Hello everyone, and welcome to my website and weblog. The primary focus for me in putting up this site is educational. I feel that I have reached an age and status in my career where it is more important to give back in order to help those who may be choosing the same path I did years ago. Although I have been a teacher, as well as performer, for many years now, I see this website and blog as a great new opportunity to help even more aspiring trombonists. The articles which appear on the website are aimed at guiding trombonists and other musicians both young and old who may be looking for more information.
I will lay down as few ground rules as possible for the blog content. It does not have to be music/trombone related, but chances are pretty good that it will gravitate toward those areas. Speak your mind, but be polite – the golden rule is broad enough to apply here. No profanity, please. Sit up straight. NO WHINING!
Like the wild yeast strains which blow in to ferment the great ales of Belgium, I prefer to leave this blog to chance – see what flavors develop over time, how much froth it can create without too much interference from the master brewer. Have fun and share your thoughts and ideas on:>
THE FIRST BASS ‘BONE BLOG ON THE PLANET.
(I think).
10 Comments
hey man, great site.
Hi Matt,
Good to see you the other day. I think you’re gonna love that horn.
For everyone else visiting, let me say I’ve spent enough time with Matt to know he’s a very smart and thoughtful guy, a great player and a great teacher. This should be a good place for discussion of anything even remotely trombone or music-related.
Gabe Langfur
Continuing the amazing tendency of trombonists to consider themselves virtually blood related, I’m glad to have found your site, Matt.
I’m enjoying your stories, especially the “how to” expertise. Valuable stuff, even for those of us who’ve been there too.
Many thanks.
Henry Kavett New Providence, NJ
Dear Matthew,
You and Dale are to be congratulated on a very good website. Guess I had better start saving my money so that I can have a Dale Cruse creation.
What you had to say about not having all of the distractions that kids have today is very true, yet you had different things that you could have been distracted by, but you chose to be distracted by music and the bass trombone. It sure didn’t seem to hurt you any.
Take care and perhaps we will meet up one of these days, as I’m only about an hour from you when I visit with my parents.
Warm Regards,
Paul Kemp
Hi Matthew,
Congratulations with your beautiful wesite. It looks really neat and has nice information. I will be very honored if you will link your page to mine. Simply go to the submit your site button and things speak for each self. I hope to meet you one day and have a nice talk and play some duetts together.
Take care,
Ben van Dijk Basstrombone Rotterdam Philharmonic Rotterdam Conservatory Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester http://www.basstrombone.nl ben@basstrombone.nl
Matt,
Glad to see you have started a place for all to comment on music and bass trombone info. I am enjoying your new site and wish you much luck with it. I hope we can get you out to Louisville for a recital/class soon.
Brett Shuster Louisville, KY Prof. of Trombone
I am proud to have helped Matt create this site.
As an update, I just posted some photos I took during Matt’s visit to the Shires factory and masterclass presentation at New England Conservatory on Friday, October 24 on the Photos page of the main site.
I also added some new images in the header area of every page. Refreshing pages allows the viewer to see one of three random images.
Enjoy!
Dale Cruse
Wow — a blog from the best bass trombonist I’ve had the privilege of sitting next to! (On one gig, with the illustrious Thayer Symphony Orchestra at Atlantic Union College about 612 years ago.) Nice site design, and I think the blog is a great idea! I’ll be sure to visit again.
Urb (Flagstaff, AZ)
Hi Matt. Long time no see. I’m very impressed with your website. I’m having a blast here at Peabody. Hopefully I’ll find some time to head back up to UMD to get a lesson with you. Best wishes – Rich Lee
Oh man, Very impressive site….. Hope your not expecting me to try to keep up with this????!! AL