Trombone Lessons in Santa Monica, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trombone Drums Synthesizer Ukulele Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

After I first received my Bachelor's Degree from CSU Fullerton, I opted to showcase my original music through distinct outlets. One of the resulting projects, themattsmithneujazztrio, has recorded three full-length records; my other project, JUICEBOX, has recorded two. I gained a masters of music in jazz drum set from California Institute of the Arts, where I was honored to record my own composition for the CalArts, 30th Annual Jazz CD at Capitol Records. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

Once the student feels comfortable with the mouthpiece and the long tones, I acquaint the student with fundamentals such as the positions, partials, scales and different types of articulations. For intermediate and advanced students, I focus on repertoire. Applying practices similar to what I have described above, I work with the student on playing repertoire with expression and facility. First I introduce them to short melodies that excercise skills in articulation and phrasing (called "etudes"). Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Trombone Saxophone Clarinet

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music. Therefore, it is important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a student's desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what truly inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and the needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums French Horn Oboe

The methods that I choose to use with my students depends on what they want to learn. Some students want to just play classical music, some pop, some jazz, some marching band, etc. Therefore I do not use the same teaching methods for all students. With that being said, I do make certain that all of my srudents understand the basic elements of music, i.e., time and key signatures, note values, melody, rhythm, harmony, pitch, intonation (if a wind instrument), form, theme and variation, etc. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone

I have taught private lessons to all ages since High School and this is where I feel like I thrive as an educator. I have coached for Harmony Project, Youth Orchestra Los Angeles and many others, as well as Drum and Bugle Corps and Marching bands throughout California. I have been the band director and general music educator for several elementary schools in the Bay Area and Los Angeles County Throughout the pandemic, I worked as Program Director for the Sacramento Mandarins, a nonprofit music academy with the mission of transforming the lives of youth through performing arts. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Bass Guitar Euphonium

My lessons are taylored to each student individually to address their needs and desired results, and depending on their ability. I like to focus on technique and then work on the specific needs of each student to achieve their goals. I like to find out what my students want to play, then figure out how to get them to be able to. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

I have solid and extensive experience in teaching instrument technique, improvisation, and sight reading. I've been teaching since 2012, ranging from beginners all the way to highly advanced levels, with focus either on jazz or classical music. I've worked as a freelance musician in a multitude of genres all over the world, and taught both privately and at several universities. Many of my students are now working musicians in their own right. Read More