ix, 82 p. : music / While musical styles from various parts of the world intermingled in the early twentieth century, Heitor Villa-Lobos sought to promote Brazilian music throughout the classical music world. Instead of presenting only Brazilian styles, Villa-Lobos, in an attempt to showcase the international adaptability of Brazil's musical culture, developed a style all his own, which was a combination of his classical training in the western tradition and his first-hand experience with both Brazilian popular and Native Brazilian music. Much of his music manifests these influences, but his music for solo guitar, Brazil's national instrument, also features new techniques and timbres. This thesis examines the interaction of the various styles and techniques used in his <italic>Cinq Preludes</italic> for solo guitar. / Committee in charge: Jack Boss, Chairperson; Steven Rodgers, Member; David Case, Member