Piano Guidance
Photo by Richard Verbeek Pexels Logo Photo: Richard Verbeek

Is Fur Elise a sonata or symphony?

Für Elise is in A minor, the musical structure is rondo form (AABACA) in 103 bars and the time signature is poco moto 3/8. Für Elise is not a sonata and it is not in sonata form, it is a bagatelle.

popularbeethoven.com - Beethoven's Für Elise - Popular Beethoven
Do keys wear out?
Do keys wear out?

Over time, your keys start to wear off slowly. This is because you are noticeably jamming it into lock holes and turning them over and over. As...

Read More »
Last updated Sep 22, 2021
Does music sound better in the dark?
Does music sound better in the dark?

Listening in the dark stops your brain doing what it naturally wants to do, interact with your other senses, and focuses your attention on just the...

Read More »
Last updated Apr 12, 2019

Für Elise is one of the most widely recognized music compositions and is arguably the most popular piano piece of all time. Beethoven wrote Für Elise in 1810 as Bagatelle no. 25., but it was published only 40 years after his death, in 1867. This article will give you a comprehensive review of this remarkable piece.

What Für Elise means and to whom Beethoven wrote it?

The name Für Elise means For Elise in German (pronunciation [fyːɐ̯ ʔeˈliːzə). There is a debate concerning the real name of this composition. According to some, when the music was transcribed Beethoven’s handwriting might have been misread and the original name was Für Therese. If so, this lady must be Therese Malfatti to whom Beethoven proposed in the same year the piece was composed. Therese Malfatti finally turned him down and married an Austrian nobleman and state official. Other possible candidates for the title naming are Elisabeth Röckel and Elise Barensfeld.

Form and tempo of Für Elise

Für Elise is in A minor, the musical structure is rondo form (AABACA) in 103 bars and the time signature is poco moto 3/8. Für Elise is not a sonata and it is not in sonata form, it is a bagatelle. Bagatelle literally means “a short unpretentious instrumental composition”.

What is the mood of Für Elise?

Music is not math, luckily! What feelings will arise during listening to this music depends on the listener, too. Maybe, most would agree that the general mood is not purely romantic, but rather agony, emotional disturbance that develops into happiness. Often used words to describe the piece is romantic, nostalgia and love.

Is Für Elise easy to play?

Probably it is the first serious piece a piano student will learn to master. It is not a beginner’s song, but not advanced either, rather early intermediate level. With a little experience you can learn it in a few weeks (the original version, not the simplified).

Was Für Elise written when Beethoven was deaf?

In 1810, when Beethoven composed this piece, he was halfway to being completely deaf. At this point most of his hearing was already gone.

How many piano keys you need to play Für Elise?

Most of the piece can be played on a 61 key keyboard, the coda (final part) needs a 76 key version or one must use octave shift function.

Related articles

What music makes people the happiest?
What music makes people the happiest?

All of them are upbeat and in a major key, which goes to show that there is a science to happiness and music: Don't Stop Me Now (1978) – Queen....

Read More »
Last updated Jun 18, 2022
How long does it take to learn piano with flowkey?
How long does it take to learn piano with flowkey?

Length of course: As long as you need. Part of the beauty of Flowkey tools is that you can take as long or as little as you like practising and...

Read More »
Last updated Jan 14, 2022

Is there a song that everyone likes?
Is there a song that everyone likes?

Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen Bohemian Rhapsody is among the songs everyone knows and loves. It's the most-streamed song from the 20th century, with...

Read More »
Last updated Dec 2, 2018
Why is it better to study alone?
Why is it better to study alone?

Studying alone allows you to set the perfect study environment so you get the most out of studying. Studying alone also allows you to use the study...

Read More »
Last updated Mar 25, 2019
Does everyone have a 6th sense?
Does everyone have a 6th sense?

The sixth sense is a combination of all other senses which ends up becoming one strong power for you. Everyone is born with a sixth sense, however,...

Read More »
Last updated Sep 21, 2018
What does do re mi fa mean?
What does do re mi fa mean?

In the major Romance and Slavic languages, the syllables Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, and Si are used to name notes the same way that the letters C, D,...

Read More »
Last updated May 4, 2019