Richard Niles

Books

Acclaimed music author Richard Niles, provides indispensable insights in his books, lectures, and courses, guiding countless students to discover their unique voices.

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The Invisible Artist:
Arrangers In Popular Music (1950-2000)

This is the first in-depth study of arrangers in pop analyzing their techniques and revealing their significant contribution to popular music. It features in-depth interviews with many of pop’s most influential arrangers including Arif Mardin, David van DePitte, Richard Carpenter, Barry Manilow, Nile Rodgers, Jeremy Lubbock, and Jimmy Haskell. Includes profiles of arrangers such as Jesse Stone, George Martin, Jack Nitzsche, Brian Wilson, Burt Bacharach, Paul Riser, and Thom Bell. There are contributions from Don Was, Jerry Wexler, Trevor Horn, and Bobby Eli (MFSB). There are 222 musical examples transcribed by the author and transcriptions and analysis of Niles’s own work with such artists as Paul McCartney, James Brown, Swing Out Sister, Grace Jones, Tears For Fears, and the Pet Shop Boys.

“This book is superb and very necessary.”
JOHN ALTMAN
Emmy and BAFTA winning composer

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Adventures in Arranging
Niles unique method not only delivers essential tools, but encourages the student to think, explore, and discover their own inner voice. The exercises stress that there is more than one way to solve a musical challenge. Beyond a host of arranging techniques and analysis, Niles gives inspiring real-word advice and insider tips from his impressive career.

“A must for every aspiring arranger and a very useful resource for anyone already advanced in this field.”
CHRIS WALDEN
(5x Grammy Nominated Composer/arranger)

“Witty, informative and packed with insights into his arranging methods!”
JOHN ALTMAN
(Emmy & BAFTA Winning Composer/Arranger)

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Adventures in Jazz Composition
In an easy-to-read volume packed with his trademark humor, Dr. Niles reveals his concepts, techniques, and methodologies. Using examples from his own work, he explains, step-by-step, how each was written. The book includes analysis and lead sheets of his Real Book composition “Tame Thy Pen”, and four compositions from his new album Niles Smiles, “Paraglide”, “Monochrome Velvet”, “Inside Story”, and “Flaky Croissants”.

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Songwriting – The 11-Point Plan
Niles’ songs have been recorded by Ray Charles, Tina Turner, and Deniece Williams. The 11-Point Plan is Dr. Niles’ proven system to write effective songs. It lets the writer’s imagination, emotion and intellect work together to produce compelling work, time after time – by design, not by guesswork. Each Point of the Plan is interdependent – a system of checks and balances. The book is filled with insights, tips and techniques. There are also challenging songwriting exercises designed to develop your skills, developed from a lifetime of songwriting and teaching.

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Songwriting Notebook
This handy notebook has everything you need to write Music & Lyrics. Based on songwriter Richard Niles’ acclaimed book "Songwriting - The 11-Point Plan", it has manuscript paper, lined paper for lyrics, and a "cheat sheet" of Niles' 11-Point Plan. Each song page has quotes from great writers to inspire and energize your creativity.

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Improvisation Practice Journal
Inefficient practicing gets inefficient results. This book will help you spend your practice time more rewardingly, focus your work and get faster results. Designed by Richard Niles, based on a lifetime of work with the jazz musicians, there are pages of advice, a setlist of essential tunes, and a checklist to plan your daily practice - with manuscript paper for your own transcription and practice ideas
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The Pat Metheny Interviews
Pat Metheny is one of the most critically acclaimed, commercially successful, and musically significant artists of the last 60 years. He has not only revolutionized his instrument, but also changed the face of jazz itself. Niles has known and worked with Metheny since 1974. In this series of intimate, in-depth interviews, Metheny discusses his attitude and dedication. He demonstrates his concepts and methodologies on the guitar, and niles has transcribed his performances in the book. Some of Metheny's closest colleagues, including Lyle Mays, Gary Burton, Jack DeJohnette, John Patitucci, Metheny's brother Mike, and the late Michael Brecker, have contributed to the book, which also includes numerous photographs and a discography.

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"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."
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Professor Richard Smith Chair, Studio/Jazz Guitar Department, USC
“Dr Richard Niles is a gently humorous man whose strong work ethic has been rewarded with worldwide success in more than one genre. Niles's banter gets the best out of his old friend. For Metheny fans, it's essential.”
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Mark Ramsden JAZZ JOURNAL
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From Dreaming to Gigging – Jazz Guitar in 6 Months
In 24 easy-to-follow weekly lessons Niles teaches jazz to all guitarists of all styles.. No prior knowledge is assumed in this complete course. Subjects covered include: jazz harmony and theory, advanced concepts of improvisation, the most effective ways to practice to get the fastest results, how to read and understand ‘lead sheets’ and how to perform confidently on gigs and sessions. Niles stimulates your creativity with a wealth of musical exercises written in traditional notation and TAB. Each chapter ends with recommended listening, brief biographies of jazz guitar greats. There is a list of essential jazz standards as well as recommended books for further study.

“An easy read, Niles brings a complete course in jazz harmony to your door.”
DON PEAKE (The Wrecking Crew)

“Essential reading for all musicians, whether you’re just starting out or an experienced player. You’ll find this book both insightful and entertaining.”
Martin Taylor MBE

“Niles has crafted a progressive, entertaining and multi-dimensional tutorial.”
Laurence Juber

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Piano Grooves
‘Grooves’ or rhythmic ‘feels’ are created by a composite rhythm of both hands. This library of 123 short patterns, categorized by style for keyboard players in any style. Whether you are writing an arrangement for Paul McCartney or playing a gig tonight with a cover band or just getting together for a jam, this book gives you what you need. And each pattern can be expanded in different ways, making the 123 become many more exercises.

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What is Melody?
Based on his series "What is Melody?" originally broadcast on BBC Radio 2, Dr. Richard Niles examines what a melody is, how they are written, and what makes them effective. The book features interviews with Barry and Robin Gibb, Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Gary Burton, Pete Waterman, Richard Carpenter, Greg Phillinganes, Brenda Russell, Terry Britten, Marti Pellow, Natasha Marsh, Marti Pellow, Kid Creole, Clarice Assad, Daisy Chute, David Grant, and many more.

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How To Be An Employable Musician
This easy-to-read handbook from acclaimed composer/arranger/producer Richard Niles tells you everything you need to become an employable musician. Richard delivers the real deal from his 50 years in studios and on stages with some of the most iconic names in music. Niles discusses Skill Level, Reading, Time Management, the Workplace, Touring, Developing a Style, Appearance, Money, Attitude, Relationships with Artistes, Producers, Arrangers and other musicians.

If you want to up your game, and your income, read on!

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Cómo ser un Músico Empleable
Este manual fácil de leer del aclamado compositor/arreglista/productor Richard Niles te proporciona todo lo que necesitas para convertirte en un músico empleable. Richard comparte su experiencia de 50 años en estudios y escenarios junto a algunos de los nombres más icónicos de la música. Niles aborda temas como el nivel de habilidad, lectura musical, gestión del tiempo, el entorno laboral, giras, desarrollo de un estilo propio, apariencia, dinero, actitud y relaciones con artistas, productores, arreglistas y otros músicos.

Si deseas mejorar tu desempeño y tus ingresos, ¡léelo!.

(Versión en Español de
"How To Be An Employable Musician)

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The BANDZILLA Songbook
A complete transcription of all the compositions, from Richard Niles’ acclaimed album, Bandzilla Rises!!! Including solos by Randy Brecker, Nigel Hitchcock, Mark Nightingale, Steve Hamilton,
and Richard Niles.

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Joe Venuti
Never Before… Never Again
Joe Venuti was the first and greatest jazz violinist. In 1954 an impromptu recording session in duet with guitarist Tony Romano produced, in the words of respected jazz critic Leonard Feather, "music of the highest and purest order." British Jazz violinist and teacher Aidan Massey has meticulously transcribed Venuti's breathtaking solos from this session, the audio available online. Paul Anastasio who studied with Venuti says this represents Joe's "best recorded work" and that Massey "has done a terrific job of writing spot-on, highly accurate transcriptions." The book contains an introduction by Richard Niles who edited the volume. All musical examples in standard notation with bowings and fingerings for violinists (and guitar cues where needed).Each solo annotated by Massey with detailed explanation of Venuti's swing phrasing and unique techniques such as his double-stooping, pizzicato, "fearsome" off-the-string staccato and his 4-string bowing. Extra exercises are included in these annotations.

“Study of these solos will benefit players of all instruments and styles.”
Pat Metheny

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Jesse L. Lasky Jr.
Whatever Happened To Hollywood?
Screenwriter Jesse L. Lasky, Jr. tells his Hollywood tales as an insider, with stories and insights sparkling with poetry, humor and the heat of first-hand observation. The son of the man who produced Hollywood’s first feature film, Jesse’s book is the history of the film industry, the birth of an art form and a compelling personal memoir. There are revealing portraits of Lasky, Sr. and his partners Samuel Goldwyn and Cecil B. De Mille (for whom Jesse wrote eight films, including The Ten Commandments) - and friends and colleagues such as Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Alfred Hitchcock, Harry Cohn, Darryl Zanuck, Nick Ray and Sam Fuller. From dating Jean Harlow to writing for Gary Cooper, Edward G. Robinson and Yul Brynner, here are the artists and the conmen, the breathtaking creativity and the destructive treachery, described by a man who knew everyone and saw everything.

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Audiobook read by Richard Niles with original music.

Testimonials

“Richard Niles’ writing is as wonderful as his music... required reading."
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Roger H. Brown President, Berklee College of Music
"When you are talking musical pedagogy, Richard Niles is the daddy. He explains the mechanics of music better than anyone else."
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The Times
"Niles pushes the ear and imagination to encompass the workings of other people’s minds. He is funny, wild and opinionated, maverick yet authoritative, with an enthusiasm that’s catchy. He shows it is perfectly possible to have a scholarly appreciation of what makes music sound good allied to a wicked sense of humour."
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Dame Gillian Reynolds The Sunday Telegraph
“Richard has done for the art of pop arranging what Alec Wilder did for American Popular Song and Gunther Schuller did for the Swing Era – written THE definitive account that will stand as a textbook on the subject It’s also great fun as well as being immensely readable.”
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John Altman Emmy, BAFTA winner
“The interviews and transcriptions are INCREDIBLY VALUABLE for arrangers / composers / songwriters of every level. Exhaustively researched and detailed. I am using it as a text for a course I teach at Berklee. Amazing!”
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Mark Shilansky Professor, Berklee College of Music
“Thank you for all your help with my songwriting. I remember being really inspired by your teaching.”
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Marina Diamandis of Marina & The Diamonds (former student)
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