Great video Janna- I’m a pianist who completed RCM through end of grade 10 and stopped while working on ARCT- I’ve been trying to get through all 15 two part inventions and I found a man, Paul Barton who is adding things to bar 15- while you are playing without those additions- which version is correct? Thanks! Here’s the link to Paul’s performance: ua-cam.com/video/iHNxdOTFt7c/v-deo.htmlsi=srsgPBIHi68WmdTm
I've been playing blues and Jazz guitar my whole life. I started taking piano lessons in hopes that one day I could teach piano at least to beginners. My teacher is a classical pianist and he has given me several Bach pieces and I absolutely love them. I just started the first Invention and hearing you talk about your approach is a reminder that I've been living on a different planet. Bach has been mentioned quite a bit in the jazz classes I've taken and after learning a couple of his pieces I know why. He must have been an amazing improvisor. There is no way he could have produced the music he wrote by scratching his head and thinking "gee would this work?" I'm certain it came write out him on the spot. He probably wrote the inventions before lunch. I'm in absolute in awe of him. Thank you for the suggestions for learning this piece and the books.
Yes, he was an amazing improviser! So were Mozart and Beethoven and many other famous composers. During his lifetime, Bach was known primarily as an organist, one of the best of his day. What is most amazing to me is the combination of that fact with the incredible craftsmanship he brought to his composing, and HOW MUCH MUSIC he composed in his lifetime! Anyway, best wishes to you, and enjoy your Bach adventures. 😊
I dragged myself through this and a few other Inventions as a beginner, then I heard of Clementi and learned to play his Sonatina No.1, and felt it was so much easier! I wish someone had told me the correct order of learning pieces and Clementi's existence.
You might enjoy finding a good graded series to work through. If Clementi Op.36 No.1 is correct, then try the Festival Collection book 3 amzn.to/4918K0A or Masterwork Classics book 4 amzn.to/48WNZmN. I also have a repertoire difficulty guide here: www.jannawilliamson.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-repertoire-difficulty
Excellent UA-cam find on my part.just yesterday I went looking for one of my books with the Inventions. I decided to tackle No. one for the reasons you gave. Have no teacher at present so thank god I found you. You are the best in every way. You present yourself well you have an excellent voice for teaching. A pleasant manner and you demonstrate very well. If you were within commuting difference to Northampton, Ma. I would engage you. Thanks so much for posting.
I'm surprised there are 6 to 7 levels leading up to the inventions. I know I'm not the most untalented beginner but after a method book and a lot of Czerny amongst other things, I have been tackling several of the inventions by accident and play them fairly well. My teacher tells me I have had a quick start but she doesn't go by any syllabus so i really wonder what leads up to the inventions in a normal beginners piano career. Thank you for your time and I really love how kind and calm you are
Levels 1 - 3 in the systems I reference would be considered elementary level, similar to any modern method book (Faber Piano Adventures, etc.). Levels 4-8 or so of many systems are considered intermediate (which include the inventions) and then usually somewhere around level 9-10 we consider it early advanced. It takes most pre-college students who practice a normal amount of time and who are learning to read and develop musicianships skills (not just play pieces by rote) at least 8 years to get to an early advanced level - learning an instrument is a long-term investment! You can check out Jane Magrath's book for more information pianoinspires.com/publications/piano-literature-for-teaching-and-performance/ or the RCM syllabus is free to access online: rcmusic-kentico-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/rcm/media/main/about%20us/rcm%20publishing/piano-syllabus-2022-edition.pdf
I am itching to play the Bach Inventions, especially this one, but you explained I have to develop my keyboard skills. I can do Prélude in C Major, and used thoroughbass and can haltingly traspose it to other keys. I did the same with Moulin de Ville Opus 100, especially the first songs La Candeur, Arabesque and La Petite Réunion. I can do them in the keys up to 3 sharps and flats, and looked at Innocense. I just started it today, and the lines look like counterpoint. I was looking for the Love button, since like seemed to be too superficial.
I do not have a video giving order of difficulty, but I will say that I teach the C Major / F Major as a first invention. Then, as a second invention, I frequently use the B-flat Major, A Minor, or D Minor. I do have a video on the B-flat here: ua-cam.com/video/lAdEMU1nLhk/v-deo.html
👏🏻 Love this, Janna!! To echo what you’ve said, I am always puzzled why F Major is sometimes introduced first. I think it is significantly more difficult than several others.
Excellent tutorial. Thank you! Are you performing the beginning trills with fingers 2 and 3? That’s the suggested fingering in the Palmer edition, but while I can execute the trills with 2 and 3, I find that using 1 and 3 seem to come out faster and “crisper/cleaner” than 2 and 3. My problem with that, though, is that a 1, 3 trill, while sounding better to me, is a bit less reliable in terms of always executing it properly. For now, I’ve decided to probably stick with the 2,3 fingering until I learn the piece in full and then go back to trying with the 1,3 trill.
You are so right! They seem simple, but are quite complex, both technically and compositionally. You are also right that No.4 is more difficult. Good luck with No.1!
I watched your video about Bach A-minor. I teach piano for beginners and I also sing and play little guitar. Listen, ua-cam.com/video/egMBOMp7G8w/v-deo.html@illiamson
Many thanks for the inspiring input. I wonder: Do you have any good ideas for students who suffer from irritability in little fingers - and who therefore prefer to play this invention with the fourth finger on left hand in the motif rather than the fifth finger?
I'm not sure I'm understanding the question correctly, but the left hand in measure 1 could certainly begin on finger 4 instead of finger 5. I might actually prefer that fingering myself. In fact, if you watch at 2:56 that is the fingering I used! Regarding "irritability in little fingers" in general, I would advise working on rotation technique with a tall, relatively closed hand. Piano Safari has a good exercise called Monkey Swinging In a Tree, or you can use any rotation exercise. ua-cam.com/video/I5nmDhLkqd4/v-deo.html
@@JannaWilliamson Looks like you understood the meaning of my question! So many thanks for the feedback. I will with great interest study your suggestions with regard to annoyed pinky finger. At first glance, they make pretty good sense.
@@ebbenielsen7 You are welcome! If you have more technical (or other) questions, please check out my teacher consultation service. www.jannawilliamson.com/consult
If i get to a part that i forgot, should i just keep going with notes to best of my knowledge after I believe I have studied piece? Piece is so long somethime I forget and just play the notes to the best of my knowldege, rather than stopping and going back to the start of the piece.
The best thing to do is be able to start at several different places. Practice starting at the beginning of random measures. Have some important places where sections begin that you can start at, even if you have a problem before then. Good luck and happy practicing!
do you believe in learning one hand at a time, as older player? my right hand playing of course is stronger. If so should i try it on my weak hand first
This is a good question. Short answer: for polyphonic pieces like Bach Inventions, yes, hands separate practice is essential. However, I feel that many students rely too much on hands separate practice for too long and should work to strengthen their hands-together sight reading skills.
@@maxthecat1235 Unfortunately, because this is polyphonic, there's no good way to "block" the chords or do similar practice. You could isolate the notes in both hands that land on beat 1 and 3 of each measure to hear an outline of sorts, but unfortunately there are a lot of rests on the downbeats, making this not terribly satisfying.
@@JannaWilliamson how should i keep time,should i use the left hand count the eight notes and use that eight note count to focus on the sixtenth or use the sixtenth notes of melody to count out 8th notes the left hand
Do you have other intermediate pieces that you’d like me to cover in a future video? Leave a comment below!
Is Sechs kleine Praludien BWV 939 an imternediate piece?
@@MrMewsique yes, and I have a vide on that here: ua-cam.com/video/PThp2FbtTtI/v-deo.html
D. Scarlatti, Sonata in A major, K. 322
@@nicojar I love this piece! It's been a long time since I've taught it - I should do that this year and then make a video.
Great video Janna- I’m a pianist who completed RCM through end of grade 10 and stopped while working on ARCT- I’ve been trying to get through all 15 two part inventions and I found a man, Paul Barton who is adding things to bar 15- while you are playing without those additions- which version is correct? Thanks!
Here’s the link to Paul’s performance:
ua-cam.com/video/iHNxdOTFt7c/v-deo.htmlsi=srsgPBIHi68WmdTm
I've been playing blues and Jazz guitar my whole life. I started taking piano lessons in hopes that one day I could teach piano at least to beginners. My teacher is a classical pianist and he has given me several Bach pieces and I absolutely love them. I just started the first Invention and hearing you talk about your approach is a reminder that I've been living on a different planet. Bach has been mentioned quite a bit in the jazz classes I've taken and after learning a couple of his pieces I know why. He must have been an amazing improvisor. There is no way he could have produced the music he wrote by scratching his head and thinking "gee would this work?" I'm certain it came write out him on the spot. He probably wrote the inventions before lunch. I'm in absolute in awe of him. Thank you for the suggestions for learning this piece and the books.
Yes, he was an amazing improviser! So were Mozart and Beethoven and many other famous composers. During his lifetime, Bach was known primarily as an organist, one of the best of his day. What is most amazing to me is the combination of that fact with the incredible craftsmanship he brought to his composing, and HOW MUCH MUSIC he composed in his lifetime! Anyway, best wishes to you, and enjoy your Bach adventures. 😊
YES! I'm glad you discovered Herr Bach. He was the greatest of musicians. There's SO MUCH to be gained from studying his music. Enjoy.
Great comments.
I also am trying to learn Bach.
Great video
Thanks very much.
Look forward to next video.
I think you're right. Considering he didn't have time to scratch his head with 22 children. Things, including conversation must have moved fast.
I dragged myself through this and a few other Inventions as a beginner, then I heard of Clementi and learned to play his Sonatina No.1, and felt it was so much easier! I wish someone had told me the correct order of learning pieces and Clementi's existence.
You might enjoy finding a good graded series to work through. If Clementi Op.36 No.1 is correct, then try the Festival Collection book 3 amzn.to/4918K0A or Masterwork Classics book 4 amzn.to/48WNZmN. I also have a repertoire difficulty guide here: www.jannawilliamson.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-repertoire-difficulty
F Major is so hard followed by A minor! The C major is a great place to start. I love Bach.
Io ho iniziato a studiare le invenzioni dalla 8, la 1 sembra più complessa
F major is considered the 3rd easiest, after 1 and 4.
Excellent UA-cam find on my part.just yesterday I went looking for one of my books with the Inventions. I decided to tackle No. one for the reasons you gave. Have no teacher at present so thank god I found you.
You are the best in every way. You present yourself well you have an excellent voice for teaching. A pleasant manner and you demonstrate very well. If you were within commuting difference to Northampton, Ma. I would engage you. Thanks so much for posting.
Thank you for watching! I discuss more Bach pieces here: ua-cam.com/play/PLyxlD3l1usT6fnTwrDYNcUvNIgr1QN82w.html&si=vTsABJOzfqNtjA8t
Your channel is such a wonderful resource for educators and students alike!
Thank you!
Thank you! I'm working on this piece and your video is really helpful!
I'm surprised there are 6 to 7 levels leading up to the inventions. I know I'm not the most untalented beginner but after a method book and a lot of Czerny amongst other things, I have been tackling several of the inventions by accident and play them fairly well. My teacher tells me I have had a quick start but she doesn't go by any syllabus so i really wonder what leads up to the inventions in a normal beginners piano career. Thank you for your time and I really love how kind and calm you are
Levels 1 - 3 in the systems I reference would be considered elementary level, similar to any modern method book (Faber Piano Adventures, etc.). Levels 4-8 or so of many systems are considered intermediate (which include the inventions) and then usually somewhere around level 9-10 we consider it early advanced. It takes most pre-college students who practice a normal amount of time and who are learning to read and develop musicianships skills (not just play pieces by rote) at least 8 years to get to an early advanced level - learning an instrument is a long-term investment! You can check out Jane Magrath's book for more information pianoinspires.com/publications/piano-literature-for-teaching-and-performance/ or the RCM syllabus is free to access online: rcmusic-kentico-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/rcm/media/main/about%20us/rcm%20publishing/piano-syllabus-2022-edition.pdf
I am itching to play the Bach Inventions, especially this one, but you explained I have to develop my keyboard skills. I can do Prélude in C Major, and used thoroughbass and can haltingly traspose it to other keys. I did the same with Moulin de Ville Opus 100, especially the first songs La Candeur, Arabesque and La Petite Réunion. I can do them in the keys up to 3 sharps and flats, and looked at Innocense. I just started it today, and the lines look like counterpoint.
I was looking for the Love button, since like seemed to be too superficial.
Great video...subscribed! Thank you...
Janna do you have any good ideas for hand coordination - RIght hand and Left hand - This piece 16th and 8th notes
Very helpful. I am learning this now! Thank you again😊
Thank you for watching!
Thanks for recommending the Willard Palmer book. I like it very much. My teacher loves all the info at the beginning of the book. Very interesting.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching.
Thank you - very helpful
Thank you!
This is great, Janna. Thanks. Do you have a video that outlines the best order to teach/learn Bach's inventions?
I do not have a video giving order of difficulty, but I will say that I teach the C Major / F Major as a first invention. Then, as a second invention, I frequently use the B-flat Major, A Minor, or D Minor. I do have a video on the B-flat here: ua-cam.com/video/lAdEMU1nLhk/v-deo.html
👏🏻 Love this, Janna!! To echo what you’ve said, I am always puzzled why F Major is sometimes introduced first. I think it is significantly more difficult than several others.
Thank you! I’m glad I’m not the only one! 😁
Thanks for this 🎉
Thank you for watching!
Thanks so much for your instruction. I'm putting it to good use with my students!
You’re welcome!
really helpful thx
Wonderful session Janna!
Thank you!
I like your style, Janna.
Excellent tutorial. Thank you! Are you performing the beginning trills with fingers 2 and 3? That’s the suggested fingering in the Palmer edition, but while I can execute the trills with 2 and 3, I find that using 1 and 3 seem to come out faster and “crisper/cleaner” than 2 and 3. My problem with that, though, is that a 1, 3 trill, while sounding better to me, is a bit less reliable in terms of always executing it properly.
For now, I’ve decided to probably stick with the 2,3 fingering until I learn the piece in full and then go back to trying with the 1,3 trill.
I prefer to use 1 - 3 whenever possible on trills because of the amount of rotation that affords with the opposable thumbs. Hope that helps!
I'm working this piece after the No. 4 Invention. They're not so easy as it seems when one just look at the score but the No. 4 is much difficult.
You are so right! They seem simple, but are quite complex, both technically and compositionally. You are also right that No.4 is more difficult. Good luck with No.1!
@@JannaWilliamson thanks from France.
Det är väl för sjutton lättare Janna att börja drillen på huvudtonen. It's easier to trill/gliss on principal note.😊 Regards.
Yes, easier. But stylistically appropriate? That's the question.
I watched your video about Bach A-minor. I teach piano for beginners and I also sing and play little guitar. Listen, ua-cam.com/video/egMBOMp7G8w/v-deo.html@illiamson
How about Phantasy Dance by Schumann?
Great suggestion! I'll add that to the list.
Many thanks for the inspiring input. I wonder: Do you have any good ideas for students who suffer from irritability in little fingers - and who therefore prefer to play this invention with the fourth finger on left hand in the motif rather than the fifth finger?
I'm not sure I'm understanding the question correctly, but the left hand in measure 1 could certainly begin on finger 4 instead of finger 5. I might actually prefer that fingering myself. In fact, if you watch at 2:56 that is the fingering I used! Regarding "irritability in little fingers" in general, I would advise working on rotation technique with a tall, relatively closed hand. Piano Safari has a good exercise called Monkey Swinging In a Tree, or you can use any rotation exercise. ua-cam.com/video/I5nmDhLkqd4/v-deo.html
@@JannaWilliamson Looks like you understood the meaning of my question! So many thanks for the feedback. I will with great interest study your suggestions with regard to annoyed pinky finger. At first glance, they make pretty good sense.
@@ebbenielsen7 You are welcome! If you have more technical (or other) questions, please check out my teacher consultation service. www.jannawilliamson.com/consult
I think that's a mordent in 1st and 2nd bar not a trill pls correct me if I'm wrong?
My urtext edition has a standard trill.
@@JannaWilliamson
I also have urtext edition that's a upper mordent and lower mordent in bar 5
If i get to a part that i forgot, should i just keep going with notes to best of my knowledge after I believe I have studied piece? Piece is so long somethime I forget and just play the notes to the best of my knowldege, rather than stopping and going back to the start of the piece.
The best thing to do is be able to start at several different places. Practice starting at the beginning of random measures. Have some important places where sections begin that you can start at, even if you have a problem before then. Good luck and happy practicing!
I'm drunk from having a shot every time Bach is mentioned
What can I say? He's arguably the best composer of all time. 🙃
@@JannaWilliamson I know, right?! Lol I listen to all his keyboard and organ works daily for years a million times and never tire of it.
😊
do you believe in learning one hand at a time, as older player? my right hand playing of course is stronger. If so should i try it on my weak hand first
This is a good question. Short answer: for polyphonic pieces like Bach Inventions, yes, hands separate practice is essential. However, I feel that many students rely too much on hands separate practice for too long and should work to strengthen their hands-together sight reading skills.
@@JannaWilliamson I will try the hands together to see if I can learn it
is there a chord pattern i can try instead of the single notes to help me learn piece
@@maxthecat1235 Unfortunately, because this is polyphonic, there's no good way to "block" the chords or do similar practice. You could isolate the notes in both hands that land on beat 1 and 3 of each measure to hear an outline of sorts, but unfortunately there are a lot of rests on the downbeats, making this not terribly satisfying.
@@JannaWilliamson how should i keep time,should i use the left hand count the eight notes and use that eight note count to focus on the sixtenth or use the sixtenth notes of melody to count out 8th notes the left hand
❤❤🎉🎉🎉
Thank you for watching! More info here: www.jannawilliamson.com/blog/how-to-teach-bachs-invention-no1
HI Janna!
Hi Dave! 😆
@@JannaWilliamson I was searching for videos on Bach Inventions and a familiar face popped up! Such a happy surprise! I hope you are well.
I had hopes that she would just play...
You are so gorgeous and beautiful besides your teaching
Sono italiana, che fatica seguirti anche con i sottotitoli, parli troppo velocemente. Comunque, grazie...
Wissen wir doch:
BACH war Amerikaner !!!
Feme
"i love bak" cmon please pronouce it correctly
i would like to hear you play it talk is cheap
Lol shut up
Very helpful, thank you
You're welcome! New video up today - part 2 on the A minor Invention: ua-cam.com/video/wJsG8GjAEW8/v-deo.html