Guitar majors in the Bachelor of Music in Performance (Contemporary Styles) program undertake intensive instrument technique and live performance curricula along with a wide range of classes in supportive music and general studies to earn MI's unique contemporary music degree (see the Bachelor Degree home page and Program Outline for an overview of requirements).
Guitar instrument technique courses are designed and taught according to the same principles that have made MI one of the world's leading centers for the study of contemporary electric guitar. Requirements include:
G112a.b. Single String Improvisation IIA-IIB
Begins with an exploration of “blues tonality”, including the mastery and usage of blues, Dorian, and Mixolydian scales over dominant seventh harmonies. Diatonic seventh arpeggios and their applications are covered along with alternate major and minor-tonality scales, culminating in the development of diatonic key-center improvisation. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for two quarters.
G211a.b. Single String Improvisation IIIA-IIIB
Prerequisite: G112b Single String Improvisation IIB. Chromatic variations on key-center improvisation are introduced, including modal interchange and secondary dominants. Symmetrical scales, including chromatic, diminished, and whole-tone, are introduced and applied. Other topics include analysis of and improvisation over non-root position chords and the development of the “chord/scale” concept of improvising. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for two quarters.
G122a.b. Rhythm Guitar IIA-IIB
Development of chord construction skills based on the five major scale fingering patterns, including the theory and application of harmonized major scales. Introduces syncopated eighth-note rhythm figures using different harmonic textures from full chords to single-note accompaniment. Easy and moderate chord transposition is also covered. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for two quarters.
G221a.b. Rhythm Guitar IIIA-IIIB
Prerequisite: G122b Rhythm Guitar IIB. This course is designed around writing and performing rhythm guitar parts in a variety of styles. Concepts introduced include voice leading on the fingerboard and the use of sixteenth note and triplet syncopation. The ability to improvise and apply appropriate rhythm parts in context will be stressed through classroom performance. Moderate to difficult chord transposition is also covered. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for two quarters.
M142Ga.b. Reading IIA-IIB
Class covers reading on the lower and upper part of the neck. Learn to read and count “cut time”, 3/4 meter and syncopated rhythmic figures. Continue chromatic studies in the fifth position, transposing to concert pitch and chart reading, with a stronger emphasis on ensemble reading performance. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for two quarters.
M241Ga.b. Reading IIIA-IIIB
Prerequisite: M142Gb Reading IIB. Learn to count and read in odd meters and changing meters. Class covers reading up and down string sets, melodies with a range outside a single position, position shifting, interpretation and developing sight reading techniques. One lecture hour plus one lab hour per week for two quarters.