Is/Are there standard approaches to teaching/learning fugal writing?

Question

I am intimidated by the idea of writing fugues.

...but I would like to do it. I have in mind the style exemplified by Bach.

In a collegiate "Counterpoint" class (or book, or private instruction, or self-guided groping) is (are) there a standard approach(es) to teaching/learning the fugue-writing process?

In the ideal, I'd like to undertake this on my own, at least initially, at my own pace. I'm not interested at this stage in finding a teacher or class. I'm open to books, but what I'm looking for here is an outline of how such a teacher, course, or book would approach guiding me through the compositional process.

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As background: I consider myself proficient in the analytical and performative aspects of tonality and form, including fugues. However, my education in terms of writing (tonal) music ends with a solid understanding of four-part writing a la Fux.

Answer 1

One thing I can say is this-- music theory books are a distillation of actual pieces of music, in this case largely Bach's. Someone's done a lot of the analysis, and packaged it in bite-sized chunks for the consuming student.

You should always understand this, and go between theory and actual music-- look for your own examples of certain rules. Try changing some notes to BREAK those rules, and see if you can hear the problem when you play them on the piano. In short-- think for yourself, with theory as a guideline rather than a dogma.

For writing, start with modifying Bach's inventions or fugues. Change a few notes of the first theme, and see if you can make the rest of the restatements work properly. Try moving a fugue through different keys than Bach did by modifying transition sections.

This will give you a good framework to work from until you're ready to try your own original compositions.