Testimonials
Playing music on your own can
be enjoyable, but playing Cuban music with a bunch of like- minded people
(whether they be novices, seasoned amateurs, or pro's), is such a fantastic
buzz. This is just one of the rewards for getting involved in a Tresmambo
course.
After not having played trumpet for close to 20 years, Peter gave me timely
guidance to start playing again, in a style that I really enjoy.
Apart from the fact that Peter Kartu is an expert on all the instruments - and
plays a really awesome trumpet, his abilities as a music teacher are incredible
and rare, backed up with his vast and growing knowledge of how it all works. He
has the ability to change his approach according to what will work best for the
students in the class, and will keep trying new ways till we understand; even
at the first class, we're "hands on"; he gives both group and
individual attention during his classes; and is always seeking to pull us out
of our comfort zones, and develop a little more.
Underlying all this is Peter's passion and considerable generosity for sharing
his love of Cuban music - and what better way, than to develop and nurture a
community of musicians to play with.It's all about playing Cuban music, without
any bullshit - and loving it.
Joe Masterson, trumpet, 2008
Thanks so much for creating
and teaching me your jazz improvisation course.
I have attended short impro classes at the Conservatorium and elsewhere and
your method not only complements them but cuts out a lot of long winded
theoretical bullshit. The speed in which you got our class to understand how
chord lines work was quite remarkable and the homework you set out greatly
enhanced our technique. By the last lesson we had all improved dramatically. I
am now able to analyze charts and improvise through various scales within any
given song. I can now refer to myself as a real jazz musician. You have armed
us with enough knowledge to keep us busy for years. I will be recommending your
course to every budding musician I cross paths with, no matter what level they
are at or what instrument they play.I extend my humble gratitude and will
dedicate my first album to you.
Bryce Huntington, guitarist for the "Mezzanines"
I was in a pub a few years ago
and spotted a trumpet player wearing a t-shirt saying, "learn to play
Latin music". About a year later I enrolled in the Son 101 having not
touched my trombone for 10 years. I loved the nights performing at HQ bar - so
much fun. I've recently completed the Cuban singing and Spanish class and found
it both challenging and rewarding.
I am amazed at Peter's
patience, persistence to ensure it has the right feel and to push you just a
little bit past where you currently are comfortable. He is equally at home
explaining the rhythms that make style unique, what to play when improvising,
or how to sing a song with the correct feeling.
Regardless of whether you play
an instrument, dance or just enjoy Latin music - these courses will change your
Latin experience. A word of warning, "you will leave with much higher
expectations for both music and dancing"!
Will Mcintyre, Trombonist, 2007
Peter Kartu has made Cuban
music accessible to Sydney siders in an exceptional way, bringing fun and
expertise to a range of people... including those starting to play an
instrument, amateur level musicians, singers and professional musicians of
non-Latin music styles. Peter's style of teaching is inclusive, professional,
creative and fun, and he has a unique way of translating challenging Cuban
rhythms to easy-to-understand concepts. Anyone with an interest in Latin music
should do at least once do a course at the TresMambo music school!
Rinske Geerlings Dec 2006 - Singer, conguera and live music promoter.
"This guy knows how to
teach, and he gets results! If all music teachers were like this the world
would be a better place. Peter has a gift of helping people get out of their
own way when learning new styles of music, you have a great time and it just
gradually sinks in. If you want to learn about Cuban music, and you've always
wanted to play it - this is the place to go!"
Jacinta McPhillamy 2006 - Violin player and now member of
"Marumba"
I thought
the course was fantastic and your listening, playing and coaching abilities are
extraordinary.
It has to be the most
intense and "holistic" music course I've done with being exposed to
all the different instrumental parts of the rhythm."
Felicity Fedele, Timbales 2005 : bailamos_juntos@bigpond.com.
"I enrolled in Peter's
Salsa 101 course expecting to improve my understanding of salsa music and to
enjoy having a go at some of the instruments and ended it on stage with my
classmates, playing to a cheering and dancing crowd!!! Having been told by a
Latino musician a while ago that if people actually get up to dance to your
music, it's a sign that you've gotten it right, this would hopefully mean that
we passed the course!
Peter's style of focussing
on the essentials and his 'just do it' attitude broke down my belief that only
experts/professionals or highly accomplished musicians are able to play
effectively on stage. Peter's 'highest common denominator' philosophy, whereby
he aims to have all members of the class reach the highest level of attainment
possible within that group, fostered a co-operative and motivated atmosphere in
class.
I highly recommend this
course to anyone who loves salsa music and wants to have the experience of
playing it for real!"
Christine Rakvin (timbales, flute)
Saturday afternoon class, October - December 2005
"I've been looking all
over
Tony Arnold, piano 2005,
(Now band leader of one of the hottest
Salsa bands in Sydney – “Salsa
Rica”)
"The idea of non or
novice musicians getting together and playing salsa music within four weeks is
astounding. It is a unique approach in my experience and far superior to any
instruction I have had from professional musicians in the
His grasp of music is
astounding - both theoretically and practically. He has mastered guitar, bass,
timbales, congas, horns as well as dance, and has a second to none love,
respect and affinity with Cuban music.
Peter has not forgotten how
he learned to play. He is an educator at heart - with a multi-modal approach to
learning that is flexible and responsive to students' needs. He is very
empathetic with his students' struggle to learn and master."
Frank McKeown, Conga player, 2005.
"The dots to music
course has helped me immensely with reading music. This course pinpointed the
reason why I have always struggled to read music and addressed the reasons in a
systematic and thorough way. Plus, I learned much more than just sight reading,
including how to practice more effectively, how to play in an ensemble and some
fundamentals of different musical styles.
Peter is a great teacher.
He is generous in sharing his broad musical knowledge and personal insights
into learning and playing music. He also has the uncanny ability to quickly
take you out of your "comfort zone" and into your "learning
zone". I have never progressed as quickly with another teacher.
The most amazing thing
about this course is that although it is a group lesson, many of the ensemble
pieces are tailored individually to suit each student's ability. This is great
because more advanced students won't be held back, while less advanced students
won't be overwhelmed by the difficulty of the music. Where else could you turn
up to a group lesson each week and be given your own personalized part in an
original score? Amazing!
I thoroughly recommend this
course to anyone who wants to progress their reading skills."
Mike Holloway 2004
"Attending the classes
run by Peter Kartu has been musically very informative, expanding, challenging
and enjoyable. It has given me new insights and techniques for sight-reading
and the Latin salsa class is great for immersion in this exciting musical
style.
Also with a strong emphasis
on performing in a relaxed and informal way any player who wants to play with
others and improve I would recommend Peter's course."
David De Santis, Congas. 2004: desantis@froggy.com.au
"I must say after
spending 10 solid week's under the guidance of Pete, as a bass player I can now
use the many new skills I learnt in my every day playing whether it be Jazz,
Rock or Funk.
Being introduced to the
fundamentals of the Latin "Son" adds a new resource I can draw when
building new and interesting bass lines.
Thanks Pete I very much
appreciate your patience, support plus your wacky style of teaching. The best
thing of all was the "fun" I had in class."
Thanks again from Dave (the bass player) 2004: dmillard@charlesparsons.com.au