• Music Artist Programs
    Major Area // Guitar〔2 Years〕Careers in Music

Revolutionized contemporary music education with offering hands-on professional training for the electric quitarist.

In 1977 the Guitar course of Musicians Institute revolutionized contemporary music education with the first full-time program to offer hands-on professional training for the electric guitarist. Over three decades later, MI remains the leader in guitar education, with a unique system that combines technical, creative and professional development in a performance-based program.
At MI Tokyo, you learn from a proven curriculum taught by the best guitar instructors in the world, augmented by visiting artists’ seminars, concerts, and lessons from some of the greatest players in contemporary music. At our guitar course, you get to network with other players, find your creative sound, and get the training you need to become the player you have always dreamed of being.

PROGRAM

Fundamental Techniques

  • Course
  • Contents of Class
  • Descriptions
Techniques Contents of Class:Guitar Technique This course is an introduction to the basic fretting and picking techniques, the layout of the guitar fretboard, basic chords, chord progressions, and a general introduction to the most common solo and rhythm guitar approaches.
Performance Contents of Class:Ensemble The aim of this course is to develop learners’ abilities to work together in musical ensembles. This course deals with the communication aspects of performance: in planning, preparation, and the performance itself. It includes approaches to structured ensemble practice; fine tuning of arrangement, and the production of appropriate tones and sounds.
Rhythm Reading Workout Contents of Class:Rhythm Training This course is designed to give Performance Program students a solid foundation in reading rhythms. Students will focus solely on understanding rhythmic notation and subdividing basics, reading rhythm deals with the understanding of rhythm concepts.
Digital Audio Workstation Contents of Class:Digital Music This course is an introduction to digital audio technology as an essential tool for the creation of computer-based recordings. Students learn intuitive set-up procedures and use of controllers and DAWs. This course is the study and application of mixing techniques, with emphasis on audio processing using effects plug-ins.
Keyboard Proficiency Contents of Class:Keyboards Keyboard Proficiency serves as an introduction to contemporary keyboard technique. Through the study of physical posture, finger technique, diatonic scales & chord progressions, this course will enable students to develop the necessary motor skills require for using the keyboard both as a performing instrument and compositional tool.
Reading Contents of Class:Guitar Reading This course introduces the fundamentals of music reading and the basic terminology used in written notation. The emphasis will be placed on how to read single-note lines in open position, key signatures and accidentals, how to navigate a basic chart, plus the chromatic note names and their position on the neck.
Harmony & Theory Contents of Class:Music Theory This course is the study of popular music composition devices and their foundation in basic music theory. This is accomplished through the analysis of popular harmonic structures, melodies, and various common rhythmic patterns.
Ear Training Contents of Class:Ear Training This course is an introduction to ear training, techniques, which can be used within popular music. This is accomplished through the technique of matching specific pitches, major scale melodies, and melodic intervals. In ear training students are developing their inner ear, the ability to accurately hear and identify musical elements in their head while reading, listening to, and thinking about music.
Music Business Contents of Class:Music Business This course will introduce aspiring artists to the business side of music. It covers the key areas and issues artists should be aware of when creating and marketing music, developing their careers, selecting artist-team members, seeking industry attention, and entering into contractual relationships. It will present, in a realistic way, what it takes to stand out, protect vital interests and ultimately be successful in the music business today.
Songwriting Contents of Class:Composing & Lyric Writing Fundamentals of comtemporary music creation, including song structure, tempo, lyrics, melody, harmony, rhythmic elements, and subjective emotional qualities.
Students anylyze influential artists and styles, learn to compose genre-specific grooves and melodic phrases.
English Communication Contents of Class:English Communication Students will develop their fluency through a range of speaking activities. Ths course aims to introduce vocabulary related to music topics.

Special lectures

  • Course
  • Contents of Class
  • Descriptions
LPW(Live Playing Workshop) Contents of Class:Wide range of opportunities to gain valuable performing experienceEnsemble LPWs provide students with a wide range of opportunities to gain valuable performing experience by concentrating in one area or by sampling a variety of styles and musical setting.
Develop stage-ready live performing skills in contemporary styles from blues, jazz, fusion, rock, funk, hard rock, heavy metal, and J-Pop.
Open Counseling Contents of Class:Personalized Open counseling connects you to the best counseling no matter what is your major or grade. Small class sizes, private lessons and open counseling sessions mean you get personalized attention and guidance from a variety of instructors.
Elective Contents of Class:Electives Electivies are meant to be fun and interesting. You can go in the other direction of what your major is or take classese that meld with your major. They can be an immense benefit to your professional career.

Time / period

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Time / period Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
9:30-11:00 Guitar Technique Harmony & Theory Performance Digital Audio Workstation Ear Training Studio Rental
11:15-12:45 R.R.W (1st term)Songwriting (2nd term) Music Business Keyboard Proficiency English Communication Reading
12:45-13:30     Lunch Time    
13:30-14:15     Open Counseling    
14:30-16:00     Live Playing Workshop    
16:15-17:45     Elective      
18:00-20:00     Studio Rental    

* Timetable is subject to change.

PICK UP! ELECTIVE『Rhythmic Guitar 』

Hideyuki Ohashi

PROFILE▶︎
Education: MI Tokyo CREDITS: KUROYUME, KIYOHARU, ROOTFIVE etc he has been participating in several bands activities.

What do I learn at this elective course?
This course is designed to give a solid foundation in reading rhythms.Students will focus solely on understanding rhythmic notation and subdividing basics. Topics covers include; notation basics (bar lines, time signatures) notes and rests.

Featured Faculty

Masato Enami

【PROFILE】 Graduated from MI Hollywood. Returned to Japan after various music activities abroad. Besides teaching at MI Tokyo, Masato Enami is a renowned musician making music with famous artists.

Masaya Shinohara

【PROFILE】 Background & Education Studied guitar from age 12 in Japan and graduated GIT, MI Hollywood.Credits Thick Taylor Guitars Demonstration at NAMM Show A session guitarist for TEDx Tokyo House Band Work as a session guitarist.
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