Invention No. 12 in A major
About this arrangement
Bach wrote the inventions in Köthen as teaching pieces, first for his son Wilhelm Friedemann, and made a fair copy of the set in 1723. Its title page says the aim is to play two voices clearly and to learn a cantabile style.
Count four beats per bar, each split into three. Practise the trill passages hands separately and keep the trill light, so the moving voice in the other hand stays clear.
Start with short loops.
Use the section list as a practice map. Start at 50% tempo, loop one section, then return to the full piece once the hand shape feels stable.
Choose Right or Left to focus on one hand. Wait for note checks the highlighted notes as you play them on the screen or a connected MIDI keyboard.
Before you practice.
01 What level is Bach Invention No. 12?
Intermediate. The 12/8 metre and the long trills are the main challenges.
02 How long is Invention No. 12 BWV 783?
Our edition has 21 bars.
03 How do I count 12/8?
As four beats, each made of three eighth notes. Feeling the four beats keeps the long runs from losing their pulse.
