J.S.Bach’s Invention No. 5 BWV 776 in Eb is a dynamic and lively movement featuring patterns and shapes that have a strong unifying element. In the sheet music video score, which keyboard players may wish to refer to on the PlentyMusic YouTube channel the ornaments have been written out in full to clarify how they should be played. In this energetic and lively invention the lower mordent is a particular features. The Bach Inventions are generally intermediate level movements when played on a keyboard instrument. As for many of the inventions it is possibly a good idea to play the first two bars (possibly 4 bars) until they are known thoroughly before progressing to the rest of the movement. The inventions provide excellent opportunities for musicians to improve and develop a secure keyboard technique. Suggested fingering in this invention is frequently based on the direction in which the hands are moving particularly relevant for this movement because both hands are busy. An engaging and dynamic performance piece that needs to played at around 88 - 100 quarter note or crotchet beats to the minute. On the compositional processes front the sequence is quite an evident compositional process in this invention Remember that music needs to be performed slowly before it can be performed quickly. The last bar has been edited to represent current performance practice. 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. On a piano or weighted keyboard there is an opportunity to distribute the weight between the hands to give prominence to the entries of thematic material. Keyboard players will find it rewarding to listen to performances of this invention on streaming platforms to get a sense of the importance of this aspect of piano playing. A plain score is attached to the edited music score available as a pdf download from the PlentyMusic website.
