Bach’s “Inventions” are one of the essential method books you can’t skip if you want to study classical music in depth.
They’re said to be ideal for honing advanced performance technique and musical expression—such as “moving the hands independently” and “distinguishing multiple voices”—but many players may feel they look intimidating.
This article clearly explains the overview and characteristics of the “Inventions,” along with tips for improving.
What Are Bach’s “Inventions”?
History and Overview of the Inventions
“Inventions and Sinfonias” is a collection of keyboard (clavier) studies composed by the Baroque master Johann Sebastian Bach.
- Two-part Inventions (15 pieces)
- Three-part Sinfonias (15 pieces)
Although each piece is short, they are polyphonic (multi-voice) works in which independent melodies are played simultaneously by the right and left hands.
Performers are required to control overlapping lines and harmonic nuance with great delicacy.
Why Are the Inventions So Famous?
- Learn the basics of polyphony: By experiencing a representative Baroque style, you deepen your overall understanding of music.
- Build advanced technique and expression: Even if the score looks simple, actually playing it requires considerable focus and technique.
- A standard part of the classical repertoire: Piano learners often study them on the path from “intermediate to advanced,” and they are frequently chosen as competition or exam pieces.
(*Polyphonic pieces go beyond a right-hand melody with left-hand accompaniment—the left hand also presents its own melodic line.)
Key Characteristics of the Inventions
Pros
◯ Train both hands evenly
Because the melody appears in both hands, your technique improves in a balanced way without favoring one side.
◯ Acquire polyphonic expression
You cultivate the ability to let multiple voices sing independently while sounding together, making it easier to shape layered textures in other classical works.
◯ Deepen understanding of music theory
The pieces develop the subject in various ways, offering a great opportunity to study harmony and counterpoint.
Cons
◻︎ Challenging for beginners
Right after Beyer or Burgmüller, the difficulty of playing polyphony can feel high.
◻︎ Expression can feel abstract
Unlike Romantic or contemporary music, there’s often less obvious melodic and harmonic progression, which can make the appeal harder to grasp at first.
◻︎ Requires careful organization of sound
You need a detailed plan—what voice to bring out, how to use the pedal—so the hands don’t interfere with each other.
Effective Ways to Study the Inventions
Here are practice tips and ways to stay motivated while studying the Inventions.
Practice Tips
◯ Practice hands separately and by voice
First, practice the right- and left-hand voices separately to grasp their lines and rhythms. For some pieces, extract each of the two or three voices and work on them independently to better understand the structure.
◯ Use a slow tempo to check overlapped notes
Accurately aligning the timing of overlapping sounds is crucial in polyphony. Start slowly with a metronome, making every note speak clearly.
◯ Be meticulous with dynamics and articulation (staccato, legato, etc.)
Bach often writes few explicit dynamic markings. Thoughtful shaping adds three-dimensionality to the music.
How to Stay Motivated
◯ Build momentum with short-phrase goals
Because the pieces aren’t long, setting small goals—every two or four measures—helps you feel steady progress.
◯ Record and review objectively
Record your playing and check whether overlapping voices are clear and the rhythm is steady.
◯ Study the theory via guides or lessons
A little knowledge of counterpoint and Bach’s techniques heightens the music’s appeal and boosts motivation.
Comparing the Inventions with Other Piano Methods
Burnam
Difficulty / Stage: Introductory to beginner
Key features
Short mini-pieces with stick-figure drawings let you learn melody and rhythm fundamentals enjoyably.
Who is it for?
Use as a warm-up before starting Beyer or Burgmüller to acquire finger independence and movement more smoothly.
Beyer
Difficulty / Stage: Absolute beginner to beginner
Key features
Learn fingerings and reading step by step—the foundations of piano playing.
Who is it for?
• Complete beginners and self-learners
• Those who want to firm up the very basics of piano
Hanon
Difficulty / Stage: Useful across a wide range—from beginners learning basics to advanced players
Key features
• Intensively strengthens finger agility with repeated patterns such as scales and arpeggios
• With little melodic content, it’s ideal for warm-ups and reinforcing weak techniques
Who is it for?
• Those who want to increase finger independence
• Those who want to stabilize fundamentals in preparation for later studies (Czerny, Inventions, etc.)
Burgmüller
Difficulty / Stage: After finishing Beyer—beginner to pre-intermediate
Key features
Learn expression and technique in balance through beautiful, melodious pieces.
Who is it for?
• Those who want to build higher performance skills while enjoying characterful pieces
• Learners seeking to broaden their musicality after Beyer
Czerny
Difficulty / Stage: Beginner to advanced (e.g., 30, 40, 50 sets)
Key features
Studies specialized for technical reinforcement—finger independence, fast passagework, etc.
Who is it for?
• Those who want solid finger training and stable classical performance
• Requires strategies to keep motivation up if monotony is an issue
Sonatina Album
Difficulty / Stage: In parallel with Czerny 30 and the Inventions to intermediate
Key features
Focuses on Classical-era sonatinas; promotes understanding of form and improved expression.
Who is it for?
• Those who want to step from Baroque to Classical and tackle larger works
• Learners who wish to deepen their grasp of theory and structure
An Example Study Flow
- Burnam (intro–beginner): Enjoyably learn the basics with stick-figure illustrations
- Beyer: Acquire piano fundamentals (notes, rhythm, fingering, etc.)
- Hanon: Exercises that increase finger independence and agility
- Burgmüller: Emphasize melodic beauty and expression while developing early–pre-intermediate technique
- Czerny (around 30): Acquire more advanced techniques such as finger independence and fast passagework
- Inventions: Study multi-voice expression and true hand independence
- Sonatina Album: Learn Classical forms and progress to the intermediate level
The order will vary depending on the learner’s situation and goals.
For example, many teachers flexibly introduce the Inventions early while continuing Czerny in parallel.
Next Steps After the Inventions: Study Plans for Intermediate and Beyond
Recommended Books & Pieces After Finishing the Inventions
◯ Sonatina Album
Moving from the Baroque into the Classical era—studying sonata form and the structure of longer works—broadens your performance range.
◯ In parallel: Chopin and other Romantic miniatures
Alongside Classical composers like Mozart and Beethoven, try Romantic pieces (Chopin waltzes and nocturnes, Schumann, etc.) to learn a wider palette of expression.
Combining with Lessons and Online Study
◯ In-person lessons
Polyphonic expression includes many points that are hard to notice when studying alone (articulation, balance among voices, etc.), so teacher feedback is crucial.
◯ Online lessons
Convenient for those who are busy or live far away. Use recording to check the balance among voices objectively.
Summary: How to Make the Most of Bach’s “Inventions”
The Inventions are a highly meaningful method: while learning Bach’s compositional techniques, you train independent hand control and savor the appeal of multi-voice music.
- Pros: Engage with the essence of Baroque music and acquire polyphonic expressive skills
- Cons: Higher difficulty for beginners; expression can feel abstract and harder to grasp
- Effective practice: Hands-separate drills; slow-tempo checking of overlaps; careful articulation
- Next steps: Move on to the Sonatina Album and Romantic pieces to broaden your expressive range
As you study the Inventions, you can fully savor the Baroque delight of “three-dimensional sound.”
They may feel difficult at first, but by understanding the structure and voice-leading and practicing slowly and accurately, your performance skills and musical understanding will improve dramatically.