Teaching
I have taught all age groups trombone, piano, improvisation, theory and arranging for almost 20 years. I am set up to teach remotely so don't hesitate to contact me for rates and availability even if we are not in the same time zone (or continent)!
I also offer the following master classes in person or via Zoom/Skype etc.
How to make your solo make sense knowing only your major scales - based on my book the Musician Builder II. All participants will receive a PDF version of the book including 22 play along tracks. Watch my introductory video here. Suited for the beginner to medium level improviser.
We will cover topics such as
- Step by step method to solo over chord changes
- Basic chordal analysis
- How to construct guide tone lines
- How to get comfortable playing in different keys
- Song analysis
- How to construct a melodic solo that makes sense
- How to apply the steps to new songs
Your daily routine re-imagined - all participants will receive a PDF version of my book Musician Builder I, including 8 play along tracks. Suited for all levels.
We will cover topics such as
- Designing 25min modules, structuring your practice time
- Incorporating improvisation
- Finding the right balance of exercises
- Designing your own exercises
- Thinking like an athlete
- General health
- Performance tips and tricks
So you graduated...now what? - an interactive music business master class on how to be a freelance, or complete, musician in today's society, including during a pandemic. Suited for everyone. We will discuss topics such as
- Social skills
- Equipment
- Compensation rates
- Types of performance opportunities, including studio work
- Teaching
- Other types of music related work
- Social media, online tools
- Bookkeeping, taxes, TCB (Taking Care of Business)
How to effectively utilize electronic effects in your playing - we will take a look at some of the possibilities that electronic effects can offer. The modern day mute! To get an idea, please have a look at my blog.
- Different types of electronic effects
- Stomp boxes vs multi effects units including laptop/iPad
- What works on trombone? What doesn’t?
- Microphones
- How to set it all up, routing, signal chain
- Application of using effects
The business of arranging
- Workflow
- Software
- How to deal with clients
- Compensation rates
- Nashville number system
- Effective writing including the printed page (standardized chords, layout, articulations, clarity)
- Film scoring cues layout
- Orchestrator, copyist
Here is some feedback from some of my previous talks and performances at colleges:
"After Oscar visited our campus and met with my students, there was a buzz around the studio. His teaching was inspired and on point. The contemporary approach that Oscar brings to the trombone is extremely innovative."
- Dr. Ben McIlwain, Professor of Trombone University of Southern Mississippi
"That was definitely one of the raddest things on that stage in a while. You were such an inspiration, thanks for taking time to come and play and speak to us!!"
- Student, Tennessee Tech University
"Such an original sound which is what the music lovers of the world are after. The sound was fresh and surprising."
- Student, Tennessee Tech University
"I appreciate all of the information and resources you offered us, and I will definitely be taking advantage of them. I was also particularly excited to see your demonstration of the pedal-board/trombone combination, because I have been researching electronic integrations for the trombone for about a year, and after seeing you use it I knew that it was something that I will soon be investing in."
- Student, Belmont University
"I thought Oscar Utterstrom's master class was completely enlightening. It was by far the most beneficial master class I've attended in terms of relating to me personally, and I think he has a lot of eye opening and wise information to share with people in this industry."
- Student, Tennessee Tech University