4 Chord Composing

Take your students from the basics of chords to writing their very own chord compositions in just 10 lessons

4 Chord Composing is a 10-lesson course on how to take your students from the basics of chords right through to writing their very own complex chord compositions. Learning about chords and chord progressions right from the beginning is so beneficial for your students and chords form the basis for so much that we do and teach in music.

Course outline

  1. Module 1: Major and Minor Chords
  2. Module 2: Pop Piano Playing
  3. Module 3: Composing with 4 Chords
  4. Module 4: Creating Melodies
  5. Module 5: Adding New Chord Types
  6. Module 6: Styles and Patterns
  7. Module 7: Form and Structure
  8. Module 8: 7ths, Borrowed Chords and Bass Lines
  9. Module 9: 4CC Apps and Technology
  10. Module 10: Where to Now?

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Purchase 4 Chord Composing Course for US$ 149 one-time

4 Chord Composing was created by

Tim Topham

Founder of TopMusic and Host of Integrated Music Teaching Podcast

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.

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Course Overview

Tim here. Welcome to my 4 Chord Composing course! Here you will be able to find 10-lessons on how to take your students from the basics of chords right through to writing their very own complex chord compositions. I believe learning about chords and chord progressions right from the beginning is so beneficial for your students. Chords form the basis for so much that we do and teach in music. It just makes sense! Not only that, chords are fun. I have seen so many of my students over the years absolutely love learning about chords, many of which have gone on to write their own compositions. So, get started and have a great time! I've loved putting together this course for you, so I hope you enjoy it. Be sure to download each lesson plan following every video, and start teaching chords in your studio. Oh and here's a live workshop where I explain my 4 chord composing strategy and approach in more detail: Click here to watch the live workshop.

Handouts

Click here to download all lesson handouts in a single pdf. 

Example Student Composition

Micah, one of our member's students, created this composition using 4 Chord Composing after only 4 lessons. Mindy, his teacher, recently wrote to us to express how 4 Chord Composing contributed to his success... "Your course simplified and energized how to approach my desire to tap into my students’ creativity." Click here to listen to Micah's composition.  

HOW TO BEGIN

Are you ready to get started? Just click the Enrol in course button below to activate your course. Then click Start Course to begin learning. If you’re on our app, click the Start Course button to enrol in the course and then Start Course again to begin the first lesson.

COURSE NAVIGATION TIPS

  • You can always access any course you’ve enrolled in via your My Courses section from the main menu.
  • Your course progress will be saved each time you click complete at the bottom of a lesson page.
  • If you’d like to save a specific lesson page to quickly access it later and you’re on the website, you can click the bookmark icon in the top-right corner of that page. You can find all your bookmark links by going to My Bookmarks from the main menu.
  • You’re welcome to complete a course as many times as you wish. If the course enrol button says completed, start it again by clicking the first lesson in the Course Content list at the bottom of this course homepage.

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