Master classes with Matti Caspi

it was really great. A rare opportunity. Thanks to Caspit (Michal Bobrov) and Matti. It was just amazing. As someone who lives Matti Caspi every day, and I’m not exaggerating, I feel that the accessibility the internet provides us (that’s how we got this master class) can somewhat mislead and then you can’t really understand what was going on there. Matti, I hope, is starting a tradition here that’s popular in the classical world (of course, Matti Caspi is also classic). We asked a bunch of questions. If it were up to me I would ask about chords, plectrums, strings and nails. Matti was patient and answered all questions well, and we learned a lot. I hope there will be more master classes, in all kinds of formats, for Matti and for us. Avinoam.

I allow myself to speak to Matti on behalf of all of us, because I’m sure everyone will agree: I wanted to express my appreciation for your willing to meet the crowd without the stage, or spotlight, with regular people, even though they lack musical education, including those who sing out of tune or have no sense of rhythm. You did all that with lots of patience, a smile, and no patronization. With a father-like, positive and constructing attitude. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this kind of thing can only happen in Israel. And maybe that already is a good reason to live here. I’m also sure that the fact you’re letting the audience get this close to you, while lifting any vail of distance, is something that benefits you as an artist. An artist who really sees his music’s influence on the audience and strengthens his relationship with his listeners. It’s the kind of benefit you can’t achieve in other ways. Of course, we as an audience also benefit greatly from this kind of meeting. And if we managed in this experience to add even a shred of inspiration to your future creations, the better.

Our ranks have had a rough night! What can I tell you, I had a hard time sleeping tonight. I had a long dream where Matti records each one of us separately. My turn comes: I sing and get confused or don’t reach the right notes. And again Matti orders: “Let it all out” and I start again. When I woke up in the morning, I didn’t remember if I passed the test. I really think we have been given a golden opportunity which I hope won’t be the last, to experience something I could never believe I’d experience. There’s no doubt Matti was up to the task. My congratulations to all who organized this, and first and foremost: to Michal. Congratulations to all the musicians. Congratulations to all the wonderful voices. My thanks to Eyal, the studio technician (buy a quiet air conditioner or turn on yours while we’re recording and add it to the mix). Matti, many many thanks. I await the chords for the two-way radio. And I think that yesterday indeed, not only “a star was born” but “a galaxy was born”. The best day to all!!!

it was fascinating!!! (how can it not be?) among the rest, Matti told about his way of working with the artists he produced albums for. It was most interesting to hear with what half-psychological tricks he managed to make them sing with feeling like he expected. It wasn’t easy, because when you record, the singer always gets a little tensed and nervous and it can be heard in the recording. Matti wanted them to sing naturally. Many times he told the technician to hit the record button without the artists knowing, so that they wouldn’t get nervous. For the first time I was introduced to the meanings behind the term “musical producer”. it’s not just about the music, but a lot about working with the artist on a personal level and working with them a lot backstage in order to produce the best out of them. Not everyone has capabilities like that! Answering the question of one of the participants - what profession would you choose if you weren’t a musician - he said “carpenter”. She probably expected to hear “psychologist” instead. But Matti blocked that idea outright and said “think of what happens to a psychologist after all his patients are gone. He starts climbing the walls“! It was also amazing to see how Matti remembers tiny details of musical arrangements, who were the particular backing singers in each song, etc. and even though we all forgot ourselves there until 1 am, we are still left with a hunger for more!!

it was wonderful! So what did we have there? We learned many vocal techniques from Matti, like how to yodel, breathing relaxation techniques to help us sing more accurately and in the rhythm. We learned approaches and methods of arrangements and harmonies, and we also heard stories from Matti about how he matched musical arrangements and productions for himself and other artists with whom he worked. We asked Matti a lot of questions and he replied with endless patient. it was exciting! There was an amazing atmosphere, there were amazing people, and Matti was enchanting and friendly. In the recording part of the master class - In the City Nights 2003 version - these were wonderful hours that will not be forgotten anytime soon - we recorded a song with Matti! And I surprised myself when I plucked up the courage and played an instrument… there’s no doubt I was nervous and it affected the performing (I tried relaxing myself with breathing but it didn’t really help). Today when I played it to myself I suddenly had a lot of air! Only then I realized how my nervousness affected my breathing… I must share with you the feeling of the first rehearsal. Right before it Matti demonstrated the intro to me and I just played it for him once. I had no clue what Matti and the others were going to play. Then Matti said “ok, first rehearsal” and sat at the piano and started counting. It was all too sudden for me. And none of the musicians seemed bothered. But my thoughts started running in my head: “first rehearsal, so he expects me to play too, and he’s counting, and I’m the first one, so that means… I actually have to play now”? a light panic, and in the meantime the counting was over (faster than it took you to read this) and I just started playing. Matti joined in with the piano (which meant I did the right thing). Then the strangest thing happened: I finished playing and then everyone started singing! (later I discovered all the players were supposed to start on the third verse) I recovered from the shock quickly became looser and looser with each rehearsal. I actually don’t hear myself sing in the recording (I think I can recognize Yael’s unique voice) but it doesn’t matter. Who cares? I didn’t come here to hear myself sing. On Monday night I went home feeling high - I played and sang next to Matti and I received a diploma! I want to thank again all those who helped organize, produce and make this amazing special master class. My thanks to all members of the forum and the rest of the talented participants - we did it! The wonderful pianist whose name I’ve forgotten is Ranni. Huge special thanks to Caspit and of course huge thanks to Matti who was just wonderful and was willing to hold this master class and enrich us with his amazing musical knowledge! You are all great!!!

I really really really enjoyed all parts of this master class. The first were fun and enriching, and the last part, the recording, was so much fun and amusing. I had the greatest honor to be in this master class, primarily because Matti himself was the teacher. I would like to give many thanks to Matti, who agreed to this amazing initiative, and who was a teacher to me (and many others) even if it was just for an evening or two… Thank you for your patience and investment. But at least half of the fun wouldn’t have existed were it not for all those who were there besides Matti. All the forum members who attended each day, and equally, all those who have no connection to the forum - thanks to you this experience became even more: funny, amusing, enriching, friendly and much more pleasant. Congratulations to all of you too for attending, participating, helping, organizing, and most importantly - “the togetherness”! I’m hopeful I’ll get to meet again as many people I’ve met there as possible, whether it be above the pages of the forum, or in meetings… And how can I not commend Raquel, who was also an outstanding and active student. So thank you Caspit, Tzvika, and all the wonderful promoters (I’m not sure who else, so forgive me!) thank you all the forum members who came, participated and helped, and should I even mention the Victorian framing my diploma will have? May these initiatives be many.

My thanks to Michal and Matti for the amazing master class and the perfect organization. I may want more music, but as long as “My Girl” was played on a proper Steinway grand piano that’s fine by me… Moreover, in addition to the last chapter of the master class: for hundreds of years philosophers have wasted their time searching for proofs that god exists. There’s no doubt these songs of Matti, which appear suddenly with their brilliant perfection, are proof there is a god.

Indeed, a fascinating master class. Actually, I thought the things Matti will teach would be way beyond my musical level, and that I’d just sit there hypnotized - but as it turns out I even managed to insert some questions here and there (“contra punkt”) and learn a thing or two. It goes to show my progress in my musical knowledge in recent years (self-compliment) I really enjoyed, and I would love to take part in future master classes.

Thank you for the last two days. It was a fascinating experience. Hope to meet again soon. I’m very satisfied even though I just developed a hunger for more, and I could’ve listened and learned much more. Thanks again. Ido Elkan (the one who sat next to you yesterday, and played a little).

Many thanks to Matti and Michal (and the hosting studio), I really enjoyed this master class. The theoretic part has contributed a lot to me. As a student of musicology who is about to start her second year (a secondary profession unfortunately, and not so unfortunately since I have other plans for the future, but I had to learn music for the soul and interest) there were many things that helped me. I know for sure the tips about arranging - acoustically and harmonically, will really help me. I also really liked the extension of the I-IV-I (the “Russian song” LOL) at the end of each song. All the chromatic ascents he demonstrated... that’s so Matti (melting again). What I loved most about recording was when Matti distributed the vocal parts for us, and we could hear how each voice gave the special color which is unique to Matti’s harmonies. It’s just so much fun hearing all the voices together (melting). In the City Nights - version 2003 - 2:35 minutes of magic and pure enjoyment. What can I say, for a hurriedly recording (because that’s what it was) and not so professional (no need to get angry, it was for fun and there was a lot of fun) it came out amazing. Such vocals. Now, you agree that everyone can hear themselves in the recording, right? To the flautist - congratulations on the intro. And to all the musicians and singers, and also a pianist whose name escapes me, you were all great. The song is already on repeat several times. We are just to die for. Well to be honest it’s no surprise it came out really good. It just doesn’t make any sense that people who appreciate such fine music are not musical themselves. Matti, thank you so much for all the helpful tips. Just so you know it helps us a lot. It was fun, funny (Matti is a real entertainer that’s no news) and thank you for your courtesy, patience and friendliness. Thank you Michalli and again: we rock! Mirri.

Thank you very much, I was in the master class on Tuesday and it was pleasurable! It was a most interesting evening, I learned a lot, and to me it was mostly inspiring. I particularly loved Matti’s attitude towards performing and presenting a song: “to sing like you’re speaking” (“ah” turn your head right and left, ah”…) as opposed to the classic vocal training. Also, all the phases in between: equanimity (breathing and yawning), the understanding of the words, precise pronunciation, choice of presentation (growl vs. roar) the truth (like tired heroine Jean d’arc), choice of key, and inner rhythm. I think this attitude is true and efficient not only in singing, but in any other artistic expression - acting, instrument playing, painting, etc.). The wonderful Matti was revealed to me not only as an amazing, sensitive, experienced and funny musician, but also as a gifted teacher with exceptional patience! (with all due respect to musicality, this is an entirely different skill). Matti, thank you so much for your willingness and investment, for driving all the way from the far north (“we have a very long country”), for your humor (with the chords: “Mi al Mi”), for the useful tips (the breathing exercise to achieve equanimity, chord 7,9,11 instead of calculated can be found by playing with the right hand in a lower tone “the pinky method”), for your exceptional patience, for your honesty and sharing (“when inspiration comes it comes from the gut and out” and “when I sit down to compose at home and there’s noise and people bother me, I like it”…) I enjoyed a lot and received a lot, and I’m hopeful you also were given a lot and had fun on this evening, at least like I did. And thank you Michal for all of this (I’m not sour anymore) and thanks to all who helped you do it. And thanks to all the nice people who shared this experience with me. Thanks for the studio in Herzeliyah for hosting us. Goodbye, until the next pleasure... Noa.

I came with zero expectations, which is probably a sure recipe for success. Indeed, most of the time I felt like I was studying at the university before finishing third grade, but who cares, Matti was really nice and funny and wasn’t even lazy to explain slower to the idiot what exactly is that diminished triad. The end of the master class was more like a press conference: poignant questions and countless pictures taken (can I get one from anybody?) and Matti answered everything in all seriousness, well done and thank you. Avivit, now with a diplo-Matti-c certificate.

I was in the last day of the master class and I enjoyed it. I think Matti showed a very serious attitude and touched many different and interesting topics. Thank you very much, Amit.

Thank you so much for (another) wonderful, and this time educational experience. The classes of day one and day two were fun and interesting. I’ve learned and enriched my knowledge (which was relatively limited compared to others). My impression during classes was that my enjoyment won. It’s hard (not to say impossible) not to be impressed with your presentation and attitude, Matti. It was also amusing for me to hear Raquel asking questions.. maybe we should plan more classes so she could have more opportunities to ask questions? There wasn’t a chance I would’ve left these classes disappointed, even though I came from far away and that was because it was the first time I ever participated in Matti’s master class, and also I was being realistic and my expectations from myself were as low as the ground and not sky high. Moreover, I was awarded... I was called to the flag! (oh sorry, I mean the piano). There was a little embarrassment, a lot of excitement and nervousness, because I’m not a pianist. Thank you Michal for the initiative and the efforts to carry out these classes, and thank you very much Matti, who took this master class very professionally, and treated us all with the most patience, tolerance, and courtesy. And let me say again: “it was worth it to come all the way from Eilat”.

Raquel and Matti, thank you. We enjoyed immensely all the fascinating and interesting classes. We learned a lot from them. I’m thirsty for more and that’s a good thing. It can be learned from the way he presented everything and from Matti’s attitude towards questions, about his good will that everyone learns, have fun, participates and join all classes, even though not everyone knows music on a high level. I really enjoyed every moment (including the moments with you two). Let’s hope we’ll have more musical activities such as this. Thank you very much Matti, Raquel, Eyal (from the studio), Tzvika, Hagit, Yael, Lior, and of course Michal, all the participants of the classes and all who brought the instruments for the second class. Zur.

It was great and thank you very much! After a few days at home with no internet I can finally go on the website and write a big thank you for these classes. Even though I was in Matti’s master class in Diaz, I felt I learned a lot also from the class on Sunday. Maybe because this time I came with a little more theoretic knowledge in music, and also during class itself many topics were brought up which weren’t discussed in the master class. It was fascinating. The second part of it was a very exciting experience, to watch and hear Matti working with us. After Matti’s comment to the guitarist who played one chord wrong (and he heard that comment while at least forty people were singing and playing loudly) - I understood who we’re dealing with here (not that I didn’t already know, but to see it with my own eyes is something else). In short, I enjoyed a lot and this is undoubtedly an unforgettable experience! An enormous thank you to Matti, who came, made an effort, organized, taught, smiled and all the rest. To Raquel - who I was very happy to see in the first class, and who surely helped everyone behind the scenes. And of course, to Michal - whose level of investment and efforts in these three days is unbelievable! Well done and thank you so much for this experience I had thanks to you. Yael.

No doubt the highlight of the classes was the transfer from chord Eb79 to chord Dm69 in “Already Ri-sing” after the modulation. Awesome. Just kidding, I actually managed to pilfer a copy of the chords written that evening and I’m excited. So before you’re on to me, I’ll change the subject and say: thank you Matti for everything. Thank you Michal for everything. From all my heart.

To Matti, a big thank you for the wonderful experience from us, meaning me and the guitar which got your dedicated care, and in spite of “Night night and the guitar fell asleep” it didn’t really fall asleep that evening… I would love to participate in another class, I didn’t forget Michal, you deserve every compliment! Avner.

To Matti, Raquel, and Caspit thank you so much for the initiative and hard work in organizing these classes. A year ago I met Matti and Raquel at the Dead Sea and I told him I’m a fan of his work. Matti suggested I go to the website to get updates of what’s new. To my contentment even though I’m not an avid surfer, I opened my email in time and signed up for the master class. The classes were just an enormous experience, kind of a dream come true to meet Matti and not just for a conversation, but to understand a little bit about Matti’s way of work in music. I play a few instruments amateurishly and don’t have sufficient musical education, and still I enjoyed both the theoretical and practical classes on Sunday and Monday respectively. To Caspit and all who helped organizing, thank you from all my heart, I really received an amazing gift for the new year. Danny.

Thank you Raquel and Matti, for your willingness and cooperation, and for being so wonderful! Even though it’s already Thursday, this experience didn’t sink in yet… Maybe after I watch the videos it will. And Matti - Your attitude towards anyone who asked you a question or wanted something else from you during classes - is admirable, and I repeat what I’ve said before: that you are an impressive, amazing and wonderful person besides your musical brilliance! Love you and Raquel very much and thank you for everything. Michal.

Michal my dear, we want to thank you for the wonderful initiative, organization, efforts, investment, warmth and love you radiate every step of the way. We really appreciate and thank with all our hearts all those who helped, organized and took care of every detail - and despite the long distance from our home in the north, and despite leaving both our daughters sick at home, we still managed to enjoy every moment! We also thank all who participated in the classes, for coming and cooperating, and also, we’re glad to know almost everyone enjoyed and came out satisfied. We love and appreciate you Michal very much, and we thank all the members of the forum, Raquel and Matti Caspi.