Für Elise

Lesson Notes

Breaking it down

• Note-by-note breakdown:

  The melody falls into 3 phrases. Each phrase is played over 2 left-hand notes — play the phrase, then the 2 left-hand notes underneath it in order.

  Phrase	Left hand	Right hand
  1	A, then E	E, E♭, E, E♭, E, B, D, C, A
  2	E (go down one octave), then E (back up)	C, E, A, B, E, A♭
  3	A, then E	B, C, E (go down one octave), E (back up)

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• Practice tips:
  • Practice the famous E–E♭–E opening slowly with even timing before speeding up.
  • Keep the left-hand bass notes quiet and steady — they support, they don't compete.
  • Once the notes are secure, shape the phrase with a gentle rise and fall rather than playing it flat.
• History: Composed by Beethoven around 1810 but not published until 1867, after his death. Its full title is Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor — who "Elise" actually was is still debated by historians.