the 3rd bar I'm having troubles. The notesheet tells me there's an E in the treble clef, but its in ( ), which means it's played with the right hand instead? so I play an E in the right hand. But in this video tutorial right here; he's saying G is played instead of an E which I am reading.

=2m2s

What am I doing wrong? I cannot see the wrong here. And he's referring to this exact sheet, as he linked it in the description also.

Answers appreciated! I really want to continue with my reading.. if anyone here has skype and wants to help out with a helping hand when I have a question regarding the note reading, I'd be so thankful to just be able to state that question on skype instead of posting threads about it here.

Again, thank you!!

Offline emedylinaira

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Re: Notereading, having a tough time! Newbie.
Reply #1 on: November 19, 2012, 05:15:03 PM
Yep - 2 first measures are D in the bass clef. It's not every beat, it's 2 per beat because they're 8th notes, and this is in 4/4 time.

Ignore what the guy is saying and play the E with the RH. (Or LH if your hands are small.) I think the most important thing for you as a newbie is to get rid of the tutorials and work on reading all the notes yourself. You have to get used to seeing and reading the notes, and eventually you'll know them without even thinking about it. Of course, even later on, you'll immediately translate the notes to the hands without the letter in between - but that simply comes with time.

Are you self-taught?
working on:
Rachmaninoff - Prelude in G minor, op 23 no 5
Beethoven - Sonata no 14, mvt 3
Beethoven - Piano concerto no 4, mvt 2

Offline jontah

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Re: Notereading, having a tough time! Newbie.
Reply #2 on: November 19, 2012, 05:53:43 PM
yeah but when I play the E instead of the G as in the tutorial, it doesn't sound right in my ears. G sounds kinda better.

Yeah I'm self taught :)

Offline keypeg

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Re: Notereading, having a tough time! Newbie.
Reply #3 on: November 19, 2012, 06:54:53 PM
The note in brackets is G, not E, and it can be played with either hand.  The tutorial leaves out the bottom E's as you say, probably because it is harder to hold down a note while playing other notes so he's trying to make it easier.  That E makes the harmony "richer".  The reason his version sounds good is that the notes he are playing create a nice bass line or countermelody.  If you play the E's as written, but can emphasize the notes above it like that G, then you will get that nice effect.

Offline jontah

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Re: Notereading, having a tough time! Newbie.
Reply #4 on: November 19, 2012, 07:01:13 PM
I dont understand how the note in the bracket could be G, G i supposed to be above the line, not under? could you please tell me how I can see that this note is G?

if you're on the next line above from the bracketed note, you're on F, if you go up from that line you have G, then A, then B, C, E etc.

I really dont see how that could be G :O

Offline emedylinaira

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Re: Notereading, having a tough time! Newbie.
Reply #5 on: November 19, 2012, 07:58:08 PM
I dont understand how the note in the bracket could be G, G i supposed to be above the line, not under? could you please tell me how I can see that this note is G?

You're right, it is definitely an E. I realize now that it's in ( ) because it's the same key as the left hand, so you don't need to play it. If you're saying it doesn't sound right when you play the E, maybe it's because you're not switching the LH to the E and instead still playing the D. It's perfectly acceptable, however, to play a G if you want the harmony to be richer, as keypeg stated, because it's part of the E chord.

I suggest you get a teacher, but then that's what I always tell those who are self-taught. It depends on how serious you are about piano. :)
working on:
Rachmaninoff - Prelude in G minor, op 23 no 5
Beethoven - Sonata no 14, mvt 3
Beethoven - Piano concerto no 4, mvt 2

Offline keypeg

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Re: Notereading, having a tough time! Newbie.
Reply #6 on: November 19, 2012, 09:09:14 PM
I have to stop trying to read teeny tiny notes on-line.  Yes, it's an E.  I'm close to 60 and my eyes just can't see small print.

Offline nystul

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Re: Notereading, having a tough time! Newbie.
Reply #7 on: November 19, 2012, 09:35:59 PM
The guy in the video is not playing exactly what is on the sheet.  He is actually simplifying things a bit there, using the same part for the intro and the start of the verse.  It's a choice you can make, but your note reading does not seem to be an issue here.

Offline jontah

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Re: Notereading, having a tough time! Newbie.
Reply #8 on: November 20, 2012, 05:12:14 PM
The guy in the video is not playing exactly what is on the sheet.  He is actually simplifying things a bit there, using the same part for the intro and the start of the verse.  It's a choice you can make, but your note reading does not seem to be an issue here.

No I noticed that. He does skip the E, right? instead of E he plays G, or am I wrong?
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