Invention 6 BWV 777 in the key of E is a movement that features figuration and an exploration of shapes rather than ornamentation. The two voices are frequently moving in contrary motion. Legato playing is suggested for this invention and the realisation plays back at 32 dotted quarter note or dotted crotchet beats to the minute. The repeats whilst indicated in the sheet music score are not played in the mp3 realisation. This invention sounds so easy on the ear but it is a nightmare to read because of the accidentals. The reading of the notes and accidentals requires attention especially in the second section and note values need to played accurately. There are opportunities to explore changing fingers on a note technique and some of the leaps need to be managed when preparing a performance of this score. Remember that all good piano playing is about good preparation. Sliding a finger from a black to a white note is another technique that is appropriate when playing this invention. The familiar compositional processes of imitation, inversion, sequence feature strongly in the movement. It is wise for players to listen to performances of this invention on streaming media to understand the different approaches that players have when performing this movement. What is fascinating is to hear some of the greatest pianists and harpsichordists playing what are considered to be learning pieces. The Bach Inventions are generally considered to be intermediate level movements when played on a keyboard instrument. The principle behind J. S. Bach’s two part inventions is to take a musical idea or motive and then process it following the rules of good contrapuntal writing using the compositional processes of the baroque and at the same time referencing the closely related keys in the journey. Inversion, repetition, sequence, transposition, rhythmic augmentation/diminution amongst processes are evident in Bach’s inventions as most other music of the baroque period. J. S. Bach composed 15 Inventions in a collection dating from 1723 intended to introduce keyboard players to composition techniques of the baroque. They are excellent pieces for developing a sound and secure keyboard technique. There is opportunity to distribute the weight between the hands to give prominence to the entries of thematic material. Pianists will find it rewarding to listen to performances of this invention on streaming platforms particularly on the piano to get a sense of how important an aspect of piano playing this is. A plain sheet music score is attached to the edited music score in the pdf download.
