How to play Für Elise on piano
- Level
- Easy-intermediate
- Key
- A minor
- Composer
- Ludwig van Beethoven
- Written
- 1810 (published 1867)
Beethoven's Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor was published 57 years after it was written, long after his death. Its opening phrase, a rocking E and D♯, is one of the most recognized pieces of piano music in the world. This page teaches the famous A section melody in the right hand.
Für Elise letter notes
Press play to hear each line while the keys light up. Then play along, one line at a time.
Opening
ED♯ED♯EBDCA
Answer
CEAB
Answer
EG♯BC
Opening again
EED♯ED♯EBDCA
Answer
CEAB
Ending
ECBA
Underlined notes are long notes: hold them for two beats or more.
Hand position
Right hand: rock between E and D♯ with fingers 5 and 4, then play 5 4 5 4 5 2 4 3 1 for the run down to A.
Easy left-hand chords
Once the melody is comfortable, add these chords in your left hand, one per line or bar: Am | E | Am (left hand broken chords: A2 E3 A3, then E2 E3 G♯3).
Chord diagrams: A minor, E major.
Practice tips
- The D♯ is the black key just below E. Rock gently between E and D♯ with fingers 5 and 4.
- After each long note the left hand plays a rising A - E - A (then E - E - G♯). Learn the right hand first.
- Keep it soft and flowing. The piece is marked 'poco moto', with a little movement, not fast.
How to practice this song
- Listen to each line once with the play button.
- Play one line slowly with the right hand until you make no mistakes three times in a row.
- Join two lines together, then the whole song.
- Add the left-hand chords, at half speed, once the melody is automatic.