Easy piano · 6 keys Start here · step 5 of 10

Ode to Joy easy piano by numbers

Q: How many keys do I need for Ode to Joy?

6 keys, all white keys, played with the right hand: 1 = G, 2 = C, 3 = D, 4 = E, 5 = F, 6 = G.

Q: What key is Beethoven's Ode to Joy in?

Beethoven's Ode to Joy is in D major. This easy version is moved to C major, so that it stays on the white keys (or almost): the tune is the same, only the starting note changes.

Q: What are the first notes of Ode to Joy?

In numbers: 4 4 5 6 6 5 4 3. In letter notes: E E F G G F E D.

Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 (1824) · 38 s · 62 notes · public domain

Ode to Joy is easy to play on the piano with numbers. One hand, 6 keys, about 38 seconds: press the numbers in order, as they light up, and the lesson waits for you. Free, no account needed.

▶ Play it now

On paper: the 25 easiest songs, in a printable book · 2 songs free to print

44566

Freude, schöner Götterfunken,

The interactive lesson needs JavaScript. Meanwhile, here is the whole song in numbers.

Ode to Joy piano notes: E E F G G F E D · C C D E E D D · E E F G G F E D …

The number sheet

The whole song, in numbers. Print it, or put it on your piano.

4EFreu4Ede,5Fschö6Gner6GGöt5Fter4Efun3Dken,

2CToch2Cter3Daus4EE4Ely3Dsi3Dum,

4Ewir4Ebe5Ftre6Gten6Gfeu5Fer4Etrun3Dken,

2CHimm2Cli3Dsche,4Edein3DHei2Clig2Ctum!

3DDei3Dne4EZau2Cber3Dbin4Eden5F·4Ewie2Cder,

3Dwas4Edie5F·4EMo3Dde2Cstreng3Dge1Gteilt;

4Eal4Ele5FMen6Gschen6Gwer5Fden4EBrü3Dder,

2Cwo2Cdein3Dsanf4Eter3DFlü2Cgel2Cweilt.

How to play Ode to Joy on the piano

The great theme of the last movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (1824), on Friedrich Schiller's poem "An die Freude". It is the anthem of Europe, and one of the easiest famous classical melodies: it moves mostly step by step.

This easy version uses 6 keys (all white keys) and the right hand only: 62 notes, about 38 seconds at 100 BPM in 4/4 time. The words are in German.

Original key: D major · this easy version: C major.

Find key 1: G3 (below middle C). The other numbers go up from there, to the next key the song uses. Key 1 comes only once: rest your thumb on key 2, C4, and move your hand down for key 1 when it comes.

Press ▶ Listen to hear the song while the numbers light up.

Press 🎹 Play it and play the numbers in order; an arrow shows the next key, and the lesson waits for you.

Want the rhythm too? Press 🌧 Falling notes: each note falls onto its key, and its length shows how long to hold it (how falling notes work).

Finish the song for up to three stars — fewer mistakes, more stars.

The keys

Number	Note	Key	Where
1	G	G3	below middle C
2	C	C4	middle C
3	D	D4	above middle C
4	E	E4	above middle C
5	F	F4	above middle C
6	G	G4	above middle C

Number

Note

Key

Where

below middle C

middle C

above middle C

Ode to Joy in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

E E F G G F E D
Freude, schöner Götterfunken,

C C D E E D D
Tochter aus Elysium,

E E F G G F E D
wir betreten feuertrunken,

C C D E D C C
Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!

D D E C D E F E C
Deine Zauber binden wieder,

D E F E D C D G
was die Mode streng geteilt;

E E F G G F E D
alle Menschen werden Brüder,

C C D E D C C
wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.

Questions

How do you play Ode to Joy on the piano, the easy way?

With one hand and 6 keys: put a finger on key 1, G3, and number the keys the song uses from there. Then press the numbers in order: 4 4 5 6 6 5 4 3 (in letter notes: E E F G G F E D). The whole song lasts about 38 seconds; the lesson on this page shows the next key and waits for you.

How many keys do I need for Ode to Joy?

6 keys, all white keys, played with the right hand: 1 = G, 2 = C, 3 = D, 4 = E, 5 = F, 6 = G.

What key is Beethoven's Ode to Joy in?

Beethoven's Ode to Joy is in D major. This easy version is moved to C major, so that it stays on the white keys (or almost): the tune is the same, only the starting note changes.

What are the first notes of Ode to Joy?

In numbers: 4 4 5 6 6 5 4 3. In letter notes: E E F G G F E D.

Is Ode to Joy free to play and share?

Yes. Ode to Joy is in the public domain (Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 (1824)). This easy arrangement, its number sheet and its MIDI file are free to use and share for learning.

Can I play it without a piano?

Yes: tap the keys on the page on a phone or tablet, or press the numbers 1–6 on a computer keyboard. The lesson waits for the right key and shows the next one.

How long does it take to learn?

The whole song lasts 38 seconds at 100 beats a minute. Most beginners play it through within a few tries; lower the speed with the slider to go slower.

More by Ludwig van Beethoven

If you like Ode to Joy, try

Ode to Joy easy piano by numbers

The number sheet

How to play Ode to Joy on the piano

The keys

Ode to Joy in letter notes

Questions

More by Ludwig van Beethoven

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