How to Compose or Improvise a Fantasia on the BACH Theme For the Organ?

The BACH theme fascinates many organists and composers. Just the notion of being able to create a musical composition on the name by the greatest composer can be a great motivator. Although the term „Fantasia“ might refer to many different types of pieces, one of the most common one is a contrapuntal fugal fantasia with imitative counterpoint. In order to compose a fantasia on the BACH theme, you can follow these steps:

1. Place theme in the soprano (Tonic key)

2. Theme in the alto (Dominant key)

3. Theme in the tenor (Tonic)

4. Theme in the bass (Dominant)

5. Interlude

6. Theme in the soprano (Dominant)

7. Theme in the alto (Tonic)

8. Theme in the tenor (Dominant)

9. Theme in the bass (Tonic)

10. Interlude

11. Theme in the soprano in augmentation (Relative key)

12. Theme in the alto in augmentation (Relative of the Dominant)

13. Theme in the tenor in augmentation (Relative)

14. Theme in the bass in augmentation (Relative of the Dominant)

15. Interlude

16. Theme in the soprano in double augmentation (Subdominant key)

17. Theme in the alto in double augmentation (Tonic)

18. Theme in the tenor in double augmentation (Subdominant)

19. Theme in the bass in double augmentation (Tonic)

20. Interlude

21. Theme in the soprano in diminution (Relative of the Subdominant)

22. Theme in the alto in diminution (Relative)

23. Theme in the tenor in diminution (Relative of the Subdominant)

24. Theme in the bass in diminution (Relative)

25. Interlude

26. Theme in the soprano in double diminution (Dominant)

27. Theme in the alto in double diminution (Tonic)

28. Theme in the tenor in double diminution (Dominant)

29. Theme in the bass in double diminution (Tonic)

Follow these steps if you want to create a fantasia on the BACH theme for the organ. After you have written on paper, play your piece on the instrument and make necessary revisions.

If you compose or improvise at least 10 fantasies on different themes in different keys, you will see tremendous improvements in your creative abilities in no time. Some of the best examples of contrapuntal fantasia can be found in the works by Sweelinck, so you may want to analyze his works as well.

By the way, do you want to learn to improvise in the style of Bach? If so, I suggest you check out my 9 day mini course in Keyboard Prelude Improvisation.

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