Lesson Details
Ear Training
- Levels Taught:
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
A 'good ear' is very important to any musician. It can help guide a musician through difficult musical passages and support their music reading. Ear training teaches musicians to play in tune which is especially important when playing in ensembles. Ear training is essential to improvised music especially with jazz, rock, Latin, and funk. Ultimately, a good ear is useful for transcribing and learning music otherwise unavailable in written form.
Although Vince is an excellent reader, he has an even stronger ear (which attributes to his aptitude for learning multiple instruments). Through studying and performing jazz, he's developed and tuned his ear. Vince also relies on his ear by transcribing music for the bands' of which he is a member.
Ear training is important for every musician regardless of instrument. Vince will teach how to recognize the elements of music including rhythms, intervals, melody, harmony, scales, and form. He will demonstrate how proper ear training contributes to practical situations.
Vince teaches
About
- Teaches students:
- Ages 12 to 86
- Teaching since:
- April 2006
Vince privately teaches trumpet, guitar, electric bass guitar, arranging, composition, music theory, ear training, and improvisation to students of all ages and levels.
“Basically he’s the go-to cross-genre horn-blowing utility man of the Philly scene” (John Vettese, The Key). Vince is a professional trumpeter, arranger, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. Though firmly rooted in jazz, he is comfortable with a wide variety of genres including rock, soul, funk, folk, classical, and electronic.
Vince earned the Masters of Music degree in Jazz Performance from the University of the Arts; and earned the Bachelor of Science in Music degree concentrating in Jazz Studies and Theory & Composition from the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz. He studied trumpet through undergraduate and graduate school with Rebecca Coupe Franks, Dennis Wasko, and John Swana. Vince has also attended master classes held by Randy Brecker, Matt Gallagher, Michael Abene, Craig Morris, Steve Wilson, Claudio Roditi, Pat Martino, Malcolm McNab, Matthew Shipp, Scott Holbert, John Abercrombie, Jeff Curnow, and Alison Balsom.
Vince first began teaching music in 2006 as the trumpet instructor at Silver Creek Central School. He directed trumpet master classes for high school students. Vince later took on various private students teaching trumpet, guitar, electric bass, improvisation, arrangement and composition. While earning his Master of Music at the University of the Arts, he served as the trumpet department intern and was responsible for teaching private trumpet lessons, preparing transcriptions for class materials and live performances, and proctoring music theory exams. Also at UArts, Vince was a teaching assistant for the Freshman Jazz Improvisation class for which he conducted sectionals, administered exams, and offered critiques regarding inventiveness of improvisations. In 2017 he taught a jazz improvisation masterclass at Schenectady County Community College.
Since each student approaches music differently; Vince tailors his teaching to fit students' approaches. He asks each student, "What do you want to accomplish?" Together, they set short and long term goals. Vince believes a strong technical foundation leads to freer ease of artistic expression. His students receive a wholistic approach to music applicable to whatever instrument they choose.
Vince’s original music has been described as “a contemporary instance of fusion done right” (Matthew Aquilin, All About Jazz). His next album, The Nook, is a full length straight-ahead jazz album featuring John Swana. The music harks back to Miles Davis' first great quintet. The Nook was preceded by Sound Plan (2017), Live at PafA (2017), Syzygy (2014), and Syzygy: Remix (2014). Vince is currently self producing four more solo albums. One unreleased composition was recently featured in the Philadelphia Real Book Volume 1.
Vince has appeared as a side man on 40+ albums. He is the trumpeter and arranger with the York Street Hustle, the John Byrne Band, and You Do You. Vince founded the Philly Phatness horn section, which has recorded with regional, national, and international artists, and on film soundtracks. He serves as Musical Director and bassist for Phloyd: a Philadelphia Pink Floyd tribute band. "His horn croons and wahs with touches of funk or blues, bridging the futuristic digital age with a snazzy sense of classic cool" (Geno Thackara, All About Jazz).
Quotes:
"Vince proves himself a very creative composer. I look forward to hearing more from this upcoming composer & instrumentalist." (Fred "Rock Steady Freddie" Reiter)
"Vince plays his horn with creative passion and soul, his tone is very open and full these two combined make him one of the leading up and coming young jazz trumpet players of today." (Rebecca Coupe Franks)
"I've had the great pleasure of working with Vince as an arranger and writer. His music explores many styles and directions, and is always well crafted. He has an original and distinctive voice as a player, an arranger, and a writer. Such dedicated talent deserves to be heard, and I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot from Vince in the future." (Vinnie Martucci)
Experience
Musical Director, Organizer, Musician (bass/keyboards/vocals)
Jan 2017 - Present- Oversee all musical aspects pertaining to the music of Pink Floyd
- Play an active role in musician selection and/or substitution
- Identify and assign parts to musicians
- Transcribe, notate, distribute, and teach music when necessary
- Organize, schedule, and direct rehearsals and sectionals
- Record and archive audio of rehearsals
Arranger, Musician (trumpet/mellophone)
Sep 2015 - Present- Compose, arrange, and notate horn section parts for original Funk/Rock music
- Direct and rehearse horn section
- Orchestrate for flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, flugelhorn, slide trumpet, mellophone
Arranger, Musician (trumpet/banjo)
Aug 2014 - Present- Compose, arrange, and notate parts for original Folk music
- Transcribe traditional Irish, Pogues, and select classic rock songs
- Orchestrate for alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, banjo, violin, cello
Chief Executive Officer
Aug 2012 - Present- Supervise audio production including: engineering, editing, sound design, mixing, mastering
- Contract, coordinate, and direct: musicians, engineers
- Contribute, develop, and apply ideas appropriate to genre and artist
- Oversee copyright, licensing, distribution
- Maintain audio recording hardware and software
Arranger, Musician (trumpet)
May 2012 - Present- Transcribe 60’s era soul music including: Atlantic, Chess, Hi, Motown, Stax (record labels)
- Orchestrate for flute, tenor saxophone, trumpet, violin, viola, cello
Arranger
Mar 2016 - Jan 2019- Arrange and notate music for street songs, serenades, New Years Day Routines
- Collaborate with Theme Committee regarding musical direction for New Years Day Routines
- Work closely with Musical Director; provide additional direction at rehearsals when necessary
- Arrange for alto, tenor, baritone, and bass saxophones; string bass, banjo, accordion, percussion
Arranger, Organizer, Musician (trumpet)
Jun 2015 - Nov 2018- Transcribe, arrange, and notate Amy Winehouse repertoire for horn section
- Organize, schedule, and direct rehearsals and sectionals
- Record and archive audio of rehearsals
- Arrange for trumpet, alto saxophone, baritone saxophone
Bass Instructor
Aug 2014 - Dec 2015- Instruments: electric bass guitar, guitar (substitute)
- Levels: beginner to advanced
- Students ages 8 to 18 years old
- Focus on proper technique, facility, literacy
- Teach array of rock styles based on student interest and goals
- Apply music theory and ear training for overall musical understanding
Audio Engineer/Producer
Jun 2012 - Aug 2014- Oversee mass media audio production
- Work closely with creative team to develop branding
- Proofread scripts, creative direction
- Contract, schedule, and direct Voice Over (VO) talent recording sessions
- Operate recording studio hardware and software
- Accept, review, and submit VO invoices
- Edit, mix, and master: VO audio, music, and sound effects
- Select and edit music
- Maintain audio archive
Pit Orchestra Musician
Apr 2014 - May 2014The Music Man is a musical with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys' band organizer and leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to the naive Iowa townsfolk, promising to train the members of the new band.
Vince played trumpet and train whistle for a high school production.
Teaching Assistant
Jan 2012 - May 2012- Observe Freshman Jazz Improvisation classes
- Conduct sectionals & exams
- Offer critiques regarding inventiveness of improvisations
Trumpet Department Assistant
Aug 2011 - May 2012- Observe Freshman Music Theory classes; proctor exams
- Prepare transcriptions for class materials and live performances
- Teach private trumpet lessons to undergraduate students
Pit Orchestra Musician
Jul 2011 - Aug 2011The Producers is a musical adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from Brooks' 1968 film of the same name, with lyrics written by Brooks and music composed by Brooks and arranged by Glen Kelly and Doug Besterman. The story concerns two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop. Complications arise when the show unexpectedly turns out to be successful.
Vince played trumpet for a community production.
Pit Orchestra Musician
Feb 2011 - May 2011The Who's Tommy is a rock musical by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff based on The Who's 1969 double album rock opera Tommy.
Vince played trumpet, flugelhorn, mellophone, harmonica, auxiliary percussion, and sang back up vocals for a college production.
Lab Monitor
Aug 2009 - May 2011- Supervise Music/MIDI Computer Lab
- Provide technical support for software and hardware
- Manage audio equipment inventory
Orchestra Assistant
Aug 2007 - May 2011- Organize and catalog the existing orchestra library
- Integrate new music into orchestra library
- Distribute and collect extracted instrumental parts for performances
Trumpet Instructor
Sep 2006 - Jun 2007- Direct trumpet master classes for High School students
- Conduct the Concert Band rehearsals in director’s absence
Pit Orchestra Musician
Jan 2007 - Apr 2007Beauty and the Beast is a musical with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton. Based on the 1991 film of the same name, Beauty and the Beast tells the story of a prince who is transformed into a hideous beast as punishment for his cruel and selfish ways, and an adventurous young woman named Belle whom he imprisons in his castle.
Vince played trumpet and flugelhorn for a high school production.
Pit Orchestra Musician
Mar 2005 - Apr 2005Once on This Island is a musical with a book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty. It is set in the French Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. The story concerns a peasant girl on a tropical island, who uses the power of love to bring together people of different social classes.
Vince played trumpet and guitar for a high school production.
Education
The Course in Recording Engineering and Music Production
Feb 2014 - Oct 2014Masters of Music
Aug 2011 - May 2012Bachelor of Science
Aug 2007 - May 2011Languages
English
Italian
Spanish
Awards
Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Jazz Orchestra Member
Nov 2011Graduate Grant
Mar 2011New Paltz Alumni Association Scholarship
May 2010Ruth Mack Havens Memorial Scholarship
May 2010Marion Harding Scholarship
May 2010Jazz Society Vice President
Aug 2009New York State Regents Scholarship
Oct 2006National Honor Society Membership
Oct 2006Affiliations
Broadcast Music Inc.
Dec 2011One of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed. In FY 2013, BMI collected more than $944 million in licensing fees and distributed $814 million in royalties.
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17 Reviews
Write a ReviewGreat. Really patient
I like how this instructor really helped you practice at a pace you were comfortable at. He was very helpful in teaching me how to play higher and lower notes as well as playing songs that I liked.
Vince was very personable, and knowledgeable. He offered many ideas, and techniques needed for a beginner. Vince explained everything in great detail, and is willing to go the extra mile to help. Overall a good experience.
Vince got me back on track for a few months after not playing trumpet for years! Hopefully will work with him again in the future!
Great to work with n learn from!
Vince is great. Very calm and helps with building up all your necessary qualities for success. I strongly recommend him for any person looking to learn music
Vince is very patient, professional and encouraging. He makes you excited for your next lesson.
Vince is an extremely resourceful teacher as well as an extremely accomplished musician. His clear commitment is to being encouraging and helpful. His ability to focus upon the student's specific needs and to address those needs make him an excellent teacher.
Show MoreVince is a great, experienced trumpet player. He knows the ins-and-outs of the instrument, its role across multiple genres, and how to help me reach my goals. He always has helpful hints and tricks that are useful in making me a better player. Great composer and arranger, too!
Show MoreVince has enlightened me to many new pathways when approaching music composition. Many concepts he has shown me have translated right into new tunes! Highly Recommend!
Excellent teacher! Actively listens to my questions, and provides in depth answers. Vince is an all around excellent musician and educator.
Knows his stuff, easy going and fun to work with.
Vince is getting me back in playing shape and doing an excellent job of it.
Vince is a wonderful teacher and a fantastic performer. He introduced me to a handful of rather advanced music theories when I was still a pre-intermediate music student and was able to communicate the ideas clearly and precisely. We don't play the same instruments--I'm a guitarist, he's a trumpeter--but it didn't matter since Vince uses clear language and live examples to demonstrate what he teaches. I learned a lot from him and would highly recommend lessons with him, especially one-on-one style lessons.
Show MoreVince really knows his stuff! I play acoustic guitar. I guess I would classify myself as an intermediate player. What I really like about Vince is the variety of instruments he can teach. I have had the chance to also learn about playing electric guitar and electric bass.
Show MoreVince is a very gifted multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer. He is an excellent trumpet player, bassist, backing vocalist and pro-tools engineer. His ear for arrangement is spot-on. Other defining attributes are his patience and willingness to teach. Vince will never look at the clock or feel like he is doing you a favor when he is teaching you something challenging. That, to me, is as important as technical prowess. Hire Vince as your teacher and you'll have no regrets!
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