Invention in D Minor No. 4 (BWV 775)

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Quarantine-Spot Practice

This article comes from our series on Quarantine Spots and shows how to use quarantining and other practice tools to approach two challenging spots within the work. Click here to find out more about quarantining and to view other works featured in this manner.

The Inventions (in two parts) and the Sinfonias (in three parts) were begun in 1720 as part of a manuscript book devoted to the musical education of Bach’s eldest son, Wilhelm Friedemann, then 9 years old. These pieces have certainly withstood the test of time, and are played throughout the world by intermediate players and concert artists alike.

I have identified two Q-spots in this work where many people get stuck. You’ve probably guessed where these spots are – the two places where we find extended trills:

• Bar 18 – Downbeat of 23
• Bar 29 – Downbeat of bar 35

I’m going to give you a very detailed approach to the first Q-spot only. You will then be able to apply this to the second one.

Resources & links Click here to view open domain editions for this work (external link). Click here to view The Practice Tools Lecture Series which provides an overview of further practice tools. Practising the Piano Multimedia eBook Series - Part 1 (Practice Strategies and Approaches) - click here to download if you already own it or click here to purchase from our store.

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