[hb]

I hope I can get my question across in a clear manner, so here goes:
In a LOT of sheet music that I have, I'm reading the melody notes in the staff and the chords are listed above the staff. There are an awful lot of times that the chord change is listed right at the end of a measure above a note that has a tie to the next measure. Almost always, the chord change is not supposed to occur until the next measure and I was wondering why this is. I tried to write a couple of measures out on this post, but it wouldn't come up right when previewing. Hope someone can understand what I'm talking about!

Thanks in advance,
hb

[Ben_Sir_Amos]

What makes you say that "the chord change is not supposed to occur until the next measure"? Do you think the sheet music is incorrect? Are you comparing what is written with what you hear? I'm not sure that I understand your question so I'm just trying to get a bit more information.

[cshude]

Sounds like something that is easier to explain when you are able to take a look at it-
in any case, a lot of sheet music not written specifically for guitar can often be a bit dicey- if you know how the song is supposed to sound, then you should be able to figure it out with the chords that are given- which, as I think about it, must be the case, since you noticed the issue in the first place.

[hb]

Well, I figured this would get so confusing, so I will attempt to upload a pic of an example. I hope you can see that the last melody note gets the C chord with it, but the chord is not called for until the next measure. This seems like it always occurs when the note is tied to the next measure. Perhaps I just not good at reading music!
Sorry the pic isn't very good but it's the best I could do!
Hope this helps,
hb

[rwjones3]

The chord changes are shown in the correct position and should be played on beats 1 and 3. The written bass cleft notes confirm that the chord changes on the downbeats eventhough the melody has some off beat movement.

Note in the bass cleft the notes C and G on 1 and 2. Then G and D on 3 and 4.

[Fretsource]

The chord changes before the next measure, as the notation shows. If you're just strumming along, you can change on the first beat of the next measure, as the chord diagram shows, and it should sound ok. But to be completely accurate, rhythmically, you'd change at the point shown by the notation.

[hb]

Originally Posted by Fretsource

The chord changes before the next measure, as the notation shows. If you're just strumming along, you can change on the first beat of the next measure, as the chord diagram shows, and it should sound ok. But to be completely accurate, rhythmically, you'd change at the point shown by the notation.

I agree, in at least that's the way the song is supposed to sound. But to me, in my limited knowledge of sheet music, I read it as saying, play the last melody note on top of the G chord and then in the next measure switch to the C chord. I know the above statement isn't correct, but that's how I'm reading it. Can you explain?
thanks,
hb

[Ben_Sir_Amos]

I'm glad you posted the pic: from the way you phrased the question I had totally misunderstood what you were asking.

I think the sheet music assumes that any guitarist following the chord shapes rather than the music notation is going to be playing a fairly simple rhythm. If you were playing from the dots you would actually anticipate the change in the melody. Look at the bass line: on the fourth beat it is playing a G and an E - that means it has moved away from the G chord half a beat before the melody gets there.

But if you were just playing rhythm guitar, it doesn't always sound so good to stick too close to the melody - you would lose the rhythm. The melody often dances around the rhythm. So I think your statement is correct.

You should interpret it the way you like it best. I'm pretty sure that the composer of the song didn't stick those chord diagrams in - and they may not even have written it out in standard notation so your interpretation is just as valid as anyone else's.

Play it loud whatever your interpretation.

[hb]

Thanks! As I said earlier, I see this a lot and it has always stumped me as to why it is written like this and appreciate everyone making this a little clearer.
hb

[allthumbs]

Sorry. Copyrighted material is not allowed here. I read that as the C chord was played on the last beat and held for the next bar which is pretty common.

[hb]

Originally Posted by allthumbs

Sorry. Copyrighted material is not allowed here. I read that as the C chord was played on the last beat and held for the next bar which is pretty common.

Sorry, my mistake, but hey.....how do you know that I didn't write that????????????!!!!!!
hb

[allthumbs]

The layout was identical to all the guitar books I have looked at over the last 30 years.
It would be a pretty sad commentary on your writing skills if you couldn't figure out how to play what you had written

[hb]

Touche' , my friend. But aren't we splitting hairs here? Could this not be from out of copyright material??? Could you see anything else regarding the song as anything but?
hb

[allthumbs]

That is true and I would expect a member to pm me if in fact the tune is not copyrighted and was wrongly removed or mention it is public domain in the first place. It doesn't help when the pic is too blurry to read the lyrics to be absolutely sure. We err on the side of caution with suspected copy right material. As per this rule, it is the responsibility of the member to contact us in these matters. It can always be put back up if it is public domain.


6.1. The uploading of copyrighted material is forbidden. This includes written material (arrangements etc) and other artist's recordings and compositions. If you are not sure whether something is ok to post, please contact Clancy or one of the moderators and ask before posting.

A tune has to be written before 1912 to be public domain. Even longer if the author is still living under most circumstances.
When I have enough info, I try to do the research my self just to help members out.

[hb]

OK......I see your point. I believe that this is the first time I ever uploaded anything in the way of music, so I'll be more careful in the future.
hb