4 Chord Composing

Sound familiar?

Almost all music is built on chords. So why do so few of us teach them?

From baroque and classical to jazz, pop and rock, chords are the building blocks. Yet most of us were never taught chords or lead sheets in our own lessons, so they rarely make it into the lessons we teach.

Before

Chords and lead sheets were never part of your own training.
Theory lives in a workbook and never quite reaches the keyboard.
Students who love pop music can't play the songs they hear.
Composing feels like something for other, more “creative” teachers.

After

Students play major and minor chords from their first lessons.
Theory becomes practical: keys, cadences and form, felt under their fingers.
They play pop-style accompaniments and start reading chord charts.
Every student writes their own progressions, melodies and songs.

What happens in the lesson

“I incorporated chords and chord progressions into my teaching this year, thanks to Tim Topham's course. It's been amazing to see what my students have done with it!… I can't believe I set the foundation for what she was able to create! What she has been able to do is amazing!”

Krista Johnson McCarthyPiano teacher, California

“Tried it today for the 1st time with a teen student who said ‘this is so COOL’… what an amazing way to compose, record and create!”

Jennifer Colby BrienPiano teacher, after Tim's 4 Chord Composing webinar

“Had a great lesson with one of my 11 year olds yesterday - love seeing my students get excited in lessons!”

Rebecca SmithPiano teacher, after Tim's 4 Chord Composing webinar

What you'll learn

Theory made practical, one chord at a time

4 Chord Composing connects the theory you know with the music your students already love. Every idea is explored through their own compositions, so they hear why it works.

Teach major and minor chords with the big-small method
Help students play pop music using chord progressions
Compose pop-style 4 chord progressions, then turn them into songs
Find out how to create new melodies over the chords
Add sus, add2 and slash chords, then styles and patterns
Explore form and structure with your students' own music
Bring in 7ths, borrowed chords and different bass lines

“Just because it's a load of fun, doesn't mean they're not learning a heap along the way.”

Tim TophamFounder of TopMusic

What's included

Everything you need to teach it tomorrow

Watch how I teach each lesson, print the plan and try it with your next student.

Video lessonsWatch me teach a real student, step by step

Lesson plansPrintable handouts for all 10 lessons

Tips and strategiesWhat works (and what to avoid) when you teach it

Extra resourcesLinks to supporting videos and ideas in every plan

Real lessons, real student

Watch me teach it, then teach it yourself

In the videos you'll watch me teaching a real student at the piano, so you see exactly what to say, what to play and how a student responds. It's much easier to teach chords and composing once you've seen it in action.

Then print the lesson plan and teach it with your own students. You can print the course resources and use them with as many students as you like.

Each plan links to extra videos and ideas for that lesson
Small hands? Single notes, 3rds or 5ths work beautifully to begin
You don't need to notate anything, unless you want to

Tim at the piano with a student, writing chord numbers on a whiteboard

“This 4 Chord Composing Course was most helpful in taking students from the basic I-IV-V progression and sharing other possibilities for composition and improvisation.”Jodie, TopMusicPro member

Free

Try it first

Watch Lessons 1 and 2 on the blog

Lesson 1 (major and minor chords) and Lesson 2 (pop-style piano playing) are free on my blog, along with my top 20 tips for teaching 4 Chord Composing. Try them with a student this week. If it clicks, the course has the other eight lessons and every lesson plan ready to go.

Watch the free lessons →

Tim teaching Lesson 2 of 4 Chord Composing: pop piano playing

Lesson 2, free on the blog

The course

10 Lessons: From Your First Chords to Arranging Your Own Songs

Use it alongside your current curriculum or instead of it. Some teachers spend a whole lesson on it; others spend 15 minutes a week, and there's enough here for a year at that pace. With beginner teens and adults, I start Lesson 1 in the first or second lesson.

Lesson 1Learning major and minor chords

Lesson 2Pop-style piano playing

Lesson 3Composing with 4 chords

Lesson 4Creating melodies

Lesson 5Adding new chord types: sus, add2 and slash chords

Lesson 6Styles and patterns

Lesson 7Form and structure

Lesson 87ths, borrowed chords and bass lines

Lesson 94CC apps and technology in action

Lesson 10Where to now? Arranging and advanced ideas

Learn from Tim Topham

My favourite framework for piano teachers

I'm Tim Topham, the founder of TopMusic, the world's biggest online community of independent music teachers. I have more than 20 years in education, teaching in the UK and Australia, and my writing and training have been featured in American Music Teacher, EPTA Piano Professional and The Piano Teacher. I hold a Bachelor of Music, a Diploma of Education, an MBA in Educational Leadership and an AMusA.

Chords are how I connect theory, creativity and the music my students already love. 4 Chord Composing is my go-to when a student is having a bad day, hasn't practised or has forgotten their books, and it gives every student a way to make music that's truly their own.

Get the course

Everything in 4 Chord Composing

What you get

Video lessons, including me teaching a real student, at your own pace
Printable lesson plans for all 10 lessons
Tips and strategies for teaching 4 Chord Composing
Links to extra teaching videos and ideas in every plan
Print the resources for as many students as you like
12 months' access, renew any time at the same price

$99 USD

One-off payment

Add to cart

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Questions teachers ask

Do I need to be a composer to teach this?

Not at all. You can teach it even if you've never composed a thing in your life. Each lesson shows you exactly what to play and say, and you'll be exploring alongside your student. If something sounds strange, that's part of the fun: some of the best ideas start as mistakes.

What age and level is it for?

Students of almost any age. You can start within the first couple of weeks of lessons, depending on the student's age, maturity and hand size. With beginner teens and adults I use Lesson 1 at the first or second lesson. Small hands can play single notes or 5ths in the left hand and 3rds or 5ths in the right.

Do I have to change my curriculum?

No. Use it alongside your current curriculum or instead of it, depending on your student's goals. It's perfect for when a student is having a bad day, has done no practice or has forgotten their books.

How long does it take?

There are 10 lessons, but go at your student's pace. If you spend about 15 minutes a lesson on it, there's enough here for a year of work.

Can I print the lesson plans for my students?

Yes. Whether you buy the course or get it in TopMusicPro, you're welcome to print the resources and use them with as many students as you like.

Can I try it first?

Yes. Lessons 1 and 2 are free on the blog, with my top 20 tips for teaching it.

Is it included in TopMusicPro membership?

Yes. It's part of the Studio and Studio Plus memberships, along with 50+ other courses. Compare memberships or start a 7-day free trial. (Courses aren't included in the Lite membership.)

How long do I have access?

Buying the course on its own gives you 12 months’ access, and you can renew any time at the same price. If you’d like ongoing access to this course and 50+ others, TopMusicPro Studio membership includes them all.

Get every student composing with chords