How to play Fur Elise on piano

Learn Fur Elise in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: E7 – Am – E – Am
How it goes
Fur Elise sits in A minor: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: E7 is E, G#, B and D; Am is A, C and E; E is E, G# and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
E7V7AmiEVAmi
- E7E · G# · B · D
- AmA · C · E
- EE · G# · B
14 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Waltz ripple
How it goes
A ripple of three notes in three-time. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4) (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 473 songs of the library.
Waltz rippleBroken chord · WaltzLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
4
Both hands at 68 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
5
Ending: F – G – Am
How it goes
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGAm
- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D

What chords are in Fur Elise?

The loop is E7 – Am – E – Am (V7 – i – V – i) in A minor, and the song ends on F – G – Am.

What key is Fur Elise in?

A minor, at about 68 beats a minute in 3/8.

What does the left hand play in Fur Elise?

Waltz ripple: broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Fur Elise easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Can I hear the real melody of Fur Elise?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune of the song from a score, with both hands.