Fur Elise: D or E? And Why Small Hands Love Narrow Keys

Bar 7 of Fur Elise sparks debate: D or E? Some players follow the book, some follow their ears. I like to play an E the first two times and save the D for the final appearance. Why? In A minor, it’s a V–I progression. Skip the D early, and it’s simple; add it, and you get a dominant 7th with a subtle, exotic twist. Holding the D until the end surprises the listener and makes the resolution even more beautiful. Want more info check the Henle Blog.

The RCM Grade 7 book shows a D every time, but if you prefer an E, simply jot a note to your examiner — they’ll understand and might even enjoy your interpretation.

Beyond this single note, Narrow Keys transform Fur Elise for small-handed pianists. Chords feel comfortable, passages flow naturally, and memorizing becomes easier. Feeling groups of notes under your hands is like remembering phone numbers in chunks — it’s intuitive, satisfying, and fun.

Narrow Keys don’t just make playing easier; they make learning piano a joy.

Small hands, big music, effortless technique — that’s the magic of Narrow Keys.

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Playing Fur Elise on Narrow Keys is a JOY