Group-journey threw J.S. Bach - Two and three part inventions!

This thread is a group-thread dedicated to J.S. Bach Two part inventions. The point is that we can discover them and go deeper into them together, and motivate each other in the prosess of learning and practicing them. 

Who is this for? This is for everyone who wants to join! 
What's the goal? You define your own goal, with how much you want to learn. But try to commit to learn 1, 2, 3, or how many you like. Share your goal with the rest of us! 

Why learn two and three part inventions? In Bach's own words (of course translated to english) "Honest method, by which the amateurs of the keyboard – especially, however, those desirous of learning – are shown a clear way not only (1) to learn to play cleanly in two parts, but also, after further progress, (2) to handle three obligate parts correctly and well; and along with this not only to obtain good inventions (ideas) but to develop the same well; above all, however, to achieve a cantabile style in playing and at the same time acquire a strong foretaste of composition."

Some recording links on Spotify: 

Glenn Gould 

https://open.spotify.com/album/42SxOjm6223yaSs0vH9Um6?si=z91-IcooSq6o3vQ4ny5zyg

Jansen/Rysanov/Théeden https://open.spotify.com/album/2607OCLeDNFKNOO01OVd9P?si=uxSNmxM2Rle_SKYUpLLGyQ

András Schiff 

https://open.spotify.com/album/7B6F306xdRIC0A1Rka5cbg?si=J6mliKjDTk2h2gw9p91Rog

 

Resources on Tonebase: Magdalena Stern-Baczewska Course: Intro to J. S. Bach’s Keyboard Music

https://app.tonebase.co/piano/home?tbModal=courseModal&tbModalSlug=magdalena-stern-baczewska-intro-to-bachs-keyboard-music-pt&currentSearchModalTab=all

 

Ben Laude Live session: Bach Invention No. 1: Analysis for Performers

https://app.tonebase.co/piano/live/player/bach-invention-1-ben-laude

 

For everyone joining: Please make a post of your personal goals threw this journey. Remember every goal is fine! I hope participants will share video-updates regularly, so we can follow each others progress! 

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    • Kerstin
    • Kerstin
    • 1 yr ago
    • Reported - view

    Hi Sindre! Now I have made a video - not perfect, but it is a really nice piece. https://youtu.be/TNhHY7aTNzs
    LG Kerstin 🇩🇪

    Like 11
    • Kerstin Fantastic playing there, Kerstin! 👏🏻 What a lovely invention this is. 

      Like 1
      • Jackie
      • Jackie
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Kerstin it’s funny, we seem to share repertoire. Last year, I played the moonlight sonata, early this year the e minor toccata a bit, then the scherzo that you are also playing. We seem to love the same music. No, I need to take a break with the inventions for a bit as I really want to focus on the d minor concerto I’m preparing for an exam. I still have to get my fingers around the 3rd movement and I want to write my own cadenzas, but I’m finding that really challenging. You play beautifully, I loved your moonlight 1st movement, and also the bit I saw of your scherzo arpeggios.

      Like 1
    • Kerstin that's very nice! You have a good looseness to your playing, and the trills are great. I've been working on this one the past few days and I sound so spastic ... 😕

      Like 1
      • Kerstin
      • Kerstin
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Jackie Oh really!? Interesting. What exam you‘ll have?

      If you say d minor concerto , do you mean Mozart? So I wish you the best. If you need any help, let me know. 
      My goal is to give a little concerto for my friend - maybe in two years. 
      Lot of work to do. Restart practicing piano last November. The 20 years before I did almost nothing. So I have no repertoires.

      Would be great to stay in touch. 
      🙋‍♀️

      Like 1
      • Kerstin
      • Kerstin
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Harriet Kaplan Hi Harriet! 
      The piece is not easy. Don’t give up. If you want I can tell you or do a little video for you, how I practice the thrills. 🙋‍♀️

      Like
      • Jackie
      • Jackie
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Kerstin that would be great. Do I need help? You mean with writing cadenzas? Yeeeeeeessssss! It’s wonderful that you have come back to piano playing. Do you teach piano?

      Like
      • Jackie
      • Jackie
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Kerstin and yes, Mozart.

      Like
      • Jackie
      • Jackie
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Kerstin oh dear, I’m not very good at answering questions, it seems. The exam I’m planning to do is a Fellowship with Con Brio Exams. I like this because it gives me a lot of flexibility in terms of repertoire choices and also because it is video based. 

      Like
    • Kerstin I am interested in learning how you practice these trills, so yes, please!

      Like
    • Kerstin Would love your trill practice video too! I keep rewatching your invention video- it gets better and better each time. Great dynamics and rhythm. Love it!

      Like
      • Kerstin
      • Kerstin
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Jackie Hi Jacki! I have never written a cadence, but why not. First question: when do you need it? How much time we have?

      And here some more data about me. I was studying piano from 1986-1989 in Leipzig, but I wasn’t very happy that time, skipped the whole thing and did something else.  Had also 1 year lessons in composition. Sometimes I am teaching, but it’s just for fun. The last 5 years I was tutoring pupils, helping them to come through their school tests and exams.

      If we will write a cadence, I think we should analyze 2 or 3 ( lenght, structure, harmony progression) and than do it. What do you think?

      🙋‍♀️

      Like 1
      • Jackie
      • Jackie
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Kerstin I sent you a private message.

      Like
      • Kerstin
      • Kerstin
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Harriet Kaplan Okay. Give me some days. Wednesday and Thursday I have no time (lot of work), but Friday I have time.
      Have listened to your number 13. You are playing good. 🙋‍♀️🎹🌼

      Like
    • Kerstin please don't go to too much trouble! But I'm sure it would be helpful to a lot of us to see how you practice this.

      Like 1
      • Gail Starr
      • Retired MBA
      • Gail_Starr
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Kerstin I've just gotten back to piano since Covid, also!  I hadn't played in years.  It's nice to know we have friends in the same situation.  I love your playing!

      Like
      • Kerstin
      • Kerstin
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Gail Starr Thanks a lot Gail! Yes, I like tonebase for that reason. Meeting nice interested people and all have their own story.
      Let’s continue. I have some piano lessons during the next week and have to work on some other pieces. So I have no time for more Inventions. What pieces are you playing? 🙋‍♀️

      Like 1
      • Kerstin
      • Kerstin
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Kerstin Hi Harriet! 
      Have made a little video for you, but forgive me my English. I hate speaking. 😉 I hope, I could help you and give you some ideas. 🙋‍♀️
      https://youtu.be/iSzvlDyaQC4

      Like 1
    • Kerstin oh wow, I just noticed this! Thank you so much! I wish I’d seen your video before I posted my version of this invention today. I will definitely use some of these ideas in the future.

      (Your speaking was very clear, btw.)

      Like
      • Kerstin
      • Kerstin
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Harriet Kaplan Hi Harriet! I am happy, if it helps. Technical things take some time. I have started with Hanon in March this year (practice 15min a day)  and now I have the idea my left hand is improving especially 4th and 5th finger. In my Hanon edition there are 2 pages with rhythm, groups and other variation how you can practice. It’s also very helpful. Do you know this one? Have a nice day. 🙋‍♀️

      Like
      • Gail Starr
      • Retired MBA
      • Gail_Starr
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Kerstin So sorry for not responding earlier!  I help care for my wonderful 95-year-old father-in-law and he had several health difficulties over the past few weeks.  Happily, he is all better now so I have time to practice.  I mostly play chamber music and as a pianist with a Baroque Orchestra and a small community orchestra.  But I really want to start doing more solo pieces.  What are your studying now?

      Like
      • Kerstin
      • Kerstin
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Gail Starr Hi Gail! Good to hear it’s better now and you are back. I have had holidays last week and practiced a lot because I stayed at home. I am on Chopin Scherzo Nr.2, 

      Beethoven Moonlight Sonata ( I have played the first movement in a Masterclass with Dominic and he gave me very good advises) and always practicing Chopin Etudes - right now op. 10/4+5 and for my daily warm up I have chosen op. 25/12. So have a nice week. 🙋‍♀️

      Like
    • Kerstin
    • Kerstin
    • 1 yr ago
    • Reported - view

    Thanks all of you! It’s really a challenge to play all of it. Don’t have time right now, but could be a special project. Looking forward to more videos here. 🙋‍♀️🎹

    Like 1
    • Juan Carlos Olite
    • Philosophy teacher and piano lover
    • Juan_Carlos
    • 1 yr ago
    • Reported - view

    Third video: Invention nº 8 in F minor:

    Like 10
    • Excellent playing, Juan Carlos, although it’s in F major ;)

      Juan Carlos Olite 

      Like 1
      • Juan Carlos Olite
      • Philosophy teacher and piano lover
      • Juan_Carlos
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Andrea Buckland Yes, of course, I don't know what I was thinking of 😂... Thank you, Andrea!

      Like 2
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