Comments on: Planning on Majoring in Guitar?

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 20:47:02 +0000

At the young age of 66 and after having played the guitar since I saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, I am back in school studying guitar. And therein lies the difference. I have, for all these years, learned to play guitar, but now I am studying guitar. If the school in which you are enrolled is expected to award you a degree in guitar performance then they have an obligation to the community at large, to ensure that you can, in fact, play the guitar. Your plans could not be more irrelevant. The institutions name is going on the diploma. They have a reputation to defend. Which is why those of you who finish at Berklee or some other fine institution can hold your head a bit higher than those of us who will not.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 16:10:00 +0000

Versatility is never going to hurt. Knowledge is power and being closed minded will only hinder your growth. Learning all styles of music will make you creative, you will be able to apply techniques of all genres to your hearts desire.

By: John

John — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 18:02:19 +0000

You should learn full chords, then power chords, and finally tab.

By: Ernest

Ernest — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 01:58:10 +0000

@ Lance….I believe Berklee is THE College for Guitar. And many other Instruments. MI is a good school – but Berklee it is Not!

By: Anthony

Anthony — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 23:48:22 +0000

In reply to Lance. If you learn multiple styles, You learn the nuances of each style, You can apply skills you learn from other styles into the style you're focusing in. Plus it helps if you're in a guitar rut.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 09:47:16 +0000

In reply to Lance. Lance must be fun at parties...

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 20:58:00 +0000

In reply to Lance. Personally, I would have to disagree. It's good advice to learn all the styles. This is a good article for kids in highschool exploring a musical career like myself. I know what high school life is like in many parts of the country seeing that i move a lot and everywhere I see tons of talent. MI isn't a challenging school to get into which explains the standards and requirements. I'm not saying your school sucks, but in general, guitar isn't appreciated in music schools as much as the cello, violin, or saxophone. In environments where guitar is emphasized more than classical instruments itself you are expected to not have to know as much as the guitarist going to a school where jazz orchestras are the primary focus. It all depends on where you are majoring, and the player themself.

By: Lance

Lance — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 20:14:06 +0000

So much of this is bull. I major in guitar performance at MI, (THE guitar school), and they could care less the equipment you’ve got. Why use 10s if you prefer 9s? Or 8s? By the logic in that little section you should own a Gibson Firebird X with a Peavy Frontman, or a 10w Spider. Yes, learning the styles is important, but if you plan on playing Acid Rock, why learn Classical/Country? Likewise, if you going to be a purely classical player, why hinder your growth there playing Jazz/Blues/Rock/Country? I realize you have a Bachelors in Guitar, and probably a few decades on me, but I mean come on, dude, you sound like a purist. Also almost no high school has decent school programs, and the greatest music is created in outside groups.