Ludwig "I" died when Beethoven was three, a great loss to the child as his father's house gradually deteriorated into one of chaos after that. Johann began teaching the four-year-old Ludwig piano, positioning him on a step stool so he could reach the keys. As he learned the names of the piano keys, he was also taught the names of the violin strings, and later those of the viola. Johann worked Ludwig very hard, perhaps even cruelly, doing his best to become the famous father of a famous young musician, as Mozart's father was doing.
In about 1778, Johann further imitated father Mozart, publishing an ad inviting folks to hear Ludwig play the piano, claiming him to be six-years-old instead of the accurate eight-years. This ploy worked wonderfully for the Mozarts, but it failed miserable for the Beethovens. Wolfgang was a natural showoff; Ludwig was not. Mr. Mozart was an astute businessman; Mr. Beethoven was not.
About this time Johann began to drink very heavily. His drinking led to the acquisition of terrible debts, and Mrs. Beethoven sold much of her clothing to pay the debts.
A new court organ player heard Ludwig play the piano, and took it on himself to teach the boy both piano and organ – assuredly in a kinder fashion than he had experienced with his father. Beethoven began composing keyboard music, some that he couldn't play himself because his hand span was too small. When his teacher told him that he couldn't play those pieces, Ludwig responded with, "But I shall when I'm grown!"
By the time Ludwig was eleven, he had to quit school, for after that age a tuition was charged, and Johann had no money to pay. As a result Ludwig never learned to spell correctly, write neatly, or calculate accurately. He began adding to the family finances by teaching piano lessons to the children of a deceased court official.
Ludwig began what became a life-long habit of slovenly dress. On one occasion, a neighbor met him on the street and criticized him for his sloppy appearance. But the boy had a ready answer. "When I'm famous no one will notice it." Apparently, that was accurate!
Ludwig had begun to play the organ at the court once in a while, and by the time he was twelve he was occasionally left in charge of not only playing the organ with no supervision, but also directing the court orchestra, when the regular organist and conductor was away. He became more and more occupied with musical duties at the court, becoming an expert at sight reading as well as improvising, and was in great demand whenever these talents were needed.
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