Moonlight Sonata (1st mvt) — Beethoven: piano chords
The full chord chart for Moonlight Sonata (1st mvt) by Beethoven, bar by bar in the original key — and a free player that runs the chords in time with the record while you play.
The chords in Moonlight Sonata (1st mvt)
Moonlight Sonata (1st mvt) by Beethoven sits in C# minor at a slow 44 BPM and moves through 12 chords. The harmony moves quickly and reaches beyond basic triads, so treat it as a goal song and let the player carry you through the hard bars.
Song structure
- Part 1
- 0:49Part 2
- 1:55Part 3
- 2:38Part 4
- 3:44Part 5
- 4:44Part 6
- 5:33Part 7
Learn the chords first
If any of these shapes are new, the free chord trainer teaches every chord in C# minor — from plain triads to inversions — with real-song exercises. Then come back and play the record.
Quick answers
Is Moonlight Sonata (1st mvt) by Beethoven hard to play on piano?
Moonlight Sonata (1st mvt) is an advanced piece: the harmony moves quickly and reaches beyond basic triads at 44 BPM. Treat it as a goal song rather than a starter.
What key is Moonlight Sonata (1st mvt) by Beethoven in?
Moonlight Sonata (1st mvt) is in C# minor, at around 44 BPM.
What are the chords in Moonlight Sonata (1st mvt) by Beethoven?
The main chords are C#m, G#7, F#m, G#7/C, C#m/G#, G#, G#m7/B, E and more — see the full bar-by-bar chart on this page.