Invention 10 BWV 781 in the key of G is a challenging invention to play simply from how individual keyboard players approach how to articulate the notes point. It is interesting to observe the approaches to playing this movement. Many play the invention articulating the eighth note or quavers staccato while others play the movement with a legato touch. The former approach requires a lightness in the hands and can be a challenging to play because of the tension that is created in the hands and wrist. Players should 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 really considered to be basic learning pieces. The best way of learning anything about music is by listening although in this modern world video footage now offers a very supportive and complementary medium particularly when camera angles allow viewers to see what musician’s hands are during a performance. In the video score, which keyboard players may wish to refer to on the PlentyMusic YouTube channel ornaments have been written out as they sound in the realisation to represent exactly what is being played. Articulation markings are also indicated in this particular score. The music editor has avoided placing ornaments occurring at the same time in the two voices. The long trills occurring in bar 20 (treble clef) and bar 23 (bass clef) need to be played in a rhythmical and controlled manner with the left hand trill mirroring the right hand. The suggested fingering in place on the edited music score is frequently determined by the direction in which the music and the hands are moving. Remember that movements cannot be played quickly until they be played slowly! The music editor has chosen not to double ornaments where they occur in both voices simply because it lessens and contradicts the contrast in the parts. The Bach Inventions are generally considered to be intermediate level movements when played on a keyboard instrument. 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. 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 key system. 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. A plain score is attached to the edited music score.
