TopMusicGuitar Podcast

In this episode, we're having a chat with Brandon D'Eon, the mastermind behind the 52 Week Guitar Player. Boasting a staggering half a million YouTube subscribers, Brandon's journey from a music degree pursuit to full-time guitar content creation is as inspiring as it is insightful. We dive into the specifics of the 52 Week Guitar Player course, highlighting its unique features, live sessions, and the effective ecosystem it creates for serious learners. We also uncover Brandon's perspective on creativity in guitar education and his creative process for video creation. Finally, listen in as Brandon shares invaluable advice for online teaching and aspiring content creators.Brandon shares a brief background of how he started with guitar playing to where he's at now.His thoughts about music degrees, emphasizing the tough nature of the music industry.How he started teaching in person and transitioned to online teaching.The importance of filtering content and focusing on quality ideas rather than just production effort.Brandon shares details about his 52 Week Guitar Player program, with its focus on intermediate and advanced players.The value of feedback, accountability, and live interaction in the program.Why creativity and practice is important in guitar playing.He shares his creative process for his video creation.Importance of balancing character and authenticity in your content.Advice for online teaching and some tips for aspiring content creators.Guest Links MentionedBrandon D'Eon's YouTube ChannelBrandon D'Eon Instagram Page52 Week Guitar Player Waiting ListGuitar Teaching Resources MentionedFree Guitar E-book ResourcesToday's GuestBrandon D'Eon is a dedicated musician whose life revolves around the passion for music, entrepreneurship, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Brandon's days are consumed by his career endeavors, often spent in solitude within the walls of his apartment, crafting and perfecting his craft. Despite this, he finds balance by embarking on periodic travel adventures with his girlfriend. His academic journey led him to school for guitar, culminating in a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies, specializing in jazz guitar. As a content creator, Brandon boasts an impressive audience of over 800k on YouTube, where he primarily shares his musical insights. The "52 Week Guitar Player" program, a brainchild of his expertise, not only sustains his livelihood but serves as a transformative experience for aspiring guitarists. Brandon's ethos revolves around hard work, rejecting complacency, and facing challenges head-on. Beyond the strings and screens, he finds solace in the gym, intertwining his commitment to artistry with a dedication to personal well-being.CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TOPMUSICGUITARThank you for tuning in!Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you.If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new...

In today's show, we delve into the intricacies of music theory with our guest, Guillaume "Will" Metz. Renowned as a French-American guitarist, author, and teacher, Will specializes in demystifying music theory for self-taught guitarists, paving the way for enhanced improvisation skills and an overall enriched musical experience. In this episode, we explore Will's journey from having an engineering degree and transitioning to a career in music. Will address the challenges in learning music theory on the guitar and unveil the secrets of effective teaching. He shares insights on essential music theory principles and emphasizes the pivotal role of theory in unlocking creativity. From the importance of live performances to improvisation tips, Will covers it all, offering a holistic perspective on music education. Join us as we redefine how we teach music theory and unveil the key strategies for a successful music teaching business. Will talks about his background, being self-taught, having an engineering degree, and transitioning to a career in music. Some challenges in learning music theory on guitar. Addressing music theory needs for students. Will outlines essential music theory topics for guitar players using the 80/20 principle. He identifies theory as a stumbling block for creativity, limiting guitarists to repetitive patterns. The role of playing live and having collaboration with other musicians. The importance of not delaying creativity in the learning process. Some improvisation tips from Will. Discussion about Will's books and online courses. Marketing and business strategies. One final piece of advice from Will to the listeners. Guest Links Mentioned Will Metz Academy Website Will Metz Music Facebook Page Guillaume (Will) Metz YouTube Page Guillaume (Will) Metz Instagram Page Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Guillaume (Will) Metz is a French-American guitarist, author, and teacher who specializes in helping self-taught guitarists understand Music Theory in a quick and approachable way so they can improve their guitar and improvisation skills, and their overall enjoyment of the instrument. His goal is to change the way guitarists perceive music theory. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In today's show, we're joined by Tim Topham, the brilliant mind behind TopMusic. A seasoned entrepreneur and piano maestro, Tim takes us through his unconventional journey from piano teacher to innovator, exploring the misalignment between traditional teaching methods and students' preferences. This episode unveils Tim's latest masterpiece, the "No Book Beginners" book, challenging the norm of relying on method books for beginner piano students. Discover the vital importance of introducing dynamics, singing, and other musicality skills before delving into reading. Tim also shares personal insights, unveiling the pivotal role of sight-reading, accompaniment, and music creation in his own musical journey. He wraps it up with a golden nugget of wisdom for our listeners. Tune in and revolutionize your approach to teaching with insights that resonate across musical disciplines!Tim shares his unconventional journey from piano teacher to entrepreneur.Discussion on the misalignment between traditional teaching methods and students' preferences.Introduction to Tim's new book and course, "No Book Beginners."Importance of introducing dynamics, singing, and other musicality skills before diving into reading.Some engaging lesson strategies and creative improvisation activities.Michael shares his experiences in guitar education, noting similar issues with traditional methods.Emphasis on nurturing creativity, engaging students, and introducing dynamics and other musical skills early on.Tim discusses the challenge of balancing what students want to learn with what teachers know they should learn.Value of allowing students to be creative from the start rather than delaying creativity until they master the instrument.The challenge of instant gratification and the need to make music enjoyable from the beginning to retain students.Tim reflects on his own journey, highlighting the role of his ability to sight-read, accompany, and create music as key factors that kept him engaged in playing.Michael introduces the concept of a "level up" system to encourage regular practice and progression.Overcoming performance anxiety and exposing students to performance opportunities regularly to diminish anxiety over time.Tim's one final piece of advice for the listeners.Links MentionedNo Book Beginners BookTopMusicCoGuitar Teaching Resources MentionedFree Guitar E-book ResourcesToday's GuestTim 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.Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar MembershipThank you for tuning in!Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you.If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.Stay updated by

Today, we delve into the stories and strategies of exceptional individuals in the world of music and education. In this episode, we are thrilled to feature Rob Mills, a prominent figure in guitar and vocal instruction who once played a pivotal role as the guitarist for Diamond Head. With over 25 years of teaching experience, Rob unveils his comprehensive approach, encompassing technique, ear training, theory, and improvisation, propelling his students to become Rockstar guitarists. Join us as Rob shares insights into his early musical journey, his time with Diamond Head, and the intriguing story of how he adopted the digital nomad lifestyle. From crafting music videos to building alliances for gigs and making a positive impact on students' musical journeys, Rob covers it all. Stay tuned for a fascinating conversation on identity, musicianship evolution, and a final piece of wisdom from Rob himself.Rob shares about his background, his early guitar journey and his early musical explorations.His opportunity to play for Diamond Head.Advice and recommendations for aspiring musicians.How he adopted the digital nomad lifestyle.His teaching approach, covering technique, theory, improvisation, rhythm, and ear training.His approach to getting gigs, including creating music videos, contacting venues, and building alliances.Importance of making a good impression and building contacts in the local music scene.His approach to finding students online, using organic methods on platforms like Facebook.The value of making a positive impact on students' musical journeys.Inspiring students to have favorite guitar players and explore the concept of identity in relation to being a guitarist.Recognizing the evolutionary nature of musicianship and the need to respect the contributions of past guitarists.One last final piece of advice from Rob to the listeners.Guest Links MentionedRockstar Guitar SchoolRob Mills YouTube ChannelRob Mills Facebook PageGuitar Teaching Resources MentionedFree Guitar E-book ResourcesToday's GuestRob Mills is a highly regarded figure in the realm of guitar and vocal instruction, standing among the best in the business. A seasoned musician, he played a pivotal role in the new wave of British heavy metal with the iconic band Diamond Head. In 1999, Rob earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Birmingham University and holds a grade 5 in Music Theory. With over 25 years of teaching experience in guitar and vocals, Rob is adept at extracting the best from his students, guiding them on the path to becoming Rockstar guitarists. His comprehensive approach covers technique, ear training, theory, and improvisation. Rob's proven protocols guarantee success, propelling students through the levels of guitar proficiency. Some of his mentees, including Adam Zindani of the Welsh Rock band Stereophonics, have achieved notable fame. For those aspiring to be more than just bedroom guitarists, Rob Mills offers unparalleled expertise and a surefire way to rock the world with music. When choosing an instructor, Rob emphasizes the importance of qualifications and experience, cautioning against those lacking the credentials that he, as a seasoned professional, brings to the table.Thank you for tuning in!Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you.If...

In this episode, we delve into the world of virtual assistants and how they can make your life easier. Join us as we discuss the pros and cons of hiring virtual assistants, where to find them, and what tasks you can delegate to them. I'll also share my personal experiences with hiring a virtual assistant, providing insights and tips for making this process work for you. Whether you're considering a virtual assistant for your guitar teaching business or any other venture, this episode will help you understand the possibilities and benefits. So let's dive in and explore how a virtual assistant can streamline your workload and boost your productivity.Michael's thoughts on hiring virtual assistants.He shared how he hired a virtual assistant in the past to improve efficiency but had mixed results.He outlines several tasks that virtual assistants can handle effectively.How virtual assistants can help you manage tasks that free up your time for high-priority activities.Various options for finding virtual assistants, including online job listings, websites like Upwork or Fiverr, and agencies.The cost-effectiveness of hiring virtual assistants in countries with lower labor costs but emphasizes the importance of fair compensation.Michael recommends creating a list of tasks, determining which tasks only you can do, and delegating the rest to virtual assistants.Why training and supervision are critical aspects of successfully working with virtual assistants.Delegating work to students, family, or friends as another option to consider in hiring virtual assistants.Guitar Teaching Resources MentionedFree Guitar E-book ResourcesThank you for tuning in!Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you.If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership

In today's show, I'm thrilled to introduce my Level Up System, which has been a cornerstone within my Guitar Ninjas Curriculum for the past few years. This approach has proven to be a game-changer in making guitar lessons more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. In this episode, I'm excited to share with you the core philosophy behind the Level Up System, which revolves around the concepts of leveling and layering in guitar learning. You'll discover how this system focuses on simplifying the learning process by starting at the most foundational level and gradually building up skills, much like a pyramid or ladder analogy. I'll be providing you with an exclusive insight into this innovative approach and also reveal where you can find more in-depth resources to master this system for yourself and your students. So let's dive into the Level Up System and transform the way we teach guitar! Michael introduces his Level Up System and and its role within his Guitar Ninjas curriculum. His ability to get students of varying experience levels to play the same song quickly. An example of teaching students to play "Shivers" by Ed Sheeran. Why beginners shouldn't start with complex techniques and advanced songs. Using the Level Up System to build guitar skills progressively. The pyramid analogy for skill progression in guitar playing. Exploring the ladder analogy and its application to both fretting and picking hand skills. The importance of teaching to help students enjoy the guitar and build confidence. The 90 percent quit rate for new guitar players and how the Level Up System can help retain students. Resources for learning more about the Level Up System. Links Mentioned Guitar Ninjas Michael Gumley YouTube Channel Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership

In this episode, I'm going to take you through the essential software that transformed my guitar teaching business. I'm going to reveal the number one tool I use to manage my business efficiently and I'll tell you why it's crucial for music educators and anyone in the teaching and customer service industry. Stay tuned to find out how this software has made a significant impact on my business and how you can benefit from it, too. Michael highlights the value of a Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) in managing customer information and tracking the student or sales process. He unveils the CRM he's been using since 2015 - OnePageCRM. How the simplicity and affordability of OnePageCRM make it incredibly effective. How the CRM allows him to set up and track actions for each inquiry or customer, ensuring he never misses an opportunity. Michael discusses how OnePageCRM offers automation features, allowing for efficient management of customers and automating action sequences. Links Mentioned OnePageCRM Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership

In today's solo episode, we're diving deep into a game-changing strategy - the Rule of 100. Whether you're growing your guitar teaching business, YouTube channel, or social media following, this powerful approach can work wonders. It's all about taking 100 actions every day for 100 days. That might sound like a lot, but if you're dedicated to your craft, you'll find the time. We'll explore three key areas - social media outreach, content creation, and advertising. So listen in as we break down the Rule of 100 and watch your endeavors flourish. Michael shared the effective business strategy known as the "Rule of 100." The three main areas - social media outreach, content creation and advertising Reaching out to potential students or followers via social media platforms. Spending 100 minutes daily creating content for your chosen platform. For those with the budget, spend $100 on advertising daily for 100 days. The importance of maintaining genuine interactions, offering something in return, when reaching out to people on social media. Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership

Today's episode draws inspiration from marketing guru Alex Hormozy and his ingenious book launch strategy, emphasizing the power of adding value to your guitar lessons. We dive into the art of pricing your lessons beyond the traditional per-session model, advocating for tiered membership packages that not only boost your income but also enhance student commitment. Tune in to discover how creative packaging, engaging names, and valuable add-ons can transform your guitar teaching business, making it not only profitable but also more enjoyable for both you and your students. Michael reflects on the strategies employed by Alex Hormozy during the launch of his book, emphasizing the concept of adding value to increase perceived worth. He encourages guitar teachers to move beyond traditional pricing models and offer tier membership packages as an effective alternative. The importance of naming and marketing these packages creatively to attract students. Additional value can be added to packages through access to online resources, workshops, or even live events. Higher-paying students often become more committed and achieve better results. Links Mentioned $100M Leads Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership

In this episode of the TopMusic Guitar Podcast, Nick Tucker from Spark School of Music and Dance joins us to share his journey from humble beginnings to running a music and dance studio with over 500 students. Nick shares the lessons he has learned, his experiences with teaching and managing, and some marketing tips to help grow your business. Nick shares an overview of his amazing journey from his humble beginnings to managing a business with 500 students. Their set up for marketing for both their music and dance school. The lessons they've learned from dance school that they've applied to their music school. The importance of communication with parents about their kids' lessons. Reasons why teaching kids are the target customers of their business. Marketing and music growth tips from Nick. The status of Nick's teaching role in his music school. Nick shares how he navigates managing his team and 2 school locations. Advice for music teacher to attract clients and improve experience for staff and students. Guest's Links Spark Music and Dance Website Spark Music and Dance Facebook Page Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Nick Tucker is the owner and founder of Spark Music and Dance, a multi-location music and dance school located in Minnesota, which was established in 2016. He is also the co-founder of the Studio Success System, a lead nurturing and follow-up system designed for music and dance schools worldwide. Additionally, Nick collaborates with the Build a Music School team. He offers coaching to music schools and assisting them in making a positive impact on the lives of more children and studio owners across the globe. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

Get ready to elevate your guitar lessons to a whole new level in today's episode featuring Ulrich Ellison. As a three-time Downbeat Award winner, Ulrich has earned international acclaim for his electrifying guitar prowess and songwriting that transcends blues traditions and contemporary rock. In today's show, Ulrich shares insights into his journey, from a guitar player to an online guitar teacher, and his unique strategy for balancing a thriving online school with his music career. He also gave us an insight on the power of having clear visions and setting goals and the essential role of support systems in his success. Discover his secrets to crafting transformative guitar content and building a vibrant online Facebook community. Plus, get an exclusive sneak peek into his upcoming book that's sure to inspire. Stay tuned for a wealth of wisdom from Ulrich that's bound to strike a chord with you! Ulrich shared a brief summary of his journey, from a guitar player to an online guitar teacher. His strategy for creating an online school that enables him to continue touring, making music, balancing and managing various commitments. The importance of crafting a clear vision, establishing goals and diligently constructing the path to achieve them. The crucial support systems that aided his journey, seeking coaching and mentoring, and navigating the challenges through self-discovery. Ulrich shared about Total Guitar Transformation, shedding light on his process for finding students, understanding their needs, and crafting transformative content that bridges their gaps in guitar mastery. His strategy on building a massive Facebook group and how he nurtured a thriving online guitar community. Exciting sneak peek into his upcoming book. One final piece of wisdom and advice from Ulrich to the listeners. Guest's Links Total Guitar Transformation Website Total Guitar Transformation Facebook Page Ulrich Ellison Facebook Page Rock/Blues Guitar Improvisation Mastery Facebook Group Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Winner of three Downbeat Awards, Ulrich Ellison has been gaining international recognition as an electric guitar player and songwriter whose sounds and tones are on the verge of the blues tradition and contemporary rock. Ellison's guitar style is both economic and focuses on the essential statement. What underlies his sound is an ethereal quality that takes the listener on a musical journey. Ellison's song catalog spans from blues-based jams to pop-infused songs to progressive rock, held together by a charismatic presence and a “take-no-prisoners” rhythm section. Among the various achievements rank a nomination for a European Blues Award 2016, 2 Austin Music Awards in the category “Best Blues/Soul/Funk” as well as the 2016 Award for “Best Guitar” – the first European to ever receive this Award. His 8th official Album Release “Power Of Soul” (Grooveyard Records) is a Tribute to the late Jimi Hendrix featuring luminaries Tommy Shannon (SRV), David Grissom (John Mellencamp), Matt Schofield, Greg Koch, and legendary Blues voice Chris Farlowe (Colosseum, Hamburg Blues Band). Since 2020, he is also the founder and CEO of the “Total Guitar Transformation” Academy, empowering guitarists worldwide to become the best...

In this episode, we're having a chat with Nick Dozer, a seasoned guitar teacher with 15 years of experience. Nick and his wife, Dina, are the heart and soul behind the Southern Ohio Academy of Music, a beacon of musical education in their community. But Nick's journey doesn't stop at music; he's a true multi-passionate individual. Beyond his passion for teaching, Nick's journey takes fascinating twists and turns. Join us as Nick shares his insights on transitioning to group guitar teaching, the nuances of balancing family life, and an unexpected venture into real estate. Plus, he'll recommend his top four must-read books for anyone seeking inspiration. Stay tuned for an episode filled with wisdom and valuable takeaways!Nick shared a brief overview of his Southern Ohio Academy Music School.What motivated him to make the switch to group guitar teaching and how he successfully navigated the transition.His perspective on how he feels teaching groups versus private lessons.The story behind his journey into personal finance and investing, including how he started his companies and portfolios.His venture into real estate and his advice to fellow guitar teachers who might be considering a similar path.How he manages various responsibilities, including church involvement, family life, real state and running a music school.Discussion about time blocking.Top four books that Nick highly recommends to the listeners.Guest's LinksNick Dozer's Instagram PageSouthern Ohio Academy of Music WebsiteGuitar Teaching Resources MentionedFree Guitar E-book ResourcesToday's GuestNick Dozer has been teaching music for 15 years and currently resides in southern Ohio with his wife Dina and two children. Together, they run the Southern Ohio Academy of Music. Nick has a passion to serve his local community and see lives changed through music.Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar MembershipThank you for tuning in!Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you.If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In today's episode, we dive deep into the crucial topic of tailoring your guitar teaching to meet each guitar student's unique needs for success. As guitar teachers, we often find ourselves frustrated when our students don't progress as quickly as we did or as we'd like them to. However, it's essential to remember that we are the exception, the top 2% who stuck with guitar beyond two years and became teachers. Our students have diverse motivations, backgrounds, and learning styles. Join us as we explore the keys to retaining students, understanding their individual requirements, and becoming more effective and empathetic teachers. Discover how to adapt your teaching style and expectations to give every student what they need to succeed. It's a valuable lesson that can transform your teaching approach.Michael discusses the reasons behind guitar teachers' frustration when students don't progress as quickly as they did.Retaining students is key to success, and it hinges on providing students with what they need to thrive.The diversity of student motivations, from aspiring guitarists to those seeking a new hobby.Michael highlights the tendency of people to quit activities when faced with challenges and how teachers can combat this trend.How to tailor your teaching style to the individual needs of each student.The importance of distinguishing between equality and equity in teaching, emphasizing the need to reward high achievers while providing extra support for students who need it.Guitar Teaching Resources MentionedFree Guitar E-book ResourcesClick here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar MembershipThank you for tuning in!Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you.If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In today's solo episode, we explore the highly debated topic of whether guitar teachers should teach their students to read music. With differing opinions, we delve into the heart of the matter, presenting multiple perspectives and shedding light on this divisive subject. Playing guitar and reading music are two distinct skills that can overwhelm beginners. Focusing on fretting and picking coordination is crucial in the initial stages, and introducing music reading at the start can hinder basic muscle memory development. Additionally, forcing students to read music from the beginning can lead to early quitting. We should be building confidence and enjoyment first and then gradually introducing music reading at a later stage. Tune in as we navigate through the nuances, addressing the challenges, benefits, and when the right time might be to introduce music reading to your students.Michael explores the controversial topic of whether guitar teachers should teach their students to read music.He argues against teaching beginners how to read music right away.Focusing on fretting and picking coordination is crucial in the initial stages.He emphasizes that introducing music reading at the start can hinder basic muscle memory development.The importance of students being able to play confidently and control their finger movements before introducing music reading.Michael highlights three ways of reading music on the guitar: standard notation, chord charts, and tablature.He promotes tablature as a significant shortcut to playing music on the guitar, especially for beginners.Guitar Teaching Resources MentionedFree Guitar E-book ResourcesClick here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar MembershipThank you for tuning in!Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you.If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In today's show, I'm thrilled to have a good friend and a fellow Aussie, Glen Hitchon, join us to share his insightful journey of guitar teaching. He takes us through the captivating chapters of his guitar teaching experience, including what ignited his passion for teaching. He shares with us the incredible impact he strives to make on his students. Be inspired as he unveils the story behind his charity busking endeavor, its components and the process of its creation. He also shares invaluable insights into his teaching approach and offers advice on setting up your teaching venture for success. Finally, Glen takes us behind the scenes of his newly launched YouTube channel, offering a glimpse into his video creation process.Glen shared a brief story about his guitar teaching journey so far.What drew him back to teaching guitar?His approach to creating a positive impact on his students.Glen shared about his charity busking experience, detailing its components and the process of setting it up.Three significant force multipliers or key leverage points for Glen as a teacher.Advice to listeners who are just embarking on their teaching journey, outlining the essential elements they need to have in place.Glen provides some insights into into his recently launched YouTube channel and his setup when creating videos.Final bits of wisdom from Glen to the listeners.Links MentionedGuitar Practice Hub WebsiteLauren Bateman's WebsiteGuitar Practice Hub Instagram PageGuitar Practice Hub YouTube PageGuitar Teaching Resources MentionedFree Guitar E-book ResourcesRelated: Episode 3 – Success Principles for Musicians with Lauren BatemanToday's GuestGlen Hitchon is a guitar school owner and teacher with a background in performance, writing and recording as well as radio presentation and production. He helps guitarists on the mid north coast of NSW Australia learn the guitar, have fun, build community and enjoy having the guitar in their lives. Glen has been a guitar teacher since 2014, moving to the Coffs Coast from Sydney and building up his teaching business from scratch. Glen and his wife Aleisha run a thriving school that provides not only musical education but opportunities to perform, write and record. The school provides a wonderful space for the community in their regional town.Glen has gone back to his roots of broadcasting and presentation, mixing it with his teaching and recently launched the YouTube channel, Guitar Practice Hub. The channel is building an extensive library of guitar practice videos that help people get more practical time on the guitar, being supported through practice sessions where Glen and the student practice together and build up their skills.Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar MembershipThank you for tuning in!Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you.If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our...

In this engaging solo episode, we dive into the topic of attracting high-quality guitar students and building a reputation for excellence. Inspired by a recent conversation with a parent, I dive deep into the heart of our guitar teaching program's value, shedding light on what sets us apart from the rest. Join me as I explore the nuanced differences between university music programs and our studio's unique approach. I reveal the strategic steps that propelled my guitar teaching studio into the spotlight, attracting a cohort of high-quality students. But that's not all – I'm letting you in on my strategies that consistently draw in a thriving community of passionate, high-performing students. If you're ready to unravel the keys to transforming your teaching studio into a hub of excellence and creativity, let's get started! Michael shares how a recent conversation with a parent inspired him to discuss the value of his guitar teaching program. The differences between university music programs and his studio's approach. The steps that he took to build a reputation for his guitar teaching studio and attracting high-quality students. Michael shares the key strategies he employs to attract a larger pool of high-performing students. Resources for those looking to improve their marketing and advertising strategies. Michael highlights that getting more students is often the solution to various business challenges. The value of getting results and using them as promotional material to attract more high-quality students. Links Mentioned The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle Six Figure Guitar Teacher  Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In today's show, we're diving deep into the heart of guitar learning as we unravel the six challenges of guitar teaching that every aspiring guitarist encounters on their path to mastery. From technical intricacies to rhythm precision, from building confidence to navigating the fretboard, we leave no stone unturned. Brace yourself for a wealth of examples, insights, and actionable solutions, including the art of repetition for muscle memory, the rhythmic secrets unlocked through metronome practice and clapping exercises. We also discuss confidence boosters that transform stage fright into performance excellence, the harmonious exploration of fretboard familiarity, the creative expansion found in music theory, and the vital commitment that fuels consistent progress. Listen in and get ready to elevate your guitar journey as we embark on this transformative episode. Michael emphasizes the value of taking time to process information, reflect, and implement learnings. The six challenges of guitar teaching that aspiring guitarists encounter during their learning journey. The importance of repetition to develop muscle memory. Solving rhythm and timing problems through metronome practice and clapping exercises. Michael highlights that confidence problems can be tackled by consistently facing performance fears and by improving skills. How regular practice of chords, scales, and arpeggios in different keys can address fretboard and familiarity problems. Michael encourages students to study music theory and various concepts to expand their musical vocabulary. The importance of students committing to consistent practice and improvement. Links Mentioned Today's Sponsor: Guitar Ninjas Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.  

In today's insightful episode of our podcast, I take you through a candid journey into the world of guitar teaching and music education. With my wealth of personal experiences and hard-earned wisdom, we'll dive deep into the question of whether you should build a music school or stay as a solo teacher. Drawing from my own journey, I share the pros and cons of both approaches. Finally, listen in for some valuable advice to help you find the path that aligns with your goals and aspirations. Get ready to be inspired and informed as we navigate the exciting world of guitar teaching and studio management. Let's dive in! Michael delves into the intriguing question of whether to build a music school or remain a solo teacher. Michael shares his personal experiences, having grown his own school from scratch. He offers valuable insights into the pros and cons of each approach. Addressing the epidemic of social media gurus giving hypothetical advice without real success. Exploring the challenges of scaling a music school, discussing the financial implications and the potential for burnout and chaos. The value of knowing your goals and priorities in guitar teaching, whether it's pursuing a successful music career, spending more time with family, or living a digital nomad lifestyle. Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

Welcome to another eye-opening episode of our podcast where we unravel the famous myth of 10,000 hours. In this episode, we take a closer look at the infamous “10,000 hours” rule and its impact on guitar students and teachers alike. While the idea of dedicating 10,000 hours to practice is alluring, the reality is that it can take decades for most individuals to reach that milestone. The reality is that this is an extensive and time-consuming commitment. We'll delve into the mathematical figures and explore why it's not as straightforward as it seems. Instead, we'll explore the power of the 80/20 principle and how it can revolutionize your approach to teaching and practicing guitar. We also encourage teachers to empower their students with effective and efficient practice habits. Discover the power of focusing on quality over quantity. Learn how even 10 to 20 minutes of focused practice can be more impactful than an hour of unfocused effort. Join us as we break the myth, outlining a clear path to becoming an exceptional guitarist without being bound by a strict “10,000 hours” rule. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting your musical journey, this episode will inspire you to embrace the power of focused practice and take your guitar skills to new heights. Links Mentioned Michael Gumley Instagram Page Mastery by Robert Greene Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In this inspiring episode of our podcast, we explore the fascinating world of online teaching and the digital nomad lifestyle. Today, we have the privilege of speaking with the talented and adventurous Sebastian Gomez. Sebastian takes us on a journey from his early days as a guitar player to his transition into teaching and finally embracing the online teaching world. Discover the pivotal role of professional development in shaping his teaching approach and the reason why he chose to keep the majority of his students online even after the pandemic. Sebastian shares invaluable insights on setting up an online teaching studio, offering essential tips from a guitar teacher's perspective. As a digital nomad, he discusses the freedom and flexibility of working from anywhere in the world. Join us as we delve into the top three crucial elements for transitioning to online teaching or pursuing the digital nomad lifestyle. Explore the unique aspects that make Sebastian's online lessons stand out, and learn about the value of building a supportive community for online teaching success. Finally, discover the top sources and strategies for finding students online, along with the importance of investing in ads to expand your reach. Sebastian shared his journey as a guitar player, transitioning to guitar teaching and eventually shifting to online teaching. The importance of getting professional development. The reason why Sebastian kept the majority of his students online even after the pandemic. Some of the essential requirements for setting up an online teaching studio from a guitar teacher's perspective. Sebastian talked about being a digital nomad and having the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. Three most crucial things that teachers need to implement if they want to transition to online teaching or pursue the digital nomad lifestyle. Sebastian shared some unique aspects that he incorporates into his online lessons to make them stand out from others teachers. The value of having a community even when teaching online lessons. Top three sources or ways to find students online. The importance of investing in ads, whether paid or organic. One last bit of advice from Sebastian to the listeners. Guest Links Sebastian Gomez Music Sebastian Gomez Music Facebook Page YouTube – Sebastian Gomez Music Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Related: Episode #055: 3 Ways to Get Guitar Students Fast Today's Guest Sebastian Gomez is a professional guitar player, multi-instrument teacher, and composer. He helps guitar students 10+ to cultivate creativity and curiosity by exploring pop and rock music and it's influences. His journey has taken me from being a frustrated engineer to realizing his life-long dream of being a musician. Active in business since 2012, Mr. Sebastian has specialized in helping adult guitar students create a healthy musical mindset and practice habits with a range of music genres and activities. Additionally, many students have benefited from the various masterclasses and workshops that Sebastian hosts through the year. In the past 6 years, he has taught dozens of students, performed with Grammy award-winning artists, and explored many more avenues in music he never imagined he would be blessed with. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

Join us in today's thought-provoking episode as we dive into the world of guitar teaching with the talented Charlie Long. Charlie takes us on a journey through his own musical path and shares how teaching guitar shaped his professional life. From lessons learned from sports, to the power of personality profiling and motivation, Charlie unveils the crucial components often missing in the musical education of guitar players. He also offers his framework for helping advanced students reach their goals and emphasizes the value of playing live and making music with others. Get ready to gain insights into Charlie's YouTube channel and his approach to content planning. Plus, don't miss out on his partnership with Lauren Bateman in the Next Level Pentatonics course, as well as his valuable financial advice for guitar teachers and musicians. Tune in for a final piece of advice from Charlie that will leave you inspired and motivated. Charlie gave brief overview of his story and how guitar teaching has been a part of his professional life in various forms. What Charlie learned from sports that he applied to music teaching. Learning about personality profiling and motivation. Some crucial aspect lacking in music education of most guitar players. Michael shared a little thought exercise for the listeners. Charlie's framework for helping some of the more advanced guitar students get to where they're going. The invaluable experience of playing live and making music with other people. Charlie shared about his YouTube channel, what motivated him to get started, up to how it's going right now. Little nuggets of wisdom that he discovered in his own guitar playing. His approach to planning content in YouTube and what works and what doesn't. Charlie shared about his course, Next Level Pentatonics, that he's partnered with Lauren Bateman. Valuable financial advice to guitar players and musicians, particularly those with poor money management skills. One last piece of advice from Charlie to the listeners. Guest Links Next Level Pentatonics Charlie Long Guitar YouTube Channel Links Mentioned The Road To Excellence by K. Anders Ericsson Episode #003: Success Principles for Musicians with Lauren Bateman Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Charlie Long was fortunate to come from a musical family. He had a love for the guitar since listening to classic Chet Atkins and Wes Montgomery records at his grandfather's side as a small boy. Taking up the guitar at age 10, he was fortunate to study with a fine jazz teacher and player and jumped into the studies with abandon. By age 14, he had played his first professional gig, made All State Orchestra on both guitar and Double Bass during high school. And by age 21, he had spent 2 years touring the United States. After 2 years of touring, he knew life on the road was not for him. But his love of music and playing guitar has never diminished and is, in fact, now stronger than ever. In the last couple of decades, he had the opportunity to study with multiple world class and famous guitarists, jazz legends, and experts in the field of learning and performance psychology. He also taught thousands of aspiring guitarists from around the world. His gifts manifests in two areas of teaching. One is the ability to take complex subject matter and explain it in as many ways and levels as is necessary to help someone understand it. The second is the ability to distill the essence of his decades of learning into the truly fundamental steps required for other budding guitarists to make quantum leaps in their skill and enjoyment. As a child of the 80s, he'll be a fan of “shred guitar” until he die, and hearing Stevie Ray Vaughan led him to immerse himself in the blues. Always looking for avenues in which to improve, he also has a deep love for the complexities of jazz music and a passion for playing through complex chord changes with rock tone, phrasing and energy. Charlie has just released his first instructional video course entitled “Blues Soloing – Next Level Pentatonics.” He is very active in his YouTube channel and he still play live whenever he get the chance. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In today's episode, we unlock some beginner guitar secrets and explore the world of online funnels and Facebook ads with our returning guest, Den Lopez. We had a great discuss about the power of overcoming scarcity mindset, the transformative impact of investing in programs and mentors, and the importance of nurturing strong client relationships for your business success. We also discussed a comprehensive overview of Facebook ads and Google ads, equipping you with the knowledge to amplify your marketing efforts. Den generously shares his funnel marketing strategy that has propelled his own business to unparalleled heights. Additionally, we share invaluable tips on writing, creating, marketing, and distributing your book online, leveraging platforms like Facebook ads to reach a global audience. Get ready to unlock a world of networking opportunities through online marketing ads. Finally, don't miss my irresistible offer tailored exclusively for guitar teachers on Facebook ads. Get ready to unravel beginner guitar secrets in this power-packed episode! Some exciting breakthroughs that Den have been made since his last appearance on the podcast. Michael reveals how he became an exceptional coach for guitar students. An enlightening discussion about scarcity mindset. Michael's irresistible offer for guitar teachers on Facebook ads. How investing in programs and mentors can pave the way to a thriving and successful business. A brief, comprehensive overview of how Facebook ads and Google ads work. The importance of fostering strong client relationships and the impact it has on your business success. Den shared his funnel marketing strategy his own successful business. Tips to successfully creating, marketing and distributing your book online, including leveraging platforms like Facebook ads to reach a global audience. Michael shared an online community platform for creators called Skool. How online marketing ads unlocks a world of networking opportunities. Guest Links Learning Guitar Secrets Website Episode #026: Learning Guitar Secrets to Create a Full-Time Online Teaching Business feat. Den Lopez Links Mentioned Six Figure Guitar Teacher Website Grow Your Music Lesson Business With Facebook Ads Episode #048: The Ultimate Guide to Marketing and Selling Books & Guitar Resources with Alex Rockwell The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure by Grant Cardone Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Den López from Barcelona, Spain is a guitar teacher, musician, loving husband, and a father of 2 boys. He is the founder of Learning Guitar Secrets where he helps wanna-be and beginner guitarists become the players they dream of. He started playing at the age of 14 and has been heavily influenced by players like Clapton, Gilmour, and Hendrix. After releasing his first studio album, he decided it was time to teach others what he knew. Hearing that 90-95% of the people who start playing quit, he became obsessed with finding the little tricks, the wins, and the easiest frameworks beginners needed to succeed. Although he has only been active in the online business for less than a year, he has put out 3 courses, a podcast, and has gained a following of 10k on Facebook. He is currently working on his next projects: a challenge and a membership. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

Welcome to another exciting episode of our podcast, where we dive deep into the transformative power of advertising for your guitar teaching and business growth. We tackle a common challenge faced by guitar teachers – not having enough students. Whether you're a solo guitar teacher or working for a music school, the need for more students to increase your income remains universal. The solution – advertising. However, many teachers are hesitant and scared when it comes to advertising their business. They worry about wasting money or not knowing where to start. But fear not! In this episode, we will show you how to conquer your advertising fears and also embrace the power of promotion. So, if you're ready to unlock the potential of advertising to grow your guitar teaching business, this episode is a must-listen. Don't let fear hold you back. It's time to unleash the power of advertising and take your business to new heights. Let's dive in! My three favorite methods of finding new guitar students: Cost-effective flyers Using Facebook ads Leveraging Google Ads for top search rankings Key strategies: Calculating the lifetime value of your customers. Understanding the value of customer retention. Understanding the long-term benefits of nurturing student growth. Links Mentioned Grow Your Music Lesson Business With Facebook Ads Related: Episode #055: 3 Ways to Get Guitar Students Fast Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In today's exciting episode of our podcast, we uncover the secrets on how to get guitar students fast. As a guitar teacher, one of the biggest challenges you face is attracting new students. In this episode, we'll reveal three proven methods to help you do just that. While not all of these methods are free, investing in your business is essential for success. First, we'll explore the power of leveraging your personal network. By simply asking yourself, “Who do I know that wants to learn guitar?” and reaching out to your friends and acquaintances, you can tap into a potential pool of eager students. This strategy requires no financial investment and can yield remarkable results. Next, we'll discuss the effectiveness of traditional methods like distributing flyers. Whether using pull tab flyers or single-page leaflets, reaching out to your local community can generate valuable leads. Lastly, we'll delve into the realm of online advertising, with a focus on Facebook ads as a fast and efficient way to reach a targeted audience. Join us as we explore these strategies and provide actionable insights to help you attract guitar students quickly and effectively. Links Mentioned Grow Your Music Lesson Business With Facebook Ads Related: How to Find Music Students Fast For Your Studio Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources   Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In today's episode, we explore innovative ways to enhance your business using cutting-edge technology. We delve into the incredible possibilities that ChatGPT offers for transforming your guitar teaching studio. Discover five top tips on how to leverage the power of ChatGPT to elevate your business to new heights. From effortlessly crafting difficult emails to creating captivating blog posts and articles, developing comprehensive lesson plans, writing compelling copy for your website, and also devising a winning social media content strategy, we have you covered. Join me as we unlock the secrets of incorporating ChatGPT into your business, ensuring that your guitar teaching studio thrives in the digital age. Get ready to be inspired and take your business to the next level! Artificial intelligence and learning its benefits and how it works for our business. Five ways that you can use ChatGPT for in your business and your guitar teaching studio. Writing difficult emails. Creating blog posts and articles. Creating lesson plans for your studio. Writing copy for your website. Creating a social media content strategy. Links Mentioned ChatGPT Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

Welcome to another episode of the podcast, where we dive into the world of group lessons with Daniel Patterson, the founder of Grow Your Music Studio. With over a decade of teaching experience, Daniel has not only built a successful studio but also dedicated himself to helping other music schools and studios overcome common industry challenges. Throughout our conversation, we explore what led Daniel to shift his focus from teaching to coaching. He discussed the importance of mentorship and guidance in his own journey and when he felt ready to coach others with their businesses. We also delve into the intriguing topic of building a 7-figure studio versus operating as a solo teacher. He also shared how he  effectively communicates the benefits of group lessons to initially resistant individuals. Join us as we discover Daniel's insights on fostering strong student relationships in a group setting, as well as his thoughts and core beliefs surrounding practice expectations. Daniel gave us an overview of his journey, transitioning from a piano teacher to a business coach. What motivated him to relinquish his thriving studio and concentrate on the coaching aspect. The crucial value of coaching, guidance, and mentorship been for him throughout his journey. At what stage did he feel confident enough to coach others with their businesses? Daniel's thoughts on the topic of building a 7-figure studio versus operating as a solo teacher. How he effectively communicates with someone who's initially resistant to group lessons and persuade them to consider the benefits and give it a try. How does Daniel make his group lessons better than his competitors' private lessons? Building strong relationships with his students in a group setting vs one-on-one time in private lessons. Daniel's thoughts and core beliefs around practice expectations. Guests Links Grow Your Music Studio Links Grow Your Music Studio Free Resources 7-Figure Music School Podcast Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Meet Daniel Patterson, the founder of GrowYourMusicStudio.com. He began teaching piano in 2004. After a decade of teaching, he began to help other music studios and schools solve common problems that plague our industry. He has helped hundreds of music schools and private studios with increasing their student count and revenue. Additionally, he has helped hundreds of studios convert to a multi-level group lesson model. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership   Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In today's episode, we delve into the world of music education with Wendy Brentnall-Wood. Wendy takes us on her inspiring journey, transitioning from a musician to a successful business coach and entrepreneur. As both a teacher and business owner, she shares her valuable insights on curriculum development, emphasizing the key elements necessary for a thriving and effective music teaching approach. We also dive into the impact of easily accessible information through digital platforms, examining its implications for students' learning experiences. Wendy also offers practical strategies for enhancing student retention and fostering long-term engagement. Additionally, we discuss the importance of cultivating a supportive and optimal environment for students. We also uncover the gems of wisdom from her book, “Music Teaching Made Profitable.” Tune in to gain valuable insights and a dose of inspiration from Wendy Brentnall-Wood as she imparts her wisdom to aspiring music educators.   Wendy shared her inspiring journey from musician to business coach and entrepreneur. She shares her methods as a teacher and business owner, discussing the structure and essential elements of a successful curriculum. The changes she believes have occurred in the music education industry over the past five to ten years. Wendy highlights the consistent observations she has made throughout her entire teaching career from a musical educator's perspective. Her perspective on the impact of easy access to information through platforms like YouTube, online courses, and free articles on the internet, assessing whether it is beneficial or detrimental for students. Effective strategies for guitar teachers and music teachers to enhance student retention and foster long-term learning engagement. Reflecting on the type of environment you are cultivating for your students and exploring ways to optimize and enhance their experience at your studio. Wendy shares insights into her book, “Music Teaching Made Profitable,” providing valuable guidance for music educators. The common mistakes made by guitar teachers and music teachers when starting their own ventures. One essential piece of advice from her book that she believes everyone should know. Wendy shares how she determine common pain points and interests to create courses that address those specific needs. How she successfully build her program and attract a substantial client base of music teachers, leveraging her reputation and brand as an expert in the field. One last piece of advice from Wendy for the listeners.   Guests Links Wendy's Music School Success Instagram Page Wendy's Music Schools Facebook Page Music School Success Facebook Group Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Music has always been in Wendy's blood. And her passion for teaching grew as she discovered the benefits it gave her and others. With expertise from teaching and playing multiple instruments, creating music programs, growing music schools, mentoring music teachers, and being an international author, there is little Wendy doesn't know about educating people on making music a part of their life and reaping the many benefits as a music teacher. Her career has taken her into schools, kindergartens, retail studios and her community. With qualifications of a B.Mus.Ed, A.Mus.A, ANZCA Examiner, and coach and experience on a variety of committees, as a board director and company CEO, Wendy is truly an expert in her field. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership   Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In today's episode, our guest Michael Haworth of BiteSize Guitar joins us as we delve into his incredible journey from guitarist to teacher, spanning over two decades of professional experience. Discover how his teaching approach has evolved over the years, from humble beginnings to becoming an experienced educator. Gain valuable insights from Michael as he shares his expertise with us. Explore the profound impact of learning a musical instrument on the brain and also unlock its remarkable cognitive benefits. Get inspired by Michael's passion and vision behind BiteSize Guitar and unravel the significance of ear training in the realm of guitar playing. Tune in as we embark on an enriching exploration of creativity, improvisation, and music theory with Michael Haworth. Michael shared his inspiring journey from guitarist to teacher, spanning over 20 years of professional teaching experience. How has his teaching approach evolved over the past 22 years, from his early days of teaching on the side to now, where he possesses extensive experience and his own of book. Michael shared his insights on pulse, rhythm, and pitch, along with some engaging games he utilizes with his students. Discover the profound impact of learning a musical instrument on the brain and its remarkable cognitive benefits. Contemplating upon how you want to be remembered as a teacher – as the one who ignited creativity or the one who made music a dull and unengaging experience for children. Michael shared his inspiration behind BiteSize Guitar. The significance of ear training in guitar playing. Explore Michael's approach to creativity, improvisation, and music theory. One last piece of wisdom from Michael to the listeners. Guests Links Michael Haworth Website Michael Haworth Facebook Page Click here to purchase BiteSize Guitar Book Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Related: TC184: Dr Anita Collins on the Neuroscience of Music Lessons and the Brain Today's Guest Michael Haworth studied music at GCSE and A level and graduated from The University Of Salford in 1997 with a BA(Hons) degree in Popular Music & Recording. He has been teaching guitar to pupils of all ages since the early 1990s. He currently works as a peripatetic music teacher for the Lancashire Music Service where he teaches one-to-one pupils, small groups and whole class instrumental lessons as well as private lessons to pupils all over the world. Michael also plays and records with local bands and performs in various shows as a pit band musician. His book, BiteSize Guitar, was published in 2019. Aimed at beginners of all ages, it is the perfect resource for guitar teachers looking for an engaging syllabus with a smooth progression curve. It takes the student from complete novice to intermediate guitarist in 30 easy-to-follow lessons. Each short piece introduces the learner to a new concept and has its own ‘pastiche style' backing track, providing the student with the skills they require to learn and develop independently as a musician. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership   Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

Welcome to the 50th episode special of our podcast, where we're celebrating with a collection of the best guitar teaching tips submitted by guitar teachers from around the world. Whether you're a seasoned guitar teacher or just starting out, these tips will provide you with practical advice to enhance your teaching skills and make a lasting impact on your students. Our special episode covers a range of topics, including guitar teaching tips, classroom management strategies, tips for building strong relationships with your students. We also cover business management tips and learning tips to help you effectively manage your business and guide your students to become more effective learners. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to unlock the best guitar teaching tips in our 50th episode special! Guitar teaching tip from Brenden Benoit. Guitar teaching tip from Aaron Carrington. Guitar teaching tip from Zac Pugh. Guitar teaching tip from Josh Gillis. Guitar teaching tip from Sam Blake. Guitar teaching tip from Skip Newman. Guitar teaching tip from Jeremy Eikenberry. Guitar teaching tip from Nathan Mantle. Other guitar teaching tips from Michael Gumley. Classroom management tips. Tips for building relationships with your students. Business tips to help you manage the business aspects of being a guitar teacher. Learning tips to help your students become more effective learners. Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Related: 5 Guitar Books Recommended For Guitar Teachers Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In today's exciting episode, our guest is Zac Pugh, the founder of the fast-growing music theory platform, Musago, that makes music theory relevant and delivers an easy teaching experience. Zac takes us through the journey of launching his innovative platform, from planning to marketing and attracting his first round of clients. He also shared valuable tips on attracting clients and maximizing impact on guitar students. He discussed the importance of music theory for guitar students, and the difference between music theory and musicianship skills. Zac also offers valuable insights on inspiring guitar teachers to motivate their students to practice at home. Don't miss out on this engaging and informative conversation! Zac shared his inspiring journey from being a guitar teacher to becoming an entrepreneur in a brief overview. Some tips on how to maximize impact on your students with such a limited time. The crucial role of music theory in your guitar learning journey. The benefits and advantages of understanding music theory for guitar students. Understanding the difference between music theory and musicianship skills. Effective ways to inspire guitar teachers to motivate their students to practice at home. Zac tell us about his platform Musago and how it works. Discover the key music theory topics essential for learning in Western music history, and how to effectively narrow down the core topics for teaching. Zac shared about how he launched Musago, from planning to marketing, and how he attracted his first round of clients. Why other guitar teachers shouldn't be viewed as rivals or competitors. The importance of calculating and boosting student retention for your business success. One last bit of wisdom from Zac to our listeners. Guest Links Mentioned Musago Website Musago Facebook Page Instagram Page Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Zac Pugh has been teaching guitar since college. After having lessons with some truly inspiring teachers, it was clear that a guitar would be close by for the rest of his life. So far, his musical career includes 20+ years of guitar teaching, completing a music degree, composing music for video game companies, writing graded contemporary guitar books for SCSM Examinations international, doing gigs, playing with orchestras and now, building Musago, which is a fantastic new platform that delivers relevant music theory and makes teacher's lives easier, and it's growing fast! Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership   Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

Join us in this episode as we chat with Alex Rockwell about his ultimate guide to marketing and selling your online guitar resources. Discover his tips and tricks to enhance productivity and organization. Learn about his innovative approach to guitar playing with The UnCAGED System and gain insights into how to market and grow your music business online. Plus, get a glimpse into Alex's daily routine and process for creating new resources. And finally, don't miss his last piece of advice to the listeners. Alex shared a brief overview of his story from being a student and guitarist to teaching at a university and creating online teaching products. The valuable contents of his exercise books and how they can benefit you with his insightful walkthrough. The secret sauce behind Alex's remarkable productivity and organization that enables him to create resources swiftly. Get an inside look at Alex's daily routine. Discover Alex's process for brainstorming ideas and choosing what resource to create next. The concept of “expert amnesia.” Alex's innovative approach to guitar playing with his book, The UnCAGED System. How he mastered the art of selling things online, and his journey from first release to where he is now. Learn how to market and grow your music business online. Boosting your audience growth with Facebook paid ads. One last piece of advice from Alex to the listeners. Guest Links Mentioned Alex Rockwell Website Alex Rockwell Facebook Page Instagram Page Alex Rockwell YouTube Page Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Alex Rockwell is a guitarist, composer, and teacher based in Nashville, Tennessee. He received an Associate Degree in Music from SUNY Adirondack under the instruction of Micah Scoville, a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance from SUNY Fredonia under the instruction of James Piorkowski, and a Master Degree in Music Performance from Austin Peay State University under the instruction of Stanley Yates. Alex taught as an adjunct music professor at Austin Peay following the completion of his studies there from 2017 to 2019. Following a period of career uncertainty owed in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alex worked to develop an online guitar and music teaching business instructing students from all over the world. He also has numerous videos available on YouTube and his social media platforms pertaining to guitar and music theory. He has a number of original guitar exercise books that he regularly sells to viewers and supporters. As an artist, Alex primarily composes instrumental guitar-centric music, drawing inspiration from his extensive classical guitar studies, jazz and fusion music he was introduced to as a student, and the rock and metal music he enjoyed in his teenage years. He is currently working towards the release of his debut album of original compositions. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

Our guest today, Chris Hickle, is an SEO and Google Ads expert who shares his journey from running a music school to helping music schools all over North America grow their business online. Learn about the power of SEO and its implications, great optimization tips for your website, how to beat out registry websites, and some insider tips for setting up your own Google Ads. Don't miss out on this valuable information to take your music school to the next level! Chris summarized his transition from running a music school to entering the world of online marketing. What his journey was like transitioning from a music teacher to a business owner. The concept of SEO and its implications. Chris discussed the transformation of his business after implementing SEO strategies. The significance of SEO in 2023. SEO optimization tips for websites. How to beat registry websites in terms of SEO and rank above them? The importance of varying content for business owners with multiple websites. Chris discusses Google Ads for businesses. Some Google Ads tips or hacks for setting up our own ads. Click this link to submit your guitar teaching tip for Episode 50 here and get featured on the podcast. Guest Links Mentioned Chris Hickle's Website Chris Hickle's Facebook Page Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Chris Hickle and his wife, Jen, owned a music school for 25 years that started in their living room. When they sold it in 2020, it was grossing nearly $1 million in revenue per year. While they were growing their school, they were also starting to help music schools all over North America grow their schools, utilizing search engine optimization, Google Ads, and their website. Realizing that they loved helping other schools, they sold their music school to focus 100% of their energy on helping others achieve their dreams. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership   Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Looking to turn your passion for music into a thriving business? Tune in to this episode featuring Jonny Wilson, the mastermind behind Build a Music School and Goodtime Foundation. With his proven track record of building a successful music school and online coaching business, Jonny shares his valuable insights and lessons learned along the way that helped him grow his business into seven figures. Get ready to learn the secrets to growing your studio and building a music school of your own. If you're ready to take your music career to the next level, this episode is a must-listen! Jonny shared a brief overview of his background and journey so far. The story behind the creation and successful establishment of his music school, including his motivation for starting it. His journey from being a musician to becoming a business owner, including his unique approach to music and teaching. The value of personal and professional growth in transforming into a better and improved version of yourself. Jonny's perspective on the distinctions between five-figure, six-figure, and seven-figure music educators and entrepreneurs. The process of how his Goodtime Academy evolved and expanded into a thriving seven-figure enterprise. Discover the key to finding and recruiting the ideal individuals for your enterprise. Explore the steps involved in purchasing a music school. The story behind selling his music academy and his involvement with it at the moment. Jonny shared some valuable insights and fundamental lessons that Jonny learned throughout his journey. Practical tips and guidance on how to expand your studio. His thoughts on group lesson programs and student retention in group settings. The criteria for becoming qualified to offer business coaching advice. His initial shift towards music school and online business coaching. Jonny tells us about his experience at the first ever #BAMSQUAD conference held this year. Valuable advice on choosing between an in-person, online, or hybrid business model. A final nugget of wisdom from Jonny to the listeners. Click this link to submit your guitar teaching tip for Episode 50 here and get featured on the podcast. Guest Links Mentioned Start Your 7-Day Free Trial at Build a Music School Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Jonny Wilson is the founder of Build a Music School and Goodtime Foundation. His musical journey started with a music teacher that totally changed his life. After completing his music degree, he decided that he wanted to build a music academy so he could also make a massive impact in young people's lives through music. In 2009, he launched Goodtime Music Academy. In less than 10 years, his tiny music school with just 30 students, scaled to over 7 figures, grew from 30 to 2,000+ students and a team of over 50 people.Goodtime Music Academy became New Zealand's largest private music school. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

Our guest today is Sam Blake, owner of BMT School of Music in the UK, who began his guitar teaching career by riding his bike to give guitar lessons in peoples' homes. He tells us his story on how he transitioned from being a private guitar teacher to now owning his music school. He also talks about hiring the right people and delegating tasks so that you can focus on areas that bring value to your business. We also shared some of our insights about having a positive mindset towards money and how this can help your family and your business. And finally, Sam also shared about the BMT guitar program that they use for their beginner guitar students and how this actually works. Sam shared a brief background of his journey, from being a private guitar teacher to now owning a music school. How he transitioned from being a private guitar teacher to building his music school, the BMT School of Music. The value of building your business skills while running a music school and hiring other teachers. Hiring and delegating the best person for each role to help your business succeed. Having a positive mindset towards money can help you provide better for yourself, your family and your business. Some thoughts about the book, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Being measured by our credentials and academic capability to be able to find a career. The importance of teaching success principles in schools. The things that you learn in guitar lessons that you can apply to everyday life. Sam tells us about their BMT guitar program in his music school. The “Cheat Chords” method for beginner guitar students and how it works. One piece of wisdom from Sam for the listeners. Click this link to submit your guitar teaching tip for Episode 50 here and get featured on the podcast. Guest Links Mentioned BMT School of Music Website Sam Blake Facebook Page BMT School of Music Facebook Page BMT School of Music Instagram Page Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Sam Blake is both teacher and owner of BMT School of Music in the UK. He began his career in 2005 by riding his bike to give guitar lessons in peoples' homes. As a self taught musician, his ethos has always been to teach the way he learnt, making it fun and easy through music students want to learn. Becoming a parent at just nineteen pushed him to build his business further whilst eventually becoming a married father of four homeschooled children. BMT School of Music now serves over 200 students, employs 8 teachers and runs in 2 locations as well as surrounding schools. Sam and the school have taught several accomplished musicians who have gone on to make either a career in music or just have music as a big part of their life! Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

Our guest today, Music Professor K. Pádraig O'Kane is a guitar educator with 35 years of experience teaching in a variety of institutions including high schools and universities. Pádraig is a guitar teacher who has devoted his life to sharing his love of music with others, and now he gets to share the incredible journey he's been on as a music professor. Listen in as he tells us about how he quit music and why he came back to it. He also shares some pros and cons on being a music professor in the university system, some tips on how to persevere and endure as a music professor in a university, as well as some other stories from his career that you may have not heard before! Pádraig shared a brief overview of his journey as a guitar player and guitar teacher. Why he quit guitar and the decision to come back to music. He tells us how he battled an illness and how this affected him as a guitar teacher. The story behind how he became a guitar teacher. Some of his experiences and insights on being a music professor in the college system. The downside of being a music professor in a university. Pádraig shared some tips on how to persevere and endure as a music professor in a university. Submit your guitar teaching tip for Episode 50 here and get featured on the podcast. Guest Links Mentioned Streetwise Guitar YouTube Channel Streetwise Guitar Instagram Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Professor K. Pádraig O'Kane is a guitar educator with 35 years of experience teaching in a variety of institutions including High schools and Universities. He taught at the world renown Frost School of Music in the studio music and jazz performance program for 17 years and continues to teach at Miami International University. Aside from teaching in universities, Professor O'Kane is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and internationally recognized uilleann pipes reed maker. He has taught reed making in Ireland, New York, and California. Professor O'Kane continues to widen his horizons with his YouTube channel, “Streetwise Guitar” where he tackles a variety of interesting topics. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In this episode, the founder of KeyNotes Music and leading expert in group lessons, Melanie Bowes, joins us today to share her great knowledge on running group lessons in your studio. KeyNotes Music is a group piano program, which focuses on collaborative group learning in the foundation stages of piano. Melanie shares with us how she started as music teacher to creating her group piano program, which is now being used in over a hundred of music studios around the world. She also discussed the importance of building resilience in your students as well as tips on how you can manage high achiever and unruly students more effectively in your group lessons. Melanie shared a brief overview of her background, from being a school teacher to creating her own curriculum for music teachers. Her group piano curriculum, Keynotes Music program, and how it evolved over time. What works well when teaching younger children vs teaching older kids. How to manage high achiever students vs students on the other end of the spectrum in group lessons. The value of developing the students' skills deeper instead of giving them a linear pathway to learning. Melanie tells us about her Keynotes program and how it differs from other regular piano curriculum. Some insightful tips in transitioning and helping you on your journey to become a better music teacher. The benefits of group lessons over private lessons, particularly for kids. The difference between competitive vs collaborative games. Practical tips and strategies on running group lessons better, especially if you have unruly students. How do you actively nurture some resilience within your student? Melanie tells us more about the Keynotes program and how it evolved overtime. How she grew her group lesson program, which is now being used in over a hundred studios at the moment. Advice for people looking to go and create their own curriculum. Final piece of wisdom from Melanie for the listeners. Links Mentioned KeyNotes Music Website Teaching Group Piano Facebook Group Related: IMT Episode 261 – Managing Individual Learning in Group Lessons with Melanie Bowes Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Melanie Bowes is the founder of KeyNotes Music, a group piano program which focuses on collaborative group learning in the foundation stages of piano. Having taught for many years as a school music teacher, plus her extensive post-graduate qualifications in music education, Melanie has brought together all her experience and knowledge to support teachers in delivering innovative and progressive group classes. Her work in curriculum design and research into how children learn in the wider sense have led to the creation of KeyNotes Music which uses a cyclical curriculum structure and differentiated learning to ensure maximum impact on learning and the management of individual learners within group classes. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

Our guest today, Jayson Martínez is recognized as the first guitar major in the history of the prestigious Arts High School in Newark, NJ. Hear about his journey from being a guitar student to now owning a music school while running a guitar orchestra. He shared some insights into the world of classical guitar and how to get started as a guitarist. He also shared some tips on developing self-esteem and confidence through music that will help you foster your students' love of playing the guitar. If you are looking to create an environment where your students can be successful and enjoy the learning process, then this podcast is for you. “The essence of education is to make sure that you really hone in onto what the student really likes.” – Jayson Martinez Jayson shared a brief overview of his journey, from being a guitar student to owning a music school while running a guitar orchestra. The difference between contemporary guitar and classical guitar and how to modify a classical approach for contemporary music. Great tips on motivating your students to practice. Jayson shared some marketing advice on how to promote your business. The importance of time spent on learning guitar and time spent on learning music theory. The behavioral patterns shared by all successful guitar students. The Suzuki technique and how Jayson uses this in his music studio. Jayson shared how his guitar orchestra projects came to be. How important are performance opportunities for your students? Advice for guitar teachers looking to create their own larger ensembles and guitar orchestras. Some tips on preparing, training, picking out a repertoire for your students and facilitating their performance. How can guitar teachers make classical music more accessible for younger students? Jayson's thoughts on what the common traits are by highly successful guitar players. One final piece of wisdom for the listeners. Guest Links Mentioned Jayson Martinez Website New Jersey Guitar Orchestra Facebook Page Tremolo Music Studio Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Jayson Martínez is recognized as the first guitar major in the history of the prestigious Arts High School in Newark, NJ, the nation's first high school of the Visual and Performing Arts. This experience led him to attend New Jersey City University, where he studied under the tutelage of Dr. Ana María Rosado. He earned degrees in Music Education (B.A.), Music Performance (M.Mus.), and Educational Supervision and Administration (M.EdLd.). As Director of Guitar Studies at his Alma Mater, Mr. Martínez has garnered several awards, including the 2018 Teacher of the Year Award and a also nominee for the GRAMMY Music Educator's Award. Currently, Mr. Martínez serves as the New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA) Chairman for Guitar Education. He is also the Director of the NJMEA Honors Guitar Ensemble and National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division Representative for the Council of Guitar Education. He is also an adjunct Professor of Guitar Studies at Kean University. An established classical guitarist, Mr. Martínez served as the concertmaster for the renowned New York City Classical Guitar Orchestra for over a decade. In 2021, he founded the New Jersey Guitar Orchestra, where he also serves as conductor. Staying true to his roots, he is also the proprietor of Tremolo Music Studio LLC in Clifton, NJ, where he provides music education to aspiring musicians of all ages. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.  

Our guest today, Paul Myatt, Director at Forte School of Music, shares his journey from being a regular piano teacher to being a coach and helping other teachers around the world. He talks about the importance of professional and personal development and why learning new things is always important. He shared the whole body learning approach that they use in Forte School of Music and how their approach differs from other music schools. Paul also shared some great tips that music teachers can do to improve in their teaching and business knowledge, along with sharing some of his own mistakes along the way. Paul shared a brief overview on how he started from being a regular piano teacher to coaching and helping other teachers around the world. How he started to build his own brand and setting up Forte School of Music. Setting the right expectations with parents and nurturing a long-term relationship with them. The WOW factor of Forte School of Music and how it differs from other music schools. Paul talks about the whole body learning approach. How Paul expanded his business operation to include licensees all around Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom. The importance of goal setting, mindset training and success principles and how to implement it. How do you transfer success principles into your students and younger learners? The value of professional development and always learning new things. The benefits and value of group lessons for students. Some tips on how to overcome objections to the group lesson program. Three things that music teachers can do to improve in their teaching and business knowledge. Paul shared some of the mistakes and learning opportunities he made along the way. One final piece of wisdom from Paul. Guest Links Piano Teaching Success Forte School of Music Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Successful Australian businessman, Paul Myatt, is also well known for his ability to teach and educate all levels and abilities in a diverse range of skills from music to swimming. His eclectic range of skills include teaching, coaching, writing, speaking, performing and singing. Paul is a founding Director of Forte School of Music, an unique and highly successful music education network with over 4,000 students in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Paul's greatest passion is encouraging life-long music making through music education and the positive effect this has on people's lives. Scientific research continues to demonstrate through neurological studies that learning music has a long lasting and positive effect on the brain and brain development. The brain is on of the most exciting and almost completely unknown organs of the human body. Research suggests that learning music develops brain capacity enhancing spatial awareness, speech perception and the ability to simultaneously handle multiple tasks. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

The best stories we've heard come from people who have found something they are passionate about and then really took the time to grow it. Jamie Anderson, singer-songwriter turned guitar teacher, did just that. With her experience in playing guitar and touring for over 30 years, she found a way to turn her passion into teaching students and creating a guitar teaching YouTube channel who now has about 70k subscribers. In this podcast, Jamie shared how she started gaining traction in her YouTube channel and reaching one million views in just a few months. She also shared some of her marketing tips and strategies she's used in growing her channel as well as some of the lessons she's learned along the way. In this episode, you'll learn: Jamie talked about her book, Drive All Day, and shared some of the best excuses she's heard over the years from students for not practicing. Jamie shared a brief overview of her story and how she transitioned to online teaching. How she started gaining traction in her guitar teaching YouTube channel and reaching one million views. The importance of knowing who your audience is. The value of continuous development, whether within your business or within your own playing skills. Jamie shared some of her strategies for her YouTube channel. How YouTube can be an amazingly positive thing for your business. Some of the disadvantages of learning guitar lessons from a YouTube video only and not having a feedback from a face-to-face lesson with a real teacher. Tips for guitar teachers looking to get into YouTube for the first time. What you can do to be more proactive in making money from your YouTube channel. Some tips on how to get a sponsorship for your YouTube channel. Jamie shared about her three books and what it's all about. One final piece of wisdom from Jamie for guitar players. Guest Links Jamie Anderson Website Jamie Anderson YouTube Channel Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Jamie Anderson is a singer-songwriter who has toured over 30 years, playing hundreds of venues in the US and Canada. She teaches guitar, ukulele, and mandolin online in private lessons and on YouTube. Her channel has over 400 lessons and 70k subscribers. She's also an author. Her third book, Drive All Day, is a collection of stories from a working musician, from weird gigs to excuses her students give her. Her favorite, “She couldn't practice because we couldn't find her guitar.” Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In this podcast episode, one of our favourite guests is back on the show. Mike Grande, owner of Rock Out Loud Live, returns to the show and tells us about his successful Amazon product, Card Chords. He tells us how he managed to run multiple music schools while having Amazon side hustles with great success. He also shared about his heartwarming and life-changing experience in Rwanda and how he helped their music teachers to become coaches. Get some great tips from Mike on what it takes to keep giving the WOW factor to your existing customers as well as to your new ones. And if you'd like to find out Mike's innovative idea of what you can sell on Amazon, this episode is for you. Mike shares a quick overview of his background and his music schools, Rock Out Loud and Staten Island School of Rock. The reason why he built Rock Out Loud Live. How he successfully launched his product, Card Chords, in Amazon. Mike tells us about his trip and life-changing experience in Rwanda. How the Minister of Education in Rwanda approved his music education program. Transitioning from being a teacher to being a coach. Mike's secret on managing multiple music schools, writing curriculums for other countries while having successful Amazon side hustles at the same time. The process behind acquiring another music school. Mike shared about the North American Music Merchants Show (NAMM Show). How do you keep giving the WOW factor to your existing customers as well as to your new ones? Mike shared an exciting idea or product to the listeners that they can sell on Amazon. Guest Links Mentioned Card Chords Website Rock Out Loud Live Website Rock Out Loud Facebook Page Books Mentioned Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal Gabler Buy Then Build by Walker Deibel Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Mike Grande is the founder of Rock Out Loud Live and the owner of two elite music schools in New York and New Jersey. In November 2019, after spending over $650,000 building out his New Jersey school, Rock Out Loud, he was told he had to close due to COVID-19. As the music education world went to ZOOM for virtual music lessons, Mike decided to accelerate the production of his own Virtual Music Lesson Portal – RockOutLoud.live. RockOutLoud.live is the world's FIRST Virtual Music Lesson portal designed for music educators that is three years in the making. When Mike is not rocking out at one of his music schools, he wears his corporate suit as Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer for a specialty financial institution on Park Avenue. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership   Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In today's episode, we're having a chat with Sam Reti, Founder and CEO of Muzie.Live, about the the benefits of a hybrid teaching model for music teachers in a post pandemic landscape. Muzie.Live is an all in one virtual music studio for online and hybrid music education, providing the highest quality music education tools when it comes to managing your studio, billing, invoicing, scheduling files, practice logs and pretty much anything you could imagine for managing lessons. Listen in as Sam shares his insights on the importance of students playing with other people. He  also shared some great tips and innovative things that music teachers can implement in their studio. Sam shared a brief overview of his background. Sam's journey as a music teacher to now a tech entrepreneur. The creation of Muzie.Live and how it helped a lot of teachers for online music lessons, especially during the pandemic. Why students need to play with other people and how this impacts their development from Sam's perspective. The importance of having supportive parents for young musicians. Having a rockstar dream. Food for thought from Michael about Steve Toronto. The advantages of using technology to teach online lessons, especially during the pandemic. The benefits of a hybrid teaching model for music teachers in a post pandemic landscape. Features and benefits of Muzie.Live and how it differs from other platforms. Finding the right marketing team to help your business become a success. Some tips and innovative things that music teachers can implement in their studio. One piece of wisdom from Sam for the listeners. Guest Links Muzie.Live Muzie Teachers Facebook Group Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Sam Reti is a professional guitarist and guitar instructor with over 15 years of experience in music performance. Currently, Sam is the Founder and CEO of Muzie.Live, a platform developed specifically for online, in-person and hybrid music lessons. Sam has personally worked with 1,500+ music studios and teachers throughout his career to help improve their teaching methods and workflows by utilizing technology, which has ultimately led these studios to increase their retention and student engagement. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TOPMUSICGUITAR MEMBERSHIP Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In today's podcast episode, our guest Keith Martin of Fret Science shared his journey with us from being a computer scientist to becoming a guitar teacher. He goes into detail about how he applied some concepts from his computer science background to learning guitar and teaching, as well as some of the ways that he applies this knowledge on his lessons. He also tells the story of how he quickly grew his YouTube channel from 0 subscribers to 14,000+ within just 2 months through using data-driven lessons and helpful content creation tools. Keith shared an overview of his journey and how he started as a guitar teacher. His perspective as a computer scientist and applying it to the fretboard and learning guitar. Keith shared his success on YouTube, from having 0 followers to 14,000 subscribers in two months. How to get great results with less practice and repetition from a computer science perspective. His interest in cognitive science or learning psychology and applying that into his teaching. Bridging the gap between cognitive science and the actual lesson itself. Keith's one piece of advice: Practice the things that are hard for you. Why guitar hasn't really evolved that much in the grand scheme of things. Some of the things that people are missing out on by sticking to older ways of doing things. The 3 notes per string system for learning guitar. Keith shared how he creates his YouTube videos using Keynote. Exploring improvisation and teaching creativity to his students. One piece of wisdom for the listeners. Guest Links Fret Science Website Fret Science YouTube Channel Keith Martin Facebook Page Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Keith Martin earned a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. By day, he's an engineering manager at a leading science/engineering software company. His website and YouTube channel, Fret Science, is dedicated to reducing the amount of memorization and repetitive practice needed to fluently navigate the guitar fretboard. He uses insights from cognitive and computer science to teach the building blocks of music – triads, arpeggios, and scales – in ways that can be understood in minutes and easily recalled from memory, so that you'll never need to look at a scale or chord diagram again. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In today's episode, we're chatting with Josh Gillis and Richard Constable of Guitar Boss, an all in one system for guitar teachers. Listen in and get some insights and how this program will help you stay organized as you get busier and you get more leads in. They also shared the importance of using a funnel and the misconceptions around it. If you're looking for some great advice on how to be successful as a guitar teacher, while still being yourself and without worrying on the business side of things, this episode is for you. Richard shares with us what Guitar Boss Program is all about. Is Guitar Boss only for guitar teachers? The importance of a funnel and why we should use it. What's the biggest misconception about funnels? Advice for guitar teachers who are either struggling with the business side of things or want to get more into marketing. Josh shares his interest on NFT's, Crypto and Blockchain. How to protect your intellectual property with NFT's. One piece of wisdom for guitar teaching or business. Guest Links Josh Gillis Website Instagram – Josh Gillis Facebook – Josh Gillis  Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guests JOSH GILLIS Josh Gillis is a musician and guitar teacher from Columbus, MS. He has been playing guitar for over 25+ years and has been teaching for the past 10+ years. His primary focus is helping beginners and teaching the basics. He enjoys good coffee, outdoor adventure, and learning more about Crypto, AI, and NFT's. RICHARD CONSTABLE Richard Constable from Guitar Journey has been playing guitar for 20+ years. He has been running Guitar Journey for 5 years and has taught over 200+ people. He also has 20 years of gigging and recording experience, including doing a BTEC in Music Technology and a degree in Recording Arts. His teaching style is relaxed and easygoing with lots of encouragement. He can teach all levels from Beginner to Advanced across all exam boards. Whether you would like to learn classical, jazz or rock, Rich got you covered. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.  

Our guest in today's episode is Rob Garland, a guitar player and a great music teacher in a very notable institution. Rob is going to share his thoughts on how to be a successful guitar teacher in 2023 and beyond. This interview is a goldmine of information for any teacher looking to take their guitar teaching skills to the next level. Rob shares a brief background about his career, both as a musician and teacher. The story of how he got a contract with Cherry Lane or getting involved with publishing companies. Why he took the plunge and relocated to the USA. The importance of human connection in building a career in music. How he ended up in LA and teaching in a notable institution. His thoughts on the younger generation of learners coming up less experienced in their ear training. His experience in teaching intermediate and advanced students. Why you need to teach your students something that will set you apart. Tips for teaching your students. One thing that is overlooked in guitar lessons. Advice for teachers in teaching students within 30 minutes Top things you need to do to become a great music teacher in 2023. Guest Links Rob Garland Website Rob Garland Instagram Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Rob Garland grew up in England, worked in a diverse array of bands, and later played hundreds of gigs at festivals and clubs in the U.S. with his band The Blue Monks, opening for artists such as B.B. King, Booker T. and Chuck Berry. He now lives in Los Angeles, where he continues to write and record his original music, available to stream/download. He regularly performs at clubs such as The Baked Potato and Alva's Showroom, and has recorded sessions at studios such as The Village Recorder, Revolver and J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot. Rob has been teaching guitar for 25+ years and has taught hundreds of private students across all ability levels and musical genres. He has taught group classes, private lessons and masterclasses for Musicians Institute (G.I.T.) in Hollywood, CA, where he serves on the faculty and has created numerous instructional courses for TrueFire & JamPlay, including the best selling ‘Chord Navigator: CAGED' series. He has written instructional books for Cherry Lane/Hal Leonard, and is currently writing for Fundamental Changes. Musicians Rob has performed with include Steve Vai, Jimmy Haslip (The Yellowjackets), Marco Minnemann (Joe Satriani), Gus Thornton (Albert King), Joel Taylor (Allan Holdsworth) and Tony Newton (Gary Moore). He is endorsed by Bogner amps, Xotic guitars, Curt Mangan strings, ChickenPicks and Moody Leather straps.   Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership   Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In this episode, we chat with Jamie Slutzky about how to expand your guitar teaching business online. Jamie has built an incredibly successful online business and hosts the Expand Online Podcast. In this episode, she shares her guiding principles for helping other music teachers pursue an online teaching business and gives specific examples of what it takes to get started in 2023. In this episode, we discuss: Jamie's background and how she found her niche helping music teachers. The reason why you should create an online business or course. Tips on how to start your online business. Advice for people who want to put all their eggs in one basket or switch 100% online. Kinds of courses that are already saturated in the online space. How to grow a following on social media. Things you need to start building your mailing list. Recommendations for picking social media platforms for your business. Secrets for growing an online teaching business in 2023. Common mistakes of teachers when building an online business or course. Book recommendation of Jamie: Ask – Ryan Levesque Guest Links Jaime Slutzky Website Jaime Slutzky Instagram Expand Online Podcast Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Jaime Slutzky is an experienced and knowledgeable online technology strategist who works with music teachers who have caps on their income and time to create scalable online products and services. With her degree in Computer Science, 11+ years in corporate IT and over a decade supporting online businesses, she has the expertise, insight and grit to help you expand your music studio business online. After about 8 years working with anyone who wanted to hire her, she chose to work exclusively with music teachers because of the opportunities that they afford their students. The biggest thing that comes up time and again is a visible disconnect between what her clients want to achieve and how to get there. She fills in that gap with coaching, consulting, group programs and online courses. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

Learn a different guitar methodology of teaching students, children and adults, with our podcast guest today, Dr Francesco Barone. Dr Barone is a classical guitar teacher turned author who shares distinct characteristics of his methodology and interesting information on his books with us today. He also gives us great ideas, advice and tips for teaching guitar chords and publishing a book under Amazon. His journey from a guitar player to teacher, and now author. The genesis of his book, Guitar Chords and Context. The Suzuki Method, its components and aspects, and how students learn using this methodology. The new book he's writing about the methodology he uses for teaching adults. Unique characteristics of his teaching guitar methodology for adults. Ideas on sequencing that contemporary players can learn from and reflect upon. Distinct topics discussed in his book, Guitar Chords in Context. Examples of easy pieces people can play with the simple guitar chords. The story of what pushed him to rebrand and re-write his book. Advice for people who want to release a book under Amazon and its difference from traditional publishing. Deciding between releasing an ebook and a physical book. Tips for promoting your book and putting it out in the market. Recommended books for guitar players and teachers Art & Technique of Practice – Richard Provost Classic Guitar Technique – Richard Provost Pumping Nylon – Scott Tennant Words of wisdom on investing in your education for music and guitar teachers. Guest Links Guitar Chords in Context – Amazon Francesco Barone Website Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Award-winning guitarist Francesco Barone has performed throughout the United States as a soloist and chamber musician. He has been presented at guitar festivals and societies in New England including the Connecticut Guitar Society, New England Guitar Society and Hartt School Guitar Festival. He has also performed nationally through the classical music startup Groupmuse. Dr. Barone was a prizewinner in the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society Guitar Competitio. He was featured on a La Bella Strings sponsored concert and has had performances broadcasted on NPR. He received a DMA and MM from The Hartt School, University of Hartford where he studied with Richard Provost. His treatise on the Russian guitar composer Nikita Koshkin was the first to analyze his music and discuss one of the composer's chamber works. Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

Michael Flanders is the go-to guy in the Queensland music scene. Listen to this podcast to learn how Michael started from scratch and rose to become a professional musician, a gigging and in-demand session guitarist and a music producer. He shares his story of how he started out and what it's like working in the music industry. He also shared some great tips and advice for players who want to make it big in the music scene. How Michael started in music. The story of how he became to go-to guy in the Queensland music scene. How the music industry works in terms of publishing and songwriting. Tips for building better timing and rising to the standard of world-class players. Michael shows us the Nashville Number System. The importance of regular practice for musicians. Michael's advice for musicians who want to take the leap and make the move to cities with bigger music scenes. Mistakes you need to avoid as guitar players or session musicians. Advice to rapidly accelerate your success as a musician. Guest Links Michael Flanders Website Michael Flanders Instagram Buddy Emmons: Steel Guitar Icon by Steve Fishell Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Australian award-winning producer and writer Michael Flanders and co-founder of Pacific International music publishing moved to the USA in Feb ‘07 to head up Pacific International Music. During this period, he has built a healthy publishing catalog of over 1,100 songs and having administration on 12 other existing catalogs with high profile names attached. His production credits include Josh Arnold, Nik Phillips, Jill King, Garrison Starr, and American Idol Semi-Finalist Siobhan Magnus and Multi-Platinum selling artist Nikki Webster to name a few. In the 1980s and 1990s, Flanders achieved acclaim in his native Australian market; first as a staff songwriter with Warner/Chappell Music, then as a producer for Alternative and Pop acts in Australia. He received ARIA (Australian Record Industry Association) recognition for his work with the Australian pop artist Chaise, producing a string of hit singles album that spawned a number one hit song for her, Only Be Me. Flanders' trademark as a producer has been his experimental and hook heavy approach to creating organic-sounding records. He is known for his involvement in a project from conception to finished product.   Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership   Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.

In this podcast episode, we're going to have a chat with classical guitarist John César and we're going to discuss the classical guitar, beginner guitar teaching methods, and especially the Suzuki Method and how you can use it in your teaching. John shares with us the lessons he learned from his own teaching. He also shares how he is able to carve out a space for guitar lessons for his students by using principles and techniques that he outlined in this podcast episode. If you are interested in learning how to teach guitar or just want to learn more about this method then this is a great episode for you! Common lack of knowledge from  kids on learning guitar. How self-taught teachers educate themselves. What qualifies someone who is ready to become a teacher. Understanding the Suzuki Method in guitar. The role of the parent in the child's journey of learning how to play their instrument. The advantage of the Suzuki Method versus the standard approach. Arranging classes for students under the Suzuki program. Principles from Suzuki teaching we can apply to lessons with our adult students. Concepts or principles in the underlying Suzuki method, which could be more broadly applied to teaching in general, outside of the Suzuki program itself. How teachers can access a Suzuki Program. John shares how e creates content for his audience. Advice from John. Guest Links John Cesar Instagram For The Classical Guitarist Facebook Page For The Classical Guitarist YouTube Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest John Cesar is a New England based classical guitarist. As an artist, John has performed around New England, New Jersey, and even in Lima, Peru. He received his undergraduate degree from the John J. Cali School Of Music at Montclair State University. During his studies, John had the opportunity to perform in masterclasses for some of the leading figures in classical guitar. He has performed in solo as well as chamber music settings with artists including Jason Vieaux, The Newman Oltman Duo, Andrew York, Scott Tennent, Jorge Caballero, Carlos Barbosa Lima, and Oscar Ghiglia. In addition to being a performer John is an active classical guitar instructor in both traditional and Suzuki Instruction. He is a registered teacher through the Suzuki Associations of the Americas and teachers students as young as age 3. In 2019 John founded the social media page For The Classical Guitarist. This page portrays the life and culture of being a classical guitarist through humorous, yet still informative, photos and videos. The page can be found @fortheclassicalguitarist on Instagram. Currently John building his own YouTube channel where he focuses on videos about classical guitar, music, and making a living as a musician. Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.   Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership.

Today's short episode is going to be a really cool discussion about increasing and boosting student retention in your studio. In my studio, we've got a number of different things that we do in terms of increasing and boosting student retention. And we'll talk about things that you can do at the moment to harness the power of connection to increase your retention, increase engagement and create positive outcomes for yourself, your studio, and especially your students. Boosting retention among your students. The importance of having a strong connection with your students. Why you need to have milestones to work towards in your school. Understanding why students quit and stay to be able to plan how to increase their lifespan. Reasons why people quit and how to navigate it. Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.   Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership  

Are you a music teacher or a musician looking to start an online teaching business? In today's podcast episode, we interview Sonya Ramsey, owner of Music Instructor Business Academy. She shares her top tips and best strategies on how to make your online teaching business successful. So if you want to learn how to up your game in online marketing, and we're telling you now that you don't need tons of money to start it, then listen in on this episode today. Sonya gives us a brief background on herself and how she turned into a musician from being a marketer. The reason why there is a deep-rooted distrust of money, which is just so pervasive with musicians worldwide. Do you need to get on YouTube? Knowing when a student will make it or not. How to give your students the right information and set them up for success. Don't quit, keep going, and things are going to turn around for you eventually. Sonya gives us a short intro on the Music Instructor Business Academy and their Facebook group. Getting your online business started in 2022 or early 2023. Guest Links Music Instructor Business Academy Facebook Group Music Instructor Business Academy Instagram Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest Sonya Ramsey is a marketer and mentor who helps musicians transform their passions into multiple six-figure music instructor businesses by creating and selling online courses.   Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.   Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership

When should guitar teachers start working on composition and creativity with students and how can you teach it? How can you get published and market your business or book? These are just some of the interesting questions that Gilbert Isbin, guitarist and composer, answers in this week's podcast. If you're looking to get published or just wanting to learn how you can teach composition and creativity to your students, listen to this episode and find out what Gilbert's tips are for guitar teachers like you. Gilbert gives us a rundown on his story so far, from performing and creativity and composition, right up to what he's doing now in the education space. How he got published by one of the biggest publishers, Malbay. The advantage of publishing with Kindle and selling on Amazon. He shares what a loot is and how it differs to a classical guitar. Tips for marketing your music and business. Gilbert tells us more about his book, The Composing Guitarist: An Easy Approach. His thoughts on creativity and when teachers should start working on composition and creativity with their students. Sample activities and exercises teachers can do to start nurturing creativity within their students. Why singing with your guitar is important. Guest Links Mentioned Gilbert Isbin Website Gilbert Isbin Facebook Page YouTube Channel Guitar Teaching Resources Mentioned Free Guitar E-book Resources Today's Guest ‘Belgian guitarist Gilbert Isbin is one of the most interesting, dynamic and poetic composers writing for the guitar today.' (Mel Bay) Isbin's compositional and performing style defies genre, blending elements of contemporary classical, jazz, early music, world music and improvisation. In favorable comparisons with the likes of Ralph Towner and Egberto Gismonti, his music has been described as “oblique, subtle, and hauntingly beautiful.” His compositions, more than 400, for guitar, lute, ukulele, theorbo, renaissance guitar, baroque guitar, bass and ensemble, songs, are published by Mel Bay, Edizioni Curci (Berben), The UK Lute Society, Lantro Music, Golden River Music, Kameleon Editions  Auurk Ed, VRT Publishing.   He has performed on festivals and major venues throughout Europe and the US with Cameron Brown, Joe Fonda, Scott Walton, Hugh Hopper, Jeff Gauthier, Vinny Golia, Ernst Reijseger, Michel Godard, Sandro Di Stefano Bruce Arnold, Jie Ma, Alex Cline, Wolfgang Reisinger. Thank you for tuning in! Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it's inspired you. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Fridays weekly.   Click here to find out more about TopMusicGuitar Membership