El Monte, CA Trombone Lessons

My services provide you with an opportunity to learn from a balance state of thinking to achieve success in your goals for the chosen instrument. Whether its technique, learning how to read both musically and literally, my teaching methods are very self reflective and introspective to provide the understanding you're looking for. All in all my sessions are very people friendly and driven to meet your needs. This helps to learn on a deeper level so that you may appreciate, learn faster and enjoy a greater sense of awareness for the fun of the music making process. I have a very warm and easy going approach with an emphasis on FUN so that we can connect to what we love to do which is make music.

April 2017
Matthew Smith is a freelance musician from San Diego California and began playing musically professionally in 2001. Matthew attended California State Fullerton where he earned a bachelors degree in jazz studies in 2012. Currently Matthew is attending CalArts Matthew has studied with the likes of Duncan Moore, Joey Sellars, Amir Ziv and Ari Hoenig. Matthew has his standards set high and plans to keep striving higher, both with his music and with himself.

I have been teaching trombone for 22 years. I have received about 14 years in trombone and specialize in it. I have produced 3 CDs with my brass group, Cornerstone Brass. I have an earned Masters degree in music and enjoy teaching students of all ages. I am happily married with 5 children at home--4 of them are musicians as well (the youngest is 4).. Students will quickly learn not only the basics of music theory, but will be playing songs as early as their first lesson. It is extremely rewarding watching students have fun, excel, and fall in love with making music. I presently teach music at 3 schools (1 college) and only have a few lessons slots available. I look forward to working with you.

I have been playing trombone most of my life and it is the first instrument I learned to play. I specialize in breathing techniques, flexibility, endurance, range, improvisation, and much more!! I will push you to be your best!

I can get you proficient on the trombone to where you will understand breathing technique, slide position and tone production. We will also focus on reading and understanding music.

Take lessons with a experienced teacher that actively performs and teaches. What makes me a good teacher is the fact that I struggled during the first few years that I started playing. I had a work through those struggles in order to become the musician I am today, so I know how to break things down and to cater lessons to each individual student. There is no cookie cutter method for all, we each have our own issues to work on. Some naturally gifted teachers will just tell you to play something and make it work...but since I had to work hard to become successful, I can use what I learned to help you to achieve success. I will help you to build a strong fundamental base and to turn your weaknesses into strengths! Whether you are preparing for school band or ensemble, for honor band auditions, college auditions, or solo and ensemble festivals, I would be happy to help you to become the musician that you want to become.

Music making with the trombone is my greatest passion, and my primary goal is to foster this same passion for music within my students. I want to give my students the tools they need to progress as a musician on their own in their musical ability and expression in an atmosphere that not only makes producing music fun and engaging, but meaningful.

I have been playing trombone for nearly nine years and learned many things, both about music and life, on my journey in music. I want to share my experiences and these things that I have learned with whoever wants to take a lesson with me. I teach beginning students of any age who are just learning what an awesome instrument the trombone is, to advanced students that are passionate about the trombone and wanting to refine their skills and talent as a musician.

Listening is a big part of my pedagogy, and I push the importance of listening to great music, whatever it may be, as well as great trombonists, just as much as practicing. I ...

It is my primary objective to figure out how each of my students learns best. Then I customize their lessons so they get the most out of each session.

My students are always challenged, and I make it a priority to find interesting and fun material to work on.

Learning an instrument should be enjoyable, and there are many times the instrument can seem “too hard”. It is in these rare instances that I have been able to save my students from throwing in the towel. I find another way to teach the material that they will enjoy

I have played piano for 12 years and trombone/euphonium for 7 years. I am comfortable teaching children music in many settings. My approach to teaching is to create a situation in which the student is presented with information in such a way that is both easy-to-understand but also fun and interesting, especially for younger students. It is important to me to always gauge the student's understanding of the concept at hand and provide them with frequent opportunities to ask questions specific to their needs, so that they understand all material. Furthermore, I emphasize giving the student strategies to practice and learn on their own, so that they can also grow independently outside of the lesson time.