Why Study Guitar?
We know what it takes to make a legendary guitarist. Our guitar graduates include names like James Bay, Isabel Torres, Cameron Cooper, and Kai Smith (Dua Lipa). Our successful guitar graduates can also be seen in the huge variety of bands that have formed across BIMM University’s 7 music campuses.
The role of the guitar player is a very versatile one, making it one of the most exciting instruments to master. At BIMM Berlin, you’ll be doing just that, transforming your passion into something you can do for a living.
After graduating from this three-year degree course, you’ll leave with all the skills, network, and experience you need to find your place in the music industry. You’ll regularly gain hands-on experience in new areas, perform live sessions, make valuable industry connections, and learn all you need to carve out a successful music career.
Key facts
Available at BIMM University Berlin
Available as an industry-led undergraduate degree
World-class lecturers
A well-balanced blend of theory, analysis, practical and technical skills
Cutting-edge facilities and top-tier 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 session musician, or find your place in the wider music industry, you’ll be able to achieve these and more at BIMM University Berlin.
Each day, you’ll learn in large live rooms, smaller studio settings, and lecture-based classrooms. And of course, you’ll be surrounded by our incredible facilities. Because we’ve worked 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
Optional modules to meet your goals
At BIMM University Berlin, our students arrive with hugely diverse career ambitions. That’s why our guitar course puts you in control.
First, you’ll 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.
Our optional modules are designed to help you become the unique, multifaceted professional the industry is looking for. You’ll expand your knowledge in other areas as well and refine your studies to focus on whichever pathway best suits you.
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
By studying our guitar course, your career will lead you down many creative avenues. With our optional modules, you can streamline your path to success and better prepare you for your dream career.
Your potential career paths:
- Artist and Performer Session Musician
- Band leader
- Composer
- Commercial Band Performer
- Music Teacher / Guitar Teacher
For students with a passion for live performance, the BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance degree offers a unique emphasis on live playing within the very first year. You’ll develop expert-level knowledge and performance skills in your chosen discipline, preparing you for a career in the live music industry.
The Performance Skills module will guide you through the process of developing an authentic live performance, from individual preparation and rehearsal to ensemble performance and reflective practice. Weekly instrument-specific preparation classes will help you develop effective rehearsal techniques and strategies tailored to your discipline.
Through the Live Performance Workshop, you’ll put these skills into practice through full-band performances, receiving constructive feedback and advice from lecturers and peers. You’ll use this feedback to develop your reflective practice, which you’ll document in a weekly Reflective Journal.
Throughout the module, you’ll build confidence on stage while developing the arrangement, communication, and collaborative skills needed for professional live performance.
Exclusive networking opportunities
At BIMM University Berlin, we believe that collaboration is key. That’s why you’ll have access to exclusive networking opportunities that connect you to the people who can help you find your place in the music business.
After stepping onto our campus, you’ll be surrounded by the very musicians, vocalists, music business professionals, producers and filmmakers that will populate the future creative industry. Not just in Berlin, but across Europe.
At BIMM Berlin, your success is our success. We’re immensely proud that so many BIMM students have become successful guitarists in the music industry, finding their niche and following their passion. Head to our BIMM University Berlin Alumni page to find out more.
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'.
You’ll learn from experienced lecturers with extensive industry backgrounds, many of whom continue to work professionally across the music industry.
Drawing on their first-hand knowledge and expertise, they’ll guide you through your studies and help you understand how to navigate the ever-changing music business. Their goal is to equip you with the skills and confidence needed to take your first step into the industry.
Nick Morrison is a composer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. After quitting classical piano at the age of 18, he spent time creating minimalist chamber music, playing rock and improvised music in Chicago and travelling to Senegal to study and perform West African music. He holds an MA 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.
Michał Limboski is a songwriter, guitarist, vocalist and music producer. After quitting classical guitar school at the age of 17, he spent time learning the secrets of acoustic delta blues and attended Theatre Studies in Jagiellonian University in Krakow. Later, he continued his music education at the Jazz Institute of the Music Academy in Katowice, Poland. He has released 8 albums of original music.
BIMM University Berlin’s regular Masterclasses give students the opportunity to learn directly from musicians at the top of their game. Held on campus throughout the year, these sessions offer first-hand industry insight and knowledge you simply won’t find in a textbook.
This has previously included:
- Brian May
- Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age)
- Cory Wong (Vulfpeck)
- Gerry Leonard (David Bowie)
- Bumblefoot
The best way to establish yourself in Berlin is by doing it for real. And our specialist Careers Team (Creative Futures) are here to assist with just that. Armed with invaluable contacts and industry connections, they’ll find you the opportunities that other universities can’t, – and help bring your portfolio to that next level.
Being a BIMM student also means you get access to exclusive opportunities other music students could only dream of. This includes the chance to perform or attend some of the best festivals on the planet (like The Great Escape Festival, Tons of Rock, Reeperbahn, and Glastonbury). You will also regularly collaborate with fellow students across our music, production, and filmmaking faculties.
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-university.de.
