“I worked with Matt Smart for three days at the Charlotte
Harmonica Jam Camp, November 3-5, 2006. Other teachers were Dennis Gruenling, Richard Sleigh, Allen Holmes. Here’s my
impression. Matt Smart is an astonishingly gifted teacher/player of the harmonica. With demonstrated expertise
helping people bend, get vibrato, and just flat out play the thing. His personality is excellence without attitude.
He puts even the most anxious learners at ease. He is also a good harp repair man. He opened up my own clogged
Special 20 and made it play much better. Took him about 5 minutes. For him, no big deal. We are lucky to have him as Jam
Camp coach, and I highly recommend him for personal lessons.” Jon Gindick http://www.gindick.com/
"I've pick up the harmonica
several times over several decades and after messing around for a few weeks I gave up. This time around, on the backside of
the usual mid-life stuff, I decided to try something different. I started looking for a teacher. That was the best decision
I made in a long time. Meeting Matt at a local harmonica club meeting,
I was impressed with his knowledge, skill and patience. In less than an hour I learned more than I would have in a month on
my own. The lessons I started after that meeting have far exceeded my expectations. Matt's lessons are methodical, have a
good balance between listening and playing, and have encouraged me to practice, practice, practice. Both my confidence and
ability have grown under Matt's gentle guidance. I'm playing more and sounding, at least to myself, a lot better. Don't get
me wrong. I'm not ready to leave the wood shed just yet. In fact, I'm a long way from that. But I'm not about to quite in
frustration like before and actually have lots of fun playing my harp now.
If
you're like me a always wanted to learn how to play this thing before you die, then Matt will get you on a solid foundation
and give you the skills needed to keep playing for the rest of your life.."
- Khalil J.
"There are tons of good harp players out there...but for some
reason, really cannot teach others how to play. Matt knows how to teach a person how to play. I know, I asked several
of Atlanta’s top harp players if they would provide me some lessons. Everyone of them either turned me down or
said they just did not know how to give lessons. Matt loves to teach!" Al R.
"Matthew makes it easy to learn
blues harp" Jim M.
"I figured I could teach myself the harp, and learned I was
dead wrong. I started lessons with Matthew, and within a month, I felt I had made strides in my playing I could never
have made without his help. He's a good teacher and is great at explaining the nuts and bolts of what you have to do,
and how you have to do it." Andrew I.
"I
started playing harmonica about 2 years ago, but never got anywhere and quit several times until I started lessons from Matthew
(whom I found through a member of ModernBluesHarmonicaH). He is a talented teacher and has a passion for what he does.
I work as an instructor for my job and also teach martial arts and base what I say from this experience." Ed
T.
"Matthew helped me, met me, at
my level and always made me feel comfortable. He used my strengths to teach me the techniques that I wanted and needed to
learn. He was not selfish with my time and he did not show off as some others do. My lessons were all about and for me exclusively.
I have been to his place on several occasions for harmonica jams with a wide variety people and playing levels and he has
housed many group lessons as well. He would be an asset to anyone looking for lessons in the Atlanta area. Ellen D.
"Matthews harmonica lessons have advanced me tremendously in a short
period of time. I started with little knowledge of the harmonica and in a few months I was on stage for the first time at
a Blues Venue open mic night playing with some professional musicians. Along with teaching you how to play the harmonica,
Matthew also teaches you how to care for and customize your harmonicas to get the best sound and ease of playing from them"
George F.
"Matthew has played a huge role in contributing to my long
desire of becoming a decent harmonica player. His talent and skill level I could never match but he has a genuine way
of teaching those that don't grasp it like he does. He is patient, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.
If it weren't for him I wouldn't be this far along." Patrick F
