Why study guitar?
With notable alumni such as three-time Grammy nominee James Bay, Declan McKenna’s touring guitarist Isabel Torres, and session musician Kai Smith – who has performed with Dua Lipa and Charli XCX – it‘s clear we know what it takes to truly master the guitar.
The role of the guitar player is a versatile one, making it one of the most exciting instruments to excel at. And at BIMM, you’ll transform your passion into something you can do for the rest of your life.
Whichever guitar course you choose, you’ll leave with all the skills, contacts and experience you need to break into the music industry.
Key facts
Available as an industry-led diploma or undergraduate degree,
A well-balanced blend of theory, analysis, practical and technical skills
State-of-the-art facilities and top-of-the-range equipment from some of music’s leading brands
Unrivalled industry internships and real-world opportunities
The chance to play guitar onstage at festivals like Glastonbury
Industry-leading Masterclasses with some of the planet’s best guitarists
What to expect
At BIMM, you’ll enhance your guitar skills and carve your own path to success. Our guitar courses, developed in consultation with industry professionals, provide comprehensive training across various musical styles to prepare you for the industry.
We believe in learning through doing. That’s why you’ll have countless opportunities to participate in live performances at respected venues, showcasing your talent to peers and industry professionals. You can even supplement your learning with extracurricular classes in software like Pro Tools and Logic, allowing you to expand your repertoire with important recording and mixing skills.
Option modules will allow you to explore diverse career paths, and you’ll gain extensive industry experience via BIMM’s record label and paid gigs. With our state-of-the-art facilities and supportive community, you’ll graduate with a robust skill set and the confidence to thrive in the music industry.
Choose your own path
At BIMM, we don’t believe that ‘one size fits all’. That’s why our courses provide the flexibility for you to follow your passions. Our Popular Music Performance undergraduate course first teaches you vital employability and musicianship skills, and then gives you the freedom to customise your learning with option modules.
With these option modules, you’ll get the chance to try your hand at scoring for film or television, learn about the psychology of music, or gain confidence with music theory, among many other areas.
In your third and final year, you’ll undertake a Final Project, where you’ll receive one-to-one sessions from a specialist in your area of interest. Whether you’re looking to become a band performer, singer-songwriter, or session musician, we’ll help you develop the skills the industry is looking for.
Our Creative Futures Team is committed to helping you gain performance experience, whether that’s by contributing to BIMM’s own record label, playing at BIMM gigs, or accessing paid gigs through our extensive industry connections. For example, we’ve had students perform at prestigious festivals such as Glastonbury, The Great Escape, 2000trees, and many more.
We also have a Student House Band scheme, where you can audition to become part of an exclusive group of session musicians. As a member, you’ll be paid to perform in lessons and assessments, and at a variety of BIMM events.
The Creative Futures Team offer one-to-one sessions where you’ll receive personalised careers guidance. They’ll also alert you to all the relevant job opportunities and internships that come in from our industry partners.
Graduates from our performance courses have gone on to do incredible things with their musical talents. Guitarists like James Bay, Isabel Torres, Sophie Lloyd, Kai Smith, and Aaron Forbes all walked through our doors and out into the music industry. And you could be next.
At BIMM, our renowned industry masterclasses offer you the unique chance to connect with some of the most influential and successful figures in the music industry. We’ll put you in a room with prominent musicians, prolific entrepreneurs, and top-class agents, who’ll share their exciting and varied journeys into music and media.
We’ve welcomed guitarists like Nile Rodgers (Chic), Guthrie Govan, Gerry Leonard (David Bowie’s guitarist), and Brian May (Queen) – all of whom offered their career tips, inspiring stories and unmatched wisdom to help our students navigate the industry.
Whether you’re passionate about performing live or in the recording studio (or both), you’ll learn from lecturers who’ve been there and done it.
Our staff are highly experienced professionals who are actively working in the music industry as session musicians, songwriters, independent artists, and more. With their in-depth knowledge of current and emerging trends in the sector, they’ll ensure that you stay ahead of the curve in your research and practice.
Performance students will be blown away by our state-of-the-art recording studios, designed to industry standards. Here, you’ll work with cutting-edge equipment, record your own sessions, and immerse yourself in the experience of a professional studio environment.
As you hone your skills, take advantage of our acoustically treated rehearsal rooms to unleash your creativity. Then, bring it all together in our live rooms, where you can perfect your performance alongside drummers, keyboardists, bassists and vocalists.
Any questions?
For any questions regarding our Guitar courses or if you’d like more information on how to apply to BIMM Music Institute, please contact our Enquiries Team on 01273 840 346 or email [email protected].
