Many of these studies are heavily influenced by the choro, samba, and bossa nova traditions of Brazil, while simultaneously incorporating contemporary classical idioms.
It is a project that was born from a close collaboration between composer and performer. Brazilian guitarist João Luiz Rezende was not only the dedicatee but also a collaborator in the work's creation, bringing his expertise as a virtuoso and his profound understanding of Brazilian music to the project. This collaboration ensures the studies are not only musically compelling but also idiomatically suited to the modern guitar. The work is set to receive a full recording release in 2025, which will undoubtedly bring these pieces to a wider audience and solidify their place in the concert repertoire.
Moving beyond simple triads, Assad utilizes extended chords (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) and chromaticism, training the ear and the left hand for the dissonances of modern music.
Traditional studies use I-IV-V-I. Assad uses , diminished whole-tone, and clusters. sergio assad 24 studies updated
Historical etudes by composers like Fernando Sor or Mauro Giuliani often rely on predictable harmonic frameworks to focus on the right hand. Assad upends this tradition. He introduces complex harmonic languages—influenced by jazz, impressionism, and 20th-century avant-garde—forcing the player to develop acute ear training while navigating the fretboard. Global Rhythms as Pedagogical Tools
| Feature | Villa-Lobos (12 studies) | Brouwer (20 estudios sencillos) | Assad (24 studies) | |---------|--------------------------|--------------------------------|---------------------| | Key system | No – free order | No | Yes – circle of 5ths | | Harmony | Impressionist/Nationalist | Atonal/minimalist | Jazz/Brazilian/Extended tertian | | Meters | 2/4, 3/4, 6/8 | Simple meters | Asymmetrical + compound | | Extended techniques | None | Some (percussion in later) | Extensive (tap, golpe, tambora) | | Performance level | Advanced concert | Intermediate to advanced | Advanced to virtuoso | | Length of study | 1–2 pages | 0.5–1 page | 1 page (dense) |
What makes the 24 Studies uniquely captivating is their stylistic diversity. Assad takes the performer on a global tour, seamlessly blending classical architecture with folk and popular idioms. The Brazilian Heartbeat Many of these studies are heavily influenced by
The harmonic complexity can easily mask poor articulation. Set your metronome to half the target speed and ensure every note blooms fully. Focus on the release of the note just as much as the attack to avoid a muddy, overlapping sound. The Lasting Legacy of the Collection
No other etude set systematically trains with internal groupings (2+3, 3+2, 3+2+2, etc.).
Mastering asymmetrical meters, syncopation, and cross-rhythms rooted in Brazilian styles like Choro, Samba, and Frevo. This collaboration ensures the studies are not only
Assad utilizes rich, jazz-influenced harmonies, extended chords, and rapid modulations. The updated curriculum surrounding these pieces encourages students to analyze the underlying music theory, transforming a technical finger exercise into a lesson in composition and fretboard harmony. Structure of the 24 Studies
The air in Sérgio Assad’s studio was thick with the scent of old cedar and the ghost of a thousand melodies. For the legendary Brazilian composer, the guitar was never just an instrument; it was a conversation with history. His latest project, the (often referred to through collections like the 24 Preludios Chopinianos or the recent Northeast-inspired Villalobiana ), felt like his most personal dialogue yet. The Vision
If you are learning without a teacher, the ambiguous fingerings in the original could lead to repetitive strain injuries. The updated ergonomics prioritize hand health.
| Year | Suggested Studies | Supplementary Material | |------|------------------|------------------------| | 3rd year undergrad | Nos. 1–6, 9, 12, 15 | Sor/Carcassi (as preparation) | | 4th year undergrad | Nos. 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17 | Villa-Lobos (Nos. 1, 7) | | Master’s level | Nos. 16, 18–24 | Brouwer (Book III), Dyens (Valse des Loges) |