Why Study Guitar?
We know what it takes to make a guitarist not just great, but legendary. After all, the likes of James Bay, Isabel Torres, Cameron Cooper and Kai Smith (Dua Lipa) have walked through our doors and out into the music industry. And you could be next.
The role of the guitar player is a versatile one, making it one of the most exciting instruments to excel at. And at BIMM University Berlin, you’ll transform your passion into something you can do every day of your life.
After graduating from this three-year degree course, you’ll leave with all the skills, behaviours and experience you need to break into the music industry. You’ll gain hands-on experience, perform in live sessions, make invaluable connections and learn all you need to carve a meaningful career with your flight case in hand.
Key facts
Available at BIMM University Berlin Berlin
Available as an industry-led undergraduate degree
World-class lecturers
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
What to expect
Whether your goal is to become a better guitar player or define your own route to success, you’ll be able to achieve these and more at BIMM University Berlin.
Because we’ve consulted closely with industry professionals, we know that a watertight knowledge of all musical styles makes for an industry-ready guitar player. That’s why our BIMM University Berlin Guitar courses will hone your skills across the board.
You’ll learn core topics within your first year, such as:
- Core and Applied Instrument Skills
- Performance Skills
- Applied Performance
- Creative Technology
Optional modules to meet your goals
At BIMM University Berlin, we don’t believe that ‘one size fits all’. That’s why our Guitar course puts you in control. With our undergraduate course, you’ll first learn the necessary employability skills and find where you’ll fit within the industry. Then, you can customise your studies through our range of optional modules.
These are designed to help you become the multifaceted professional the industry is looking for – and ultimately help you reach your personal and professional goals.
Expand your skill set with optional modules, such as:
- Music Creation with Technology
- Specialised Genre Performance
- MD-Led Performance
- Scoring for Drama
- Culture and Society
Studying Guitar takes you places you never initially thought. With our optional modules, you’ll build your own path to success and launch into your dream career.
Your potential career paths:
- Creative Performer
- Session Specialist
- Commercial Band Performer
- Music Teacher
- Academic
For students wishing to maximise their instrumental and performance experience during their studies, the BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance degree stands unique amongst our courses for its live-performance focus for students within their first year, enabling graduates to have an expert level of knowledge and performance on their chosen discipline.
The Performance Skills module will take you through the process of effective live performance through individual preparation, live ensemble performance and reflective practice. Weekly instrument-specific prep classes will equip you with techniques for effective part-preparation, memorisation and rehearsal strategies. The Live Performance Workshop component will provide you with the opportunity to further your skillset through full-band live performance. Here you will receive guided feedback and feedforward from lecturers and peers to help further your own reflective practice. This will be recorded in a weekly Reflective Journal. You will be encouraged to develop confidence on stage, and the necessary arrangement and communication skills for professional live performance.
Exclusive networking opportunities
You’ll have access to exclusive networking opportunities and the chance to collaborate with like-minded fellow musicians throughout your course. And as we’re all about collaboration here at BIMM University Berlin, you’ll connect with creatives studying different disciplines through BIMM Connect – our own exclusive social media platform. This allows you to team up and network with fellow students, alumni, bands, songwriters, press agents, managers and promoters to get the most out of your time here.
We’re immensely proud that so many BIMM students have become successful professionals in the music industry – and turned playing guitar into their career. Head to our BIMM University Berlin Alumni page to find more Success Stories.
James is a guitar graduate from BIMM Brighton who's since gone on to become a multi-award-winning original artist and a household name.
BIMM London Guitar graduate Isabel is a session guitarist and educator. One of her main session roles is as touring live guitarist with songwriter and Columbia signee Declan McKenna.
BA (Hons) Professional Musicianship student Amy Shaw hadn't even officially graduated when she landed herself an amazing opportunity to tour the UK as a live session musician with new musical theatre production 'Six'.
At BIMM University Berlin, you’ll only learn from the best. Our lecturers know what it’s like to pick up a guitar and walk onto the stage, walk into a studio or tour around the world.
They can provide you with insider knowledge as to how the industry works that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s their goal to work with you and make your dream career happen.
Deniz studied Jazz/Pop Guitar at The Cologne Conservatory of Music and is a busy and in-demand guitarist from Hamburg. For more than ten years, he’s been the guitarist and co-songwriter of Hamburg-based indie rock band Fotos. Together they have released four critically acclaimed underground records.
Ben is a touring session guitar and bass player who is also in demand as a songwriter, arranger and producer. For 20 years you can find him in different studios and stages, where he has worked with a range of artists like the German Swing legend Paul Kuhn and the hardcore techno act “Grausame Töchter”
Nick’s musical experience stretches over 25 years. He holds a Master’s degree in Contemporary Improvisation from New England Conservatory, where he studied guitar with free-jazz luminary Joe Morris, klezmer expert Hankus Netsky, percussionist Jerry Leake and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Coleman.
BIMM University Berlin’s regular Masterclasses put you in the room with the guitarists at the top of their game.
The likes of Pete Callard, Gerry Leonard (David Bowie’s guitarist), Bumblefoot, Guthrie Govan and Brian May have given our students professional advice, career tips that you won’t find in any textbook and unmatched wisdom that will help you navigate the music industry.
The best way to learn your trade is by doing it for real. Our specialist Careers and Industry Teams are here to help you learn by doing. Armed with invaluable contacts and industry connections, they’ll find you the opportunities that money can’t buy – and help bring your portfolio to that next level.
You’ll also get regular performance opportunities throughout the course, whether it’s playing at our end-of-term gigs, our local music nights arranged and promoted by our Event Management and Music Business students, or at some of the world’s biggest festivals. We’ve got the connections so you can do what you love.
Check out our resources below to discover more about studying Guitar – and life at BIMM University Berlin in general. You’ll hear from students currently studying Guitar and read handy advice tips on how to find your niche as a performer once you get here.
The tutors are very experienced and I’ve learnt so much here.
For professional guitarists, teaching can be an essential, enjoyable and rewarding part of a successful portfolio career.
I have fallen in love with guitar and BIMM allowed me to take my passion further and make it my job.
Any questions?
For any questions regarding our Guitar courses or if you’d like more information on how to apply to BIMM University Berlin, please contact our Admissions Team on +49 (0)30 311 99 186 or email admissions@bimm-institute.de.
