Matilda Lloyd
With a network of Artist Centres and Ateliers around the world, Yamaha works with leading players to support their performances and develop instrument designs and new ideas for the benefit of all musicians. Yamaha Artists share with us a passion for inspiring the next generation of players, and a belief that everybody should be encouraged to nurture their talent, connect with others and tell their stories through music.
Get to know Yamaha Artist and trumpet player Matilda Lloyd
Statement about your relation with Yamaha or your instrument:
After over a decade of playing on Yamaha trumpets, I am absolutely thrilled to be a Yamaha Artist. My first Yamaha trumpet was my D/Eb trumpet (YTR-6610s), which I began to play around the age of 16, and which I still use to this day - especially to perform the Haydn and Hummel Concertos in E with orchestras around the world!
How does your instrument help you in your daily life as an artist?
As trumpet players, every day is different - sometimes we wake up and our lips feel amazing and at other times they can feel dreadful, sometimes for no particular reason. However, the one thing that doesn’t change on a day-to-day basis is my Yamaha trumpet. It feels wonderful to have an instrument that is so reliable, that I can be 100% confident in it - it’s one less thing to worry about!
How would you characterise your instrument?
Yamaha trumpets allow for each player’s unique voice to shine! They are very versatile instruments; the intonation across the whole range is fantastic and my dynamic range has never been better. When people ask me why I recommend Yamaha trumpets, my answer is always this: they give you an absolutely solid foundation, but leave room for you to express your own personality.
Who was your most influential teacher and is there any advice which you still follow?
I would say that all of my teachers have been influential at the different ages and stages of my life! In the most recent years, I have been lucky enough to study with Håkan Hardenberger, who has influenced every aspect of my trumpet playing: from my articulation to my sound, my dynamic range to my breathing.
Advice for a young musician:
Most importantly - have fun with your instrument! Try out different ensembles and styles of music to see what you enjoy the most, and if you’re a brass player, try to practice a little bit each day. Don’t worry about feeling nervous before playing in public, or in a concert, exam or audition - everyone gets nervous, so it’s about learning how your body responds to the adrenaline and then you can figure out what strategies will help you!
