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

VIEW COURSE CATALOG

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

VIEW COURSE CATALOG

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

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.

The MI Difference

Fully Immersive Curriculum

Guitar students will be taught by our industry-experienced instructors, where they’ll learn how to demonstrate stylistic depth, creative maturity and professional competence in preparation for careers in today’s music industry. Some highlights include:

  • Contemporary guitar skills, with core classes including Guitar Technique, Guitar Performance, Guitar Reading, Harmony/Theory/Ear Training.
  • Extensive stylistic and conceptual electives including Funk Guitar, Guitar Effects, Metal Guitar, Recording Guitar, Rock Rhythm and Lead Guitar, Modern Jazz Concepts, Guitar Workout, Melodic Soloing, Country Guitar, Shred Guitar, Advanced Groove Concepts, Blues Guitar and Acoustic Guitar.
  • Develop performing skills and guitar tricks in contemporary styles from blues, jazz, and fusion to country, rock, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, reggae, funk, R&B, and hip hop.

Live Performance Workshops

MI is unique in its focus on the stage, and Guitar students are required to perform weekly in Live Performance Workshops (LPWs) as part of the curriculum. The song selections are changed weekly, allowing students to gain experience with diverse genres, making them stronger musicians for their careers beyond MI.

Equipment & Facilities

Students will have access to top of the line guitars, pedal boards and more, that can be rented from our MI Library and used in our practice and performance studios. MI’s library is stocked with Fender, PRS, Kiesel, Strandberg, Suhr, ESP, Takamine, and other top guitar brands. MI has 45 general purpose counseling/practice labs that are equipped with amps and various equipment to serve any needs for classwork and beyond.

Private Lessons with Instructors

MI instructors are also successful musicians and working professionals, bringing their experience into the classroom every day. Students have the unique opportunity to have one-hour private lessons with instructors, who can offer more personalized instruction and advice on their classwork and beyond.

Hollywood Location

Our campus is located in the middle of the entertainment industry, including the worlds of music, film, television and beyond. Students will have access to the finest live music venues, along with opportunities and possibilities to visit, intern and work at the best studios and sought after music labels in the world.

Live Performance Workshops

MI is unique in its focus on the stage, and Guitar students are required to perform weekly in Live Performance Workshops (LPWs) as part of the curriculum. The song selections are changed weekly, allowing students to gain experience with diverse genres, making them stronger musicians for their careers beyond MI.

Equipment & Facilities

Students will have access to top of the line guitars, pedal boards and more, that can be rented from our MI Library and used in our practice and performance studios. MI’s library is stocked with Fender, PRS, Kiesel, Strandberg, Suhr, ESP, Takamine, and other top guitar brands. MI has 45 general purpose counseling/practice labs that are equipped with amps and various equipment to serve any needs for classwork and beyond.

Private Lessons with Instructors

MI instructors are also successful musicians and working professionals, bringing their experience into the classroom every day. Students have the unique opportunity to have one-hour private lessons with instructors, who can offer more personalized instruction and advice on their classwork and beyond.

Hollywood Location

Our campus is located in the middle of the entertainment industry, including the worlds of music, film, television and beyond. Students will have access to the finest live music venues, along with opportunities and possibilities to visit, intern and work at the best studios and sought after music labels in the world.

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.

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.

Alumni Success Stories

Kelly Appleton / Guitar Program

Worked & toured with Sam Smith, Florence & The Machine, Tricky, Beth Ditto and more!

“I was fascinated by the LA music scene…all the big touring acts seem to recruit in LA, it just seemed like the logical place to be and MI the best launching pad.”

Kelly Appleton

Worked/Toured with Sam Smith, Florence & The Machine, Tricky, Beth Ditto and more!

GUITAR PROGRAM

“I was fascinated by the LA music scene…all the big touring acts seem to recruit in LA, it just seemed like the logical place to be and MI the best launching pad.”

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!

MI Online logo
Can’t make it to Hollywood? You can enroll in our Guitar program from anywhere in the world through MI Online!

Upcoming Events

Open House

On-Campus:
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Find out for yourself why
thousands of musicians from all
over the world have made MI the
launching pad for their careers.

Financing Your Education

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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.

MIO Info Session

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Meet the MI Online team as they
guide you through the MIO
platform, the diverse program
offerings, and the steps needed to
apply.

Open House

On-Campus:

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Find out for yourself why
thousands of musicians from all
over the world have made MI the
launching pad for their careers.

Nicole Row Panic! At the Disco

BASS PROGRAM

"The most important thing I took from MI was what you do with what you’re given. I tried my best to absorb everything I heard, and took every gig I was offered."

Nicole Row Panic! At the Disco

BASS PROGRAM

"The most important thing I took from MI was what you do with what you’re given. I tried my best to absorb everything I heard, and took every gig I was offered."

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