About the author

Tim Topham

Tim Topham is the founder and director of TopMusic. Tim hosts the popular Integrated Music Teaching Podcast, blogs regularly at topmusic.co and speaks at local and international conferences on topics such as integrated teaching, creativity, business, marketing and entrepreneurship. Tim has been featured in American Music Teacher, The Piano Teacher Magazine, California Music Teacher and EPTA Piano Professional. Tim holds an MBA in Educational Leadership, BMus, DipEd and AMusA.

322: The Two Biggest Problems With Group Lessons and How to Solve Them with Greg Genter and Daniel Patterson

by Tim Topham

In today’s episode with Daniel Patterson and Greg Genter, two leading experts in group lessons in the music industry, we talk about their approach to group lessons and how they’ve used their years of experience as musicians to help them grow their businesses. Greg and Daniel started working together after both had significant experience teaching ... 322: The Two Biggest Problems With Group Lessons and How to Solve Them with Greg Genter and Daniel Patterson

03/24/2023 Read more

Tips For Teaching Group Lessons

by Tim Topham

Group lessons have SO many benefits, but can be overwhelming - our tips will help inspire you!

03/19/2023 Read more

321: Supercharge Your Grade 1 Piano Students (Live Workshop)

by Tim Topham

How do you know if your student is ready for Grade 1 piano exam? In this episode, we’re sharing our live workshop with our amazing guests, Sharon Mark-Teggart and Dr Sally Cathcart from the Curious Piano Teachers. Have a listen to our guests as they provide an in depth view of the traditional approach to ... 321: Supercharge Your Grade 1 Piano Students (Live Workshop)

03/17/2023 Read more

How To Teach Super Mario Bros. On Piano

by Tim Topham

Do you have students who love Super Mario and would love to learn music from the video game? We have tips to help you out!

03/13/2023 Read more

320: Performance Anxiety – Helping Students Cope with the Bulletproof Musician (Replay)

by Tim Topham

Most piano teachers encourage their students to perform as regularly as possible, but how many of us give our students strategies for coping with performance anxiety? In this replay episode with Dr Noa Kageyama aka the Bulletproof Musician, find out why teaching performing skills should be a part of your piano teaching. We’ve all seen ... 320: Performance Anxiety – Helping Students Cope with the Bulletproof Musician (Replay)

03/10/2023 Read more

319: How to Track Student Progression Without Piano Exams with Serena Mak

by Tim Topham

Today’s podcast episode focuses on Serena Mak’s TEDx Talk, “Exposing Music Exams and the Distinction Delusion.” Serena is a passionate piano teacher for 18 years, managing her own private studio and volunteering regularly at her local church as a pianist and vocalist. She shares with us the catalyst that changed her mindset about piano exams ... 319: How to Track Student Progression Without Piano Exams with Serena Mak

03/03/2023 Read more
 

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3 Ways To Make Teaching Scales More Interesting

by Tim Topham

Make teaching scales more interesting for your students with these fun ideas!

02/27/2023 Read more

318: Innovative Scale Practice Ideas for Piano Teachers with Nicola Cantan

by Tim Topham

As musicians, understanding scales is an important part of our study, but it can also be a struggle for some students. In today’s episode, our guest Nicola Cantan from Vibrant Music Teaching answers a lot of questions and concerns when teaching scales, starting by looking at the value of learning scales, how improvising can change ... 318: Innovative Scale Practice Ideas for Piano Teachers with Nicola Cantan

02/24/2023 Read more

4 Tips for Teaching Piano Beginner Technique

by Tim Topham

Teaching beginner piano students technique can be hard, but our four tips will help put you in good stead.

02/22/2023 Read more

317: Top 5 Tips for Sight Reading Success with Rebecca Stewart

by Tim Topham

In today’s episode, sight reading specialist Rebecca Stewart joins Tim and shared with us her top five tips for sight reading (with really cool names). Rebecca has authored and published Sight Reading Secrets, which has now nine books in the series. She also founded Imagination Regeneration to give rural students meaningful learning opportunities at no ... 317: Top 5 Tips for Sight Reading Success with Rebecca Stewart

02/17/2023 Read more

A Piano Teacher’s Guide To Teaching Sight Reading

by Tim Topham

Learn the best ways to teach sight reading to your piano students (plus a handy checklist to download)

02/13/2023 Read more

316: Blitzing Sight Reading and Aural Tests with Samantha Coates

by Tim Topham

In today’s replay episode, internationally regarded piano pedagogue and presenter Samantha Coates joins Tim to blitz through sight reading and aural tests. Sam is the creator and publisher of BlitzBooks, the music education series that has brought laughter and creativity to music theory, sight-reading, and piano repertoire. Learn how to improve your aural skills and ... 316: Blitzing Sight Reading and Aural Tests with Samantha Coates

02/10/2023 Read more