Meet John Gilliat – Your Guide to Mastering Instrumental Guitar
From shy 9-year-old dreaming of stages to award-winning professional earning $2K-4K monthly – I’ve spent 40+ years discovering the shortcuts that make learning guitar faster, easier, and more fun.
“The Shy Kid with Big Dreams”
The problem? How do you play for millions when you’re so nervous to play for anyone?
Not only that – learning to play guitar was really hard. All I knew was grinding through beginner’s guitar books with uninspiring teachers. I spent months trying to use my ear to work out a few of my favorite song intros from an old record player.
I was a very, very shy 9-year-old kid with a crazy burning desire to be on stage playing for millions of people as a guitar player.
Eventually I worked out enough to put a rock band together in high school for a talent competition. I remember we had to create a 3-song medley because I didn’t know how to play any songs from start to finish. It was fun, but I was really beating myself up inside listening to all my guitar heroes and not knowing what to do to be just like them.
Then everything changed.
Soon after that talent show, I met a very special private music instructor and my whole world opened up. I was taught a completely new approach that brought me all the results I was looking for.
That experience taught me something crucial: The right guidance makes all the difference. It’s not about talent or endless hours of practice – it’s about learning the right things in the right order from someone who’s already walked the path.
“The Night That Changed Everything”
For years after that initial breakthrough, I was a guitar player struggling to find an amazing band where I could begin my dream career as a professional musician performing for millions of people.
The thing is, I was really frustrated – having an extremely difficult time finding a musical project that would fill my calendar with high-paying performances. Without being a vocalist or a virtuoso guitar soloist, I had to rely on bands that paid very little and didn’t gig often enough to support my dream guitar career.
That meant I couldn’t find enough live performance work to have any sort of musical career. I wound up managing my father’s automotive business, squashing my dreams forever.
Until one evening changed everything…
I was invited to attend a Natalie Cole concert. Opening the show was this guy with a nylon-string guitar, a bass player, and a percussionist. I sat in the direct center, front row mezzanine with my wife, fully enveloped in the magical sound originating from Ottmar Liebert’s flamenco guitar.
Ottmar was playing simple melodies that sounded beautiful against a fiery rumba flamenco rhythm. His music was wonderfully exotic and really exciting. After playing the melody he would improvise a solo and the audience around him (including myself) absolutely loved it!
Instantly it became crystal clear to me how to start earning money every month playing guitar on my own – without relying on bands, without being a virtuoso, without being a vocalist, and without spending hours, days, and months learning difficult solo guitar compositions.
My plan was to create my own solo instrumental rumba flamenco guitar project.
I started a method to quickly learn and perform exciting rumba flamenco compositions that would excite audiences similar to what Ottmar was doing. But I didn’t stop there – I began creating exciting rumba flamenco arrangements of popular songs from other genres to entice potential clients.
The results? Instead of playing $100 lounge and restaurant gigs, I’m now getting paid $450+ per gig, earning an average of $2K-4K+ per month consistently.
“A Career Built on Performance”
Over the past 40+ years, I’ve dedicated myself to mastering instrumental guitar and helping others do the same. Here are some highlights from my journey:
Awards & Recognition:
- West Coast Music Award Nominee
- 1995: “Best Acoustic Guitar Performance” – Music West Star Frets Competition
- 1996: Winner – Vancouver’s Unplugged Competition
- 1997: Finalist – Vancouver’s Global Star Quest
- 2009: Grand Prize Winner – BOSS Loop Station Championship National Finals (Montreal Jazz Festival)
- Capilano University – 2-Year Commercial Music Program Graduate
- Specialized training in performance, composition, and music business
Performance Highlights:
- Represented Canada at Japan’s 2005 Expo
- Performed at Canada’s 2010 Winter Olympics
- Performed for Canada’s former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
- Opened for Cirque du Soleil, Mae Moore, and acoustic guitar masters Strunz & Farah
- Toured throughout North America and Japan
Professional Experience:
- 5 studio albums recorded
- Music used for radio, documentaries, TV, and film in North America, Japan, Ireland, and the UK
- Performed with Vancouver Playhouse, Hinder, Jimmy D. Lane, Ben Woods, and many others
- 40+ years teaching private students (1,000+ students taught)
Press Recognition:
“John Gilliat doesn’t hail from sunny Spain but he plays a mean flamenco guitar.”
– Janice Foster, The Langley Times
“The style is called ‘nouveau flamenco’ and Langley acoustic guitarist John Gilliat is blazingly good at it. Light a candle, pour some chamomile, and don’t wonder how he moves his hands so fast or you’ll just stress.”
– John P. McLaughlin, The Vancouver Province
“40+ Years of Performance Taught Me This…”
Over the past four decades, I’ve discovered that playing guitar for others is an extremely moving and powerful thing.
Guitar playing is so much more than a hobby for those with the passion to learn and better themselves. It becomes a part of who you are and a vital link in some of the best relationships you’ll ever have.
Playing guitar brings people together as a community and connects them through music. Picking up a guitar and playing your favorite songs is such a great feeling and a big accomplishment.
Sadly, most people believe they could never learn how to play.
This is simply not true. You can do this at any age.
I really love sharing all the tips and tricks I’ve learned with anyone who has that burning desire to play – especially those who are still struggling as I had been all those years ago.
Being able to witness my students’ transformation from a place of frustration to one of sheer joy continues to be one of the most rewarding moments in my life.
“The Shortcuts You Wish Someone Had Shared With You Earlier”
If you’re like most of the new guitar players I meet, you’re most likely overwhelmed with the huge amount of information out there and frustrated with your lack of results.
Throughout my own 45-year journey learning to play guitar, I slowly uncovered hundreds of shortcuts and tricks that I really wished someone would have shared with me early on.
I want to stop you from that same frustrating path.
I really get excited when I get to share tricks that will give you that “ah-ha” moment and unlock new playing skills.
My approach is simple:
✓ Any Guitar – Electric, acoustic steel-string, or nylon-string classical
✓ Any Genre – From the Eagles to the Gypsy Kings to Latin Jazz classics
✓ Any Age – I’ve taught students from 18 to 72
✓ No Singing Required – Focus on beautiful instrumental playing
✓ Real Music Fast – Play recognizable songs quickly, not boring exercises
✓ Community Support – You’ll never learn alone
I don’t care if you play classical guitar or electric. I care that you learn to play beautiful instrumental music that moves people. The principles are the same across all guitars and all genres.
“Paying It Forward in a Bigger Way”
Soon after my breakthrough with that special music instructor, I began teaching private lessons. Because of the unique concepts and systems I learned, I felt it was so important to pay it forward and teach everyone struggling to play the guitar.
For decades, I taught private students one-on-one. But I realized I was limited by geography and time – I could only help so many people.
Then the internet changed everything.
Now with the help of online learning, I’ve found a vehicle where I can pay it forward in an even greater way and help as many people as possible with a better and faster way to reach their goals and dreams to play guitar.
That’s why I created YourGuitarSchool.
Here you’ll have a dedicated guitar coach (me!) and a community that will stand behind you and support you as you accelerate your guitar studies.
No more endless YouTube rabbit holes. No more random lessons that don’t connect. No more feeling lost and overwhelmed.
Just a clear, proven path from where you are now to where you want to be.
“Don’t Just Take My Word for It…”
“Thanks John, for an absolutely wonderful performance! People are still raving about it, and that makes us look good!”
– Phillis Stenson, The Harrison Festival Society
“From our earliest days the West Fine Art Show has presented John Gilliat on guitar. Art show guests are always enthralled and artists adore him. John’s Flamenco Jazz and Latin Rumba blend passionately and soothingly into the broad canvas of our showscape and as a result he has truly become one of our most popular featured artists.”
– Brian Croft, Organizer, West Fine Art Show
“I had the pleasure of listening to John Gilliat’s music via a live-streamed fundraiser. His music was perfect for the event and was fun to listen to. There were more than 1,500 viewers of the event world-wide, and we were unanimous in our love of John’s music. Everyone wanted to know where they could buy the CD! If you want to add world-class entertainment to your event, you’ll be happy you chose John!”
– Tracie K., Fort Langley, BC
“If you haven’t learned with John, you need to! Learning with John was more fun than any other teacher I’ve played with. I got to have fun with my guitar faster, which was the key for me to keep picking it up! I’ve learned electric, acoustic and flamenco with John. His skill and talent is adaptive and gave me a fun range to be able to develop a style of my own.”
– Jaymie Friesen, Kelowna, BC
“John not only taught me the instrument, he allowed me to learn my own way, and he kept me inspired along the way.”
– Christopher Osterman, Langley, BC
“The Person Behind the Instrument”
When I’m not teaching or performing, I’m still deeply connected to music and the guitar community. I’ve been married to my wonderful wife Teriva since 1987, and we live in beautiful Langley, British Columbia.
Over the years, I’ve recorded 5 studio albums spanning multiple genres – from Rumba Flamenco to Latin Jazz to contemporary instrumental fusion. My music has been featured on radio, in documentaries, and on TV and film projects across North America, Japan, Ireland, and the UK.
But what truly drives me isn’t the accolades or the performances – it’s the moment when I see a student’s face light up when they finally “get it.” That spark of understanding. That breakthrough that changes everything.
Because I remember what it was like to be that shy 9-year-old kid, dreaming of playing for millions but not knowing how to start.
And now? I get to help others discover their own breakthrough moments.
“I Really Want to Get You From Where You Are Now to Where You Want to Be”
Whether you dream of:
- Playing beautiful music for your family and friends
- Performing at weddings, restaurants, and private events
- Earning $1K-4K per month playing guitar professionally
- Finally learning that instrument that’s been calling to you
I’ve created a proven system to help you get there.
No more struggling with traditional methods that take years to show results.
No more feeling like you’re “not talented enough” or “too old to start.”
No more overwhelming information with no clear path forward.
Just simple, proven systems that work – whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced player looking to take your skills to the professional level.
“Ready to Start Your Guitar Journey?”
I’ve spent 40+ years discovering the shortcuts, building the systems, and refining the methods that make learning guitar faster, easier, and more enjoyable than you ever thought possible.
Now it’s your turn!
Whether you want to play beautiful instrumental music for pure joy, or build a professional career earning money from your passion, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
THREE WAYS TO GET STARTED:
Want to earn income from guitar like I do?
I’ve spent 40+ years developing the systems that allow me to earn $2K-4K monthly from guitar. And I’m sharing them all in this free guide.
📘 Download: “7 Steps to Making $1K-4K Per Month Playing Guitar”
Have questions? → Contact me
Join 3,600+ students learning guitar the right way
All programs include 14-day money-back guarantee • Community support • Direct access to John