Music Lessons By Matt Goodwin
About
Matt Goodwin is a multi-instrumental American musician, composer, educator, record producer and engineer. Born in Naples, New York, he is best know for his contributions within the American Reggae scene having engineered/performed on 5 albums that debuted #1 on the Billboard and iTunes Reggae Charts.
He was awarded the first ever undergraduate degree in Ethnomusicology from Ithaca college for his work in Ghana, West Africa and Jaipur, India through The School For International Training.
In 2002, Matt worked with producer Panji Anoff to record the album Sankofa Roots Revival at Pidgen Music Studios in Accra, Ghana with international recording artist Dela Botri and Hewale Sounds.
In 2003, he lived with All India Radio recording artist Nissan Hussain Khan in Jaipur, India studying the classical Indian traditions of Tabla and Voice.
From 2006-2012, Matt performed as the keyboardist for internationally acclaimed Boston based future roots reggae band John Brown’s Body. After the group's 2008 release of Amplify, which debuted #1 on the Billboard Reggae Charts, the band received international acclaim while touring throughout Europe, the U.K., New Zealand, Hawaii and the Caribbean.
While on a break with JBB, Matt joined Toronto based, Juno Award winning trio Bedouin Soundclash. Playing guitar and keyboards, he toured throughout Canada, the U.K. and U.S. performing parts recorded by Money Mark (Beastie Boys) off the bands certified Platinum record Sounding a Mosaic and Street Gospels.
Matt is also a long time collaborator with Rochester based reggae band Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad. He engineered and produced tracks off their third studio album In These Times which peaked at #5 on the Billboard Reggae Album Chart. He recorded keyboards on their #1 Billboard charting 2014 release of Steady. Additionally he performed keyboards, trumpet, guitar and percussion while also engineering the bands 2016 release of Make it Better, which debuted #1 on Billboard and iTunes Reggae Charts.
In 2014, Matt teamed up with Grammy Award Winning producer Matt Marrin (Beyonce, Rage Against the Machine, Foo Fighters) to record an album of independently released original pop-rock tunes under the name Axis Armada.
In 2015, Matt signed on as keyboardist for NYC reggae collective Easy Star All-Stars. He toured throughout the U.S., Mexico, U.K., Europe, and Southeast Asia performing selections off their internationally acclaimed records Dubside of the Moon, Radiodread, Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band and Thrillah.
In 2016, he went in the studio with Columbia, SC based reggae band The Movement at White Star Sound (Chris Keup, Jason Mraz) to work with Producer Danny Kalb (Beck, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson). Performed keyboards, trumpet and programmed drums on the album Golden, which debuted #1 on Billboard and iTunes Reggae Charts.
Later that year, Matt reunited with Danny Kalb at Seahorse Sound Studio in L.A. and recorded keys, xylophone and percussion for San Diego based band Hirie’s sophomore album Wandering Soul, which also debuted #1 on the Billboard Reggae Charts.
Matt continues to work as a freelance musician, educator, producer, composer, and engineer. He is currently working out of the historic Black Dog Studios (where Metallica recorded their debut album Kill 'Em All) in downtown Rochester, NY.
https://www.facebook.com/matt.goodwin.940
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I love to sit down with a student and find out what it is about music that they really love. Music should be a joyful experience and learning should push a student in a direction that they will feel excited about and inspired to learn more. Everyone has a different way of learning so I make sure I take an individualized approch with each student.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I graduated with an Bachelor or Arts Degree from Ithaca College in Ethnomusicology in 2004. I studied classical piano and trumpet at Ithaca before traveling to Ghana, West Africa and Jaipur, India to learn music from different cultures.
In addition to my formal education, I have been a professional touring musician for nearly 20 years now! I have had the pleasure of performing with numerous different groups across the US, Canada, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Aside from live performaces I have played on, engineered and produced 5 different albums that have debuted #1 on the Billbord Reggae Charts. I have a great amount of experince working and performing in recording studios.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
For lessons taught in my home: $25/half hour or $40/hour
An additional $15/lesson will be charged to cover time/expenses to travel to your home.
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching out of the love for sharing all that I've learned. There is nothing better then seeing someone inspired from the gift of music!
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students of all ages and abilities.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I recently had the opportunity to perform in Southeast Asia. It was my first time traveling to that part of the world. It was incredible that music afforded me the opportunity to visit such a beautiful part of the world.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
My biggest advice is to look for someone who you feel inspired by! It should be an enjoyable experience!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What exactly do you hope to learn? What styles of music to you most enjoy? The more you can pinpoint what it is your hoping to learn the better a teacher can help you get there.