Well Tempered Clavier - How to start

[fleetfingers]

I have been learning a few Bach Inventions and love to play them. I would like to learn some of the WTC, but I am not familiar with it and don't know where to start. I'm not necessarily looking for the easiest ones, but rather the pieces that are the most enjoyable to play and/or listen to. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks is advance!!! 

[jbmorel78]

Why don't you have a listen to see which one you enjoy most, since that is your criterium?

In my opinion, the second prelude and fugue, from book one is a good entrée into the work.  The prelude is a quasi-invention, so not a bad transition for you.  Bach is at his best (as he often is) here, implying four or more parts out of two voices.  It is an excellent opportunity to learn phrasing in perpetuum mobile, and you may find yourself enjoying some, er, fleet-fingered passages toward the end.

The fugue is in three voices, often heard, but with good reason!  Again, marvelous what he was able to do with one line - listen to how he implies harmony in the subject alone.

As I said, though, see which of "the 48" you like best - it is most important that you find one that interests you.

Very best,
JBM

[slow_concert_pianist]

At the beginning?

Uh-ho....I reread your post! Try Book 1 No 10 prelude and fugue. The fugue is arguably one of the hardest Bach wrote and only has 2 voices (quasi 2 part invention). Because of the lack of complexity [you will find every combination of subject/answer in the book 2 "mirror" fugues] at a very slow speed this should reward you with insight into Bach. I also recommend no's 5, 6 and 18 from book 1 initially. 12, 19, 20 would be my next choice for progression. Do not touch book 2 until you feel confident with all in book 1.

That's my advice

[ch101]

book one 1 and 2

[thalbergmad]

hahahahahaha

[pianist1976]

book one 1 and 2

LOL 

Man, are you real? 

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

Well you probably plan to learn them all one day, don't you, so I guess it doesn't matter much? 
I think they  all are enjoyable to listen to. You should probably listen to them all and decide for yourself.
I haven't played many of them so if you ask me which ones are the most enjoyable to play, it wouldn't really be helpful. But IMO Bach is always fun and rewarding to play.

My teacher told me that no 2 and no 10 from book 1 are probably the easier ones. I know you aren't necessarily looking for the easier ones... but she told me people usually start with one of those. I like them

[musikalischer_wirbelwind_280]

Like thinkgreenlovepiano already said, I think all of them are very enjoyable to listen to, but some suggestions for the first book: Prelude No.8 as well as Preludes 13, 14, 17, 20 and 24; Fugues: 2, 3 (this one can be a beast the first few times because of the key it's in (C-sharp major) but I find it to be one of the most awesome good ole Johann ever wrote  ), 7, 10, 16 and 24.

As for the second book: Preludes: 2, 5, 6, 7, 9 (astoundingly beautiful, this one, IMHO), 10, 12, 15, 20 (can be tricky, too, but more than worth the time you spend practising it), 23 and 24. And Fugues: 1, 5, 7, 12, 18, (definitely a beast at first, especially if your sight-reading is not that great yet, but it's among the very best of those from the second book) and 24.


Musikalischer Wirbelwind

"Beethoven himself never again approached this feat of fiery imagination; he wrote other, perhaps greater, works, but he never again took such a fling at the universe..."

-Paul Henry Lang

[musicluvr49]

Hi.

I'm doing the Prelude and Fugue no. 13 right now. It's one of the first ones I've done, and not too difficult. The Prelude is pretty easy, and very enjoyable to listen too as well, one of my personal favorites.  And the fugue isn't too bad. It has three voices.

[fleetfingers]

Thank you for your suggestions! I am going to listen to the ones you mentioned and consider them. I know they're probably all great and I could start with whichever one...I just wanted to hear what others have enjoyed.