Here are twelve studies that I wrote to practice hearing and feeling chord progressions. They are presented in two volumes, with six studies in each volume. They are based on chords and chord progressions found in jazz standards. Not only did I write the studies in keys well-suited to classical guitar, I also wrote voicings that placed the chord roots clearly in the bass, with other notes from the chord above the root. For the most part, I followed the chords found on lead sheets, though I occasionally made adjustments from what was written. I was concerned with the sounds of the chords and the chord shapes on the guitar. I was not concerned with creating melodies or melodic studies, and I varied the right-hand patterns just enough to keep things interesting without them becoming the main technical or aural focus.

The studies in Contrafact Studies for Guitar, Volume I are based on chords found in the following jazz standards:

I. It Could Happen to You by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke

II. Have You Met Miss Jones by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart

III. Softly as in a Morning Sunrise by Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstien III

IV. On Green Dolphin Street by Bronislaw Kaper and Ned Washington

V. Days of Wine and Roses by Henry Mancini

VI. Alone Together by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz

Mark Wilson recorded the first six Contrafact Studies and posted them on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxJtlQ7XtT0

Click the button below to download a copy of Contrafact Studies Volume I

The studies in Contrafact Studies for Guitar, Volume II are based on chords found in the following jazz standards:

VII. Come Rain or Come Shine by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer

VIII. Stella By Starlight by Victor Young and Ned Washington

IX. Darn That Dream by Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie De Lange

X. You and the Night and the Music by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz

XI. Beautiful Love by Victor Young and Haven Gillespie

XII. Skylark by Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer

Additionally, I have made (and continue to make) eight measure exercises to help students learn to write music based on seventh chords and chord progressions found in jazz standards.

Click the button below to download a copy of Contrafact Studies Volume II