Inventions and Sinfonias (Bach) facts for kids
The Inventions and Sinfonias are 30 pieces of music for keyboard instruments. They were written by the famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach around 1720 and updated in 1723. These pieces are sometimes called the Two and Three Part Inventions.
Bach organized these pieces in a special way. He put them in order of how high or low their musical key sounds. Each group of pieces covers all the main major and minor keys. Bach created these pieces as practice exercises for his 12-year-old son, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach. The first versions from 1720 can be found in his son's Little Keyboard Book. These inventions and sinfonias are often used by students to get ready for Bach's more advanced work, The Well-Tempered Clavier.
Back in Bach's time, the piano had not been invented yet. So, Bach used a harpsichord to compose and play these pieces. A harpsichord is a keyboard instrument that makes sound by plucking strings.
Why Bach Wrote These Pieces
Bach wrote a special note at the beginning of his Inventions and Sinfonias. He explained that these pieces were for people who loved playing keyboard instruments, especially those who wanted to learn.
He wanted to teach them:
- How to play clearly with two different musical lines at the same time.
- How to play correctly and well with three different musical lines as they got better.
- How to come up with good musical ideas and develop them.
- Most importantly, how to play in a "singing" style (called cantabile) and get a good start in composing music.
What Are Inventions and Sinfonias?
The Inventions are pieces that have two independent musical lines. Think of it like two different voices singing at the same time, but played on a keyboard. The Sinfonias are similar, but they have three independent musical lines. This makes them a bit more complex.
These pieces are great for learning how to play different parts of music at once. They help musicians develop strong finger skills and understand how musical ideas can be woven together.
Images for kids
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Invention No. 1 in C major (first few notes)
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Sinfonia No. 1 in C major (first few notes)
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Invention No. 2 in C minor (first few notes)
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Sinfonia No. 2 in C minor (first few notes)
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Invention No. 3 in D major (first few notes)
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Sinfonia No. 3 in D major (first few notes)
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Invention No. 4 in D minor (first few notes)
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Sinfonia No. 4 in D minor (first few notes)
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Invention No. 5 in E-flat major (first few notes)
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Sinfonia No. 5 in E-flat major (first few notes)
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Invention No. 6 in E major (first few notes)
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Sinfonia No. 6 in E major (first few notes)
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Invention No. 7 in E minor (first few notes)
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Sinfonia No. 7 in E minor (first few notes)
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Invention No. 8 in F major (first few notes)
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Sinfonia No. 8 in F major (first few notes)
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Invention No. 9 in F minor (first few notes)
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Sinfonia No. 9 in F minor (first few notes)
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Invention No. 10 in G major (first few notes)
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Sinfonia No. 10 in G major (first few notes)
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Invention No. 11 in G minor (first few notes)
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Sinfonia No. 11 in G minor (first few notes)
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Invention No. 12 in A major (first few notes)
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Sinfonia No. 12 in A major (first few notes)
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Invention No. 13 in A minor (first few notes)
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Sinfonia No. 13 in A minor (first few notes)
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Invention No. 14 in B-flat major (first few notes)
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Sinfonia No. 14 in B-flat major (first few notes)
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Invention No. 15 in B minor (first few notes)
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Sinfonia No. 15 in B minor (first few notes)
See also
In Spanish: Invenciones y sinfonías, BWV 772-801 para niños
