STUDY - Ideas make you better
"When you are talking musical pedagogy, Richard Niles is the daddy. He explains the mechanics of music better than anyone else."
"Niles’ writing is as wonderful as his music... required reading".
Educator
Dr. Richard Niles studied at the
Berklee College of Music (1971-1975) with Pat Metheny, Gary Burton, Herb
Pomeroy, and Michael Gibbs, all icons of contemporary jazz.
After receiving his
BMus Degree in Composition, he began his career in London. From 1975 he has worked
as a composer, arranger, producer, Musical Director, conductor with many of the
greatest artists in popular music (Paul McCartney, Cher, Mariah Carey, Leo
Sayer, Dusty Springfield, Michael McDonald), Black Music (Ray Charles, Tina
Turner, Deniece Williams, Grace Jones), Jazz (Randy Brecker, Pat Metheny, Bob
James, John Patitucci, Bob Mintzer), and classical music (Placido Domingo, Kiri
Te Kanawa, Montserrat Caballe).
Dr. Niles has written music for
commercials, film, and TV. He has conducted studio orchestras in London, Los
Angeles, Moscow, Prague, and Warsaw, and The Moscow Symphony, The Polish Radio
& TV Orchestra, The BBC Concert Orchestra, and the BBC Big Band
He has released many albums as
leader, guitarist, and composer, and two albums of his jazz orchestra,
BANDZILLA. His acclaimed new album Niles Smiles was released 2023. His
new album for 2024 is Adventures for Cello and Piano, featuring Dennis
Karmazyn (principal cellist of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra), and Clive
Dunstall (Royal Philharmonic and BBC Proms Orchestra).
Dr. Niles was a writer and host
of many music documentaries for BBC Radio 2 for over 20 years. The programs
feature unique, in-depth interviews with respected artists, producers, and
arrangers including Richard Carpenter, Pat Metheny, Gary Burton, Chick Corea,
Wayne Shorter, Trevor Horn, and Jerry Wexler. His YouTube channel is a
unique musical resource with over 300 videos including these interviews, lessons,
and many new discussions. It also includes new music from Niles and his
colleagues.
Dr. Niles was awarded his PhD
from Brunel University in 2008 for his thesis, The Invisible Artist, now
released as an acclaimed book. His many other books on music concern the
subjects of composition, songwriting, pop arranging, jazz arranging, with an
emphasis on training musicians to become professionals.
In the UK, he has given lectures,
masterclasses, workshops, and seminars at the Leeds College of Music, Brunel
University (one year teaching Music Theory), Royal Northern College of Music,
Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, and the Tech Schools of Music (2
years teaching Songwriting).
Dr. Niles worked as consultant to the Associated
Boards of the Royal Schools of Music (2008-2011). In the USA he has lectured at
Berklee College of Music, California State University (Northridge), University
of Southern California, Orange County School of Arts (one year teaching
Songwriting and Theory), the Musician’s Institute, Belmont University (Nashville), The Jazz School - California Jazz Conservatory, SRH University - Berlin School of Popular Arts, ASMAC, UK Songwriting Competition
In 2023 The ProMix
Academy released his course Arrange Like a Pro, 10 one-hour videos on
arranging in pop.
Private Lessons
Study privately with Richard Niles for a deeply immersive learning experience based on his 50 years as a music professional, working with the most acclaimed and successful artists in Pop, Jazz, R&B/Soul - writing music and songs for Film, TV, Radio, Audiobooks, and Videos.
COMPOSITION – Commercial, Jazz, TV, Radio, Audiobooks, Videos, or Film.
ARRANGING - Commercial, Jazz, Pop, Soul/Funk, A Cappella vocals, TV, Radio, Audiobooks, Videos, or Film. Niles has arranged many acclaimed pop hits.
COMPOSITION – Commercial, Jazz, TV, Radio, Audiobooks, Videos, or Film.
SONGWRITING – Work through his 11-Point Plan to open up a new world of creative expression. Learn to create more original CHORD PROGRESSIONS. Learn techniques, and concepts to create meaningful and catchy LYRICS and memorable and catchy MELODIES.
VOCAL PERFORMANCE – Niles has produced studio vocals for many singers throughout his career. Learn concepts, techniques and ideas that will expand your expression, and make your voice BETTER.
ARTIST DEVELOPMENT – What is the difference between a musician and an ARTIST? What kind of ARTIST do you want to become? What kind of ARTIST should you become? HOW do you reach your creative goals? The answer to all these questions is: Study with Richard Niles!
GUITAR – Niles has released many solo albums as a quitarist and performed on countless pop hits and jingles for radio and TV. Niles’ guitar technique is a deep dive into harmony and music theory for the guitar.
Books by Dr. Richard Niles
Click the Book to Purchase
Click the Book to Purchase
Click the Book to Purchase
Click the Book to Purchase
Click the Book to Purchase
Click the Book to Purchase
Click the Book to Purchase
Click the Book to Purchase
Click the Book to Purchase
Click the Book to Purchase
Click the Book to Purchase
Click the Book to Purchase
Click the Book to Purchase
Click the Picture to Purchase the Audiobook
Testimonials
“Niles’ wealth of knowledge and experience coupled with his love for both jazz and popular music is clearly embedded in his teaching methods.”
”No one else is making music at this level of creativity and craft. The students whose work he critiqued got a lot out of the experience.”
“Niles’ presentation was certainly informative, and yet very friendly and approachable. I think all students like that attitude: ‘He’s not talking to me like I’m way below him.'”
“Niles’ teaching style is very, very cool – and very amusing at the same time as delivering the real deal right to the front door of the student, not giving them any choice but to pay attention to it.”
“Niles pushes the ear and imagination to encompass the working of other people’s minds.”
“Niles is a great music man; his books show creativity, intelligence and a deep understanding of both the history and the latest developments of his craft.”
“Richard Niles is a savant with a sense of humor. His writing is insightful, educational and downright hilarious!”
“I’m absolutely knocked out by the depth and breadth of your knowledge, but most especially by the wonderfully humane, authentic, and honest way you deliver the material. Congratulations on this masterpiece – an important work.”
“Niles empowered our students to work with incredible songwriting tools and insight.”
“Thank you for all your help with my songwriting. I remember being really inspired by your teaching.”
“Adventures in Arranging is about how you arrange. It is such an easy read, full of humor informed by Niles’ vast and rich experience.”
“Adventures in Arranging is a textbook that should be in the libraries of every college music department in the world!!”
“Adventures in Arranging is a must for every aspiring arranger, and a very useful resource for anyone already advanced in this field.”
“Piano Grooves is a great tool for the serious pianist to work up grooves, understand styles and develop their talent to the full. Oh….and it’s fun too! Enjoy and experiment.”
"I have tremendously enjoyed your Pat Metheny book and will retain many of its cognitions for years to come. It is a valuable contribution and has been a source of inspiration. What a wonderful accomplishment and contribution. Bravo."