BACH Inventions

Hello Andrew,
I am planning to learn the inventions by Bach, starting with the easiest. Can you suggest any particular order in which this should be approached?
Thanks

Hi P.Pianist.

I am also learning Bach invention No.1

How are you doing with that??

Chacky

hey thanks for replying, as it is I have been travelling for a while and getting back on the piano (or keyboard) after three long weeks. Anyways, I am starting with nr 1. Looks a bit intimidating to play in proper tempo, but no hurry from my side.
cya,

With bach you should always start hands septerate ALWAYS, and go very slowly, try to pick out the melodies and play them seperately as well so your ear can hear all the complex things going on. Practise with the metronome at all times for the first few weeks of learning the song until you can play the piece as steady as you would with the metronome on.

After the rough work is done, it's time to add in a sharp staccato touch, also be on the look out for terraced dynamics. Which is a sudden change in dynamics like P to F or Mf to Mp etc, you must make the switch suddenly not smoothly as that's the style in this period

I think that should help you start out!

Take care!

Thanks Andrew. Hands separate, metronome, staccato touch, I will try to keep these in mind. Targeting to finish invention #1 in coming 3 - 4 months. BTW off topic, I was watching a few glenn gould videos on youtube, amazing the way he used to play Bach, though his expressions kind of looked funny :-)

To shoot something in there as well^^
You should explore the emphasis on the Second beat instead of the first one in Bachs pieces! This Bach analyst I have talked to say this might have been what Bach wanted!

Well I have finished Invention No.1 ....!!!

It´s my first classical piano song...so I´m really happy. Now I am taking classes with a profesor, working in my technique and so on.

Now I´m working in invention No. 2 It seems a little more complex than the first one. =D

Just a Question...

What level of piano are concidered Bach Inventions No.1 and 2 ???

Beginners?
Intermediate?
Advanced?

It´s just curiosity hehehe... =D

Congrats. I am kind of half way through, by that I mean not half way musically, but half way technically, i.e I am able to play it at a very slow but steady tempo with metronome.

pathetic_pianist wrote:Congrats. I am kind of half way through, by that I mean not half way musically, but half way technically, i.e I am able to play it at a very slow but steady tempo with metronome.

Thats Very good, then you will be there soon! ^^