About this song
The haunting first movement of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14, 'Quasi una fantasia', composed in 1801. Its rolling broken-chord texture and slow hypnotic melody are unmistakable.
Play it in MIDI Room
This is a simplified single-line arrangement so you can hear the melody instantly. To play the full piece with a piano roll, multi-track view, tempo control and A/B practice looping, use the main MIDI Player Online tool with your own MIDI file.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play Moonlight Sonata (First Movement) online in my browser?
Yes. Use the demo player above to hear this public-domain Classical / early Romantic melody instantly, or drop your own MIDI file into the MIDI Player Online tool for full piano-roll playback, tempo control and A/B practice looping. Everything runs locally in your browser — no upload, account or install.
Who composed Moonlight Sonata (First Movement)?
Moonlight Sonata (First Movement) is Ludwig van Beethoven (Classical / early Romantic). It is in the public domain, so it can be freely arranged, performed and used.
What key is Moonlight Sonata (First Movement) usually played in?
This arrangement is written in C♯ minor. The demo above uses that key so you can hear the melody as traditionally performed.
Is a MIDI file version of Moonlight Sonata (First Movement) available?
Instead of downloading a file, you can hear the melody right here with the built-in player. To practice it, set a slow tempo and use the A/B loop to repeat a section. You can also export or record any MIDI you play from the main MIDI Room player.
Is the 3rd movement (Presto agitato) included here?
This demo covers the famous opening of the First Movement (Adagio sostenuto) — the slow, dreamy theme the sonata is named after. The Third Movement is also public domain, but our simplified arrangement focuses on the First Movement's opening phrase.
Is this an easy version for beginners?
Yes. The demo is a simplified single-line melody, so it is easy to follow on piano or any instrument. Slow the tempo down further in the main MIDI Room player if you want to practice note by note with the A/B loop.