kirnberger was born on 24 april 1721 in saalfeld. he learned to play the violin and harpsichord at his home. he learned to play the organ with j. p. kellner. in 1739, he went to leipzig. he studied music with johann sebastian bach for two years. in 1741 he went to poland, where he worked as a musician. he returned to germany in 1751. that year, he became a violinist (somebody who plays the violin) in the prussian court chapel. in 1758, he became the music director for princess anna amalia of prussia.