The Inventions in the classroom

Bach wrote the Inventions and Sinfonias for his pupils, and put a title-page on them that says what they are for: an honest way of learning to play in two and three parts, and to get good ideas of one’s own.

What we listen for

Each hand has a line of its own, and the two are never allowed to become melody and accompaniment. Gould played Bach as if the lines were voices; a good exercise is to play one hand and sing the other.

What to bring

The score, a pencil, and the fingering you actually use. The reading list is on the private page for the masterclass (ask for the password when you enrol).