Matt Smith –International Man of Music

As a musician, teacher, producer, guitarist and author, Matt Smith has dedicated himself
to the art and craft of making music for over 30 years. He was a senior music instructor
for the National Guitar Workshop, along with some of the finest guitar instructors in the
country, leading workshops in Connecticut, Chicago, LA, New Orleans, Austin, Nashville,
Florida, Seattle, Oakland, the UK and Germany.

As a player, Matt has hundreds of songwriting, recording and live credits and has toured
the US and dozens of other countries. It’s not only hard to find someone with Matt’s
breadth of experience, but it’s rare to find someone who shares his knowledge so
generously with colleagues.

Matt has produced and engineered for over 100 commercially-released albums,
commercials, and film soundtracks. As a session musician, he has played multiple
instruments (acoustic, electric, and baritone guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, dobro, sitar,
Mohan vina, steel guitar, ukulele, saz, cumbus, charango, tiple) for many artists in New
York and Austin.

Since 1991, Matt has been an international clinician for Kaman Music (Ovation,
Takamine, and Hamer Guitars, and Trace Elliott Amplifiers), and a product demonstrator
for Fret King Guitars, Tony Bruno Custom Amplifiers, Tech 21 and Pigtronix Effects
Pedals, and, most recently, Supro Amps.

Matt's Resume

Matt's Bibliography

There’s Something About Matt

"Matt taught me in 1985 from scratch. Eat A Damn Good Breakfast Everyday was my first
lesson. I've since then had a top ten record in Germany, and I have a guitar in the
European Rock and Pop Museum. Its all Matt’s fault!!!!" - Bryce J.

"Matt Smith has so much in his trick bag that you can make a career sweeping up what
he drops by mistake." - Guy Forsyth

"It’s not only what Matt teaches you ..but its the way he inspires and encourages you to
go beyond what you think is possible." - Albert B.

“I brought a song to 6 String Ranch in a cardboard box. I had some chords, a lyric and a
hook, but Matt’s experience, creativity and production chops helped me make into a
killer track.” - Jeff H.

"Everything I use, I learned from you. I've gotten every gig I've auditioned for. Toured the
world, seen amazing things … largely due to Matt. Can't thank him enough for helping
me realize my dreams ..." - Leo Curley (Biohazard)

"Matt's teaching style infuses great humor, warmth and encouragement and draws from
decades of playing experience within a hugely wide set of musical settings. One of the
best teachers I've ever known"  - Mark Dziuba ( Professor SUNY New Paltz)

"The best compliment I ever got in music was Matt Smith telling me and others that he
liked my songs. I was never one of Matt's better students and yet he guided me on a
path that led to songs and musical possibilities that before didn't seem realistic for me.
Calling him a great teacher seems an understatement."  - Steven Scolomiero

"Matt, you are One of the most important persons, that gave me courage to give up my
old job and become a professional musician. At the age of 47. A step I never regretted.
Thanx."  - Michael Voekel (Germany)

"I've played for 50 years, learned my craft these last two years with Matt.
Lots of folks can teach music, Matt has taught me how to think about my music. 
Thanks Teach!" - John Henry McDonald

"Matt is a rare breed. He doesn’t teach you how to play notes; he teaches you how to
play music. Thanks to Matt I gained acceptance and graduated from the Berklee College
of Music. If you want a teacher who truly cares, Matt is your man." - Aaron Kessler

"Having diligently studied, played, composed, and performed for 28 years, I found
myself with a crisis in direction. Matt was able to see this, and very quickly suggest some
ideas, exercises, thought experiments, and a few concrete steps to take, artistically and
business-wise. He's a warm human being who can speak the truth in a way that is not
off-putting, but makes you feel better for having heard it. His suggestions are spot-on
and realistic." - Matt Butler

Work Experience

April 2011 - present
Austin, Texas
Music Studio Director of Phoenix Academy Austin, a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility for youths aged 13-22. Responsibilities include teaching and applying music, computer, and recording production skills in the Academy recording studio. At the end of 2013, over 100 songs had been produced in the facility utilizing concepts and coping skills learned from rehabilitation. Students are encouraged to work together as a team in a positive, uplifting environment.

1990 - 2011
Albany, New York City, Austin
Senior Instructor for the National Guitar Workshop, a six-week summer program featuring the finest guitar instructors in the country. Responsibilities included developing curriculum and teaching week long multi-level classes ranging from 6-60 students. Also co-directed and administrated teaching staff at workshops at NGW campuses around the country. Workshops were held in Connecticut, Chicago, LA, New Orleans, Austin, Nashville, Florida, Seattle, Oakland, the UK and Germany. Independently conducted clinics and week-long master classes in the US, UK, and Germany.
 
August 2010 - present
Austin, Montana
Faculty and Board Member with the Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival in Bigfork, Montana. Faculty responsibilities include developing and teaching advanced blues, rock, performance, and recording classes. Board Member responsibilities include faculty liaison and curriculum advisor.

1991- 2011
Albany, New York City, Austin
International Clinician for Kaman Music (Ovation, Takamine, and Hamer guitars, and Trace Elliott Amplifiers). In addition to demonstrating products at trade and guitar shows internationally and consulting on product development and national advertising campaigns, responsibilities included developing the Chop Shop clinic program, a master class/performance workshop at music stores and schools in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, and Italy.

1997 - present
New York City, Austin
Product Demonstrator for Fret King Guitars, Tony Bruno Custom Amplifiers, Tech 21, Pigtronix effects pedals, and Supro Amplifiers. Responsibilities include demonstrating products internationally at trade and guitar shows.

1992 - present
Albany, New York City, Austin
Author and Online Video Instructor for Alfred Publishing/ Workshop Arts, Hal Leonard publishing, and D’Addario. Wrote and published ten instructional books, distributed internationally. Fifty online lessons at workshoplive.com. Instructional guitar videos for D'Addario on YouTube.

1988 - present
Albany, New York City, Austin
Leader of international touring acts the Matt Smith Band, Matt Smith's World, and Chop Shop. Released multiple albums, including:
Matt Smith Band
Whisper to a Scream
Tanqueray Rocks! Live at the Ritz
Delta Radio
Black and White
Big Fun
Free Beer and Chicken
What I Feel For You
Chop Shop
Meet the Monstas
Matt Smith's World
Being Human
Parlor
Matt Smith's World Live at Saxon Pub
Chop Shop Live at Starange Brew
Matt Smith 1988-2020 Vol. 1 - 4

 

1993 - present
Albany, New York City, Austin
Producer and Recording Engineer for over 100 commercially-released albums, commercials, and film soundtracks. Session musician (acoustic, electric, and baritone guitar, bass, banjo,mandolin, dobro, sitar, Mohan vina, steel guitar, ukulele, saz, cumbus, charango, tiple) for many artists in Albany, NYC, and Austin. Chief producer, engineer, and arranger for Lost Oasis Studio in Austin, Texas. 2012 Addy winner, Houston, Texas.

1988 - present
Albany, New York City, Austin
Private instructor for guitar, bass, mandolin, dobro, voice, songwriting, and music production.

Bibliography

Technique: Bending (Workshop Arts/Alfred Publishing)
Technique: Speed (Workshop Arts/Alfred Publishing)
Beginning Blues Guitar DVD (Workshop Arts/Alfred Publishing)
Intermediate Blues Guitar (Workshop Arts/Alfred Publishing)
Essential Skills – Alternate Tunings (Cherry Lane)
Guitar Technique Encyclopedia (Workshop Arts/Alfred Publishing)
Basic Blues Guitar Method 3 (Workshop Arts/Alfred Publishing)
Basic Guitar Method 4 (Workshop Arts/Alfred Publishing)
Matt Smith's Chop Shop (Alfred Publishing)
Intermediate Blues Guitar, 2nd Edition (Alfred Publishing)
Online instructional videos for www.workshoplive.com
“Passion and the Pen,” 1996-98 (Guitar for the Practicing Musician)
“Sessions,” 1999-2003, Contributor (Guitar Player Magazine)

Consulting Work

Takamine Guitars
Development of international advertising campaign for digital preamp technology. Consultation on award-winning Cool Tube Preamplifier.

Ovation Guitars
Development of VXT preamp featuring advanced modeling technology.

Pigtronix
Development of award-winning Philosopher’s Tone compressor pedal. Ongoing consultation work on product development.

Clavier Werks Music School, Austin, Texas
Curriculum development and implementation

Crown of the Continent Music Festival, Bigfork, Montana
Curriculum development and implementation, Advisory Board Member

National Guitar Workshop
Curriculum development and implementation

Endorsements

D'Addario strings
Planet Waves cables and tuners
Fret King guitars (including a Matt Smith signature guitar)
Ovation guitars
Tony Bruno custom amplifiers
Pigtronix effects
Supro amplifiers