Skip to content

Interview with Tim Topham

Why every student should know Happy Birthday, in conversation with Tim Topham

Listen to Tim interview Lucinda.

For more information on Tim, and his mission to reignite teachers' passion for teaching with fun and inspiring activities for students, visit his website

Index of the interview

Here is an index of the interview if you'd like to jump to a particular section:

0.0 Tuning in to Lucinda and her approach

0.25 Welcome and Introduction from Tim Topham, sponsored by Casio Celvano hybrid pianos

2.43 Introducing how to teach playing by ear and improvising.

4.01 Holistic teaching, using intuition, psychology and dance. Pupil-centred learning.
 
7.09 Why and how to teach playing by ear and improvising. What to play without books.
 
14.00 How singing helps playing by ear, how to persuade pupils to sing, and what to sing to develop inner hearing.
 
22.15 How to learn Happy Birthday and other songs by ear. When everyone knows the tune, you only need play the chords!
 
26.23 Understanding and playing primary, secondary and more chords. A good order to learn them in.
 
30.55 Easy improvising with the Modes and Pentatonic scales.
 
33.57 The Piano Teachers' Course UK , and The Course to Inspire and Refresh Music Teaching, Learning and Performing.
 
38.13 Three final tips.
 
To download a pdf transcript - click here
 
Find out more and buy your copy of Piano by Ear
 
A mention for Tim's sponsor - thanks to Casio. The Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid range is the perfect combination of innovation and tradition. Developed in collaboration with C. BECHSTEIN, Casio has introduced a game changer – offering an acoustic grand piano action, response and feel, with the benefits of a digital piano.