Interview With Bruce Buckingham
“I never use tablature. Especially with jazz guitar students, I discourage them from using it. All the energy you put in learning tablature, you could be putting into learning to read music. You have to remember, tablature is just a guitar thing that the rest of the musical world doesn’t use.“
“The first step is to memorize your notes, your chord positions and your scale shapes. You have to start simple. I recommend using a method book to learn the various patterns — Musicians Institute has a series, and I used the Berklee books back when I learned. The books take you through each of the patterns, an open position, and then up the fretboard. It’s a solid foundation for learning how to play up and down the neck and learning where certain notes lay. Without knowing how to read music, I wouldn’t have had as much opportunity as a guitarist because some jobs require it. It opens you up to a whole world and helps clear up the mystery of where things lay on the guitar.“
–Bruce Buckingham
What is the Musicians Institute Guitar Craft Academy?
Musicians Institute Guitar Craft Academy Nashville is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. This authorization must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation by minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility.
Upcoming Events & Programs
We are dedicated to inspiring excellence in the guitar and music industry. Here is a list of classes we offer:
- Summer Workshops
- Guitar craft & Luthier School
- Guitar Acoustic Design
- And More!
Contact Musicians Institute Guitar Craft Academy Nashville
Come experience an exciting preview of what your life will be like when you study at MI Guitar Craft Academy. Meet the instructors, view a brief program presentation, participate in hands-on and Q&A sessions.