10 Things I Learned From Attending Musicians Institute

Music has always been a universal language that brings people together, transcending barriers and creating beautiful moments of connection. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to play music. was fascinated with every nuance and detail concerning the guitar. In the spring of 2013, a lifelong dream of attending Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA came true. Throughout my time there, I learned valuable lessons that have shaped me both as a musician and as an individual. Here are the top 10 things I learned from my experience at Musicians Institute.

1. Music Theory

I was one of those guys who learned to play without any formal training. Before Musicians Institute, or MI, I saw music theory as a threat to my creativity. I thought that if I learned all the rules, I’d unconsciously start following them and limit my creative freedom. It makes no sense in retrospect but this was me at 19.

Music theory opened my eyes to structures and patterns within music that I could never otherwise fathom. I quickly realized that this was the language that musicians of a certain caliber use to communicate with each other. The jargon was important to understand in order to exist in the upper echelons of musicianship. I learned the intricate worlds of scales, chords, and harmony. Understanding music theory made me a better songwriter, composer, and overall musician. After studying music theory, I can confidently walk into a jam session, look at a chord chart, or listen to a song and instantly have a deeper and more knowledgeable understanding of what’s going on.

2. Mastering Instrumental Techniques

Musicians Institute provided me with the time, space, and opportunity to eat, sleep, and practice music. It gave me the chance to refine my skills, learn new ones and take my playing to a whole new level. I was rubbing shoulders with some of the finest guitarists in the industry today, and that was inspiration enough. Every day I would see jaw-dropping feats being performed on guitar by fellow students. Every day I would retreat to my sanctuary and practice the things I had learned and try to grasp at greatness. The course structure has a variety of guitar styles that can be taken up as electives. In addition to solid course options, MI has open counseling sessions where industry giants open their doors to budding guitar players to wander in from the halls of MI to sit, have a chat, jam, and ask their most pressing questions. The guidance and expertise of the faculty are what make this institution such a great place.

3. Collaborative Skills and Networking

Music is most often a collaborative act, and learning to work with other musicians is imperative. Musicians Institute enables access to a vast network of music professionals from around the globe. Through these collaborations, I’ve not only made some lifelong friends, but also have a worldwide network of musicians to work with. Through campus events, house parties, jam sessions, and MI’s amazing Live Performance Workshops (LPW), I got to meet so many amazing people. The trick is to never make it about “networking” – it’s almost always about having a fun hang and connecting on a personal level.

4. Live Performance Experience

Los Angeles has been the mecca for bands ever since the 1950s. It continues to have a vibrant music scene and is a vast ocean of talent for all kinds of music. At MI, there are Live Performance Workshops, also known as LPWs. These are simulations of real-world gig situations where you walk onstage to play a song with a group of peers you’ve just met, in a state-of-the-art auditorium with pro sound gear. Everyone has a chart and plays the tune to be graded by an instructor. This is all part of the course curriculum.

Performing live is an exhilarating experience that can’t be replicated in a classroom setting. Student bands are constantly forming and playing out all over LA. These experiences have led to so many gigs and opportunities outside of campus over the years.

5. Music Production and Technology

In today’s digital age, music production and technology play a crucial role in the industry. MI gave me a front-row seat to witness industry giants in action. In the music production wing of the school, there are multiples recording studios available for students to use. Studio recording is also an elective and teaches students the various industry standard practices for recording world-class-sounding guitar tracks. I took a few production classes at MI and got hands-on experience with Logic, Pro-Tools, Ableton Live, and learned a bunch of really useful programming tricks. Understanding the technical aspects of music production has opened up new avenues for creativity and self-expression, which led me to scoring production and audio engineering gigs down the road.

6. Music Business and Marketing

Being a successful musician goes beyond just talent. That is something that becomes all too apparent once you’re at MI. Being able to shred is great, but being able to shred, create, market, sell, network, and entertain is what is required if you want to stand out from the crowd. Musicians Institute offered courses in music business and marketing, teaching me the importance of self-promotion, branding, and networking within the industry. I also learned a bunch from MI’s internship placement program. I worked with award-winning bands and agencies and got to learn the ropes by shadowing some of the best to do it. These skills pushed me to start my own music brand, Saint Sid.

7. Songwriting and Composition

While I was at MI, I was surrounded by songwriters. The school has songwriting classes and workshops on the regular, along with showcases to help hone your skills playing to an audience. Writing original music is a powerful way to connect with listeners on a deeper level, and being immersed in this environment inspired me to start writing music, crafting lyrics, and sharing them with my peers. The songwriting classes guided me through the process of crafting compelling melodies and meaningful lyrics. These skills have enabled me to create music that resonates with others. It has also opened my eyes to the intricate art of crafting a song.

8. Time Management and Discipline

There is no shortage of distractions in Hollywood, especially for young people. Becoming a proficient musician requires discipline and effective time management. Being able to navigate this landscape of shiny objects and emerge with a degree and internships in hand taught me a lot about work ethic and time management. I’ve heard the words discipline and routine thrown around a lot. The experience of student life in Hollywood for a few years really gave those words new meaning. Prioritizing my practice sessions, assignments, and projects became the only focus. Learning to manage my time effectively has been invaluable, allowing me to make consistent progress in my musical journey. It has also been a fundamental skill in my entrepreneurship.

9. Life and Stuff

There aren’t very many places on earth that cost as much as Los Angeles. When you’re a student from India, the rupee-to-dollar exchange rate does you no favors. Luckily, I had a few scholarships under my belt and that helped me out. But the things I learned from being on a strict budget shall remain with me for life. Everything from learning to cook, clean, and subsidize almost every area of life. The student life! But there’s something magical that happens during this time –I learned to hustle like my life depended on it. I basically MacGyvered my way through anything that life threw at me out of sheer necessity. And I’m happy to admit that the calluses formed in that phase have remained.

10. Passion and Perseverance

This journey has taught me that there is nothing that is impossible if your efforts are backed by passion and perseverance. It isn’t easy being a musician. This life isn’t for everyone. I was told this early on, but I’ve been able to grasp the full weight of that statement only recently. I’ve learned to do it for the love of it. Not for money or fame, but just the love of creating and playing. And that is enough.

Attending Musicians Institute was a transformative experience, to say the least. It’s had a lasting impact on me as both a musician and an individual. The lessons I learned, ranging from music theory and instrument technique to networking and self-promotion, have taken my career to new heights. It has no doubt equipped me with the confidence to navigate the complex world of music. If you’re considering attending music school, I highly recommend MI. That said, at the end of the day, it comes down to what you make of it. I’ve seen alumni go on to achieve spectacular success and others who move on to other fields that have nothing to do with music. In either case, the experience of MI has been a gift in my life and I hope that it will be so in yours as well. Good luck!