Gershwin for Guitar: Guitar Book

John W. Duarte's arrangements honor the jazz idiom and melodic sophistication of Gershwin's originals while creating genuinely playable solo guitar writing. Rather than oversimplify these songs, Duarte and co-arranger Raymond Burley craft arrangements that sustain harmonic interest and let classical guitarists explore jazz vocabulary without leaving the instrument's natural voice.

These arrangements capture the rhythmic buoyancy and melodic generosity Gershwin was known for, filtered through the warm, singing quality of classical guitar. You'll move between moments of introspective harmony and passages that dance with harmonic sophistication and jazz inflection.

Intermediate to advanced classical guitarists looking for accessible entry points into jazz-inflected repertoire and American song traditions. Teachers seeking repertoire that excites students while expanding their harmonic and rhythmic palette will find this collection particularly useful.

• Lean into the swing feel where it appears; these aren't straight-rhythm pieces, and the guitar's natural articulation can emphasize off-beat harmonic anticipations.
• Balance clarity with resonance in the upper register, especially in melody passages where Gershwin's gift for memorable lines deserves to sing through.
• Reference recordings of the original songs (whether orchestral or vocal versions) to internalize the harmonic and rhythmic conventions of the era, then adapt those sensibilities to the guitar's voice.
• Pay attention to the voicing choices in the arrangements; Duarte's use of specific register and spacing shapes the piece's character more than tempo changes alone.

This collection pairs beautifully in recitals focused on 20th-century American music or as a bridge between classical and contemporary guitar repertoire. Single pieces also work as encores or recital openers, where Gershwin's immediate melodic appeal connects with audiences before moving into more demanding classical works.

• Jazz phrasing and swing articulation on classical guitar
• Voicing jazz chords and navigating chromatic harmony
• Managing rhythmic independence between melody and accompaniment figures
• Interpreting songs originally written for voice or ensemble within solo guitar texture
• Reading and interpreting arrangement choices that imply harmonic context beyond what's written