Für Elise
Ludwig van Beethoven · German, 1810 · solo guitar
Techniques
The theme
bars 1–22 →The E–D♯ figure swings between the open first string and the fourth fret of the second string, then a bass arpeggio answers on A minor or E. Play the figure lightly and let the answer ring.
The F major episode and its runs
bars 45–57 →The second section turns to F and C major and ends with fast runs in bars 53 to 56. Practise the runs in small groups and add notes only when each group is clean.
The A pedal high on the neck
bars 83–97 →Over a repeated low A the hand moves up to the 12th–17th frets. Keep the thumb on the bass and shift the upper fingers in one movement.
Arpeggio and chromatic descent
bars 100–104 →An A minor arpeggio climbs the neck and a chromatic line comes back down to the theme. Keep the descent even, one finger per fret.
Key and harmony
A minor. The middle episodes visit F and C major and a long section over a low A pedal. The shading on the circle of fifths shows how many of the 126 bars use each chord.
Chords and positions
Practice plan
Four steps, about a week each at 15 minutes a day. Each link opens the player at that bar and tempo.
-
STEP 136 BPM
The theme
Learn the opening section until the E–D♯ figure flows.
Open bars 1–22 at 36 BPM → -
STEP 236 BPM
The F major episode
Work the runs slowly in short groups.
Open bars 45–57 at 36 BPM → -
STEP 340 BPM
The pedal section
Learn the high positions over the A pedal and the descent back to the theme.
Open bars 83–104 at 40 BPM → -
STEP 448 BPM
The whole piece
Play all sections in order and bring the tempo up to 48 BPM.
Open bars 1–126 at 48 BPM →
Related pieces
Solo guitar version by easytabs.studio from the guitar duo arranged by J. J. Olson (Mutopia Project #2059, public domain).