Beginner piece
How to play Ode to Joy on piano
The theme from the last movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, written in 1824. Most piano books give you a simple version where the right hand has the tune and the left hand holds long notes.
- Composer
- Ludwig van Beethoven
- Level
- Beginner
- Key
- C major or G major in most beginner books
- Time signature
- 4/4
- Hands
- Right hand, then both
What makes it tricky
- The repeated-note start. Count it out loud; a lot of players rush the first four bars.
- The dotted rhythm in the last phrase of each line. Say "long-short" to yourself before you play it.
- Hands together. Practise the left hand alone until it feels automatic.
A three-step practice plan
- Right hand alone, slowly, until you can play the whole tune without looking at the keys.
- Left hand alone, then each hand for one phrase together.
- Play the whole piece at a speed where every note stays steady.