Intermediate piece
How to play Moonlight Sonata, first movement on piano
The first movement of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14 (Op. 27, No. 2), written in 1801. A repeating triplet pattern in the right hand sits under a slow, long melody and a deep bass note.
- Composer
- Ludwig van Beethoven
- Level
- Intermediate
- Key
- C-sharp minor
- Time signature
- 2/2 (cut time)
- Hands
- Both hands
What makes it tricky
- The triplet pattern. It needs to be even and quiet, so the melody floats above it.
- Four sharps in the key signature. Learn the notes, not just the fingering.
- Balancing the voices: the bass, the triplets and the melody are three different volumes.
A three-step practice plan
- Play the triplet pattern alone for one page, very softly.
- Learn the melody alone, then add the bass.
- Put the hands together four bars at a time and listen for the melody on top.