Music library › Classical themes
Für Elise (opening)
Ludwig van Beethoven, c. 1810. Excerpt, written out for reading practice.
- Music
- Ludwig van Beethoven
- Date
- c. 1810
- Key
- A minor
- Time
- 3/8
- Clef
- Treble
- Level
- Intermediate
- Length
- Excerpt
About the music
Beethoven’s Bagatelle in A minor, WoO 59, is probably the most famous piano piece ever written for students. It was composed around 1810 but not published until 1867, forty years after Beethoven’s death. Nobody is sure who “Elise” was; one theory is that the title is a misreading of “Therese”.
This is the right-hand part of the opening phrase, in 3/8 time. It is written in sixteenth notes, rocks between E and D♯, and drops down to middle C and below, so it is good practice for accidentals, ledger lines and fast note values.
Reading tips
- The piece starts with two sixteenth notes as a pickup. Count the rest, then start on the “and”.
- D♯ appears again and again. Remember an accidental lasts until the bar line, then needs repeating.
- The arpeggios (C, E, A and E, G♯, B) are broken chords. Read each as one shape.
How to practice it
Read the piece through once without playing, naming the starting note and looking for patterns and repeats. Then press Play and follow the notes as they light up. When you are ready, choose Practice this piece: it opens in the practice tool, where you can slow it down, play along on the on-screen piano, a MIDI keyboard or your voice, and have every note checked.