Featured Teacher: MATT ELTON
Our teaching faculty here at Music House is top-notch, and this week we’d like to feature guitar teacher, Matt Elton!
We asked him a few questions about his background so you can get to know him a bit better! Matt is a true gem here at Music House. Read it here for yourself...
What's your main instrument and why?
Bass guitar. I started out playing music on the guitar as well as playing baritone for the school wind band. I got a bass guitar some time along the way with some babysitting money and I was instantly drawn to it. I've always like the low sound, and with my education at school, my ear was always drawn to the lowest voice in an ensemble. I further solidified my identity as a bassist later on in my education when I took up jazz band and eventually took up upright bass.
What's your musical origin story?
I'm really not sure when I knew I wanted to do music, but it happened pretty early. I was a musical child that liked to sing and dance with my mother and grandparents. I remember songs really grabbing me like they do now from a super early age. I've just always had the music in me I guess.
Can you share a good gig story?
The best adventures always come from the unexpected. The amount of people you meet in this business is crazy. I've always loved going to a new place and just seeing what happens. Recently, my band, Stranded in the City, played a set at a local venue called the Ship. I showed up early as one does, and I caught a bit of the band doing the matinee time slot. To my surprise, the bass player was this 12 year kid that I had actually given his first couple of lessons to way back in the days of zoom and the pandemic. It wasn't anything super serious, I just taught him about bass clef, reading rhythms, working on technique, only about 6-7 lessons. I remember on our last zoom lesson, I told him a bunch of players to look up and see how they sounded. I told him to find what he likes and to understand that his music taste should be something that grows and changes over time. Fast forward five years, and this little kid is RIPPING in front of me. It was the first time I saw him in person, I believe. After his set, I got to talking to him back stage. I told him I was very proud of him for keeping up practicing and trying to actively pursue music. He told me that he still remembers me telling him that he'd like Joe Dart in that last lesson. He went on to be quite inspired by Joe Dart's playing and my reassurance, and now there are more great, funky bass players in the world!
Tell us about your practice routine and share some practice tips.
I play my instrument for all sorts of reasons! I don't necessarily stick to a routine. I like to pick it up and "goof off" a lot. I usually pick a key and practice some improvisation in a certain key. I do a lot of scale/modal practice, working on comfortably playing every scale/mode in any part of the fret board. You'd be surprised how much time you can spend working just on the key of C. If I need to work on songs for and upcoming set, I like to listen to and really intimately know the tune, especially the melody. If you can hear the melody of a song in your head, you can play along to it. I prefer to learn songs by ear. If I'm really stuck, I will find sheet music to help understand what I need to be playing.
I really can't stress the importance of just playing your instrument regularly. Every day is different. People are constantly changing and growing. Our relationship to our instrument and our musical side also changes and grows. Lean in to it. Some times I don't practice as much as I feel I should. I think a lot of musicians feel this way. I like to stress that it's natural to feel this way, and that it won't be like that forever. Growth comes in many ways, and the best indicator of growth is just time. As long as a musician sticks around and plays their instrument, they will get better.
What drew you to the Music House team?
I always wanted the opportunity to teach private lessons! I wanted to join Music House because I knew a lot of people attended the school and there were lots of opportunities to teach a bunch of different people. My favorite part as an employee is that everyone belongs here, and we really do foster a community of musicians that accepts and loves all. If a student joins a band, comes to a jam, or takes a class here, they will find a friend and take part in what's so cool about music in the first place!
Anything else to add?
Ya know, the regular plugs. Follow my band, Stranded in the City on all platforms! I think we have some beautiful feel good music that is guaranteed to make you smile! Follow my brother Taylor Smith on all platforms as well, he's got some great music that I've contributed to.
Music is one of the best things humanity has to offer. It makes people feel good, and brings us all closer together. Don't forget to love one another and never stop making music!
Matt is the real deal.
