Ludwig van Beethoven · A minor
Für Elise: piano notes for beginners
Für Elise is in A minor and runs to 14 bars. The complete opening section, both hands, with the fingering most teachers actually use. There are three levels here: the melody on its own, the melody with one bass note per bar, and both hands together. Every note shows the finger to use, and the music waits for you rather than running ahead.
Three levels
Start at whichever one you can manage
One hand
The melody on its own, right hand only.
Play level 1 → LEVEL 2Melody and bass
One steady left-hand note under each bar.
Play level 2 → LEVEL 3Both hands
The full arrangement, both hands as written.
Play level 3 →The opening E and D sharp alternate with fingers 5 and 4. Keep the wrist loose and let the hand rock rather than the fingers poke.
The notes
What notes are in Für Elise?
The melody uses 7 different notes: C, D, D#, E, G#, A, B. It is written in A minor in 3/8 time, and runs to 14 bars.
Every note the melody uses, lit on the keyboard. A minor.
Before you start
Common mistakes on Für Elise
- Poking at the opening notes with stiff fingers. Rock the hand instead.
- Losing the pulse when the left hand enters. Count the three quick beats in every bar.
- Speeding up as it gets familiar. The tempo should never change.
The practice room highlights the bars you keep fluffing and offers to loop them, so you do not have to spot these yourself.
Copyright
Why this piece is free
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, who died in 1827. Out of UK copyright since 1898. The arrangement, the fingering and the notation on this page are our own original work.
See the full public domain policy for every piece on this site.
Keep going
After this piece
A step easier: beginner · C major in 4/4 time Open → 1 Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
A step easier: first piece · C major in 4/4 time Open → 1 Mary Had a Little Lamb
A step easier: first piece · C major in 4/4 time Open →
New to reading the dots? The guide to reading music is free, and the five minute walkthrough comes before everything else.