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 May 2nd
Keep on working on those descending major scales into the pedal register. Again, these are a great warm up for getting the air and face feeling relaxed. Use your ear as a guide when you get below that F#. Try for Eb or D major.
Slurs were looking & sounding like they were a little harder today, and that certainly happens to everyone. Thats a great time to take each slur slow and focus on your air/ face strength. Make sure every part of the machine (your body) is working together. Also, we didn’t do these this week but I really want you to continue to work on the low G extension exercise. Thats the G arpeggio down to low G and then the scale up to a G then progressively adding more notes on top. Thats a great one for range and register connection.
Etude in D is sounding much better, although still just out of your grasp. Playing the whole piece without stopping will be a great goal which will improve your endurance and efficiency. Slow it down and break it up as much as you need to. Check out those harder slurs (G->D, etc..) and some more of the articulation stuff.
Keep working through Power Ride. Again, it’s another tune that will challenge your endurance and range. lots of big interval jumps hidden throughout the piece that we’ve addressed already, but keep an eye out for those. Spend sometime this week on the last 8 bars, it might end up being easier than you think.
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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COMING SOON
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COMING SOON