Part 3: How Beethoven Composed Masterpieces Despite Deafness

Many people wonder: how did Beethoven still manage to compose while being deaf?

First of all, Beethoven had studied music for many years and had an exceptional understanding of music theory. He understood harmony, musical structure, and instrument ranges—which allowed him to imagine how notes and instruments sounded without physically hearing them. Indeed, using his musical knowledge, Beethoven could play pieces of music in his head and compose complex music.

Furthermore, it has been recorded that Beethoven also used physical vibrations to aid him in his composition. He sometimes placed a metal rod between his teeth and the piano’s soundboard, allowing vibrations from the instrument to travel through his jaw so he could feel the notes being played. With this technique, he was able to sense the pitch and rhythm of the music even when he could not hear them. He also often placed his hands on the soundboard to feel the vibrations of the strings and wood through his hands. It had been said that as his hearing worsened, he often wrote more using lower octaves, which he could sense more easily.

Ultimately, through his foundational musical knowledge and extensive efforts, he composed a variety of major works, including symphonies and piano sonatas.