Matthew Alexander Grosso
About
I'm a professional bass guitarist with over 15 years of experience performing, recording, and teaching. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Industries from Toronto Metropolitan University, where I developed a strong foundation in both the artistic and business sides of the music industry. My playing is rooted in soul, funk, R&B, and pop, with a deep love for the groove-oriented music of the 60s and 70s, while also staying versatile across genres to meet the needs of modern musical settings.
I have extensive experience performing and touring with Canadian artists such as John Muirhead, Jordan Hart, Leah Holtom, and Alexander Wesley. My performance history includes festival stages like CityFolk Festival in Ottawa, Ontario, and iconic Toronto venues including the Rivoli, Horseshoe Tavern, and Lee’s Palace. In addition to live performance, I have extensive studio experience as a recording and session bassist, contributing bass tracks to a wide range of projects from home-based sessions to full-scale professional studio recordings.
I also teach in both one-on-one and group settings, including songwriting workshops, home recording seminars, and professional studio recording sessions. My lessons are tailored to each student’s goals and interests, whether you're looking to build a solid technical foundation, improve your groove and tone, or develop as a confident player in band or solo contexts.
Teaching Style
I take a goal-oriented and structured approach to teaching, with a clear plan in mind for each student. While every player is unique, I believe in building personalized lesson pathways that align with your individual goals—whether that's locking into a groove, improving your theory knowledge, preparing for live performance, or learning how to create in a recording setting.
At the same time, I make sure we cover essential fundamentals like technique, timing, tone, fretboard familiarity, and musical vocabulary. I’ve found that blending student-led interests with structured milestones not only keeps lessons engaging but also ensures steady, meaningful progress.
Whether you're a beginner picking up the bass for the first time, a gigging musician looking to sharpen your skills, or a songwriter wanting to better understand your rhythm section, I’ll work with you to develop the skills, confidence, and musicality you need to grow.
Curriculum
My teaching method combines practical, hands-on learning with structured skill development. I emphasize playing music first—using songs, grooves, and real-world examples to develop technique, ear training, and musical intuition. Depending on the student's level and goals, I incorporate a mix of custom exercises, play-alongs, transcriptions, and guided listening to support learning.
I like to emphasize the importance of listening (e.g. classic Motown, funk, R&B, pop, and modern grooves), and may use isolated bass tracks, Logic/DAW sessions, or loop-based jam tracks depending on the student's interests. For those interested in studio work, we can also explore bass tone shaping, recording workflow, and session etiquette.
