J.S. Bach: Invention No. 4 in D minor (Teaching & Performance Video)

[@elisamartini1694]

Good-morning Sally. Thank you for your kind words. It is a blessing for me. Thank you.

[@bolldamm3966]

Considering how many apprentice pianists must at some time have learned, or wanted to learn, this piece around the world, this video should have not 79K but 79M views. Bach *does* have soul and Sally Christian helps you feel (and understand!) it.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Stephen, thank you for your beautiful comment! 🙏You are so kind and generous, and I am very touched by your words of support. 🎵 Many best wishes to you.

[@oiva.siltamaki.]

GREAT THANK YOU💯🙋‍♂️

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Oiva, thank you very much for your kind and enthusiastic words. You are welcome, it is my pleasure! Best wishes to you. 🎵

[@sandrasamano3839]

Es placer escucharla gracias maestra Sally.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Gracias Sandra por tus amables y apreciadas palabras. De nada, es un placer para mí. Mejores deseos para usted. 🎶

[@jasonreddish6125]

You're videos remind me of reading Shakespeare. you think you get it but then you take a class and can't believe how much genius u truly miss without some explanation. Thanks a bunch and bravo. Love your passion !!!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hi Jason, and thank you so much for your wonderful message! It was an exhilarating process for me identifying the subject and the many subject variations while making the materials for this lesson & chart package. I agree with you, there is so much genius in Bach's beloved invention in D minor. I'm so happy you found the information helpful!

[@Materva-hv6sz]

I love your enthusiasm for music

[@GracefulLiving1]

Never used my breathing when playing piano before. Is definately going to give it a try

[@SallyChristianMusic]

I'm glad you will give this a try! 🌸

[@suzannelebizarre5705]

This is still a favorite of my own...and JS Bach is still my favorite composer...and you are rapidly becoming a favorite as someone who actually explains the "bricks and mortar" of each of Bach's compositions...and still would wish you would play them through...after you're done explaining them...

[@trz5rtzrtz45zfghfghrt4]

Wow, thank you so much ! This is more than i was hoping to find about this piece. It's captivating how you look at the music, you are the piano teacher i wish i had ;) Greetings from germany :)

[@SallyChristianMusic]

+Chris P Thank you, Chris, for your very kind words which I appreciate hearing!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hi Athy, Yes, I love this one, too! I've already started to engrave Invention No. 5, and the companion tutorial video will most likely be in the group of Inventions I post sometime next year.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Athy, I'm happy to let you know that the tutorial for Bach Invention No. 5 is now available! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZiWnqWIZ914Z6s

[@elisamartini1694]

You give me the energy to learn JS BACH. It is a great joy to listen to you. Thank you so much. I wish I could learn this piece of music quickly.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Elisa, thank you so much for your generous and thoughtful words! I really appreciate everything you have said. I love the words you have chosen. Having "energy and joy" is an essential place to start our day and our practice sessions. I find that when I first fill myself with these as I practice carefully and consistently, every step of the learning process becomes more enjoyable and fruitful. It's not how fast we get there but how much joy we have with the journey! With very best wishes to you and with your playing. 💕

[@derinderruheliegt]

After a long obsessive period with later Romantic works, I’m going back to Bach. It is mesmerizing to ponder the genius in these short inventions, and then to think how he achieved this over and over in what seems like endless volumes. I’m about halfway through the two voice inventions (not going in order) and I just started the D minor. Today I was sight reading...quite slowly...and was struck by the harmonies at the slower tempo. Although I’ll still be aiming for a faster tempo to keep an eye on technique, I’m really going to enjoy performing this “for myself” at a singing tempo. Would love to hear your thoughts on this! After I read through a new invention a couple of times I always come to your videos to get heading in the right direction.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello derinderruheliegt, thank you for your inspiring words. I completely agree that playing Bach at a cantabile "singing tempo" is a wonderful way to practice the inventions as well as to better hear what is really in the music. I often play these at a very slow tempo, and am amazed at the progressive harmonies Bach uses. I appreciate hearing that my tutorials on the inventions are helpful and that you are going to them as a guide. Best wishes to you with your wonderful project of playing all 15 Bach Two-Part Inventions! 🎵

[@bachbaroque4154]

😊

[@megaBredman]

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND TEACH ,, every morning I look your piano VIDEOS before studying piano,, cheers FROM COLOMBIA!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

+Bredman Marin This is so nice to hear! Thanks for letting me know, and best wishes to you, Bredman!

[@jordanodonoghue2772]

your videos are so insightful and detailed it really is a help. I found that your video on the spectacular solfeggetio was particularly helpful.

[@tonybayliss8530]

Thank you so much for this Sally. You have no idea just how helpful this video is and how much pleasure it is giving

[@SallyChristianMusic]

+Tony Bayliss Hi Tony, and thank you so very much for your wonderful words; I really appreciate hearing this! Best wishes to you!

[@bestoftiktok4939]

you are amazing, thanks for this video.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Best of Tik Tok, thank you for your kind and appreciated words! You are welcome, it is my pleasure. Best wishes to you and with your playing. 🎶

[@antonelloserani5194]

My sincere appreciation for your appassionate teaching. All your lessons are an assertive demonstration of the fractal logic of Bach and of his greatness. Thank you!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Antonello, thank you for your thoughtful and articulate comment! I really appreciate your generous words. Best wishes to you!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Thank you, Colin, for letting me know it was helpful!

[@lizquinn71644]

SallyChristianMusic

[@manonj7990]

This is the best teaching video of this piece I have come across on KZbin. I’m mostly self taught, currently learning this piece and your insight was invaluable. I started with only the black and white notes and now those notes are filled with so many ideas! I listened to other video analyzing this piece, which were very helpful, but your video not only helped me understand but FEEL the music!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Manon, thank you so much for your generous and articulate words! I'm very happy to hear that this lesson is helping you with the analysis as well as understanding the importance of the feelings behind the notes! I believe this is what Bach was asking for with his words of Sincere Instruction: "but most of all, to achieve a cantabile style in playing." I wish you all the best with your playing and your journey with the piano. :-)

[@NickRossi]

Wow, this is so incredibly helpful. I love how you emphasized breathing and focused on cantabile. Thank you so much!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Nick, and thank you so much for your thoughtful words. I appreciate you commenting specifically about cantabile playing and breathing. In his preface, Bach above all stresses the importance of achieving a "cantabile style of playing." Best wishes to you!

[@abbywasserman2051]

A revelation to hear you take apart this familiar piece! I loved the teaching part and the performance.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

+Abby Wasserman Thank you, Abby, for your kind and generous comment!

[@pedropauloprocopio8017]

Amazing... Makes us fall in love with music even more!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Pedro, thank you for your wonderful words which I really appreciate! All best wishes to you!

[@blogleftbanker]

As an older student making my second (and more determined) effort to learn the piano, I get a lot out of your lessons so thank you very much. You dress so elegantly that I’ve decided that I need to change out of my sweats or pajamas when I sit down to play. I hope it helps (I need all I can get).

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Leftbanker, thank you for your very nice comment. Your delightful words have brought a smile to my face! I think you have the necessary determination, and I encourage you to go "gently down the stream" with your piano studies. It's not how long it takes, but how enjoyable you can make the journey. All best wishes to you!

[@joselevicanasenjo2171]

I have seen other tutoriais of yours. Some i dentro like, but personalizado this is the best tutorial of yours, ... not only of yours but the best at all. I kiked your tempo, interpretation. It is not mechanic at all.... thanks fot posting.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Thank you for your very kind words about this tutorial and the interpretation! Best wishes to you. 🎵

[@elisamartini1694]

Thank you for explaining so well. I would like to order your sheet of music, because I would like to learn it much faster.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Elisa, thank you so much for your very kind words! You are welcome, it is my pleasure. I appreciate your interest in ordering your New Layout Chart sheet music. Best wishes to you and with your playing. 🎵

[@andyarleo1940]

Thank you so much for such clear explanations of the formal patterns and theory that underlie this beautiful piece, and for the musicality and expression you bring to it. I like the way you took out the C# in measure 2, which allowed me to spot all the "mirror images" (or symmetry) in this composition, that is identical notes on either side of a central note that is on the downbeat of a measure, e.g. DEFGABb(C#)BbAGFED in the opening. We then find a series of mirror images starting on the 2nd note of measure 29, AG#F#ED(C)DEF#G#A, this time descending then ascending. I find great beauty and satisfaction in these patterns, both to the ear and the eye.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Andy, thank you so much for your articulate and generous words about this lesson! I appreciate hearing your observations about the patterns, especially regarding the mirror images of the ascending and descending melodic lines on either side of a single anchor note. I agree that it is deeply satisfying to see and hear the beauty in these patterns. When we phrase them with our breathing as if we were literally singing them, we bring out even more the cantabile quality that Bach has requested in his "Sincere Instruction" preface: ... "but most of all to achieve a cantabile style of playing..." I wish you much joy as you play and delve deeply into these timeless Bach Inventions!

[@Widiar0]

It's always a pleasure to see your videos, ideas and insights for this pieces. I listen to this videos always when they come up, even if I am not practicing the piece or having time to play piano. Thank you very much for sharing, I hope to see and hear more of this in the future.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Widiar Hello Widiar, and thank you for letting me know you are benefiting from watching the videos, even if you're not working on the piece at the moment. I really appreciate hearing this!

[@Kevin-kl8ey]

I love your content and teaching style! This was such a treat to watch

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Kevin, thank you so much for your kind and generous words! I really appreciate hearing that you enjoyed the content and style! 🎵 With very best wishes to you.

[@bottom.tier.pianist]

Thank you very much! Your lecture is wonderful. It brings me to the next level in understanding this piece.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Amber, thank you very much for your generous words about this lecture. I am so happy to hear that it helped you to better understand this piece! 🎶Wishing the best to you and with your playing.

[@tomasino100]

I am glad I discovered you: simply amazing how technology is helping a vast majority of us learner of the piano to be exposed to the best teachers and masters of the world. Distance is not an obstacle anymore, Well done and keep it up!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Salvatore! Thank you for your much appreciated and encouraging words! I so agree about the wonders of technology making possible instant and world wide communication. I am happy to be participating & grateful to be of help. Best wishes to you!

[@fieldfullofthistles]

I have just bought the sheet music for the inventions for solo classical guitar and I really enjoyed watching this video on the various parts and construction of this one. I love the chart idea you have come up with.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

fieldfullofthistles Thank you for your kind words and for your appreciation of the charts as a tool for better understanding the piece. I'm sure it will sound beautiful on the guitar, too!

[@wowhitedrs]

I am late to the party, April 2020, but I wanted to say I enjoyed your presentation. I am a percussionist by trade and use this work as a duet with students. So much of what you speak of I encourage. Such as the concept of breath. I am also quite intrigued with you manuscript ideas. Some aspects of George Crumb and others. Thank you for sharing.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello wowhitedrs, thank you for your very kind and supportive words about this video. I also really appreciate your interest in my re-formatting the music into the New Layout Chart engravings. This work is a passion and a labor of love for me. Thanks again, and very best wishes to you and to your students!

[@andredelacerdasantos4439]

I don't see this one on the list of music to order on the website. Would really love to have this

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Andre, thank you for your interest in ordering the chart music for Invention No. 4. It is available. Here is how to find it: Go to my website and click on any Order Now button. This will take you to my PayLoadz Storefront. Near the top right corner you will see a blue See More button. Click on this and you can then scroll down to find the thumbnail of the chart you want to order. For this piece you need to scroll down to page two. You will find Invention No. 4 on row eight. The charts appear with the most recently uploaded at the top of page one and the oldest at the bottom of page two. I hope this helps! Best wishes to you.

[@andredelacerdasantos4439]

@@SallyChristianMusic Thank you!! I've been playing a few of the inventions for over a year now and it's so true that they are like friends that we're getting accustomed to. When I first found your instructional videos, I immediately fell in love with them. Your thorough analysis and your chart gave me a new perspective to these pieces when I thought I had already grasped all there was to them. Can't wait to have it while sitting at the piano!

[@ChristianBurrola]

20:47 "Where could he possibly be taking us, certainly not f major anymore" Well actually that last tritone contains E and Bb which outline the C7 chord. The sequence before outlines a series of ii V progressions which lead us to the D minor chord at the end of that sequence.

[@preludefugue4859]

Thank you for this great video, I wished I have watched this when I first time playing this piece...I would love to buy a copy of your handwriting analysis

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Prelude Fugue, thank you for your very nice words which I appreciate hearing! The handwriting analysis you saw on the two-page chart I used in the lesson was a guide for me in giving the lesson. Much of the information is notated on the Color Coded Satellite View of the complete chart package, available for purchase. (Please see link above: Order Chart Now.) Best wishes to you!

[@harunakman1946]

Thank you Sally, it helped me to understand the piece better and concrete

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Harun, thank you so much for your kind and much appreciated words! I'm so glad the video helped you to better understand the piece. Best wishes to you!

[@ΜαρίαΛαγγουβάρδου]

wonderful

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Thank you!

[@Lullavi_]

Thank you for making this video. I am trying to master this piece, and although I have two teachers, it is nice to have a third more detailed explanation and view of the piece.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Lola, thank you for your very kind words! I appreciate hearing that the explanation and views in this lesson were helpful. I wish the best to you and with your playing. :-)

[@adlib8096]

Your sheet music prints are works of art, i would just frame them and hang them on the wall to look at. My piano teacher plays bach just like you, full of that lyrical quality and deep understanding of his pieces.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Ad Lib, thank you for your beautiful and very appreciated words about my playing, understanding and approach to the music, and the charts I engrave! After I complete a chart package, and in particular the Color Structural Analysis, I feel happy and grateful. These are labors of love, and hearing your wonderful responses means a great deal to me. I send very best wishes to you, to your teacher, and with your playing. :-)

[@studentofcounterpoint]

Hello, could you please make a video on WTC book 1 fugue No 3 (C# Major) I like your teaching thanks a lot

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Atman, and thank you for your nice words and for your request! This Prelude & Fugue in C# Major, WTC I, is one of my very favorites. I will definitely add it to the queue of teaching videos to be made some time in the future. When I was a student in college, I began my Bachelor's Degree Solo Recital with this piece, and know it as a treasured and dear friend. It will be a joy to study and play it again after so many years. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@irischang6866]

Thank you for the wonderful, generous teaching video. My 7 yrs old daughter, Anastasia found your clip to study her 2nd invention piece after she enjoyed #1. "You were very,very,very helpful!! " " Thank You!! " as she said and typed.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

+Iris Chang Thank you, Iris, for telling me about Anastasia's comments and her enthusiasm. I am very happy that the videos have helped her! Best wishes to you both!

[@csharpminor897]

Very informative video! Love it !

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Csharp Minor, thank you for your very kind and much appreciated words! All best wishes to you!

[@loving-everyone-equally]

Dear Sally, to play as well as you, I'd give up 10 years of my life. I am going on 85 and may not have 10 years left. The trill is the difficult part. I plan on doing the trills 1/2 hours per day for each hand until I can't get it OK on my KZbin channel. Thanks for sharing your artistry with all of us who are interested.🙏🌹

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Alton, thank you for sharing your kind and sincere words. I hear your motivation to get the trills fluent. I always ask myself if I am laboring over a technical issue to the point of losing my joy for the piece. It is a balance to make progress with the entire piece without becoming discouraged with a technical challenge as these long trills can be. The trills are needed to help the single note sustain over all of the passage work. You could try playing a slower "measured" trill softly and gently that keeps the pitch sustaining while allowing you to focus at least as much on the interesting and beautiful ascending and descending passages here.

[@loving-everyone-equally]

@@SallyChristianMusic You are a great teacher and if I was a kid I'd have my family move where you live so that you could mentor me and make me into a great artist. A professor said it will take me more than 150 lifetimes to equal the virtuosity of the great artists, but I have a plan to do it in the next lifetime. I am very old so I'll depart this worldly plane very soon. I hope to be accepted into an astral immersion sight reading school, so that I can sight read as well as Liszt, when he was able to sight read Chopin's etudes. I'll also get training to attain an eidetic musical memory and every musical skill necessary. Astral scientists will alter my neurons to accelerate the process. On the astral plane we can choose a body that lives on light so there is no sleeping or eating. I believe what the sage said: “We can do anything with training”.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

@@loving-everyone-equally wow, this sounds amazing! 💫

[@loving-everyone-equally]

@@SallyChristianMusic Working on it again. My right hand trill is OK. I have a plan to do trills with all fingers. I'll use a metronome and silent keyboard when I have to watch TV with my wife. I'll start with a slow metronome level and keep track of my progress. I'll be 86 soon and hope to get it down by the time I am 100. (:-)

[@SallyChristianMusic]

@@loving-everyone-equally Hello Alton, this is a worthy and inspiring goal! All things in right time!

[@DeanDeBlock]

Really helpful, thank you very much for spreading your knowledge. You are truly aimable

[@PurposeSkateboards]

You've inspired me. Thank you.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hi Purpose Skateboards, thank you for your very kind and much appreciated words. Best wishes to you!

[@lesliegross9317]

I just stumbled across this tutorial and I’ve watched it 3 full times in two days. I love it! How do I print the 11x14 from my download? My computer does not support that size.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hi Leslie, thank you so much for your warm & enthusiastic words about this lesson! I was also very happy to see that you purchased your chart and can follow along the lesson with your charts in hand. In asnwer to your printing question, the charts are designed to be printed on the 11 X 17 size paper (Ledger size), not 11 X 14 (Legal size). I always have my large size sheets printed at a print shop on heavy 60 pound card stock paper. You can also print copies on regular 8 1/2 X 11 paper from your home printer, but these sheets will have very small notes. I hope this answers your questions. BTW: If you would like to have a more detailed conversation, please contact me through my website at [e-mail] I wish you all the best with your playing! 🎵

[@juli2432]

Very useful video Sally!! Greetings from Argentina!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Arkotin, thank you for your warm greetings, and for letting me know the video was useful! Gracias y los mejores deseos!

[@Elyo7274]

This helped me a lot for my exam tomorrow, I have to present this piece, wish me luck!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Elyo, I'm so glad this tutorial helped you, and good luck with your exam!

[@Andrew-cz1ln]

very useful information and amazing performance; thank you very much~

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Pu Lin, thank you for your kind and much appreciated words! I'm so glad the lesson was helpful, and that you also enjoyed the performance. Best wishes to you!

[@Legendxlo]

You play really nice

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Thank you very much! 🎼

[@cmelak007]

Wow, this is a romantic interpretation like from 80's. :-)

[@austin7]

Please do this for invention no. 5! I haven't started it yet, but it looks complicated.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hi Austin! Thank you for your request! I love this one, too, and am happy to say that it is included in the next group of Bach Inventions and Sinfonias that I am preparing now as charts and teaching videos. I expect them to be finished and available in the first part of next year! Best wishes to you!

[@sistalinda]

21:55 2 against 3

[@aleksandernozka5211]

I like it

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Thank you!

[@1pianolvr]

Amazing analysis! Thank you sally 😊

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Thank you, Gina! I so appreciate your message!

[@austin7]

This is so useful, thanks for the great video!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Austin, and thank you so much for your kind words. I'm really glad to hear that the video was helpful. Best wishes to you!

[@GracefulLiving1]

Ha ha, "disturbing interval", well said 😅 Find your videos incredibly entertaining. Thank you for putting your soul into each piece. When you talk it almost feels as if Mr JS Bach comes alive.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Thank you for your very kind words. I really appreciate everything you have said! Best wishes to you. 🎵

[@LACHORREADA55]

What a great explanation!! Thank you so much!❤️❤️❤️

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Irma, thank you so much for your kind and much appreciated words! I'm glad you liked this explanation! Best wishes to you. 🎶

[@kiwa1117]

It's so beautiful, thanks for sharing, Colin :)

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Kiwa, thank you for your very nice and much appreciated words. Best wishes to you!

[@kiwa1117]

[@gillesfebvre64]

Bien joué et bien expliqué, mais pourrais-je entendre une version en français ? Merci et bravo.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Bonjour Gilles, at merci beaucoup! Je voudrais faire des traductions disponibles dans d'autres langues à mesure que le temps et les ressources deviennent disponibles. Meilleurs vœux!

[@athyh377]

can you make a video about Invention no 5 please? That's my favorite Invention.

[@Chacho_Peñaloza]

very helpful, thanks you lady .

[@colin8770]

Amazing and helpful as always :)

[@velipekkat]

you are so lovely! ....lovely!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Thank you, VP T, I appreciate your kind words!

[@Marco-nj1dw]

Lo que no se de hacer de esta obra es el trino por que nota se empieza Y cuantas son?

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Creo que estás preguntando sobre los trinos largos en los compases 19-21 y 29-33. Estos trinos deben comenzar con la nota superior, una nota más alta que la nota escrita. Debería haber el doble de notas trinadas para cada nota de la parte de la línea melódica complementaria. Espero que esto responda a tu pregunta.

[@Marco-nj1dw]

Gracias

[@SallyChristianMusic]

@@Marco-nj1dw De nada 🎶

[@lilinica7300]

Graciasssss

[@孙晓青-t9n]

not even. but played smoothly. thank you for your helpful tips. i will make sure to teach this to my students.

[@DaveDurango]

This is great and very helpful. The likes to dislikes ratio irks me though. I don't know why someone wouldn't enjoy this.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Dave, thank you for your very nice words about this video. I really appreciate your positive responses to the lesson, and that you found it helpful! I have noticed over the many years of making teaching videos that opinions run strong regarding the "right way" to play Bach. The use of pedal and rubato is a loaded and controversial subject. My intention in this lesson was to show the sections and motives of the piece, as well as demonstrating how to shape the phrases with the breath. The tiny breaths between phrases that woodwind players and singers must take should be kept in mind for keyboard players as well. A keyboard player could almost hold their breath and play the entire piece, but this would not be very musical. If I were to record it again today, I would make the breaths between the phrases a little shorter. Thank you for your support, and all best wishes to you.

[@serquinto5287]

muy bueno!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Muchas gracias, Sergio!

[@musepianoacademy]

Aloha Sally! I've been watching your videos for a little while now and I've decided that I'm going to relearn this piece. I'm interested in reading your notes on how to improve on this piece so I'm going to buy it today. 😁 hope to speak with you soon.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

+Muse Piano Academy Aloha to you, Raphaelita! I'm so happy that this video rekindled your interest in relearning the piece, and how wonderful that you can now work from your Chart! I hope you find the chart package materials helpful, and I wish you all the best with your playing!

[@musepianoacademy]

+SallyChristianMusic thanks I really appreciate it!

[@wentzel8639]

I am studying Music Theory at Unisa. These videos are an amazing help to analysing Bach's inventions. I have to know to analyse the first 8 inventions of Bach for my exam in Oct. Could I please get the link to analysing invention no 5...? Would so much appreciate it.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Cobie, your words are so wonderful to hear, and I thank you for your interest! I am scheduled to record the teaching videos of Bach Inventions No. 5 & No. 6 next month, and hope to have them posted on KZbin a few weeks after that. I am especially excited to show in the lessons the Color Structural Analysis for these chart packages! Best wishes to you!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Cobie, Bach Invention No. 5 is now posted. Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZiWnqWIZ914Z6s Best wishes to you with your exams!

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

Cobie Wentzel you don't have to know how to analyze a piece to play it very well.A nine year old who has a very good ear for music can play this piece as well or better than this teacher without knowing any theory.

[@christophedosta4069]

From France. I am very glad to follow your lessons. Bravo. Vous êtes passionnée et passionnante.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Christophe, thank you for your kind and very appreciated words! I'm so happy to hear you are following the lessons. :-) Best wishes to you! Merci beaucoup pour vos aimables et merveilleuses paroles!

[@christophedosta4069]

@@SallyChristianMusic Thanks for your french words. Je suis un fan inconditionnel de Bach. It seems you love Bach over all : your words about the bar 50 and the meeting between C sharp and B flat are moving. I published a novel about harpsichord and pianoforte ca 1709-1710. Best regards from France.

[@murilolovizotto]

Can you do a teaching video of a fugue some day? I feel like sometimes they are so complicated I'm missing out on so many elements

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hi Murilo, and thank you for your request for a Bach Fugue teaching video. I agree with you. Bach Fugues are very complicated. I will give this some careful consideration as I continue adding to the queue of requests for future teaching videos. Best wishes to you!

[@redboombuzz]

I have a struggle ma'am! I struggle playing the voice clearly.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello, and thank you for your comment. What I would say is that no matter what our level, we all struggle at times with certain things. I think the first step, which you have already done, is to identify what it is we would like to be better. Slowly and with patience, we will improve if we keep listening and practicing mindfully. Please stay with it and do not become discouraged!

[@redboombuzz]

Okay ma'am, thank you! I've learned a lot from your lessons!

[@ΜαρίαΛαγγουβάρδου]

Can you tell me how can I download the sheets that you use for memorization? Are they free? Thank you.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Mapía, thank you for your interest in my New Layout Charts, which can be purchased as digital downloads from my website SallyChristianMusic.com by clicking on the Order Now button. Best wishes to you!

[@ulrichalbrecht9723]

lol 22:29 passionate 22:51 point where you overtop yourself ! It's funny Your vids are great! Thank you!

[@WestSidePiano]

Bb - C# is not a minor 3rd, it's an augmented 2nd. And C# - Bb is not a major 6th, it's a diminished 7th.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

+WestSidePiano I am making a distinction between the difference of the spelling on paper of an interval and what our ears actually hear. Without the music, our ears would hear the interval of Bb - C# as having 3 half steps (a minor 3rd) and its inversion of C# - Bb as having 9 half steps (a Major 6th). Our ears hear the following pitches: C to B as a Major 7th, C to Bb as a minor 7th, and C# to Bb as a Major 6th. Our eyes see the notations on paper as three different 7ths: C to B as a Major 7th, C to Bb as a minor 7th, and C# to Bb as a diminished 7th. Think of the words "piece" and "peace." What you see and what you hear are not the same thing. Please see the video at 5:38 where I say, "He will of course have this diminished 7th for the subject material."

[@WestSidePiano]

+SallyChristianMusic Yes, I know that you refer to the diminished 7th. But you state that Bb - C# is a minor third. That is not true. If you'd like to point out that an augmented 2nd sounds like a minor 3rd, that's OK. It doesn't mean that an augmented 2nd IS a minor 3rd. I also disagree that we always hear A#/Bb - C#/Db as a minor 3rd. Yes, if you only play those two notes with no context, then I will hear it as a minor 3rd. Also, if you play Bb - Db - F, I will hear the minor 3rd because it's in the context of a minor chord. However, in the last three notes of the Dm harmonic scale, I actually hear it as an augmented 2nd because I can feel that the 7th note has been raised.

[@DL-co6mc]

WestSidePiano Bb to C# is a Minor 3rd

[@DL-co6mc]

I believe C# to Bb is a Minor 7th

[@jamiecameron9505]

dennis, WestSide is technically correct: Bb-C# is an augmented second; C#-Bb is a diminished seventh. However, if you forget the notation, then it's the black key between A & B vs. the black key between C & D: then you can call that a minor third/seventh. Or an augmented second/diminished seventh. Maybe even a doubly augmented unison/doubly diminished octave. Who knows? Who cares?

[@patymatos3438]

Hey! How long did it take you to play the song? ❤

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hi Paty, I don't know exactly. I learned it as a child and I don't think it took that long to learn the notes. I do remember, however, that I couldn't control the trills very well back then, but I loved playing it and listening to the "conversation" between the hands.

[@ternitamas]

oh the trills!! my nightmare! but I love this piece too much so I won't be beaten by those trills haha. I love your classes, so many aspects to think about and different ways of approaching the different sections, I love your setup with the lovely flowers and drapery. Greetings from Argentina =)

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Ternitamas, greetings to you in Argentina! It's so good to hear that you will not be stopped by those trills. They will come with patience and persistence. It's like learning to ride a bicycle. One day it just happens! Thank you for your lovely words about the lesson and the aesthetics of my teaching studio. :-)

[@peterberger3928]

Remember 1 important thing: unless in the romantic era in baroque you DO NOT play a legato between the bars. In other words: between the last note of a bar and the following first note of the next bar there is NO LEGATO. This is how baroque interpreters in their time were playing. It may not be that important for those who do not want to play those pieces in the "original way" and it's surely no crime not to do so. But: it's like that.

[@maximlamoureux4129]

How do you feel about the more traditional way of playing Bach and baroque music? (Schiff, Gould, Richter for example) I notice you use a ton of rubato yourself.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Maxim, thank you for your question. I agree with your comment. This video was recorded 7 years ago. Over the last several years, I have changed my views on the subject of using rubato in playing Bach and prefer a more traditional approach. You can watch my subsequent Bach videos recorded over the last several years and hear that I now play Bach with very little rubato, if any. In this lesson, I intentionally exaggerated the pauses to demonstrate displaced phrasings and how to "breathe" and hear them beginning on the second note of the phrase rather than on the downbeat. This choice of phrasing highlights the big leaps of 7ths and gives a more cantabile quality. Were I to teach this lesson today, I would minimize these pauses.

[@bolldamm3966]

Hi, Sally, I've just bought and downloaded your chart for this invention and have found your analysis of the piece very helpful and expect it to make memorizing a lot easier (even for me!). I admire that you acknowledge a change of opinion regarding how to play Bach (I also admire that you reply to so many comments!). The use of rubato, the use of legato, even the use of the pianoforte! everything in our modern interpretations is open to question (but to some extent also a matter of taste and practicality). Bach himself says he intends the inventions as an exercise in playing cantabile and also gives indications for phrasing, which to me suggests that he wouldn't have approved of an interpretation that merely follows the metronome. Your interpretation may not be theoretically correct but it is certainly more musical.@@SallyChristianMusic

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Stephen, thank you for your very kind and thoughtful words! I am also very happy that you bought and downloaded the chart and now have all of the supplies to work from as you learn and memorize this piece. You have articulated very clearly and well the elements every keyboard player must think about when playing Bach. There is so much to consider, especially when playing Bach on the modern piano. Thank you for reiterating how important it is that we play Bach in a singing "cantabile" style as he asks us to do in his Preface. I wish you the very best with your playing, and hope you enjoy working from your chart! 🎵@@bolldamm3966

[@juanatarazzona1873]

Me encanta como tocas el piano eres exelente maestra ya estoy en esta pieza y me ayuda mucho como enseñas un abrazo desde Perú

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hola, Juana, ¡Gracias por tus maravillosas palabras! ¡Mejores deseos para usted!

[@dawidandreasmierzwa9691]

Your videos are a real treasure. But you need a better microphone to transport the whole beauty of your piano's and your voice's sound to your virtual audience. Best regards from Germany!

[@dawidandreasmierzwa9691]

oh, I'm so sorry, I've just noticed that this video is five years old. You're latest videos sound much better!!

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Dawid, thank you for your generous words about the videos! I agree with you about the sound quality of this 2015 video. Beginning in 2016, my videographer changed and improved the audio equipment we used. With each subsequent year, we have tried to continue improving the audio and video quality. I like the results we are getting with our recent videos of 2020. Thank you for your suggestion, and all best wishes to you. :-)

[@MrJazzharmonie1]

when do you play it ? speak too much

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello MrJazzharmonie1, the performance of the piece is at the end of the lesson. It begins at 41:55.

[@MrJazzharmonie1]

Thank you Lady Sally

[@Katerinasvizzera]

dziękuję :)

[@jakim1360]

CnC is yours

[@Lullavi_]

Who disliked this video? There is literally no reason to

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Thank you, Lola!

[@linkaiwang1451]

first I want to say good job , well down and so pitty because my English so bad , can't understand a lot 😢, anyway best wishes for you!😀🤗

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Thank you, and best wishes to you, too!

[@emilyst.martin9005]

I want to be you when I grow up....

[@SallyChristianMusic]

Hello Emily! Thank you for your lovely comment. I am delighted to hear your words, and I encourage you to always listen to your heart and follow your path of unique potential! My very best wishes to you!

[@josephososkie3029]

Sooooo much better than Valentina Lisitia’s horse race.

[@zwaqster]

This is the first invention I am leaning with my piano teacher. Although I love Bach and his genius, I have to say that I am extremely discouraged. Of course I have to play this slowly at first and the second so-called extended trill sounds just completely and absolutely ridiculous. I want to quit.

[@SallyChristianMusic]

+John Cabrera Hello John, and thanks for your comment. I totally understand what you are talking about with the long extended trills. I felt this way too many years ago. Perhaps this approach will help: Play the trill's written note, only, on the first beats of each measure, one per measure. The point is to hear the trill as an accompanying harmony, and focus mainly on hearing the melody line of the other hand. After weeks of this, you will be able to gradually turn the trill into a "one to one" ratio, with each hand playing six 16th notes per measure. Then, little by little, increase the trill speed to a triplet for each eighth note, and finally, to a quadruplet. I hope this helps, and please don't give up!

[@zwaqster]

+SallyChristianMusic Thank you for your understanding and advice. I will forge ahead and keep trying.

[@fancybach]

So much to take away from this lesson and this piece: harmonic minors, melodic minors, different type of 7th notes used, etc.

[@MrsLekanto]

не ритмично.

[@jakim1360]

I am sorry for bothering your fishing to men