DiscoverThe TopCast: The Official Music Teachers' Podcast431: My Favourite Framework for Piano Teachers: 4 Chord Composing
431: My Favourite Framework for Piano Teachers: 4 Chord Composing

431: My Favourite Framework for Piano Teachers: 4 Chord Composing

Update: 2025-09-08
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Description

If you've ever felt unsure about how to teach chords or help your students create music from scratch, this episode is for you. Today, I’m sharing a deep dive into my all-time favourite course, 4 Chord Composing. I’ll walk you through why this framework works so well, how it connects theory and creativity, and how you can use it even if you’ve never composed a thing in your life. You’ll also hear from other teachers who’ve used this approach to transform their students' confidence and engagement.

  • Tim reflected on how most teachers weren't taught chords or lead sheets in their own lessons.

  • He explained how a chord-based approach improves sight reading, creativity, and understanding.

  • The benefits of teaching harmony through popular styles were emphasized.

  • Tim introduced his favorite course: 4 Chord Composing Course, offering a 10-week plan for introducing students to composing using just four chords.

  • He highlighted how the framework builds theory, form, and improvisation skills naturally.

  • How it simplifies teaching composition and makes learning feel intuitive.

  • The course videos show Tim teaching a real student, making the approach easy to follow.

  • Tim shared feedback from teachers who have used the course with great success and student engagement.



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431: My Favourite Framework for Piano Teachers: 4 Chord Composing

431: My Favourite Framework for Piano Teachers: 4 Chord Composing