Chord stretched across treble clef and bass clef












14














I'm a beginner at piano, and struggling to understand what I'm looking at here, and how to play it. I've bought and downloaded some piano sheet music from musicnotes.com. It's in 12/8 time, and part of it looks like this:



Odd note representation in chord



How am I to interpret the two-note chord I've circled in red?



As far as I can tell




  • the note marked X is D below middle C,

  • the note marked Y is A flat above middle C (where middle C is marked with a blue arrow), and

  • the fact that they share the same stem in the treble clef suggests I should play them together with my right hand.


But that's really odd because (a) it would make more sense to write note Y on the treble clef itself, not on ledger lines above the bass clef, and (b) the interval between the two notes is a 12th, so the stretch is surely unreasonable for almost everyone.










share|improve this question






















  • I suspect this is the MusicNotes transposition engine failing at an extreme degree of transposition. What's the piece? DID you specify a transposition? My bet is on the interval of a 6th continuing, the lower note is intended to be F.
    – Laurence Payne
    Jan 1 at 21:53






  • 6




    It would be really helpful to know what the piece is, who composed it (and when) and who published it. That would allow comparison with any other available editions.
    – Andrew Leach
    Jan 1 at 23:57






  • 2




    It's possible that the two notes don't even share a stem, and that the lower note is a quarter note (that's presumably played at the same time as the upper note).
    – Dekkadeci
    Jan 2 at 6:20










  • It was very reassuring to know that the notation was an error and not just something with obscure meaning that this beginner was unfamilar with. I contacted musicnotes.com as suggested and they acknowledged the error and corrected it. As some here had suggested, the A flat above middle C should have been a B flat below middle C, consistent with the other 6ths in the bar.
    – Nik Silver
    Jan 2 at 21:01
















14














I'm a beginner at piano, and struggling to understand what I'm looking at here, and how to play it. I've bought and downloaded some piano sheet music from musicnotes.com. It's in 12/8 time, and part of it looks like this:



Odd note representation in chord



How am I to interpret the two-note chord I've circled in red?



As far as I can tell




  • the note marked X is D below middle C,

  • the note marked Y is A flat above middle C (where middle C is marked with a blue arrow), and

  • the fact that they share the same stem in the treble clef suggests I should play them together with my right hand.


But that's really odd because (a) it would make more sense to write note Y on the treble clef itself, not on ledger lines above the bass clef, and (b) the interval between the two notes is a 12th, so the stretch is surely unreasonable for almost everyone.










share|improve this question






















  • I suspect this is the MusicNotes transposition engine failing at an extreme degree of transposition. What's the piece? DID you specify a transposition? My bet is on the interval of a 6th continuing, the lower note is intended to be F.
    – Laurence Payne
    Jan 1 at 21:53






  • 6




    It would be really helpful to know what the piece is, who composed it (and when) and who published it. That would allow comparison with any other available editions.
    – Andrew Leach
    Jan 1 at 23:57






  • 2




    It's possible that the two notes don't even share a stem, and that the lower note is a quarter note (that's presumably played at the same time as the upper note).
    – Dekkadeci
    Jan 2 at 6:20










  • It was very reassuring to know that the notation was an error and not just something with obscure meaning that this beginner was unfamilar with. I contacted musicnotes.com as suggested and they acknowledged the error and corrected it. As some here had suggested, the A flat above middle C should have been a B flat below middle C, consistent with the other 6ths in the bar.
    – Nik Silver
    Jan 2 at 21:01














14












14








14







I'm a beginner at piano, and struggling to understand what I'm looking at here, and how to play it. I've bought and downloaded some piano sheet music from musicnotes.com. It's in 12/8 time, and part of it looks like this:



Odd note representation in chord



How am I to interpret the two-note chord I've circled in red?



As far as I can tell




  • the note marked X is D below middle C,

  • the note marked Y is A flat above middle C (where middle C is marked with a blue arrow), and

  • the fact that they share the same stem in the treble clef suggests I should play them together with my right hand.


But that's really odd because (a) it would make more sense to write note Y on the treble clef itself, not on ledger lines above the bass clef, and (b) the interval between the two notes is a 12th, so the stretch is surely unreasonable for almost everyone.










share|improve this question













I'm a beginner at piano, and struggling to understand what I'm looking at here, and how to play it. I've bought and downloaded some piano sheet music from musicnotes.com. It's in 12/8 time, and part of it looks like this:



Odd note representation in chord



How am I to interpret the two-note chord I've circled in red?



As far as I can tell




  • the note marked X is D below middle C,

  • the note marked Y is A flat above middle C (where middle C is marked with a blue arrow), and

  • the fact that they share the same stem in the treble clef suggests I should play them together with my right hand.


But that's really odd because (a) it would make more sense to write note Y on the treble clef itself, not on ledger lines above the bass clef, and (b) the interval between the two notes is a 12th, so the stretch is surely unreasonable for almost everyone.







piano chords notation






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Jan 1 at 19:19









Nik SilverNik Silver

733




733












  • I suspect this is the MusicNotes transposition engine failing at an extreme degree of transposition. What's the piece? DID you specify a transposition? My bet is on the interval of a 6th continuing, the lower note is intended to be F.
    – Laurence Payne
    Jan 1 at 21:53






  • 6




    It would be really helpful to know what the piece is, who composed it (and when) and who published it. That would allow comparison with any other available editions.
    – Andrew Leach
    Jan 1 at 23:57






  • 2




    It's possible that the two notes don't even share a stem, and that the lower note is a quarter note (that's presumably played at the same time as the upper note).
    – Dekkadeci
    Jan 2 at 6:20










  • It was very reassuring to know that the notation was an error and not just something with obscure meaning that this beginner was unfamilar with. I contacted musicnotes.com as suggested and they acknowledged the error and corrected it. As some here had suggested, the A flat above middle C should have been a B flat below middle C, consistent with the other 6ths in the bar.
    – Nik Silver
    Jan 2 at 21:01


















  • I suspect this is the MusicNotes transposition engine failing at an extreme degree of transposition. What's the piece? DID you specify a transposition? My bet is on the interval of a 6th continuing, the lower note is intended to be F.
    – Laurence Payne
    Jan 1 at 21:53






  • 6




    It would be really helpful to know what the piece is, who composed it (and when) and who published it. That would allow comparison with any other available editions.
    – Andrew Leach
    Jan 1 at 23:57






  • 2




    It's possible that the two notes don't even share a stem, and that the lower note is a quarter note (that's presumably played at the same time as the upper note).
    – Dekkadeci
    Jan 2 at 6:20










  • It was very reassuring to know that the notation was an error and not just something with obscure meaning that this beginner was unfamilar with. I contacted musicnotes.com as suggested and they acknowledged the error and corrected it. As some here had suggested, the A flat above middle C should have been a B flat below middle C, consistent with the other 6ths in the bar.
    – Nik Silver
    Jan 2 at 21:01
















I suspect this is the MusicNotes transposition engine failing at an extreme degree of transposition. What's the piece? DID you specify a transposition? My bet is on the interval of a 6th continuing, the lower note is intended to be F.
– Laurence Payne
Jan 1 at 21:53




I suspect this is the MusicNotes transposition engine failing at an extreme degree of transposition. What's the piece? DID you specify a transposition? My bet is on the interval of a 6th continuing, the lower note is intended to be F.
– Laurence Payne
Jan 1 at 21:53




6




6




It would be really helpful to know what the piece is, who composed it (and when) and who published it. That would allow comparison with any other available editions.
– Andrew Leach
Jan 1 at 23:57




It would be really helpful to know what the piece is, who composed it (and when) and who published it. That would allow comparison with any other available editions.
– Andrew Leach
Jan 1 at 23:57




2




2




It's possible that the two notes don't even share a stem, and that the lower note is a quarter note (that's presumably played at the same time as the upper note).
– Dekkadeci
Jan 2 at 6:20




It's possible that the two notes don't even share a stem, and that the lower note is a quarter note (that's presumably played at the same time as the upper note).
– Dekkadeci
Jan 2 at 6:20












It was very reassuring to know that the notation was an error and not just something with obscure meaning that this beginner was unfamilar with. I contacted musicnotes.com as suggested and they acknowledged the error and corrected it. As some here had suggested, the A flat above middle C should have been a B flat below middle C, consistent with the other 6ths in the bar.
– Nik Silver
Jan 2 at 21:01




It was very reassuring to know that the notation was an error and not just something with obscure meaning that this beginner was unfamilar with. I contacted musicnotes.com as suggested and they acknowledged the error and corrected it. As some here had suggested, the A flat above middle C should have been a B flat below middle C, consistent with the other 6ths in the bar.
– Nik Silver
Jan 2 at 21:01










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















12














This is just poor notation, plain and simple. My guess is that you're supposed to play the D and A♭ below middle C here, with both pitches in the right hand.



Do you have a recording of this piece? If so, your best bet is to listen to the recording and see if that is in fact D/A♭ there.



Otherwise, perhaps there's a system in place at musicnotes.com that allows you to report "bugs" in the notation, or the ability to contact the transcriber (if it was even a human!).






share|improve this answer

















  • 3




    "Poor notation" is overly charitable. It is a blatant error, plain and simple, for the reason described in the last paragraph of the question.
    – phoog
    Jan 1 at 22:37





















6














It is clearly an error, and without more context it is difficult to guess what the correct notes are. The right hand melody might make more sense if the D were an octave higher, of course, but the A-flat seems a bit out of place even if it's an octave lower.



My advice is to bring this error to the attention of the customer service department of the business that sold it to you and ask for a corrected copy.






share|improve this answer





























    0














    Assuming this is not an error, I would play it like this:




    • Using the Sostenuto pedal for the low C and G on the bass clef

    • play the chord you highlighted normally, D on the treble clef with the right hand, and the A♭ on the bass clef with the left hand

    • 'release' the sostenuto pedal when you have to play the E♭ on the bass clef.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 1




      But it can only be an error, for the reason described in the last paragraph of the question.
      – phoog
      Jan 1 at 22:38











    Your Answer








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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes








    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    12














    This is just poor notation, plain and simple. My guess is that you're supposed to play the D and A♭ below middle C here, with both pitches in the right hand.



    Do you have a recording of this piece? If so, your best bet is to listen to the recording and see if that is in fact D/A♭ there.



    Otherwise, perhaps there's a system in place at musicnotes.com that allows you to report "bugs" in the notation, or the ability to contact the transcriber (if it was even a human!).






    share|improve this answer

















    • 3




      "Poor notation" is overly charitable. It is a blatant error, plain and simple, for the reason described in the last paragraph of the question.
      – phoog
      Jan 1 at 22:37


















    12














    This is just poor notation, plain and simple. My guess is that you're supposed to play the D and A♭ below middle C here, with both pitches in the right hand.



    Do you have a recording of this piece? If so, your best bet is to listen to the recording and see if that is in fact D/A♭ there.



    Otherwise, perhaps there's a system in place at musicnotes.com that allows you to report "bugs" in the notation, or the ability to contact the transcriber (if it was even a human!).






    share|improve this answer

















    • 3




      "Poor notation" is overly charitable. It is a blatant error, plain and simple, for the reason described in the last paragraph of the question.
      – phoog
      Jan 1 at 22:37
















    12












    12








    12






    This is just poor notation, plain and simple. My guess is that you're supposed to play the D and A♭ below middle C here, with both pitches in the right hand.



    Do you have a recording of this piece? If so, your best bet is to listen to the recording and see if that is in fact D/A♭ there.



    Otherwise, perhaps there's a system in place at musicnotes.com that allows you to report "bugs" in the notation, or the ability to contact the transcriber (if it was even a human!).






    share|improve this answer












    This is just poor notation, plain and simple. My guess is that you're supposed to play the D and A♭ below middle C here, with both pitches in the right hand.



    Do you have a recording of this piece? If so, your best bet is to listen to the recording and see if that is in fact D/A♭ there.



    Otherwise, perhaps there's a system in place at musicnotes.com that allows you to report "bugs" in the notation, or the ability to contact the transcriber (if it was even a human!).







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Jan 1 at 19:33









    RichardRichard

    38k685162




    38k685162








    • 3




      "Poor notation" is overly charitable. It is a blatant error, plain and simple, for the reason described in the last paragraph of the question.
      – phoog
      Jan 1 at 22:37
















    • 3




      "Poor notation" is overly charitable. It is a blatant error, plain and simple, for the reason described in the last paragraph of the question.
      – phoog
      Jan 1 at 22:37










    3




    3




    "Poor notation" is overly charitable. It is a blatant error, plain and simple, for the reason described in the last paragraph of the question.
    – phoog
    Jan 1 at 22:37






    "Poor notation" is overly charitable. It is a blatant error, plain and simple, for the reason described in the last paragraph of the question.
    – phoog
    Jan 1 at 22:37













    6














    It is clearly an error, and without more context it is difficult to guess what the correct notes are. The right hand melody might make more sense if the D were an octave higher, of course, but the A-flat seems a bit out of place even if it's an octave lower.



    My advice is to bring this error to the attention of the customer service department of the business that sold it to you and ask for a corrected copy.






    share|improve this answer


























      6














      It is clearly an error, and without more context it is difficult to guess what the correct notes are. The right hand melody might make more sense if the D were an octave higher, of course, but the A-flat seems a bit out of place even if it's an octave lower.



      My advice is to bring this error to the attention of the customer service department of the business that sold it to you and ask for a corrected copy.






      share|improve this answer
























        6












        6








        6






        It is clearly an error, and without more context it is difficult to guess what the correct notes are. The right hand melody might make more sense if the D were an octave higher, of course, but the A-flat seems a bit out of place even if it's an octave lower.



        My advice is to bring this error to the attention of the customer service department of the business that sold it to you and ask for a corrected copy.






        share|improve this answer












        It is clearly an error, and without more context it is difficult to guess what the correct notes are. The right hand melody might make more sense if the D were an octave higher, of course, but the A-flat seems a bit out of place even if it's an octave lower.



        My advice is to bring this error to the attention of the customer service department of the business that sold it to you and ask for a corrected copy.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Jan 1 at 22:44









        phoogphoog

        52927




        52927























            0














            Assuming this is not an error, I would play it like this:




            • Using the Sostenuto pedal for the low C and G on the bass clef

            • play the chord you highlighted normally, D on the treble clef with the right hand, and the A♭ on the bass clef with the left hand

            • 'release' the sostenuto pedal when you have to play the E♭ on the bass clef.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 1




              But it can only be an error, for the reason described in the last paragraph of the question.
              – phoog
              Jan 1 at 22:38
















            0














            Assuming this is not an error, I would play it like this:




            • Using the Sostenuto pedal for the low C and G on the bass clef

            • play the chord you highlighted normally, D on the treble clef with the right hand, and the A♭ on the bass clef with the left hand

            • 'release' the sostenuto pedal when you have to play the E♭ on the bass clef.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 1




              But it can only be an error, for the reason described in the last paragraph of the question.
              – phoog
              Jan 1 at 22:38














            0












            0








            0






            Assuming this is not an error, I would play it like this:




            • Using the Sostenuto pedal for the low C and G on the bass clef

            • play the chord you highlighted normally, D on the treble clef with the right hand, and the A♭ on the bass clef with the left hand

            • 'release' the sostenuto pedal when you have to play the E♭ on the bass clef.






            share|improve this answer














            Assuming this is not an error, I would play it like this:




            • Using the Sostenuto pedal for the low C and G on the bass clef

            • play the chord you highlighted normally, D on the treble clef with the right hand, and the A♭ on the bass clef with the left hand

            • 'release' the sostenuto pedal when you have to play the E♭ on the bass clef.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Jan 2 at 15:15









            OrangeDog

            1035




            1035










            answered Jan 1 at 19:46









            Alex GrigoreAlex Grigore

            13




            13








            • 1




              But it can only be an error, for the reason described in the last paragraph of the question.
              – phoog
              Jan 1 at 22:38














            • 1




              But it can only be an error, for the reason described in the last paragraph of the question.
              – phoog
              Jan 1 at 22:38








            1




            1




            But it can only be an error, for the reason described in the last paragraph of the question.
            – phoog
            Jan 1 at 22:38




            But it can only be an error, for the reason described in the last paragraph of the question.
            – phoog
            Jan 1 at 22:38


















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