Trombone Lessons in San Marino, 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: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium Oboe Bassoon

I try to have as much fun as possible while still maintaining a high expectiation of performance.  I am, by trade and training, a comedian, so jokes and laughter abound. Most of my students might say I'm not as funny as I think I am, but we still have fun! I am, however a stickler for learning the basics of music theory and correct use of vocabulary. Students won't move on to the next level until I know they have a firm grasp of prior concepts. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

Born and raised in California, I grew up in a musical family. My father, a singer/songwriter and guitarist, always encouraged me to sing, compose and just make music no matter who was listening. I started trombone lessons at age 13, and immediately fell in love with the art of jazz and improvisation. As a member of the Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble, I was met with opportunities to travel the world playing music at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy and the Kurashiki Music Festival in Japan. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium Tuba

I am a very patient teacher and I understand that students learn at different paces. Therefore I set realistic goals that the student can achieve and WANT to achieve. By setting a goal they can and want to achieve through 10-15 minute practices over 3, 4, 5, or even 6 days a week, it pushes the student to put in the minimal work to progress and grow to be the musician they want too be or even didn't know they could be. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

I always start with a warm up, followed by scale studies. From there we move to etudes, and solos or concerti, and end with excerpts from books like the Mueller technical study or Arban book. For more advanced students and jazz players, I like to start with a warm up, scale study, learn tunes and the blues, big band charts, and end with listening and transcriptions. Overall, the most important thing a student can develop is a full tone and personal sound. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone French Horn

I always vary my teaching methods to accomodate each of my student's needs.  However, my lesson format stays fundamentally the same.  I always begin with some mouthpiece buzzing, which incorporates ear-training, then move to rhythm exercises, scales and technical studies, method book, and any other music the student is working on at the time. Most beginning students will start out with Book 1 of a standard method book; I recommend the Standard of Excellence series. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone

Forrest gained traction throughout the Bay Area as a lead player and soloist for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Tito Puente Jr., Momotombo, Luis Enrique, Tito Puente, Jr., Mendocino Music Festival Big Band, and Transcendence Theater Company. Additional recording and live performance credits include The Queen Latifah Show with Karmin, Center Stage Opera, Southern California Brass Consortium, Louie Cruz Beltran, Latin Sol, Son Mayor, Jungle Fire, Echo Park Project, For The Record: Scorses, 3D Theatricals, Musical Theatre West, Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, Steve Huffsteter Big Band, Dirk Fischer Nonet, Bruce Lofgren Big Band, Skip Spiro Little Big Band, Urban Renewal Project, Jens Lindemann, Golden State Pops Orchestra, and Philip Lassiter. Read More