Say it like a maestro: (Lood-vig van Bay-toh-vuhn) 

Everyone knows Beethoven—one of the most famous composers to have ever lived! But did you know that he couldn’t hear? 

When Beethoven turned 30, his hearing got progressively worse, until he couldn’t hear at all. For a musician, this was heartbreaking! He even tried to keep it a secret for fear of losing his job. But Beethoven didn’t let deafness stop him. 

Instead, he found new ways to keep composing. He used a metal rod to feel the vibrations of the piano. He also perfected the skill of audiation—which meant he could hear music in his head just by reading notes on a page!  

Beethoven composed some of his most famous pieces when he started to go deaf, including Moonlight Sonata, Ode to Joy, and Symphony No.5, with its powerful four-note opening (Da-da-da-DUM)!