Bernhard's Bach's First Invention

[qpalqpal]

Once they can recognise the motif entries form the score, we start actually  playing the motifs. At this point I will give the student a score where only the motifs appear, all other notes being deleted. We will practise this score until the student can play the whole piece (motifs only) perfectly. Our aims now are: correct fingering, development of the necessary movement/finger co-ordination to tackle the motif sequence, and motif recognition (as s/he plays, s/he must say what s/he is playing: motif, inversion or retrograde). S/he must be able to play the whole piece twice: one bringing out the inversions, the next bringing out the retrogrades. Finally, and this is really the most important: S/he must be able to play the piece without bringing out either inversion or retrograde, for if you do so you destroy the ambiguity.

This is part of Bernhard's method, which is to have a score with only motif in it. My question is, how are you going to figure out fingering like this if you are omitting notes? It doesn't make sense because when you add the other omitted notes, the fingering will be screwed up. Or am I wrong?

Please help, I really want to get going on this invention.

[m1469]

First figure out the fingering in the original (what you will use when playing everything together), and when you work in sections/parts, use the fingering you would use when everything is together.

[qpalqpal]

Ahhhh!! Okay, thanks m1469! Very helpful, I get it now. How do I get a "motif only" sheet music

[m1469]

First you will want to be able to recognize what the motif is.  Then, do some analysis to find it everywhere you can in the piece.  Then, you can write your own motif-only score with this very cool, free software, here:  https://musescore.org/

[qpalqpal]

Oh my gosh, I tried using this program, but it printed weird. Oh well, Ill try again.

[m1469]

Let us know what you find .

[qpalqpal]

Success! Here is the motif edition I made. Now what do I do!>?

[m1469]

Well, learn the h*ll outta it, of course.  btw, I didn't fully check it since it's inverted and retrograde (and cut off a little).

[qpalqpal]

Yes, I understand, but how do I learn it? Because later I have add all the rest of the notes. Do I learn it in time or just kind of willy nilly. Explain please

[m1469]

Ultimately in time (and imagining everything in between motives), but at first you can take the motifs by themselves without stringing them together in time.  But as I explained about fugues to you, it's the same with this, as well.  I didn't talk about learning subjects alone in that description, but all of the same musical principles apply.  Now, do it, please.