MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Guitar
Program Overview
Program Overview
The guitar program is the foundation of Musicians Institute. In 1977, the Guitar Institute of Technology was founded as the first school to teach contemporary music. With the addition of multiple instruments over the years, GIT became known as the Musicians Institute, but the passion for the guitar has remained.
Since then, MI’s guitar program continues to offer the foundational skills necessary for a thriving and exciting music career. Guitar classes are taught by renowned, active professional players who train students in the fundamentals of guitar playing, including performance, advanced techniques, ear training, melodic soloing, and a variety of contemporary styles.
At MI, we believe that training in these diverse styles and professional environments allows students to be ready for any job after graduation, whether it’s as a studio session player, a guitar teacher, a touring musician, an artist, and beyond!
It is this firsthand, immersive experience in our classrooms and facilities that really set the stage for success in the music industry after MI.
CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS
GUIT-024 – Guitar Gear Mastery
GUIT-088E – Acid Jazz Guitar
GUIT-153E – Jimi Hendrix Rhythm Guitar
GUIT-062E – Metal Guitar
DEGREE BY THE NUMBERS
From 10 weeks to 4 years, there’s an option for you!
MASTER OF MUSIC – 4 Quarters
BACHELOR OF MUSIC – 12 Quarters
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS – 6 Quarters
CERTIFICATE – 4 Quarters
MI SELECT (Individual Courses) – 10 Weeks
CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS
GUIT-024 – Guitar Gear Mastery
GUIT-210 – Guitar Technique 210
GUIT-088E – Acid Jazz Guitar
GUIT-153E – Jimi Hendrix Rhythm Guitar
GUIT-062E – Metal Guitar
DEGREE BY THE NUMBERS
From 10 weeks to 4 years, there’s an option for you!
MASTER OF MUSIC – 4 Quarters
BACHELOR OF MUSIC – 12 Quarters
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS – 6 Quarters
CERTIFICATE – 4 Quarters
MI SELECT (Individual Courses) – 10 Weeks
The MI Difference
Facilities
Full production sound stages and recording studios.
MI Library provides access to top of the line guitars, pedal boards, amps and more, all which can be rented from the library and used in our practice and performance studios.
Concert Hall access, with full audio/video recording capabilities
Fully equipped practice facilities and computer labs with the latest industry standard equipment
Faculty
Musicians Institute hosts a highly skilled faculty with
extensive experience in the world of contemporary music.
Musicians Institute hosts a highly skilled faculty with extensive experience in the world of contemporary music.
Scott Henderson
Tribal Tech / Joe Zawinul / Chick Corea
Dean Brown
Billy Cobham / Brecker Brothers / Marcus Miller
Dan Gilbert
Dan Siegel / Robben Ford / Larry Carlton
Artur Menezes
Joe Satriani / Buddy Guy / TEDx
Scott Henderson
Tribal Tech / Joe Zawinul / Chick Corea
Dean Brown
Billy Cobham / Brecker Brothers / Marcus Miller
Dan Gilbert
Dan Siegel / Robben Ford / Larry Carlton
Artur Menezes
Joe Satriani / Buddy Guy / TEDx
Alumni Success Stories
Alumni Success
Stories
International Students
International students make up nearly one-fourth of MI’s total student population, representing more than 50 countries throughout the world. The International Student Office is dedicated to making the transition from each student’s home country to MI’s Hollywood campus as smooth and easy as possible.
Career Options
“What can I do with a degree in Guitar Performance?”
Following in the non-traditional spirit of MI, graduates with a degree in guitar have found careers in diverse settings across the music industry. We strive to prepare graduates for any opportunities that arise in music, like:
PERFORMER
As a guitar performer, you can perform as a solo artist or as part of a band.
ACCOMPANIST (STUDIO OR LIVE)
Accompanists typically play instruments like piano or guitar and support and collaborate with vocalists, dancers, theater performers, and other creative artists.
ARRANGER
An arranger takes compositions and alters the melody, harmony, and tempos to change the tone and style of the original piece.
SONGWRITER
Songwriters specialize in writing the melodies, harmonies and lyrical elements for a specific instrument or part of a song. They can be the artist behind the song, or write for other artists to use.
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
The music supervisor is the head of the music department on a film or television show, overseeing song placement and licensing music for the production.
TRANSCRIBER
Transcribers might work with a composer to notate the notes, arrangement, and pitch of a previously unwritten song or score.
Career Development
Artist & Career Services
Artist & Career Services (ACS) is an extensive resource center designed to offer students and alumni active professional & personal development to succeed in today’s competitive entertainment industry.
ACS provides help in career development like resume building, workshops, industry mentors, discounted gear, internships and more.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Don’t let finances get in the way of your dreams. MI has a range of scholarships available for incoming students of all kinds. Scholarships available to Guitar students include:
MUSICIANSHIP SCHOLARSHIP
Musicianship Scholarships are available to new and current instrumental students enrolling in the Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Composition, Associate of Arts, or Certificate in Performance Programs.
D’ADDARIO WOMEN IN GUITAR SCHOLARSHIP
The D’Addario Women in Guitar Scholarship, sponsored by The D’Addario Music Foundation, was created to assist advanced, stylistically diverse female guitarists with their educational development.
Ready to start your
Guitar journey?
The first step in applying to our on-ground or online program is to complete an Application for Admission, and get started with the best music college!
Can’t make it to Hollywood? You can enroll in our Guitar program from anywhere in the world through MI Online!
Upcoming Events
ON CAMPUS OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM (Pacific Time)
Find out for yourself why thousands of musicians from all over the world have made MI the launching pad for their careers.
MI ONLINE INFO SESSION
Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM (Pacific Time)
Meet the MI Online team as they guide you through the MIO platform, the diverse program offerings, and the steps needed to apply.
FINANCING YOUR EDUCATION
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM (Pacific Time)
You’ll learn about everything from an overview of the financial aid process, to key documents you’ll encounter, and different funding sources that can help you manage costs.
TURN YOUR PASSION FOR MUSIC INTO A CAREER
Enter your info below for program options, scholarships, and next steps, or call us at 800-255-7529.
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