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 Sept 23
Nice getting to know you a little bit this first lesson! You have a great grasp on the foundations of the trumpet which will making learning new concepts a breeze.
What To Practice:
Lead Pipe Buzzing: 10 mins. For this exercise, you have to remove the tuning slide… don’t lose it! Take a healthy breath, and begin to buzz through the mouthpiece & lead pipe. Experiment here with different volume, as well as pitch. This exercise will develop your sound, aid you in learning how to take proper breaths & help you to engage your core. Remember: when you breath it should be like filling a glass with water… air fills from the bottom up! :)
Major Scales: Great job hearing that new major scale during lesson. For next week play 3 major scales, of your choice, slurred & tongued. I can help you with fingerings if you get stuck but I think your ear will guide you! If you have trouble playing through them all because of the range, try to slow it down. Only move onto the next note when you feel super comfortable on the current one. Each scale/ note will feel different but remember the air ALWAYS keeps moving forward. Build up air speed to reach the top!! When you’re tonging, remember the tongue just gets in the way for a split second. Think of the faucet analogy.
Lip Slurs: 15 mins. I’m glad you discovered its more comfortable to start high and slur low. You made it sound easy!! Start on G and slur down to C & back. Go through all 7 finger positions or until you can’t go any lower. From there, add a note on top. Ex: Low G -> D -> G->B (they will all have the same fingering) and expand from there. If you feel good about it, I’m sure you can make it from C -> G -> C->E…. maybe even to the G on top!! Subtle movements… think pressurizing air stream.
Also: Have one video game song prepared for next week!! learn it by ear and we can chat about it :) Doesn’t have to be the full thing, just a couple phrases/ bars.
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
