2025 BATH GUITAR SUMMER SCHOOL Contemporary styles courses
version 3.0
Welcome to Bath 2025 We’re celebrating our 30th year!
30 years ago IGF's first festival was the Bath Guitar Festival and Summer School. It is the root of all our work that was to come in the next 30 years so it is with great pleasure that we can offer you an especially rich and varied event in 2025 bursting with fantastic courses, concerts, lectures and workshops. Bath 2025 fully embraces the diversity of the guitar: whatever your level, musical interest or style of guitar playing: I am sure we have something for you!
See you in Bath!
WARNING: Attending the IGF summer school may seriously improve your playing!
Tom Kerstens, Artistic Director IGF
Introduction
Course Lead: Jason Sidwell There are seven guitar courses on offer for 2025 that offer a variety of styles and ability levels. Each tutor has a wealth of performing and recording experience that will benefit all students that attend. Check out the exciting new course we are piloting in 2025. This course is for beginners who would like to try electric guitar for the first time or improvers wanting to increase their confidence playing. Electric Foundations
electric & acoustic guitar courses Contemporary Guitar
What’s included?
approx 30hrs tuition over 5 days
jam sessions every evening
final night student concert
a video recording of your student concert performance
free entry to all lunchtime and evening concerts taking place on-campus
Course Guide
Electric Foundations Jon Bishop
Acoustic Chris Quinn
Jazz John Wheatcroft
Level 1
Level 2 +
Level 3 +
Level 1 playing experience 1 yr + familiar with basic chords and a few scales, can play a few songs Level 2 playing experience 3 yrs + familiar with 7th chords, the minor and major pentatonic, strumming / string bending / alternate picking, may play in a band Level 3 playing experience 5 yrs + familiar with 9th chords, scales and modes, the minor and major pentatonic, strumming / string bending, plays several styles, likely plays in a band
Rock & Blues Foundations David Mead
Vintage Electric Chris Corcoran
Level 2 +
Level 1
Groove Jason Sidwell
Blues & Country Andy Saphir
Level 2 +
Level 3 +
Need advice? email us: info@igf.org.uk
“The IGF summer school gives the opportunity to learn from the collective experience of incredible professional players” Meet the Tutors
Electric Foundations Tutor: Jon Bishop Do you play acoustic guitar and want to move over to electric? Know a few chords but nothing about bending strings, finger vibrato or the minor pentatonic scale? This course is for you!
Course outline
Jon Bishop is an experienced performer and educator who is keen to get you up and running with the electric guitar, the techniques played and gear such as amps, pedals and cables used. You will explore fundamental playing approaches, core stylistic techniques and what sounds suit different genres from pop to rock, soul to blues. Above it will be fun and you'll begin the journey of being a great electric guitarist.
This course is now on sale.
Watch Video
Rock & Blues Foundations Tutor: David Mead A focus on the fundamentals from major and minor chords, the pentatonic scale, blues licks and riffs. Giving the skills you need to make sure-footed progress with your playing.
Course outline
Typical topics will involve mapping out the fretboard using the CAGED System, the major and minor scales you need to make your solos ignite, picking hand technique – specifically alternate picking and muting – fretting-hand skills like slurs, bends, double stops and vibrato and much more. We’ll also look at the fundamentals of blues playing, both rhythm and lead, the 12-bar blues format and some of the common variations like the ‘quick change’ and ‘riff blues’. But most of all, we’re going to have fun!
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Acoustic Tutor: Chris Quinn
This acoustic course promises to reveal how techniques from Robert Johnson through to Ed Sheeran will make you a better fingerstylist.
Course outline
Looking at guitar masters like Merle Travis, Jason Isbell, John Mayer, James Taylor and Paul Simon, you’ll study important exercises and techniques that can give you that solid, timeless sound. You’ll learn how to use these skills in modern guitar arrangements and for your own live performances. This inclusive week of workshops and group playing is aimed at lovers of quality songwriting, fingerpicking and guitarists wishing to take their acoustic playing to the next level.
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Vintage Electric Blues Tutor: Chris Corcoran Referencing the big sound of ‘40s & ‘50s R&B and Jump Blues guitar, this course will give a fresh perspective on how to add drive, style and invention.
Course outline
Licks, riffs and phrases will be covered as well as the styles of the early electric guitar pioneers such as BB King, T-Bone Walker, Freddie King, Tiny Grimes and Charlie Christian
Chris will also include examples and pointers of his signature chromatic blues style.
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Groove Tutor: Jason Sidwell
Playing in time with energy and sophistication is what this involving course is about. Funk/soul/modern RnB styles spanning artists like Jimmy Nolen, Nile Rodgers, Al McKay.
Course outline
The core topics will be rhythmic syncopation, chord vocabulary, octaves, double-stops, Dorian and Mixolydian mode usage and how best to interact with drums and bass. There will be additional modules that cover soloing over unique chord progressions (Stevie Wonder to Steely Dan) and deep dives into expanding alternate and hybrid picking techniques.
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Blues & Country Tutor: Andy Saphir
This course looks at the techniques, musical approaches and lick vocabulary used in electric blues lead guitar.
Course outline
By delving into the styles of blues guitar greats of the past and present like T Bone Walker, BB King, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Bonamassa and Kirk Fletcher, you will learn staple blues guitar approaches such as mixing minor and major pentatonics, string bending and double stops. In addition, the course looks at the theory behind some of those cool jazz sounding approaches used by players like Robben Ford, Larry Carlton and Josh Smith.
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Jazz Tutor: John Wheatcroft
This course focuses on the exciting sounds of jazz, looking at players ranging from Wes Montgomery to John Scofield, George Benson to Mike Stern.
Course outline
We’ll be covering a wide range of topics, ranging from accessible simple and direct ideas to more sophisticated and complex concepts, all framed into repertoire coming directly from the American Songbook. You’ll learn immediately applicable ideas to expand your comping, melodic delivery, ensemble interplay, technique, improvisation and creativity.
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Schedule
Weds
Tues
Thurs
Fri
Sat
Sun
Breakfast
Classes
Classes
Classes
Departure
Morning
Registration Classes
Lunch
Welcome
Rehearsal/ soundcheck
Classes
Classes
Classes
Afternoon
Classes
Dinner
Jam session
Student Concert
Jam session
Jam session
Jam session
Evening
Jam Sessions
Get up and play! Join fellow students in the SU bar and play the night away. Our phenomenal house band will be there every night to accompany you, in any style.
Student Union Bar
The SU bar on campus is open from 19.00 - 23.00 every night. All summer school students are welcome to join in the jam sessions or just relax in the bar. Students under 18yrs old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or IGF staff member.
“The jam nights were great. Performing one night really helped overcome being nervous on stage and building confidence”
Student Concert
Your chance to shine! The week culminates in a student concert on the last night. Each class plays a set and shows off what they have learnt to fellow students, friends and family. After the main show students (and tutors) can get up and play some more in an open mic session.
This event is guaranteed to be a lot of fun!
Don’t forget to invite friends and family along to hear you play (entry to the student concert is free).
“The finale concert was an absolute blast! Can’t wait to do it again!”
The final concert is professionally filmed. Students can request the video recording of their performance.
Women and girls come and join us!
Wondering if the summer school is right for you?
Our mission is to share the joy of playing and learning guitar. We welcome everyone to join us and take part.
You’ll find a friendly and welcoming environment that is guaranteed to improve your playing and confidence in performing. why not give it a try?
Testimonials
What our students say:
“All in all a great week” A must for those wanting to develop and stretch their guitar playing. All the tutors are super talented, great teachers, and super approachable.
“Highly recommended” The IGF summer school gives an opportunity to learn from the collective experience of incredible professional players. The atmosphere is fun and the tuition excellent.
“Course tutors are all excellent” An exceptional way to spend 5 days being able to totally concentrate on learning and playing guitar. The course tutors are all excellent teachers and musicians.
Concerts celebrating every style of guitar
Our summer school is unique in bringing together players of many different styles of guitar. We are proud to showcase the amazing diversity of the instrument and would encourage all students to come along to the lunchtime and evening concerts and hear something new!
Past events
students get free entry to all concerts!
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore 19 .30 - 22.30 every night
Newton Park Campus Bath Spa University
Getting there Bath Spa Newton Park Campus The university campus is approx. 4.5 miles from the centre of Bath. Postcode: BA2 9BN
Train & Bus Services
The U5 FirstBus service to the campus departs from outside the Bath Spa train station. Check the Bath Spa Unibus on the FirstBus website for the latest times.
By Car
Parking is available on campus. A permit for the week can be purchased when booking a course
By Plane
Bristol Airport is about 20 miles away. You can also fly to any London airport and take the train from London Paddington.
Campus facilities Commons Building
The home during the week for our contemporary styles courses. Classrooms are modern, bright and accessible. The café on the ground floor is a popular meeting place for coffee during breaks and sandwiches and some hot meals can be purchased at lunchtime. Michael Tippett Centre Classical guitar students are based in the wonderful Michael Tippett Centre with its multiple teaching rooms and auditorium. Concerts by guest artists and the classical and flamenco student concerts are held in the auditorium.
Student Union Bar
All students are welcome to join in the jam nights every evening in the student union bar.
Accommodation Rooms Single occupancy rooms in the halls of residence are on the small side but they are clean and comfortable. Each room has a large single bed, ensuite bathroom, wardrobe and study desk & chair. Free wi-fi is available. There is a shared kitchen with coffee/tea making facilities. Accessibility There are no lifts in the residential blocks. If you require a ground floor room please specify when booking. The accommodation is a distance from the main buildings (5-10 mins walk). Please contact us if you have any concerns around accessibility.
Meals Breakfast and dinner Breakfast and dinner are served in the refectory to students staying on campus.
Good quality hot meals are provided and vegetarians and vegans are catered for.
Lunch Lunch can be purchased in the café or shop in the Commons building.
Commons Café
“The meals were amazing and it was great to be living on campus”
Refectory
FAQs Do I need to read music? No, the ability to read music is not a requirement. Tab and chord charts are most commonly used in the classes. I’m a beginner, will it be right for me? First check the guidance on p6 about ability levels. If you would like further advice from the tutor just get in touch
Can I share my room? Accommodation in student rooms is strictly single-occupancy. If you would like an extra room for friends/family let us know. Can friends/family come to concerts? Yes! Please invite them to your student concert (free entry). Summer school students can go to any of the lunchtime and evening concerts free of charge. Others can purchase a ticket when they go on sale closer to the event.
What music will we play?
Tutors will send more detailed information about the course and the music/tab (approx 6 wks before the event)
Not sure? Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!
Do I need to bring my amp?
Yes, if you’re in an electric guitar course please do bring your amp if you can. If it’s not possible let us know in advance.
info@igf.org.uk
Pricing
Pay Up Front
Early Bird
Full Price
Young Person
£600
£450
£510
£420
Pay in full by 28 Feb 25
Pay £200 deposit remainder by 31 May 25
Pay in full after 31 May
30% off full price 18yrs or younger
Book Now
Accommodation
Stay on campus 5 nights Single room with ensuite bathroom (breakfast and dinner included)
£575
Ready to book?
click here or scan the QR code
click on Book Now
select your course and payment option
add accommodation and / or parking as required
we will contact you to confirm your booking and answer any queries
Cancellation policy Refunds Please note that course fees are only refundable when attendance is not possible for medical reasons (written verification from a medical professional will be required). If you are not able to attend for any other reason, please let us know as soon as possible beforehand. At our discretion, we may be able to offer postponement till the following year. Thank you for your understanding. We are a non-profit arts organisation with charitable status. Our up-front costs are not recoverable so we are not in a position to offer refunds for cancelled bookings.
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IGF's Young Artist Platform (YAP) provides concert opportunities around the UK and a comprehensive training programme. YAP is indispensable for young professional guitarists and it has helped launch the careers of a host of successful artists. Guitar Circus (music education in schools) In recent times music education in schools has been steadily reduced, we at IGF are filling this void by offering great music education experiences to schools free of charge. We need your support to ensure no child misses out on the transformative power of music.
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