*1984 Graduate- Musicians' Institute- Hollywood, CA- Professional Guitarist program
*Private guitar and bass instruction since 1985 in Los Angeles, CA, Raleigh, NC and Dallas, TX.
* Contributing Editor- Gig Magazine- 1987-1990, Gigmeister column in "Vintage Guitar" magazine- 1993-2006, contributing writer with Electronic Musician, Guitar School, Guitar World and Real To Reel magazines.
*Live and studio performances with Senate, Blue Steel, The Men of Distinction, Network, Tiffany, Speed Limit, 401 Opryhouse Band, Still Creek Band, Lone Star Band, Images, Scarlett, The Fabulous Shades, Triad, Mirror Image, Think Twice and Sojourn.
Riley Wilson has personally taught over 4,000 guitar and bass students since 1985. From Los Angeles, California to Dallas, Texas and Raleigh, North Carolina, the "Gigmeister" is the one rank beginners to working pros contact for quick results. He has taught as many as 70 students per week and has taught on average over 50 students for two decades! If you want results fast and expect to see real progress on the guitar, do what thousands of students coast to coast have already done- contact Riley immediately! Here are just a few comments from satisfied players:
“Thank YOU for 9 years of valuable guitar instruction and priceless friendship. We have many more years ahead if you think your poor eardrums can take it. Pack your patience!” - Sharla Hibbert, Denton, TX
“I was playing guitar tonight and thought about you. The lessons I took from you in Raleigh back in the 90's are still the foundation of my playing”. Mike Ledford, Raleigh, NC
“Hey Riley, you were a great teacher! I always felt like I didn't just learn to play guitar but I learned a lot about music, and you taught me HOW to learn.“ Dan Glasgow, www.danglasgow.com
"Just a quick note to say Thank You...For the better part of a year you sat and watched me fumble my way across the fret board but, as always you made me feel that everything was ok and that things would get better. Just wanted you to know that with your help and a lot of practice I've toured most of the United States as one of the guitar players in a tribute show "Highwaymen/Live". Night after night, I can now stand onstage with confidence and play all the lead guitar licks.....I often think back to the many days you and I spent in your studio..with a big smile...." Michael Moore, McKinney, TX, www.highwaymenlive.com
“Time flies, my mentor, but not like your fingers! I know you don't believe this, but you showed me more about music in that one year than any ten since.” Kevin Haskell, Charlotte, NC
"Riley Wilson is an excellent instructor. He has created a method book that is one of the best that I have seen, and to have the man himself teaching it to you just makes it that much better. I would recommend him to anyone wanting to learn an instrument, or anyone who wants to take their skills to the next level." Scott Newman, Plano, TX
“You gave me bass lessons 20 or so years ago at AL&M in Raleigh, North Carolina. I took lessons when I was in high school and had to stop when I moved away for college in the fall of 1988. I still play bass and still have some of the original lessons you wrote out for me, "Waitin' For the Bus / Jesus Just Left Chicago", "Sara" (Fleetwood Mac), "Dazed and Confused" are a few I can remember off the top of my head. I just wanted to drop a quick line to say hello and that I still remember my lessons in the cramped room in the back of the store, listening to Kenny Soule give drum lessons right next door. Those lessons helped foster what has become now a lifelong passion for music not only for listening and studying but also playing. Thanks again for those great lessons which I keep with me to this day (pretend your ring finger and your pinky are taped together). I am currently playing with a rock and blues cover band here in Raleigh and have been for the last year or so. It’s good seeing your name and it brought back many a fond memory.” Frank Slifer , Raleigh, NC
"I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how well "Guitar Made Simpler" is working for me. As I explained, learning to read music and tablature when I first took up the guitar years ago was a confusing and frustrating endeavor. However, with your book and your approach to teaching, everything makes much more sense and I feel very confident that I will be playing much better in a shorter period of time than I anticipated. Thanks! Mike McAfee, Frisco, TX
"You are without a doubt the best guitar teacher out there- your students are very lucky! I can't thank you enough for everything you did for me, really expanded my understanding of music. I especially want to thank you for introducing me to those Steely Dan type chords. I always loved them and after you taught me a few of their tunes I understood why." Matt Wright, Raleigh, NC
"I used to take guitar lessons from you in Raleigh. And one vocal lesson. You turned me onto Humble Pie (still my favorite band), and they turned me onto Muddy Waters, and next thing you know I'm Raleigh's answer to Leadbelly and Johnny Winter. I haven't had a "real" job in three years; I'm teaching guitar and playing gigs. I can't say I'd have gotten here at all if not for things you did 20 years ago. I just had to say thank you, Riley. You may be in Texas, but in a way, you are still making music better in Raleigh." Tripp MIller, Raleigh, NC
"I really appreciate the honesty and sincerity you put into the lessons! I wish I had started 10 years ago, but I may not have stuck with it because I would not have had someone to motivate and excite me the way you do. I just wanted to say thanks." Chris Fritchie, McKinney,Texas
"I also wanted to tell you that if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be where I am today, musically. The things you taught me are invaluable, whether it be about the guitar or about music in general. I feel lucky to have had you as a teacher. " Johnny Wooten www.widowusa.com
" What keeps me coming back- is my progress! What would be more challenging for you- is you're teaching a left hander to play right handed guitar. Thank you for your assurance, patience, motivation and making learning guitar FUN! The more I learn, the bigger my smile."
Mario Lopez, Texas
“I took lessons from you from about 11 till I was about 14 or 15. And as I said our last lesson was over 10 years ago now... I am also still very much at work in the music industry as well. I am in a band with another of your former students, Michael Wooten. The band Michael and I have is called BlackWatch... we are still into metal, just as we were back then... We have a demo out, and have been gigging in the Raleigh area.. You can actually check us out at: http://www.myspace.com/blackwatch or at our website at: http://www.angelfire.com/nc3/blackwatch.html . We have come a long way from "Forgiving you was Easy" and "Tom Dooley". I was reflecting on when I started playing and I thought of you... and I wanted to say thanks for helping me get started.” Mark Keith, Raleigh, NC
If you're in North Texas, you can now study privately with Riley Wilson! The same material included in "Guitar Made Simpler- An Intelligent Approach" has been the basis for his private music instruction for over two decades. Because this material is the essential information every professional guitarist uses when performing, Riley's private lessons are fun as well as productive. From rank beginner to working professional, Riley's enthusiasm, professionalism and real world guitar knowledge will help you accomplish your unique goals rapidly.
Since 1985, Riley has always been one of the nation's premier guitar and bass teachers. Past and present students include George Bond (Lakewood Rats, Mirror Image), Mark Keith and Michael Wooten (BlackWatch), Alan Tyler (Tarnished), Tad Walters (Bob Margolin, solo artist) and many more. Today, he still maintains a busy teaching schedule at his home studio in North Texas. Guitar and bass guitar lessons are available on a limited basis. Lessons are available Monday through Friday, including selected daytime slots. If you're in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex and wish to schedule a private one on one lesson, send an e mail to riley@guitarmadesimpler.com. Due to his gigging schedule, regular student lessons are occasionally rescheduled for in the field "research" in the form of live shows. Unlike college professors, this "research" is used to rigorously test information in the "line of fire." This means students learn the latest techniques that work under real world conditions.
If you've been looking for a teacher who can explain the unique challenges of learning guitar in a practical way, contact Riley now!
