Step 1. Create a teaching plan i.e. Curriculum

The G4 GUITAR METHOD is the result of many years of research, development and  feedback from real teachers. But the actual magic is simpler than that: it's just having a plan.

There's a well-known finding in weight-loss research — most diets work, as long as people actually stick to them. Teaching works the same way. Teachers who follow a method, almost any method, get better outcomes than those who improvise lesson to lesson. A plan lets you see what's working, adjust what isn't, and gives students and parents real confidence in you. We haven't reinvented the wheel here — your teaching is still what makes the difference. G4 just clears the lesson-planning out of the way so you can focus on the part that actually matters: teaching.

The idea came from watching other instruments. Violin teachers had Suzuki. Piano teachers had Hal Leonard or Alfred's. I noticed the most successful music teachers I worked with, across every instrument, tended to use some kind of structured method — and it showed in their results. A Suzuki violin teacher I knew regularly sent me students to pick up guitar, and I was struck by how fast they learned guitar compared to students with no prior structured training.

That's what pushed me to build a proper guitar method — one that covers the skills that actually matter, in the right order.

The result is a curriculum that saves teachers hundreds of hours of lesson prep, so that time goes into teaching instead of planning. Just as important, it gives students clear direction and defined goals, plus a way to track their own progress — and tracking progress is one of the strongest known drivers of motivation and long-term commitment in learning.

Step 2. Leverage the power of networking

My initial motivation to build a network was to connect guitar teachers as a way of creating a community but I soon discovered there were many benefits. For example, as solo operator you literally have to do everything. You have to create and develop your curriculum, your business plan, your marketing and brand image, your website, your social media and on and on. On top of that you don't have any feedback from stakeholders. Well intended friends and family can offer opinions but they are generally not invested in your business. This means they don't truly understand your business. When you are part of a network other members are invested. They know and understand your business because it's their business too. 

G4 GUITAR teachers are now located in 5 countries including Australia, Canada, France, UK, US, and growing. The Internet has allowed us to become a truly global community. This means our reputation is spreading. This also sparks insights and new ideas that help our members improve their teaching and businesses. It also creates a sense of community. Connecting with people who can relate to the same challenges you face as a guitar teacher/entrepreneur helps to bring clarity and reassurance. It also helps to be teaching the same syllabus because we can share challenges and strategies.