2

I started teaching myself piano and am currently trying to learn "Carlos Gardell - Por Una Cabeza" (https://www.8notes.com/scores/18093.asp). I'm advancing fine, however there are two notes in the piece that just sound off:

I interpret this note as: C sharp + B flat + F sharp + D. When I play this note, it just doesn't sound quite like in the real piece.

This one is B flat for me. However it doesn't sound good, when I play it, sounds off.

First picture: I interpret this note as: C sharp + B flat + F sharp + D. When I play it, it just doesn't sound quite like in the real piece.

Second picture: This one is B flat for me. However, it doesn't sound good when I play it, it sounds off.

Do I interpret the notes correctly? Might it only sound off because I haven't managed to play the song with a good speed yet? The rest of the notes sound very nice when I play them. I am playing on a Yahama E413 and have the mode "Grand Piano" selected.

Thanks for any help.

Leonore

EDIT: I forgot to mention that the bass cleff has to sharps on the first one:

Is it still, as you replied, C natural? Or ist it C sharp in this case?

Foto attached: enter image description here

EDIT NR.2:

Here is the entire piece, up to the point that I am struggling with:

enter image description here

That's how I understood it now from all the comments: The two sharp signs next to the bass clef determine that all Cs and Fs in the same line are played sharp. However, in the chord that I am struggling with, the first C has a natural sign, which determines, if not indicated otherwise in the next C of the same chord by a flat or sharp sign, that all other Cs in the same chord will be played natural as well.

Improve this question
7
  • 1
    Interesting that your music's chord symbol uses D7**(♯5)** but writes in a B♭.
    – user45266
    Commented Dec 20, 2018 at 23:27
  • The way I understand it, D7#5 would be C+ A sharp + F sharp + D, the chord expresses C+ B flat + F sharp + D, which I guess does not make a difference for me right now. However, since the bass clef has two sharps in the beginning, should the C be played C natural or C sharp? Also, feel free to look at the song at: 8notes.com/scores/18093.asp. In my opinion, D7#5, either with C sharp or C natural, doesn't sound right there
    – Leonore
    Commented Dec 20, 2018 at 23:57
  • As @JETM said in the answer, it's difficult to say something without context. Indeed by playing these bars alone, it sounds odd. Could you provide the whole passage, at least one bar before and one after? I think it's more likely you get the answer you're looking for!
    – coconochao
    Commented Dec 21, 2018 at 11:59
  • I just added a second edit and also attached a picture with more context. I hope I'm reasoning correctly. It actually sounds better playing C+A sharp + F sharp + D, instead of C sharp+A sharp + F sharp + D
    – Leonore
    Commented Dec 21, 2018 at 14:09
  • Re: last edit: Not quite. Accidentals like that natural sign are good until the end of the measure. If there were a C in measure 13, it would be sharp.
    – JETM
    Commented Dec 21, 2018 at 14:09

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

Accidentals such as naturals continue for the rest of the measure. Therefore, the chord in the first measure should have C natural, not C sharp.

Seeing the second measure in isolation, a B natural instead of Bb would be the obvious "vanilla" thing to do. So it is right that it sounds off to you for now.

Improve this answer
3
  • Thanks for your answer. I edited my question a little bit (edit at the bottom). Still C natural or C sharp then?
    – Leonore
    Commented Dec 20, 2018 at 23:21
  • @Leonore Natural because of the natural sign on the previous chord.
    – JETM
    Commented Dec 21, 2018 at 2:31
  • 1
    The second measure starts with a D7 (D-F#-A-C with an A-natural) then a D7#5 (D-F#-A#-C with an A#) which doesn't resolve down, it chromatically leads up to the next chord, the G.
    – Duston
    Commented Dec 21, 2018 at 15:12

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.