B.Mus (Humber College)
A recent graduate of Humber College, Matt has quickly established himself as a respected performer in the city’s music scene. While at Humber, Matt had the opportunity to study with some of Canada’s finest jazz and commercial musicians; Brian O’Kane, Alistar Kay, Shelly Berger and Andy Ballantyne, to name a few.
As an active member in the freelance community, Matt’s playing has taken him to such venues as Roy Thompson Hall, The Rex Hotel and the Jazz Bistro. You can find him leading his own trio in intimate venues around the city, or playing with many different jazz, funk or brass bands around the GTA and other Southern Ontario areas.
Get to know Matt…Beyond the Bio!
Hobbies: Cooking, golf, & coffee making
Musical influences: Clifford Brown, Leroy Jones, Clark Terry, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Chicago
Favourite food: Fish burrito
Least favourite food: My mom’s rice – although, everything else she makes is excellent.
Favourite music: Jazz
Favourite song: It’s Always You
Favourite movie: Spirited Away
Favourite movie music: Indiana Jones Theme
Favourite musical theatre/opera: West Side Story
Best quote from your teacher: “BLOW!” – Alistar Kay
Favourite quote: “They teach you there’s a boundary line to music. But, man, there’s no boundary line to art.” – Charlie Parker
Favourite book: Last Wish – Andrzej Sapkowski
Best thing about teaching at ABC: Sharing my passion for music with youth
Latest Homework from Matt
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Homework for June 2nd
Abi:
Nice to hear you play through all the major scales these past two weeks. They’re all sounding much more confident. These are a great tool to work on range, articulation and finger speed! Keep playing a few of these every time to pick your horn.
Overall, Etude in C is sounding much better; Its great to hear less stop and starts, more attention to dynamics/ articulation and good breathing. Keep up those good habits! Take some time to check out bar 10 etc , I think if you slow down the fingerings you’ll be able to play it with much more confidence and the air will allow you to play in the upper register no problem!
Your sight reading is getting much better too. Continue to quiz yourself on where notes are in the treble staff. I think you’re really close to unlocking better sight reading. Take your time and check out some other songs from that package I sent you! have fun!
Sight reading material: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:62a566dc-39a4-41ed-8983-5620fa0b85e5#pageNum=2
Matt:
Im excited to be approaching the date of the RCM exam, I think you’re going to do great. Just a couple things in the lesson today need to be worked on for the exam.
Mouthpiece study: This is already 90% of the way there. If you play it through a couple times on your horn, when you switch to the MP your ear will be strong and will guide you through it.
D Chromatic scale: This one is tricky! you need to be super aware of what notes you’re playing when you do this one. You have a tendency to skip one or two notes so it would be to your benefit to practice this slowly and think about every note on the way. Don’t rush on the way down either!
Major scale articulation: Specifically two slurred two tongued was giving you trouble today. Take your time on a scale you’re comfortable with and slowly move up the tempo/ switch to other scales.
Next week we’ll revisit all the rep and do a bit of ear training!
Sight reading material: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:62a566dc-39a4-41ed-8983-5620fa0b85e5#pageNum=2
Mouthpiece Study: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:8c78a62f-db04-4895-8e4d-6a96cc7a8209#pageNum=1
Homework for April 25th
It was nice to work on some new exercises with you! I hope you throw them into your practice sessions.
Major scales into pedal register: This is one my favourites for warming up. Great for your air, chops and mind. The F and E sounded much more centred in this lesson, it seems like you’re opening up more and able to hear them better, keep that up and try for Eb and D for next week. If you’re struggling, do the three valve down technique and slowly change the fingerings to the proper one.
Low G extensions: This exercise might be the key to getting everything working better for you; It’s a serious workout. Getting up to the E/G comfortably is already a huge step. If you do this a couple times a day in no time you’ll be comfy until the A or even a B. Just like every other exercise, the breath is your friend in this one; it’s the perfect opportunity to focus on taking a full supported breath before you play. Keep it at a controlled mp or mf throughout the scale, and crescendo to the top of the scale. Hold the top note until the end of your breath to ensure core engagement.
Power ride: You can break this one into small exercises as we did or you can just power through it. I think sitting down and spending 30 mins on it would do a ton of good. Be aware of those large intervals between bars. Take your time and be sure to play everything beautifully.
Preferred Books for Matt’s Students
Click to buy them here, and they’ll come right to your house! What could be easier?
Technical Studies
This work has been especially written to enable the cornet student to conquer any technical difficulties he or she might encounter in the literature for the instrument. By carefully following the instructions in this book, the student will build up strength and endurance without strain or injury to his embouchure. If this lips remain flexible and the tone is not forced, it will be possible to play easily any note, regardless of the register.
Arban Complete Conservatory Method
The New Authentic Edition of Arban’s Complete Conservatory Method contains the same tried and true comprehensive system of study that Arban developed over a century ago, and this completely re-engraved edition has been painstakingly edited by prominent trumpet performers and teachers Thomas Hooten and Jennifer Marotta, adding some of their own insights with respect to how trumpet is taught today. The Arban Complete Conservatory Method is the definitive must-have for all trumpet players.
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