Guitar

Become a Better Guitarist with Berklee

Develop your sound and become a more well-rounded guitarist. Learn chords and scales in any style, and advance your blues, rock, jazz, and funk technique.

Courses

Courses are best for students who are looking to meet a specific need, or simply want to get started with Berklee Online. No application necessary.

  • Next semester starts April 1
  • 12 Weeks
  • 5-10 Hours Per Week
OPERF-110
Level 1 Level 1
Undergraduate Course
Learn an approach to improvisation that applies to all styles and instruments by studying legendary players and finding your own style by learning to develop solos on the fly.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-120
Level 1 Level 1
Undergraduate Course
Add dynamics and expression to your playing and gain a greater feel for your instrument through Berklee’s approach to constructing chords and chord voicings.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-121
Level 1 Level 1
Undergraduate Course
Develop your technique, and learn to confidently navigate the guitar fretboard by gaining a firm understanding of scales and modes.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-105
Level 1 Level 1
Undergraduate Course
Guitar for Beginners is a comprehensive introduction to the instrument. The course explores basic techniques for chord-playing and melodic improvisation, and introduces a variety of chord forms and scale patterns.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-110
Level 1 Level 1
Undergraduate Course
Learn how to use a DAW and master guitar amplifier modeling and effects processing, in addition to several other digital technologies applicable to recording and live performance.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OPLGT-101
Gain the theoretical foundation for guitar performance, mastering topics such as chromatic and major scale forms and the chord forms these scales represent.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OPLGT-102
Learn the melodic minor scale, the harmonic possibilities it represents, and gain a mastery of related triads across the fretboard in the most common keys.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-222
Level 2 Level 2
Undergraduate Course
Learn the techniques and licks of blues legends such as T-Bone Walker, Lightning Hopkins, B.B. King, and more to explore the form, feel, and harmony that will help to bring a blues sound to your playing.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-225
Level 2 Level 2
Undergraduate Course
Elevate your playing by learning the styles and techniques of the architects of classic rock guitar: Hendrix, Clapton, Beck, Gilmour, and Page.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-210
Level 2 Level 2
Undergraduate Course
Gain a foundational, working repertoire for classical guitar and learn techniques including tremolo, rasgueado, slurs, and percussion effects.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-228
Level 2 Level 2
Undergraduate Course
In Country Guitar you will learn how to play guitar in the country music style. The course begins with the basic tools and techniques that are essential for any country guitar player and gradually gets more complex as we work through the various sub-genres of country music, including western swing, fingerstyle, truck-drivin’ songs, and modern pop/rock country. The course covers techniques for developing, practicing, and performing melody lines, various country style rhythms, soloing, and improvisation, as well as playing melodies and bass lines while simultaneously playing through chord progressions.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-223
Level 2 Level 2
Undergraduate Course
Learn to use your ears, hands, and the tools of the trade to play jazz, rock, blues, country, and other genres, with an authentic guitar tone.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-227
Level 2 Level 2
Undergraduate Course
Master solos and rhythm parts in the metal/progressive rock style by learning scales, shapes, and theory on the guitar fretboard.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OPLGT-201
Where Private Guitar Lesson Level 2 introduced the melodic minor scale and the harmonic possibilities represented by the scale, Level 3 does the same with the harmonic minor scale and its chordal possibilities.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OPLGT-202
Explore the major and minor pentatonic scale in two octaves across the fretboard and an expansion of melodic minor chord forms.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OPLGT-203
Focus on the major scale in all keys and in various positions, explore chord inversions further, voice leading, and the chromatic scale.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-226
Level 2 Level 2
Undergraduate Course
Expand your chord knowledge and learn to construct original rhythm guitar grooves that you can apply to a wide variety of music styles.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-351
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
Explore acoustic blues guitar, from fingerpicking melodies to soloing over independent bass patterns, to performing in the acoustic bottleneck slide style.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-350
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
Strengthen your rhythmic strumming, use of alternate tunings, and fingerstyle playing, and improve your fluency, tone, dynamics, and control.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-352
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
Learn how to play rhythm guitar parts and solos over a variety of blues progressions, grooves, and tempos in styles such as shuffles, funky blues, soul, and more.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-328
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
Learn the appropriate scales, the best use of effects, and the rhythmic and melodic timing to create an authentic funk-based solo and sound.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OPERF-312
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
Learn the art of jazz improvisation from Gary Burton, one of the most renowned improvisers in the jazz world.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-320
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
Improve your style, technique, and tone as you learn open triads, 7th chord structures, open triadic shapes, and inversions in a variety of musical styles
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-327
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
Study the styles of some of the most influential jazz guitarists, and learn the basics behind language, building melodic tension, and improvisation techniques.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OPLGT-301
Explore melodic minor in all keys and three octaves, the whole tone scale in all keys, and master four-part arpeggios and chord voicings in all keys.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OPLGT-302
Private Guitar Lesson Level 7 builds upon the knowledge gained in earlier levels regarding the harmonic minor scale and its chordal possibilities.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-340
Level 3 Level 3
Undergraduate Course
Learn harmony as it relates to the guitar fretboard, rhythm as it relates to different musical grooves, and improv concepts to build a solo guitar piece.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-460
Level 4 Level 4
Undergraduate Course
Explore the many creative and technical considerations you need to know to mix music in today’s production environment.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-420
Level 4 Level 4
Undergraduate Course
Learn to play a great guitar solo! Guitar Improvisation Techniques is for guitarists who may know the technical aspects of playing, but lack the theory needed to build a solo that moves listeners.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-427
Level 4 Level 4
Undergraduate Course
Develop your jazz guitar performance skills by learning advanced techniques to improvise over chord changes, both in traditional standards and modern harmony.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OPLGT-401
Private Guitar Lesson Level 8 continues the application of the harmonic minor scale and its chordal possibilities in all keys.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OPLGT-402
Private Guitar Lesson Level 9 is an opportunity for you to creatively demonstrate the depth and breadth of the skills you have developed in the guitar program.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290
OGUIT-415
Level 4 Level 4
Undergraduate Course
Gain a deep understanding and command of the playing styles, repertoire, techniques, and musical concepts of guitar legend and Berklee alum Steve Vai.
  • Credit: $1,545
  • Non-Credit: $1,290

Certificates

Gain the professional credentials and marketable skills you need to succeed in your specific area of the music industry. Certificates range from foundational-skill building to graduate-level. No application necessary.

  • Next semester starts April 1
  • 3-18 Months
  • 5-10 Hours Per Week
Advanced Professional
8 Courses · 24 Credits
This customizable program allows you to earn an Advanced Professional Certificate in General Music Studies by choosing eight courses from any interest area.
Advanced Professional
8 Courses · 24 Credits
Learn the basics (chords and scales), as well as more advanced components of guitar (improvisation, form, and inflection) that will take your playing to the next level. You’ll also take a deep dive into blues and acoustic guitar techniques.
Professional
3 Courses · 9 Credits
With the help of Berklee’s Guitar Department, you’ll learn all the rhythms, riffs, licks, leads, and solos you’ll need to play the blues.
Professional
5 Courses · 15 Credits
Learn the fundamentals of jazz guitar by exploring topics such as scales, chords, melodic tension, and improvisation.
Professional
3 Courses · 9 Credits
Discover what it takes to play well-executed rock guitar, from phrasing, rhythm, tone, modes, to improvisation techniques that can take you to the next level.
Professional
4 Courses · 12 Credits
Learn the basics of chords and scales, as well as the nuances of improvisation, form, and inflection that will take your guitar playing to the next level.
Professional
4 Courses · 12 Credits
This customizable program allows you to earn a Professional Certificate in General Music Studies by choosing four courses from any interest area.

Degree Programs

Degree programs are the most affordable and flexible option for earning your music degree from Berklee College of Music. They are the best option for students who want a music education degree and the full Berklee experience.

  • Apply for June 24 semester start.
    • Get a decision within 2 weeks
  • Master's Degree: 1-3 Years
    Bachelor's Degree: 2-4 Years
  • 5-10 Hours Per Week
36 Credits
Expand your knowledge and skills in four areas critical to advancing a career in the music industry: music business, music production and technology, songwriting, and film scoring.
120 Credits
Develop a unique guitar sound and improve your technique and musicianship through a rigorous study that includes private lessons with Berklee’s renowned faculty.
120 Credits
“Build your own” music major by selecting coursework from a number of disciplines that align with your personal career goals.
45 of 120 Credits
This major is geared specifically for new and entering students who are not yet ready to declare their major.

New! Masterclasses

With Berklee Online’s new Masterclasses, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from Berklee's acclaimed instructors over the course of one live session for only $99.

Get Access to Free Handbooks

Gain access to real course content from Berklee Online's 12-week, instructor-led online courses. From foundational concepts to advanced techniques, these free handbooks cover a variety of topics, all designed to provide you with marketable skills in music.

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