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I was wondering if there is someone that can help me with understanding how to read sheet music so that I can begin playing. I took lessons in high school but do not remember much anymore,I actually never really learned how to read the music to this day I dont understand the notes that go off the scale. Please Help!!
connie reeves
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When you say "off the scale" do you mean the notes that aren't on the staff? Those little bitty lines are called ledger lines and you read them in the same way you read the ones on the staff. Treble clef lines, going up, are E G B D F (empty garbage before dad flips) and they continue off the top with A C E etc...They continue toward the center the same only "counting" backwards. Bass clef is the same way, going down is backwards, going up (toward treble clef) is "counting" up (C E G etc..). The spaces are between the lines. Treble clef, going up, is F A C E with it going off the top with G B D etc... As long as you know your music alphabet (A B C D E F G) you can figure out any note.
Does that help?
It is better to be kind than to be right.
Professional private piano teacher since 1994.
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ok so in other words for example E G B D F since these noted are on the lines they would start over again off the Staff? I really wish I would have payed attention in class. (LOL)
connie reeves
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I think you are doing it right. The notes (letters) just keep repeating themselves. Line, space, line, space (A B C D...)etc... So lines skip (C E G...) and spaces skip(F A C...) . On the staff or on the tiny legder lines, they are "counted" the same. Maybe you should get yourself an adult beginner book. Alfred makes a good one that has theory in it that will help you. I believe it's called Adult Beginner All-In-One or something of that sort.
It is better to be kind than to be right.
Professional private piano teacher since 1994.
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yeah im going to go this weekend i think and look for a good book because i got the piano book for dummies and that is not very helpful at all.. my problem is i am trying to learn how to play carter burwell's Bella's Lullaby and I cant seem to get it right, is there anyway i can scan it and email it to someone to have the notes written on it (LOL)
connie reeves
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thank you PridgeNYC, that is helpful... another issue iam having is i thought that when there is a sharp on the scale and note that is on that line is going to be a sharp is that correct? The reason I ask is because the piece im trying to learn has a sharp by the Treble Clef but when I look through the notes none of them are the line of the sharp.
connie reeves
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Connie,
I recommend that you introduce yourself in the Adult Beginner Forum and describe your situation. There are many helpful, friendly and supportive people there who have been down the very road you are embarking on, and I feel sure you will get some good advice and guidance.
I am certain that there are websites that teach the fundamentals of music and piano in a structured and measured way. You need some sort of self-paced study guide, and folks in the ABF may be able to suggest some that they've found useful.
Best wishes!
Steven
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websites to learn notes The above is a link to a thread on the adult beginners section which may interest you.
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It is possible to have a piece with a sharp and not have to play any. It indicates the key you are in. You are correct though, if it is an F sharp, all the Fs in the piece would be sharped, there just aren't any. Lots of people find that confusing, don't feel bad!
It is better to be kind than to be right.
Professional private piano teacher since 1994.
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I am studying my butt off here and to mu frustration i still can not figure out these notes i just dont understand how they repeat yet im always wrong when i think iam right if on the Treble Clef the notes are E G B D F and F A C E then shouldn't the notes start over again??? the same with the bass clef??? wow this is confusing. I guess this is just a gift I do not poses. I wish there was some way i can show one of you nice people the piece im working on so that you can see what im talking about because as of right now i feel like im totally rambling.
connie reeves
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Hi Connie! I'm an adult beginner and re-beginner. Your idea of writing note names on the sheet music might seem silly or like cheating but that's exactly how I taught myself . I've reached the point that I only write some notes on the paper now, mostly ledger lines and some chords where there are just too many dots to process at one time. Whenever you get the music to something make a copy or two so you can write all over it without ruining your good copy or origional. If there is a sharp at the beginning by the treble clef that shows you what key the music is notated in. If you don't see the sharp note anywhere in the music you can forget about it for now. That just means your song is written in a key where that note is always sharp (unless there is a natural put right in front of it somewhere in the song) IF that note is in the song. If there is a note in the song with a sharp or flat right in front of it that note gets sharped or flatted everytime you play it for one full measure unless it gets "naturaled" sooner. I also had pieces of masking tape with letters on the keyboard for a while , then I switched it around and made one super long thin piece of paper with the treble and bass clef staff and the notes drawn on (dots only, no letters) directly above each key taped to the piano. Letters could be added, but I had them memorized (on the keyboard, anyway) by then. I was still just having a problem with finding myself playing an octave to high or low sometimes. I'd be happy to answer any questions that I can or share my weird ways of figuring things out. I can't rightfully claim to "play" piano yet but I've come far enough to sit down and play a few things and that's what matters. It's going to come eventually if we keep at it.
I'll figure it out eventually. Until then you may want to keep a safe distance.
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Try this: http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/theory/note-reading.htmhopefully you'll get it with a diagram to go along with it. Don't give up, you'll get it :-)
It is better to be kind than to be right.
Professional private piano teacher since 1994.
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If you want to, you can email me a scan of the music.
It is better to be kind than to be right.
Professional private piano teacher since 1994.
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Hi Connie, I hope you weren't put off too much by the monster 'reading music' thread over in the ABF? What you seem to be doing is trying to run before you can walk. It's very common. You have a particular piece which you would like to play and that piece provides your motivation. But it's not a good plan to jump straight to it. You are encountering things that you don't understand and that only leads to frustration and asking yourself, 'Why can't I get this?'. The best thing you couls do by far is to find yourself a good piano teacher. I guess this is probably the advice you would expect on the piano teachers forum! If that's not possible for whatever reason then the alternative is to buy an adult tutor book which is geared towards self study. The Alfred's 'All in one' would be a good choice for several reasons. It contains both practical and theory. You can buy it with CD's so you can listen to each piece which will be essential if you are self teaching. Also there is a lot of talk about it in the ABF so you can read and share your experiences with others. The book will start with the basics. There will be no #'s! All the diagrams you need relating the grand staff with the keyboard will be there. Searching the internet can be confusing because most of these theory sites present information slightly differently. I'll say it once more..... The book will guide you through the basics and give you the information and theory knowledge you ask for. BUT it's no substitute for a good teacher. There are things it can't do. It won't respond and correct if you are getting things wrong. It won't help you to shape your technique. It will take you longer to learn this way and there is more risk of bad habits developing.
Pianist and piano teacher.
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I see you are in Florida.
Where's is Gary D. when we need him?
Pianist and piano teacher.
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Thank you so much everyone, you guy's have been so helpful in answering my quirky question I really appriciate it.
connie reeves
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that would be great what is your email addy?
connie reeves
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Hi Connie, I hope you weren't put off too much by the monster 'reading music' thread over in the ABF? What you seem to be doing is trying to run before you can walk. It's very common. You have a particular piece which you would like to play and that piece provides your motivation. But it's not a good plan to jump straight to it. ..... Come on Chris, it wasn't that bad. I have to agree here Connie. It's good to be motivated to play a particular piece, but it can be a long uphill battle to get there. A lot of groundwork has to be put in place. I know because even though I can read music (at least the treble clef) I'm currently struggling with reading bass clef and getting my hands to work in such a way as to play simple things like Jingle Bells. I'm wanting badly to have something ready for the piano world recital that is coming up in a few weeks and have been looking at what I could possibly learn in that time and have been somewhat frustrated in that even the simple "real" pieces I've looked at are a bit beyond me. Still I'm pushing to do something and think I may have found something that is more advanced but still achievable -- of course we'll see what happens in a few weeks. Good luck with accomplishing your goal on this, and please keep us posted.
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Click on the name part (Ebony & Ivory) and it will give you choices. Send me a PM. If you can't get a photo in the PM, send me your email and then I'll send you my email address. yeah, should work :-)
It is better to be kind than to be right.
Professional private piano teacher since 1994.
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:34 PM
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Piano
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