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 oct 28th
Abi:
Nice job in lesson this week. You’ve learned a lot and its coming through!
Lip slurs: Try to incorporate this into your practice everyday. Start on C-G-C and work down chromatically, then add an extra note on top. This is all about good breathing! Make sure your sound is supported throughout the whole register of the horn, by air that is moving forward . Please work on the new exercise we talked about too. Set the metronome to 60bpm and slur between G&C. Switch between quarters and eighth’s.
Scales: Great work on these. You almost know every major scale! I’m glad the circle of fifths helped you understand everything better. We will be going around it the other way so make sure you have all of your sharp keys ready! Go slow and be sure of every note you play. Try very hard not to guess!
Matthew:
I’m really looking forward to working through the RCM curriculum with you. You’re off to a great start already!
The requirements for the grade two exam are 4 contrasting pieces (1 from 4 different lists); Bb, C, D, Eb major scale with arpeggios; B,C,D,E Minor scales with arpeggios, Chromatic Scale from D-D – scales performed all tongued, slurred, and alternating tongue/ slur combo. 3 mouthpiece studies, rhythmic clap back, and interval recognition. To find everything more in depth, and the list of tunes follow this link to the syllabus –
This week, I want you to continue to warm up with the mouthpiece. We did a couple different exercises; Starting soft and crescendoing to forte, moving the pitch up and down, as well as tonging on the piece. Doing these will get your air moving, and it will start to get your face feeling flexible. Remember to take full breaths!
All through the night is going to turn out really well. This piece is a chance to show off your tone, so make sure it is as beautiful as possible. Full breaths, relaxation and thinking of the AAH vowel while playing will create a nice open sound. Try to hold on to the notes for their full value, this will improve the overall rhythmic clarity, as well as improve your phrasing.
Major scales. Nice! Continue to work on C,F, Bb & D. Remember to keep the air flowing at the top of the scale; momentum will allow those higher notes to fly out of the bell. Practice them slurred, tongued and two slurred, two tongued.
Here is the link for the grade 2 trumpet rep book!
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
