The library · Classical
Ode to Joy
Ludwig van Beethoven
The theme of the 9th Symphony, in D major: four phrases, one of which changes everything.
D major · 4/4 · 110 beats per minute · 16 bars · 35 s · beginner level
no account needed
The form
The sections of the piece and their chords: the map you learn before playing a single note.
A A' B A'
| Section | Bars | Chords | Phrase ending |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1–4 | D · A · D · A I · V · I · V |
Half cadence |
| A' | 5–8 | D · A · D · A · D I · V · I · V · I |
Authentic cadence |
| B | 9–12 | A · D · A · E7 · A V · I · V · V7/V · V |
Half cadence |
| A' | 13–16 | D · A · D · A · D I · V · I · V · I |
Authentic cadence |
The key
- D major
- 2 sharps in the key signature: F♯, C♯
- Scale
- D · E · F♯ · G · A · B · C♯
- Pillar chords
- I = D · IV = G · V7 = A7
The tricky passages
- Bar 10: the busiest bar in the piece
- Bars 12–13: a melodic leap (major sixth), 4-note chords
The plan: 7 days
Half an hour a day. First I help you understand the map of the piece, then we lay down the chord framework, learn each section phrase by phrase, work on the tricky passages, put it together and bring it up to tempo, until you can play it from memory.
no account needed
More pieces from the library
- Prelude in C major, BWV 846 · Johann Sebastian Bach
- Invention No. 1 in C major, BWV 772 · Johann Sebastian Bach
- Minuet in G major, BWV Anh. 114 · Christian Petzold
- Minuet in G minor, BWV Anh. 115 · Christian Petzold
- Sonata in C major, K. 545: 1st movement · Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Turkish March (Rondo alla turca), K. 331 · Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart