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(usually for a keyboard instrument) with two or three part counterpoint. (Inventions with three part counterpoints used to be known as sinfonias, but modern publishers are increasingly calling them "Three-Part Inventions.") The most famous are those composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Inventions are usually not performed publically, but serve as exercises for keyboard students.

1 Form

Inventions are similar in style to a fugue, though much, much simpler. They consist of a short exposition, a longer development, and a short recapitulation (if there is one at all).

1.1 Exposition

In the exposition, a short motif is introduced by one voice in the tonic key. This is called the theme. The subject is then repeated in the second voice in the dominant key while the initial voice either plays a countersubject or plays in free counterpoint.

1.2 Development

The development comprises the bulk of the piece. Here the composer usually writes in free counterpoint and develops the subject by writing variations either melodically or harmonically.

Some melodic variations consist of:

• AugmentationIn music and music theory augmentation is the lengthening or widening of rhythms, melodies, intervals, chords. The opposite is diminution (diminished). A melody or series of notes is augmented if the lengths of the notes are prolonged. A melody originally- Playing the subject at a longer time value.
• Diminuation- Playing the subject at a shorter time value.
• InversionIn music theory, the word inversion has several meanings. There are inverted chords inverted melodies inverted intervals and (in counterpoint) inverted voices''. The concept of inversion also plays a role in musical set theory. Inverted chords An inverted- Playing a melody upside-down.
• Retrograde- Playing a melody backwards.

The development of an invention differs from that of a fugue in that a fugual development contains episodes (variations based more strictly on the theme) whereas the invention is more free-form.

1.3 Recapitulation

If an invention does have any recapitulation at all, it tends to be extremely short- sometimes only two or four measures. The composer repeats the theme in the upper voice and the piece ends. The repitition of the theme contains very little variation (or no variation at all) on the original theme. The lower line usually plays the countersubject, and if there is no countersubject, plays in free counterpoint.

2 History

The invention is primarily a work of Johann Sebastian Bach. Inventions originated from contrapuntal improvisationImprovisation is the act of making something up as you go along. This term is usually used in the context of music, theater or dance. Music Jazz and Bluegrass are well-known for using improvisation. It features in many kinds of traditional music, includins in Italy, especially from the form of the composer Francesco Antonio BonportiFrancesco Antonio Bonporti ( 1672 1748) Italian priest and amateur composer. He influenced Johann Sebastian Bach in the development of the invention, and in fact several of his works were mistakenly included in a set of Bach's inventions. Links .. Bach adapted and modified the form to what is considered to be a formal invention. Bach wrote 15 inventions as exercises for his son, Wilhelm Friedemann BachWilhelm Friedemann Bach ( November 22, 1710 July 1, 1784) was the eldest, and by common repute the most gifted son, of Johann Sebastian Bach; a famous organist, a famous improvisor, and a complete master of counterpoint. Unlike the rest of the family, he. These are the most well-known of all inventions. Bach later wrote another set of 15 sinfonias (three-part inventions).