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
Is Matt Your Teacher?
Sign up now to get your weekly assignments delivered, and never lose your homework sheet again!
Homework for nov 25th
Abi:
Try to do those octave jumps everyday. Im hearing your notes begin faster, and your articulation is becoming more precise. Think spit ball in the higher register. I think you could get that C# out if you worked on it.
Ab and Db major scales for next week. 60bpm, tongued and slurred.
Propeller song looked pretty good overall. I’m glad you took the time to write that out even though you were busy, so thank you. The main problem was you put that sixteenth note pick up on beat one instead of the & of 4. That would line all the bars up properly and you would have the appropriate amount of rests. There were a couple other little things that you could have changed, which you can see when I write it out for you.
All through the night: Good job reading that. After you get the notes and rhythms down, watch for dynamic markings and articulation. Try to make it as beautiful as possible. Maybe check out Gavotte II if you have time as well.
Link to All through the night sheet music, etc:
Matthew:
I would really like to be able to see you a better during lesson. It’s hard for me to adjust your technique if I can only see the top of your head.
Major scales: We worked on C, F, Bb, Eb, and Ab major this week. Please review those for next week. Overall, they sounded pretty good but they’re missing some confidence. If you sat down and practiced them slowly that would make a huge difference.
German Song: This is sounding much better. Now that you have the notes and rhythms down, you need to draw your attention to the dynamics, and articulation. We talked about how there not only needs to be a contrast between staccato and tenuto – which you do well – but there needs to be a consistency within the articulation itself. For example, sometimes you play staccato nice and short, and other times they’re not as short. Those need to be more uniform. Dynamics were getting better but I think you can exaggerate them more overall. I also think you can start to perform this song faster. Practice it with a metronome to get the time solid.
All through the night: Same goes here with articulation and dynamic. The notes and rhythms are clear but there is no life to the music without dynamics and articulation. Watch them closely and bring those out when you need to. I think playing this song a touch faster will help with that as well.
Always take time to perform each song in their entirety when you are done workshopping them. Remember to have fun!
Etude book link:
Homework for Oct 7th
These are the exercises that will make you better at playing trumpet:
Lead pipe buzzing – play around with pitch, dynamics and tongue. Lip slurs: Start on low C and just use the air & face to slur to G. Try for the C above that as well. Continue this exercise down a semi tone each time. Long Tones: we haven’t talked about these yet but they’re pretty straight forward. Start on low C and hold for a full breath. Continue to do this, while expanding chromatically from each direction (sorry for sounding so fancy). For example, you will play C for a full breath, then B, then C#, Bb, D, etc…. These will make every part of the horn feel comfortable & efficient!!!
Try to do 15/ 20 mins of these exercises collectively.
Exercises for musicality:
Major Scales: Nice job learning Bb and D Major! Two more for next lesson please :) Play them slurred & tongued, and for fun, try them in 3rds. (C,E,D,F,E,G, Etc…) Ear Training: Attempt to learn some songs you like by ear. Like I said, anything is possible. Use logic & your ear to decipher what is being played. For an extra challenge, Try to play Happy Birthday in another key. Scales are just specific arrangements of notes… and so are melodies. Therefore they can also be played in every key! Duets: I attached the link to the sheet music and tpt 2 parts for 3 duets. These will be great for your playing!!! Try to have one ready to preform for our next lesson.
Do these until they feel comfortable. Take as long as you need. Remember! This is FUN!! :)
Duet Videos:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aP1pV1pKKRvAaKESa5yJDHbUydOslQqy?usp=sharing
Sheet music:
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.
BOOK TITLE
COMING SOON
BOOK TITLE
COMING SOON
