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Posted by: Jeff0803 May 9 2008, 07:45 PM

Hey guys, Ive been thinking about going to the Musicians Institute in California. I love playng the guitar and it would be a dream come true to be able to make a living with the instrument, but Ive been looking up some reviews online and some pople have had some pretty negative experiences. I think the fact that its in Hollywood is sort of trying to make people think that as soon as they graduate their going to be the next big rockstar but I dont really believe that, I just want to learn to be an amazing guitarist. I live in Ohio, so obviously the move out there would be a big one, and I make about 12 bucks an hour so the tuitions gonna be hard to save up to. I think it would be worth it if I could play guitar as a job for the rest of my life though haha. I have alot of questions about it so maybe some of you can help answer them.

Has anyone been to this school or know anyone who has? What was your/their experience?

Were the instructors qualified professionals who had a genuine interest in seeing you improve as a musician?

Were there opprotunities for social networking and a social life in general?

Has your degree from the school gotten you opprotunities in the music industry you wouldnt have had otherwise?

Do you feel like you got your moneys worth and learned as much as you thought you were going to?

If you could go back in time would you apply again?

Thanks to anyone who can answer these questions, its a big investment so I need to know as much as possible before making my decision.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 10 2008, 07:46 PM

DOn't really know anything about that school, but I heard only good things about it.
Regarding the thing about big rock stars - most of us usually feel that way. But you know it is not like that in real life. After college you often end up in places you never thought you would be. Some people don't even pursue music, and find out they want something completely different, and others do become that rock stars they wanted in some way.
So my point is the present is what counts. I suggest you go to that school and be persistant. Work is somethign that eventually always pays off. If you work hard and I mean really hard, then you will get a break eventually. It doesn't happen when the man wants usually, but it will happen some time if you be persistant enough and work very hard to become that great guitar player that you want. If that is what you want - go for it man.

Posted by: Jeff0803 May 10 2008, 09:12 PM

QUOTE (Ivan Milenkovic @ May 10 2008, 07:46 PM)

DOn't really know anything about that school, but I heard only good things about it.
Regarding the thing about big rock stars - most of us usually feel that way. But you know it is not like that in real life. After college you often end up in places you never thought you would be. Some people don't even pursue music, and find out they want something completely different, and others do become that rock stars they wanted in some way.
So my point is the present is what counts. I suggest you go to that school and be persistant. Work is somethign that eventually always pays off. If you work hard and I mean really hard, then you will get a break eventually. It doesn't happen when the man wants usually, but it will happen some time if you be persistant enough and work very hard to become that great guitar player that you want. If that is what you want - go for it man.

Posted by: Zizi Top May 11 2008, 12:11 AM

if you have the opportunity to go .. i say go for it man ... but you know in my opinion, you don't have to go to that school to become a rockstar, lot of rockstar had a normal life before becoming rockstar (some where doctors lol) If you want to be a great guitarist, you just got to practice ( you can also learn theory on the way) ... it's cool to make guitar as a living, but don't forget to have a plan B .. nobody knows what can happen in the futur !
Anyway my advice would be to practice a lot, work hard, and if it's important for you to go to that school then go .. but if you can't afford it, and you have to have lot of extra job to get in that university, i say instead of getting all these jobs, practive guitar, record yourself, compose a really great song, put on GMC, on youtube, on myspace ... and maybe you'll be a rockstar
tchus dude

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic May 11 2008, 10:54 PM

Well I think you should go for it !! It will depend a lot on your self how much benefit (knowledge) you'll get from it!

Posted by: FrankW May 12 2008, 05:09 AM

Musician's Institute has been a dream of mine for many years! I sent away for a brochure years ago and was extremely impressed with what they have to offer. First of all, the teachers are incredibly talented and accomplished in their own right. You will see many of the world's top players teaching at Musician's Institute. Seminars are given by the world's most famous guitar heroes! You will live and breathe guitar for many hours per day which is the fastest way to become good. You will interact with many students from all over the world, and learn from them! Keep in mind that you will want to keep socializing, (clubbing and getting hammered), to a minimum because anyone who has the opportunity to go to such a special school should make good use of their time, and woodshed! It's only one year out of your life. Make good use of it, otherwise, why go? There's only one question; how much money do you have?

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 12 2008, 11:20 AM

QUOTE (Jeff0803 @ May 10 2008, 10:12 PM)

Posted by: Nick Kellie May 13 2008, 08:23 AM

guys like Scott henderson teach there from time to time - I believe he does open counseling. So it cant be too bad !

Posted by: iainsteward May 13 2008, 11:10 PM

I have a friend who went to the school, and he occasionally goes back to do clinics and see his old teachers and stuff and he says it was the best thing he ever did. I also know 2 people who have played there and say the facilities are outstanding. I went to music school and its very inspiring being surrounded by music all of the time, plus you constantly have people pushing you and you can jam with them, learn from them and even help them if you find yourself able to. My advice to you would be to go for it, follow your dreams to play guitar for a living but make sure you research it thoroughly before doing it.....best of luck to you my friend!

Iain!!

Posted by: tonymiro May 13 2008, 11:51 PM

A friend of mine went to GIT back in the 80s and said it helped his career a lot. He went on to set up GI (the UK equivalent) in the UK before he sold it on and still works as a pro musician. When I spoke to him about it, many years ago, and as I remember he really got a lot from it and might no have gone on and done what he did without having had the experience. He also met a lot of wonderful musicians (including Mike Stern and Frank Gambale).

GIT, Berkley etc however are great provided that you put in as much as possible - if you aren't going to then tbh why bother? Also you need to retain your own self of individuality - a lot of players come out of there as great players but who sound the same. A nice take on it from the sax player Ornette Coleman 'To improvise... [is to] be your self, not what school teaches you'.

All in all I'd say go if you can

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: Jeff0803 May 14 2008, 08:13 AM

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the advice. Im gonna do everything possible to get there and learn as much as possible. I think not doing it would be worse then spending the money that its going to cost to move out there and pay the tuition. Im only gonna live once

Posted by: Nick Kellie May 14 2008, 08:41 AM

Is your mate Tony Muschamp?

nick

Posted by: Juan M. Valero May 14 2008, 12:34 PM

If I were you I will go !! for sure, but don't you think that it will be easy, you will need to work a lot !!! so study hard

And then turn to GMC !!! don't forget us