Even Beethoven Needed Beginner Piano Lessons

The music of Ludwig Von Beethoven is beloved throughout the world and for centuries has been considered one of our finest composers of all time. In fact, students of many different genres of music have studied his compositions for insight into his musical genius for inspiration. Players of classical, jazz, fusion, rock, and latin music studied Beethoven before going off to explore their individual areas of expression.

So, do musical geniuses need lessons or are they simply born with innate ability to play any instrument automatically and express themselves freely, nearly from birth? Well, history shows us that there have been a select few people who didn’t need much tutoring before being able to recite, note for note, nearly any tune they wanted to play. Some even could play the piano with both hands competently, but these are the extremely rare exceptions. The rest of us (as well as most of the geniuses) needed lessons.

Beethoven gave his first performance at age 8 on the harpsichord but this was under duress from his father who exerted great pressure on his young son to develop quickly.

At the age of 16, Ludwig already had somewhat of a reputation in Bonn, the city he was born in. He taught music lessons and held concerts at aristocratic residences, as well as at court. His fervent harpsichord improvisations held his audience in complete awe. His keyboard playing ability fused with his genius for improvisation generated impromptu variations on a theme that must have seemed otherworldly at the time.

Beethoven sought the guidance of one of his famous contemporaries, Mozart, in Vienna. In 1787 Mozart found time to listen to him although at that time he was completely absorbed by his work on the composition of Don Juan. The not-yet mature Ludwig brilliantly improvised on a theme suggested by Mozart, astonishing his entire audience. After having listened to him, Mozart said: "watch out for that boy. One day he will give the world something to talk about". Beethoven began taking lessons with Mozart, and later studied with Haydn.

History shows us that Beethoven’s facility on the keyboard was every bit as developed as his creative compositions would later be revered. But, without beginner piano lessons and hours of practice even Beethoven’s genius would have faltered, and the world might not have benefited from the volumes of pieces he wrote.