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Total music theory noob here, taking my first steps to try and figure some of this stuff out. I have some sheet music for Wonderwall (for guitar), and I'm a little confused on one of the chords (see image below)enter image description here

So I've figured out from the key signature we're in the key of F#minor. I'm trying to figure out the notes in the B7sus chord, but the notes on the stave (B, D, A) aren't the notes showing in the tab above (B, F#, A, E, F#).

I'm sure it's just a case of me not really knowing how to read this stuff. I'd really appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

Thanks!

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    Just so you know, this music doesn’t at all reflect the way the members of Oasis actually played this song on guitar.
    – Todd Wilcox
    Nov 15, 2020 at 14:19
  • The sheet music in SMN looks like it is meant for piano, and the box diagrams above are for a guitarist to accompany. A lot of song books are written this way and you need wor things out using the text as a guide. It may be intentional, no reason for the guitar and piano to match exactly as long as they do not conflict. Or it could be an error.
    – user50691
    Nov 16, 2020 at 14:42

1 Answer 1

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Well spotted! The chords shown in the dots aren't exactly the same as those in the guitar chord windows. B7sus4 shouldn't have a D♮, there should be an E note instead.

That's a mistake. (By the way, that's not tab!). There is no obligation for either the guitar chord window or the music stave to show all the notes from a chord. But the chord name should be the correct one for that point. And the dots should reflect that.

As a keyboard and guitar player, I find this happening all too often.It's poor writing, and often I have to listen to what the rest of the players play, before deciding which is better to follow - chord name, chord window or actual dots.

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  • Thank you - that's really helpful! Looks like it's something I'll have to watch out for (because it's not difficult enough already... :/ ) Just one more quick question. You mentioned the D# there, but I thought it was a D (it's not 'sharpened' in the key signature or on the actual note). I can see that in the key of B the 3rd is a D# - is it something to do with that?
    – user3439629
    Nov 15, 2020 at 12:52
  • Well spotted again. I assumed (right or wrong) that since the chord mentioned was B.. not Bm.. that the D would be sharp. In B7sus, there wouldn't even be a D or a D#. There's a faint possibility that the chord could really be Bm11, which would just about cover all that's printed in that bar - but I doubt it... Don't think the Gallaghers were that advanced! Reckon they pressed a few strings down, liked the sound, and someone else had to transcribe it. Lesson of the day - for me - pay more attention; for you - don't believe everything that's in print!
    – Tim
    Nov 15, 2020 at 14:02
  • Thank you so much for your help - really appreciate you taking the time here!
    – user3439629
    Nov 15, 2020 at 14:42
  • You say, "B7sus4 shouldn't have a D♯, there should be an E note instead." But it is an E, look closer! As the OP correctly said, the notes from the chord symbol are B, F#, A, E, F#
    – chasly - supports Monica
    Nov 16, 2020 at 1:22
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    @chasly-supportsMonica - edited accordingly! Sometimes I just have to prove I'm human - by erring... Thanks for spotting a schoolboy error. Possibly I was fixated by D#, as B7sus more often resolves to B(7), rather than Bm(7), if that makes sense.
    – Tim
    Nov 16, 2020 at 10:10

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