Ayaka Matsui

Composition, piano, improv

Ayaka Matsui on SoundBetter

Classically trained in Tokyo, I've journeyed through jazz, rock, funk, pop and metal over the past 25 years. Keenly sensitive to emotions in music, combined with Perfect Pitch and pitch-colour Synesthesia, I bring color and sensibility to music. I work with musicians to give direction to their compositions and kick start their projects.

I started playing piano when I was 2 years old, and am classically trained (including music theory and composition). I have been performing jazz, rock, metal, musicals, pop and improv.

Since I moved to NYC in 2019, bands have been using my services to push forward their creative process, at the very early stages of their projects (initial music composition).

At a high level, the process looks like this:

Session 1:
-The client will describe how they want the song to feel, and the basic rhythm that they envision
-Based on that I will improvise chord progressions for the different parts of the song
-The client will be giving me real time feedback and we will choose the right harmony
-Afterwards, I will also help with the melody and how it fits with the progression working with the singer, instrument player, etc.

Session 2 (optional):
-After Session 1, the client will develop the song on their own, and will at times bring me back in to polish the harmony and melody

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

Terms Of Service

Session 1: generally 60-90 mins, with 2 revisions remotely after session

Session 2 (optional) 60 mins

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