Two-Part Counterpoint Masterclass from Bach - Composer Insights

We explore the first of Bach’s 15 two part Inventions in the key of C. This composer insights lesson unbolts the imitative counterpoint, explaining the various contrapuntal ingredients and how they are used throughout the piece. Contrapuntal devices such as inversion and augmentation are explored, alongside sequence, phrase expansion, and phrase contraction. The detail is then put into the structural and modulatory framework. This video will be helpful to composers, to performers and to students of Bach who would like to understand more fully how the counterpoint works.

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🕘 Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction to two-part counterpoint masterclass from Bach
0:43 - Playing the piece
1:44 - Analysing the counterpoint
23:16 - Conclusion

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[MusicMattersGB]

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[jayducharme]

I love it when composers are thrifty with their use of notes, as if there's a supply shortage of them. It always delights me when a short little musical idea can be manipulated to create a whole piece.

[DrGroo]

Thanks for sharing this great analysis. This was the first piece I ever played in front of people in a concert/workshop -- arranged as a classical guitar duet. This analysis would have been an amazing, and very useful preparative resource to have 35 years ago. Thanks for contributing to YouTube as an educational resource.

[carlstenger]

Wonderful video. Bach's music is far and away the very best out there. The two-part and three-part inventions were written as teaching and practice pieces for his children and students, and yet, each and every one of them is a marvelous musical gem -- a delight to learn, to analyze, to play, and to listen to. Four for the price of one!! What a deal.

[BillHilton]

Thanks, Gareth — a really good analysis! Can I just express my admiration that you managed to do this whole thing in — as far as I can see — a single take? A lot of people won't realise the skill that takes, but I certainly do...!

[gooseface]

I'm studying this piece at the moment, but on guitar. Remarkably, you are able to achieve some degree of "two-partedness" with the guitar's 'one hand only' system. Beautiful piece! Thank you.

[knd]

Brilliant analysis of Bach's two-part counterpoint master piece! Thank you Gareth! :)

[charlottemacdonald]

Fantastic! I have listened to this so many times and always revelled in it. Now you have explained how it is designed and executed. Also, it has allowed me to understand counterpoint better. Thank you.

[HabibKhalf]

this guy is an amazing educator. thanks for teaching us this awesome class. Also, if anyone thinks AI will ever be able to write good music, or let's say good counterpoint, this video makes the case that Bach' s music is all about beauty, which I think AI has no idea how to "generate".

[simondanielssonmusic]

I've just begun learning to write fugues and this gave me a great insight into the "tricks" a composer like Bach may use to stretch thematic material out to great lengths.
I also just love this piece, I've been playing a guitar arrangement of it as of late. Great content! Thank you :)

[lawrencetaylor]

The best music theory courses on You Tube.

[francoisbruel]

As usual wonderful insights! My harpsichord teacher started me with this piece. I remember candid me being at first disappointed that it was in C major. But for a short, seemingly simple piece - and well suited for a near-beginner - there is a lot going on, and a beautiful unexpected A minor section, so it was perfect! And you play it delightfully…

[l.g.brandon]

This is what I've been interested in learning. I really enjoy your lessons. Thank you for all your work.

[rodneyhorrell]

Thank you for your analysis of Bach's approach to composing, I really appreciated that and it helped me to understand what he is doing and why. 😃

[francospadi]

Great video Gareth! Bach is always an inspiration.

[claudefazio]

Excellent analysis, as usual. You are truly masterful educator.

[VolkanOZYILMAZ]

Thanks very much, it's a great lesson.

[neiljamesfrarey]

Eloquent analysis, Gareth... thanks so much!

Just a thought ... pity the sheet music doesn't illuminate note by note along with the keyboard when being played.

[ili]

This is great. One suggestion: Make the score bigger or more visible.

[novozar]

To take a 4 notes theme and mix it with the right and left hand on each 5 fingers, converting it, playing in a mirror constellation and so on. That's AI. J. S. Bach was and still is an unreachable genius in his own Cosmos.