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 April 14th
Abi:
Continue to work through some major scales this week! Try to attempt some in 2 octaves and be aware of where he starting notes live on the treble staff. Do them tongued and slurred.
Power ride is sounding much smoother. Work through it slowly so you’re super confident in the notes & articulation and then just build speed from there! You can break it down into as small of chunks as you need… 2 bars, 4 bars, etc. Remember to be aware of the breath too. I’d like to hear the whole thing next week.
Fix up that chromatic scale as well. Add the low F# -> C and the fingerings. Check out the ledger lines up top to make sure those are correct as well.
Matt:
Nice job sight reading today! That was a good one to look at.
Scales coming along nicely. I think we can start to add new ones next week just so you have an understanding of every scale – not just the test ones – before the RCM exam.
Be aware of the note lengths in Etude in D. You’re always clipping the second eighth notes too short. Even though the following note is tongued, that does not mean the previous one is short. A good way to work on this would be to apply this articulation to a scale… we can do that together next week. Otherwise, the only other concern I have with this one is stamina. Most of the time its good but when you get crunched up then your tone and endurance go out the window. Big breath and relax those shoulders and neck!!
Continue to work through all the other tunes.
Homework for feb 28th
Good lesson today!!
Keep working on those 5 notes slurs; these things take time… your patience will soon be rewarded! Keep the air moving and memorize the sensation of changing notes. Use the Eb Ab C slur grouping as your ground zero and move up from there. You should be able to get F Bb D – or higher, solid for next week.
Your major scales have really come together. We did all the major scales between C and F so for this week work on the major scales between F# and B. Try to do a couple harmonic minor scales as well. Do C, F and Bb.
All of the songs we’re working on are getting better too. Generally your time has improved and your sound is a lot more stable. Take time this week to slowly work through etude in D min and etude in C maj. I think those are a great challenge for you at the moment, you’ll learn a lot!
Have fun!!
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
