Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) · A minor · 3/4 · 120 BPM · 14 bars · Classical
Für Elise sits in Classical, written in A minor. It uses 4 chords across 14 bars, at about 120 BPM.
AmECG
Am
E
C
G
| A theme | Am | · | E | Am |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | · | · | E | Am |
| B theme | C | G | Am | E |
| 4 | · | · |
The opening only alternates Am and E, so two chords carry that famous tune straight away. The six bars with C and G brighten briefly; hold the final E long, and returning to Am starts it all over again.
| Keys | Chord chart |
|---|---|
| C minor | Cm · G · Cm · G · Cm · Eb · Bb · Cm · G |
| Db minor | C#m · G# · C#m · G# · C#m · E · B · C#m · G# |
| D minor | Dm · A · Dm · A · Dm · F · C · Dm · A |
| Eb minor | D#m · A# · D#m · A# · D#m · F# · C# · D#m · A# |
| E minor | Em · B · Em · B · Em · G · D · Em · B |
| F minor | Fm · C · Fm · C · Fm · Ab · Eb · Fm · C |
| F# minor | F#m · C# · F#m · C# · F#m · A · E · F#m · C# |
| G minor | Gm · D · Gm · D · Gm · Bb · F · Gm · D |
| Ab minor | G#m · D# · G#m · D# · G#m · B · F# · G#m · D# |
| A minor · Written in this key | Am · E · Am · E · Am · C · G · Am · E |
| Bb minor | Bbm · F · Bbm · F · Bbm · Db · Ab · Bbm · F |
| B minor | Bm · F# · Bm · F# · Bm · D · A · Bm · F# |
No named pattern sits as a run of chords inside this song.
Written by Beethoven in 1810; he died in 1827 and the score was not published until 1867. Nearly 200 years after his death, the term has long expired. The 1810 composition, the 1827 death and the 1867 publication were checked by search.