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 21
Abi:
Everything is sounding great! Continue to have a health balance of time spent practicing technique & musicality.
Technique: Lead pipe buzzing – Try to always warm up with this. Play around with dynamics, pitch, and try to incorporate you tongue into this too. This is a great way to get you air, lips and tongue ready to play. Lip Slurs: These are coming along nicely. I think you could be trying to attempt slurring from C->G->C->E->G during your practice sessions. You’ll surprise yourself with how well you can do it. Remember, full breath on these and support from your stomach.
Musicality: Scales: Continue to work on the 6 major scales you know now. Try them in thirds, and triads – which are different! :) Work on the chromatic scale on the full range of your instrument. Focus on the clarity of your tongue when going up and down these ones. Duets: Nice job getting through these. What else needs to improve before you get it 100% of the way there? Have Russian Hymn ready and Sacred song close as well.
Matthew:
Nice to hear you play and get to know you this lesson. I think you’ll have a great time getting everything ready for the grade two RCM test. Should be a blast!
For this week, continue to get comfortable back on the trumpet and remembering all the things you used to work on. Think a lot about nice breaths, and relaxation – a good sound is a result of these. Play some of the songs you like/ have worked on, and check out the C, and F major scales/ arpeggios too. Also try to work on those lip slurs. Use ONLY air to move from C->G. Engage your core and really think about speeding up the air to achieve the next note. We can chat about the requirements from grade 2 RCM when I see you next, and we will have more scheduled homework moving forward from there.
Check out these play lists I made. They have excellent examples of how a trumpet should sound – both in a jazz and pop setting. Try to absorb these, and think about how they sound when you play.
https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/listening-examples-jazz/pl.u-V9D77GJh10WN4E
https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/listening-examples-pop/pl.u-mJy88YPTBKA0Wy
Enjoy!
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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