It may sound odd...but when i am buying music for the piano, i am confused at all the different versions...i know some are easier to play etc. I thought i had found a really good separate ways and bohemian rhapsody, and have learned them then in comparing to others playing the same tune on you tube...they are different versions then mine ....i just would like to know if there is a way you can tell what is the original or correct version of a piece. however mine do have the melody included with it....are there right and wrong sheet music or is it allll good if it sounds goood??? LOL

If you're looking for the original piano as it was played in the song you need the transcription. If the melody is in the right hand it is most likely an arrangement. Some versions you see on youtube are being played by ear. In nonclassical there really is no need to be "correct" down to the note unless its really important to you to play that way so really any version that is recognizable by someone familiar with the song is acceptable. It really comes down to personal preference and skill level. You can also rearrange an arrangement to make it easier for you to play, I've done this by inverting chords at least once. Pretty much what you said at the end, its all good if it sounds like you want the song to sound.

What someone wants to publish a piano version of a rock tune, they have to take the following into account:
1. They normally include the melody in the piano part as many of their users do not sing.
2. They are trying to have the piano imitate a sound made mainly by guitars and drums.
3. They have to decide how difficult to make the piece based on a guess as to what their market is.

All of this means that any arrangement of a rock tune for piano is an interpretation. There is no right or wrong. If it sounds good to you, that's all that counts.

You can get a bit closer to the original if you look for tunes by Billy Joel or Elton John, as their music (some of it) is piano based, so it's easier to get a close imitation of the original. But even there, the melody has to be added, and they have guitars and drums in their bands.

Most - if not all - pop sheet music for sale is lame. The genre is really ear based since not many pop stars are grounded in notation. You are better off learning to take the tune off the record. ..and it's a good musicianship activity. No telling what you'd learn!

It's actually possible to get decent transcriptions of the piano part of their music as played on the studio recordings for many of their songs and for a few songs as it was played for specific concert tours.

Awsome thks very much!

wow playing by ear?? hmmmm

nice! great to know..ok...now i just have to work on improving my skill lol

It really is the only way to go if you're serious about playing popular music. Consider looking into software that helps you slow down a piece such as Audacity which is free and Transcribe! which isn't.

Transcribe! is very moderately priced. Although it contains no tools that aren't available in other programs, it bundles them in a way uniquely suited for the job of transcribing music. Highly recommended.

http://www.seventhstring.com/

ok wow all new to me....will look into this one day ! i guess being taught in conservatory alll my life made me not even consider doing such things...and just started playing again in the last few months....but all i play right now is non classical...kewl great info...

ok i have downloaded this and is very kewl..just need to learn how to use it! i am very amateur here lol

Totally agree about the lameness of most piano sheet music arrangements... and so learning to play pop stuff by ear is the way forward.

Just something I've noticed - some of the best practice I do (i.e. most beneficial) is when I put a track on my hifi and (try to) play along with it. On the first pass I may only start to figure out some of the bass line and therefore the chord changes... then I might try the melody... after a few attempts it starts to come together - to an extent, at least! I find it good fun too.

Certainly good 'ear' training.