Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner Learning the 15 Bach two part Inventions

Rather than Hijack the thread that inspired me to write I decided to make a new one.
Upon reading a suggestion (perhaps even a challenge even though I don't believe it was intended that way) to learn all 15 Bach 2 part inventions I was inspired to consider learning them. Hence I am considering and also hence I am looking for experience, encouragement and advice. Perhaps a story of your experience learning the inventions some inventions or an invention. Perhaps advice on how to go about learning the inventions. A suggested order of difficulty, inventions which contrast well together, or prepare for another. Perhaps a plan that worked for you. Perhaps specific ways which you have found helpful to practice the inventions. Perhaps encouragement telling how the inventions have helped your playing.
Anything anyone has to offer would be appreciated Thanks!

Over the last summer, I set out on a quest to learn all 15. I eventually learned 8 of them by memory and read through the others a few times.

They were extremely helpful in the all-around sculpting of my technique. These are not only benifital as exercises but are great recital pieces and warm up pieces. Not only does it exercise your fingers, it exercises your brain. Invention number 13 is my favorite by far.


I'd start with number 1, then 4, 8, 2, 13 and the rest should be pretty much up to you. I learned 1,8, and 14 before starting my "quest" so I tackled them pretty much in order.

Have fun.