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GUITAR AT WATERBEAR

Develop your skills at WaterBear through expert guidance, live performance opportunities and peer collaboration to become a creative, confident and versatile guitarist.

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guitar experience

guitar

development

At WaterBear, we take guitar seriously. You’ll learn in small groups of no more than 12 guitarists, with access to a range of vintage and modern valve amps, digital amp and cab sims, and a wide variety of stompboxes and pedals. You’ll have the opportunity to learn your instrument inside out. With expert guidance, you’ll explore styles, genres, and techniques to help you become the guitarist you want to be.

essential

gear for guitarists

We encourage you to bring a standard 6-string guitar in standard tuning, but we also love to see players arrive with 7- or 8-string instruments, acoustic guitars, and any other specialist gear you may want to use. Be open to innovative tunings too, as musical diversity is absolutely valued. Pedals? The more the merrier, but a decent tuner is probably the most important.Other essentials include a portable, practical amp suitable for small gigs and practice, a metronome, and ear protection. Don’t feel pressured to have expensive gear — great tones can be achieved on budget equipment. The ability to record to a reasonable standard at home is also very useful.

Guitar

facilities

You’ll have access to a wide range of industry standard facilities, including dedicated instrumental teaching spaces, working music venues, social areas, songwriting and meeting rooms, and Mac suites. Our teaching environments are fitted out with state-of-the-art digital A/V technology with classic vintage gear alongside modern musical equipment giving you the best of both worlds. You’ll also have free, bookable access to recording and rehearsal facilities. Additionally, the ability to record to a reasonable standard at home is also very useful.

live

performance

You’ll have regular opportunities to perform live in working music venues in Brighton and Sheffield. We also offer support slot opportunities at numerous festivals, gigs, and events across the UK throughout the year. Live performance, along with the support of emerging artists and grassroots venues through our Keeping Music Live campaign, is central to what we do at WaterBear.

1-1 Mentoring

Musical Development

At WaterBear, one to one mentoring is at the heart of your growth. Alongside support for your academic progress, artistic growth and career planning, you will receive dedicated time with industry professionals to focus on your musical skills whether that means mastering your instrument, improving your practice, developing your stagecraft or exploring new techniques.

ARTIST AND CAREER

DEVELOPMENT

Our Music Industries team, composed of active artists, producers and industry professionals, will support you through both your artistic development, and career planning. The focus is on real-world application and industry-facing outcomes, including work experience, live performance opportunities, live industry projects, masterclasses, showcases, soundchecks, A&R feedback, and industry networking and events.

WORK

EXPERIENCE

Through our extensive partner network, you’ll have access to work experience opportunities across many areas of the industry. These include festivals, touring, recording, session work, record labels, publishing, PR and marketing, live event management, backline, tech’ing, musical instrument manufacturing, teaching, studio internships, and much more.

FLEXIBLE

VIRTUAL LEARNING

Through our online virtual learning environment (VLE) all course content is available 24/7, whether you are studying on-site or fully online. You’ll have access to a wide range resources, and tuition, all tailored to suit your individual needs. Everything online is accessible to all students, allowing you to tailor your own learning journey at your own pace.

Guitar Opportunities

Guitar students have access to a range of industry-focused opportunities designed to develop both their playing and career skills in real-world settings. These include:

Clinics & Masterclasses

Learn directly from leading guitarists and touring professionals across genres through in-depth sessions focused on technique, tone, gear, and career insights.

Band & Artist Auditions

Regular opportunities to audition for bands, live acts, and session work to build your CV and live performance experience.

Guitar Tech Pathways

Explore the world of guitar teching with guidance on how to break into the field, including real-world tech shadowing opportunities.

Set-Up & Maintenance Training

Hands-on sessions on guitar maintenance, set-up, and optimisation to build essential skills for both personal and professional use.

1-1 Industry mentoring

Personal development sessions with established players, guitar techs, and tour crew to guide your progression and connect you to potential work.

Collaborative Projects

Write, record, and perform original music with peers across pathways, gaining valuable experience as both a creative and session player.

WHO YOU’LL LEARN FROM

To reach your full potential, you’ll need to be taught by great tutors. At WaterBear we have some of the best tutors and mentors in the UK today. As working professionals, the tutoring and visiting faculty team may be subject to occasional change and availability may vary. Our visiting faculty also bring a wealth of experience in the form of in-class masterclasses and Q&A sessions throughout the year.