TopMusicGuitar Podcast Tim Topham

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 List
Guitar Teaching Resources MentionedFree Guitar E-book Resources
Today’s Guest
Brandon 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.
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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.
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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 BookTopMusicCo
Guitar Teaching Resources MentionedFree Guitar E-book Resources
Today'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.
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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 Page
Guitar Teaching Resources MentionedFree Guitar E-book Resources
Today'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.
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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 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 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