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IN THE KNOW
Guitar Technique Fundamentals: How to Build Speed, Accuracy, and Tone
A lot of guitar players want the same three things: more speed, cleaner playing, and better tone. The problem is that many practice routines chase those outcomes in the wrong order. Players try to get faster before they are consistent, play louder before they can...
How to Double Thumb on Bass: A Step-by-Step Technique Guide
If you’re wondering how to double thumb on bass, developing the right approach starts with understanding how this advanced technique differs from traditional slap bass. Popularized by players like Victor Wooten and expanded by modern progressive musicians like Animals...
The 10 Best DAWs for Music Production Students in 2026
Choosing your first DAW can feel bigger than it should. Every platform has loyal fans, every producer online seems certain that theirs is the best, and beginners often end up comparing features before they even understand how they want to make music. In reality, the...
Korn Drummer Ray Luzier Returns to Musicians Institute for Pearl Day 2026
Korn's Ray Luzier Comes Home to MI There's something special about watching a world-class musician walk back through the doors of the school that helped shape them. That's exactly what happened at Musicians Institute on Saturday, April 18th, when Korn drummer and MI...
How to Start a Career in Music Production in 2026: A Beginner’s Roadmap
Starting a career in music production can feel confusing because the path is no longer just one thing. Some producers teach themselves from YouTube and practice for years at home. Others take short courses to learn faster. Others want a more structured program that...
Musicians Institute Graduate Spotlight: Drummer Ian Foreman
From small-town Missouri to stages around the world, Musicians Institute alumnus Ian Foreman has built a career rooted in passion, persistence, and a deep love for drumming. A graduate of the Drum program at Musicians Institute, Ian has gone on to perform with artists...
#TBT
#TBT: Jeff Porcaro of Toto
For this weeks #TBT post, we bright back this gem from the Musicians Institute vault, a special clinic from Jeff Porcaro, one of the most revered drummers in modern music. MI is lucky to have this footage, as his life was tragically cut short when he was only 38 years...
#TBT Michael Ruff Visits MI ( With Sheryl Crow as Back-up Singer)
A while back, we shared this pretty sweet find from the MI vault: a performance by Michael Ruff, with a very young Sheryl Crow singing backup! Ruff is a multiple Grammy Award nominated songwriter and producer, who has released many solo albums. He has written, toured...
#TBT Jaco Pastorius
Jaco Pastorius is widely considered one of the most influential bassists of all time, so to celebrate our first #TBT post, here are some Jaco performances that’ll inspire you to get you back into the practice room real quick! Opening for Joni Mitchell. Weather Report...
PROFILES
A Conversation With: Aaron Mercier of Mercier Guitars
Aaron Mercier is a guitarist for Kings Of Carnage, and a Musicians Institute alumnus who is keeping very busy in many areas of the music industry, both as a performer and a man behind the scenes. On a recent visit back to the MI campus, Aaron spoke to The Mix about...
Panelist Spotlight: Adam Blackstone
Musicians Institute is proud to bring some of the best working musicians onto our campus to inspire our students and give them insight into what a career in the music industry holds. With this new series on our blog, we will start to highlight upcoming clinicians or...
The Life And Career Of MI’s Own: Francis Buckley
Grammy Award®-winning record engineer Francis Buckley’s broad range of experience has seen him occupy the studio seat for breakout bands, established chart-toppers and Hollywood films. Buckley started out working at W.E. Studios in Redondo Beach in 1979. He then went...
GUEST ARTIST
Mateus Asato & Fredrik Halland Guitar Jam Session
Alumni Mateus Asato and Fredrik Halland come back to MI for a special jam session. Who do you think killed it? Let us know in the comments!