Sergio Assad 24 Studies Updated
Here’s a short, interesting angle on Sergio Assad’s 24 Studies for Guitar that moves beyond the usual “they’re hard” take.
- Editions Henry Lemoine (Original): The gold standard. Includes fingering by Odair Assad. Beautiful engraving. Expensive (approx. $40-50 USD).
- Mel Bay / GSP (US Edition): Often includes a CD (now dated) with performance notes by Sergio himself. Cheaper, but some printings have page-turning issues.
| Composer | Focus | Weakness | Assad’s Advantage | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Sor | Classical clarity, voice leading | Rhythms are square, predictable | Assad injects jazz syncopation | | Carcassi | Right-hand arpeggio patterns | Harmonies are simplistic | Assad uses extended jazz chords (9ths, 13ths) | | Villa-Lobos | Nationalism, color, big chords | Inconsistent difficulty; jumps hard | Assad is meticulously graded (1-24) | | Brouwer | Minimalism, modern notation | Lacks melodic beauty | Assad remains deeply lyrical | sergio assad 24 studies
Many individual studies are "portraits" or tributes to influential Brazilian composers and musicians. Notable examples include: Barrosiana: Dedicated to Pery Ribeiro (Barroso). Jobiniana: A tribute to Tom Jobim. Recording & Publication: Here’s a short, interesting angle on Sergio Assad’s
4. Musical Style and Characteristics
The 24 Studies are distinct from the didactic works of the 19th century (like those by Carcassi or Sor) because they prioritize musical expression alongside technical demand. Key stylistic elements include: Editions Henry Lemoine (Original): The gold standard