The International Guitar Foundation (IGF) is set to take over the Roman city of Bath, UK, for a comprehensive celebration of guitar playing as it marks three decades of summer school events. With unique masterclasses and performances dedicated to improving each attendee’s skill sets and confidence levels, the IGF is vastly expanding its offering for a milestone event open to all players.
Now in its 30th year, the IGF Bath Guitar Festival and Summer School brings together guitarists eager to improve across a dizzying range of genres and playing styles for an immersive experience tailored to players from all walks of life and playing levels.
Taking place 12-17 August 2025, courses are split between classical, flamenco, and contemporary styles, and players can benefit from 30 hours of hands-on tuition across five days. There will also be jam sessions, an array of concerts to learn from watching the pros in action, and opportunities for players to get on stage themselves.
Beginners wanting to wade into the unchartered waters of guitar playing are catered for with carefully planned foundational courses. Intermediate and advanced players, meanwhile, can test their mettle in the challenging but friendly and nurturing environment of its advanced course. IGF promises that every player will leave feeling far more accomplished at their craft.
As the organizers champion, “the guitar is the instrument of the people,” due to its ability to metamorphose its voice and transcend class, race, and gender. Guitar heroes have risen through the ranks from an array of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and the event looks to reflect and celebrate its inclusivity.
Each tutor has been hand-picked to deliver best-in-class lessons, with many renowned contributors from Guitar World, Guitarist, Guitar Techniques, Music Radar, and educational platforms.
Contemporary course leader and ex-Guitar Techniques editor Jason Sidwell, who has also written instructional books plus courses for the Guardian and Observer newspapers will dedicate his time to teaching the groove course. His lessons will cover soul and funk, from James Brown to Prince and beyond.
Renowned author and deputy editor for Guitarist David Mead, will run the rock and blues foundations course for those that want to expand their fundamental riffing and soloing skills. Jon Bishop, known for his tours with Shakin’ Stevens and film and orchestra performances such as Love Actually, will run the electric foundations course for beginner electric guitar players where plectrum and strumming techniques sit alongside string bending and iconic riffing.
Blues award winner Chris Corcoran will hone in on the glory of vintage electric blues, T-Bone Walker and B.B. King being two players under the spotlight. Andy Saphir, who regularly contributed to Guitar Techniques will lend his creativity to the blues and country course, covering Eric Clapton through to Brent Mason.
Esteemed musician and author John Wheatcroft will offer his expert advice on the jazz course, focusing on popular American songbook standards through to gypsy jazz approaches favored by Django Reinhardt.
Meanwhile, Chris Quinn’s acoustic course will stretch from Celtic through to pop stylings to help attendees unlock the versatility of fingerpicking techniques, with flamenco and courses set to be run by Samuel Moore and Francisco Correa respectively.
Moore's generational talents have seen him tackle flamenco’s most complex arrangements alongside his tradition-honoring originals at prestigious venues like New York’s Carnegie Hall and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London.
Francisco Correa leads the classical course, hailed as a “truly remarkable performer,” by BBC Radio 3, and “virtuosic and heartfelt” by Classical Guitar Magazine. Guest tutors include international stars Marco Socias from Spain and Daniela Rossi from Italy.
The festival will also feature concerts by international artists and jam nights offer students the chance to perform with the house band. As esteemed shredder Marty Friedman recently said, performing before an audience is vital to developing as a guitarist.
First-class accommodation at Bath Spa University is available, with meal options included. Tickets are open to residential and non-residential students. There are also scholarships available for young players of modest means.
Tickets start from £390, and guitarists aged 18 and under will receive a 30% discount.
Head to IGF to learn more and see each tutor’s video.
