Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Fur Elise

Well, I just started playing Piano (electric keyboard) about 2 weeks ago, and I have learned a whole lot since then.

I have been studying chords (I know the Majors/Aug/Minors), I can read sheet music (I stare for a few seconds to count out the letters for it).

I mean, I know (Saints, B-Day Song, Zelda Melodies, Mario Themes, Most Nintendo Themes, Mad World, Mortal Kombat)...but I want to learn atleast one classical piece of music as well

Though those seem nerdy, they're more or less for show to friends


*QUESTION*

Now my question is, if this is a good first "classical" musical piece that I should learn?
I have the intro down decently, then a little bit after the repeat...it is going decent, but looking on in the sheet music for it, I can see it will start to pick up really fast.

Yikes! You learned a lot in two weeks.

I haven't tried anything classical yet. I could probably manage the Birthday song and Saints, but just barely.

I've seen discussions about Fur Elise here, and there's a debate about whether beginners should even try it. I say, if you don't think it's too hard, go for it. It will definitely impress your friends if you learn it well.

for the whole piece, yes, it's too difficult for you now. but most people starting out will do its 1st page (till the 1st repeat bar) only, which i did when i started.

basically, Fur Elise has 3 sections: ABC, with A (1st one) as the easiest. so, a lot of beginners try A first, and many don't come to section B and C until much later. i remember i learned the B and C after at least 2-3 years.

also, i don't recommend you learn to play its 1st page well, which you can't without proper techniques learned. so, if you want to learn it (section A), it's ok but don't put too much time on it because the techniques needed for mastering this piece will take long time to learn and develop and you can't expect yourself to play the 1st page well in a few weeks.

I mean, I am not trying to brag on my learning ability.

Because I learned alot of the stuff above from watching other people; including Mad World by Gary Jules.

Only problem with that song is combining both hands...though I can do both the left hand and right hand parts...just not together.


*Sorry Off-Topic*

But I am pretty sure I could learn it somewhat decent to the second page, but when it gets to the 1/16 notes that are being played alot...I will probably lose it haha


http://www.mfiles.co.uk/scores/Fur-Elise.pdf
Is the sheet music I am following, I can get right before the the line with the third Treble-Cleft.

I haven't attempted it because I can see what kind of problem this may cause me hehe, because I am self-teaching by watching/hearing/reading.

Playing for two weeks is nowhere near enough required to attempt this piece.

Much too difficult with only two weeks under your belt. The first part, as you have experienced, is relatively easy, as there's a lot of repetition. When you come to the 2nd and 3rd parts, however, its going to be signficantly harder (particularly, if you want to play it correctly). Its probably a good idea to avoid the frustration associated with playing something far too difficult, at least, at this early juncture.

One thing you might consider as an alternative is to visit your local music store and browse through some beginner type books, focusing on classical pieces. I'll warn you ahead of time that they won't sound nearly as interesting, as they've been edited (watered down) quite a bit, as to make it easier to play for the beginner.

Here's one example of what I'm talking about. Faber & Faber Funtime Classics book . This one is a Level 3, but they have different levels (of difficulty).

sorry, my mistake. i meant 'until the 2nd repeat double bar' (bar 1-20 or 21 on 1st page), which was what i learned first. don't even try anything beyond that, you'd get too frustrated trying even if you want to.

also, playing HS doesn't help with playing HT. so no matter how well you can play on each hand, playing with both hands (HT) is a totally different thing. if you want to play HT, then try HT after you can play HS for each passage. the key is to coooperate both hands by each 'beat' group (i.e. the vertical notes group for both hands), and go slowly beat by beat like that until you get it. i hate to say it, but many people (beginners) have misconception about playing HT and think that if they can play a passage HS, then they can do it HT. NOT SO! in order to play HT, you try HT. that's the key to succeed in doing that!

You could do what I'm doing: Learn an easy piano version of Für Elise. Yes, the music will be simplified but that doesn't mean it's not an impressive accomplishment for a beginner. I'd rather play a simplified arrangement well than mangle the real thing.

At my teacher's recommendation, I'm using this particular Hal Leonard Easy Piano Solo version . My teacher prefers it because it's easy enough for a beginner, is well arranged on the page, and sounds great.

My teacher thinks its good to learn at least 'part' of the real thing. The first part (the part most people can hum to) is the easier part.

If you can get the first part down with out looking and play it really smoothly you can either stop or attempt going for the 2nd part. The first part is the part most people know anyways. The 2nd... not so much..

P.S. I've played a total of 5 months over the past year and felt really ashamed playing Fur Elise at my last recital since its a 'really easy' classical piece 'everyone' knows. I played the whole thing almost perfect with a few mistakes with the cords after the repeating A notes (only because I forgot/never practiced the part after you go from A to Bb... Everyone said I did really good and my fingers 'where flying over the keys' but I sometimes think they are just saying that. Can someone tell me why I feel this way? I have practiced Fur Elise to the point of being sick of it.

**off topic** What would be something that is classical around the same difficulty as Fur Elise I could play for my recital... or at least something worth learning... would Scott Joplin be out of the question? I don't want to play simplified rags, if I'm going to play it I want it original. If Scott Joplin, anyone recommend a certain editor/book?

PP.S. As I think about it, I enjoy playing Fur Elise 500% more when I play it in public.. Guess I seek the attention.

PPP.S. But what if they don't like Fur Elise because its over played, because you and everyones grandmother has played it... Oh my... I feel the deep melancholic and enigmatic thoughts now..

Well Chris, you feel that way because...

Ever notice when playing scales, say, you are at 60 BPM, and 120 seems like rocket speed? Then, over time, you work up to 120, and 240 seems like rocket speed?

The speed you can play at is normal for you, you muscles and brain and fingers know what to do, little thought-control on your part...it's normal.

Others see it and are amazed. I practiced tremelos on the guitar for months getting them smooth and even, very slowly, speeding up a little at a time.

A buddy who also plays and I were talking about them, and I told him about my frustration at how slow I had to go the keep even. I played for him, and he was shocked at how fast I was. I just did not know it.

Ain't it fun to be really good and not be aware of it???

I'm of the same opinion that people who come to recitals are going to be overly generous with their compliments, very much the same as if you invited to dinner at someones house and made the comment to the host, "Everything looks (tastes) wonderful," even though that is what you might not really be thinking.

This is not a criticism, but I think if you played the same piece for admission at Juilliard, you'd receive some critical comments on parts you thought were played flawlessly.

It just depends on the audience.

I'm at the same "place". I can play the simplified, first part of Fur Elise, but the second kicks my @$$. So I'm off to other things for awhile. I'll be back.

i've been teaching myself piano for about three weeks so i know where you're at.

honestly you need to be a little more realistic about your playing ability. if you can't play with two hands yet you need to do some exercises and very basic peices to start with. it won't take long for you to move on. right now i'm working on some of Mozart's early minuets. I would try some of those. just took me a couple of days to get them down...

i personally believe that if you practice meaningfully then you will move on quickly, but you need to develop good habits to start with.

Mad World is a beautiful piece of music. Its a bit tricky though.

Oh I have it's timing good Mark...

But I don't have it's sheet music, so I am guessing what to do/what timing is on both hands after the ignitial second part of the intro. Which is what is screwing me up

If you REALLY like Fur Elise, then play all parts over and over again, but make sure to use the suggested fingering. I think it is an excellent first classical piece to learn. It was my first one too. It is very exciting and not boring, so it keeps you focused and learning. But WATCH the fingering.