Events @ Funky Frets
Debi Velasco
July 13, 2024
Please pre-register at Funky Frets On-line Store
Ray Cygrymus
August 3, 2024
Please pre-register at Funky Frets On-line Store
Ray Cygrymus Ray has taught elementary school music for over thirty years, most recently specializing in ukulele instruction in the classroom. He has lived in the Pittsburgh area his entire life, and attended Duquesne University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, with an emphasis on voice. Ray has performed in many musicals and plays with theaters throughout the Pittsburgh area and has fronted many rock bands where he was the lead singer and played various instruments.
Ray’s goal is to share his knowledge and experience to influence other ukulele players to look at their instrument in a different way by gaining knowledge of different techniques, expanding new skill sets, and effectively using sound effects. Ray hopes to continue to grow, entertain, inspire, and educate the world on the beauty and diversity of this spectacular little instrument that brings people together in such a big way! YouTube@SURFN-RZ/Facebook@surfn-rz.
Effect Pedals to Enhance your Uke w/Ray Cygrymus — 3:00am-11:00am • Beginner
The tasteful use of effect pedals to enhance your ukulele sound
In this workshop, we will learn about common effect pedals, the best ones for ukulele, how they work, and how to properly use them. The end of the class will include an open mic where the students can play a song of their choice while experimenting with various effect pedals to tastefully enhance the song.
Pedals available for pre-order at Funky Frets with some available the day of.
Following the workshop, stick around for a concert with Ray.
Every Month
Third Saturday of Every Month Starting at @1PM
- Getting Started with Ukulele - FREE ukulele workshop with Curt Sheller / Kelly Thompson.
- Followed by the Funky Frets MeetUp Jam @ 2:30 - Show up at 2PM and Curt will go over a song or two ahead of time and go over how to embellish it with chord substitutions, strumming variations. intros and endings, etc... We'll be using the Daily Uke Book —
The Blue Book
Past Artist Workshops, Concerts, & Events
Debi Velesco, Christopher Davis Shannon, Peter Moss, Jack Kohler, Andrew Molina, Bill Wynne, Amy Kucharik, Lil' Rev, Jim D'Ville, Curt Sheller, Kelly Thompson
Past Workshops Over the Years
4-Part "Jazz" Chords
Exploring contemporary 4-part, a.k.a. "Jazz" chord on ukulele all start with the Big Six, Core Chords. You most likely know the open position chords they're based on. From the Six core chords that are the Big Six and the principles of chord construction along with learning the notes of the ukulele fingerboard, you WILL be able to create ANY chord you come across just from the name.
- 4-Part Chords a.k.a "Jazz" Chords - May 31, 2020
- 4-Part Chords a.k.a "Jazz" Chords - May 24, 2020
- Exploring contemporary 4-part, a.k.a. "Jazz" Chords on Ukulele
- Jazz Chords - Week Three &n dash; Jun 14, 2020
- Common Chord Progessions, Jazzing up your basic chords - Jun 14, 2020
Alternating Thumb Style Fingerpicking
- Fingerpicking Week 1 - Mar 28, 2020
- Fingerpicking Week 2 - Apr 4, 2020
- Fingerpicking Week 3 - Apr 11, 2020
The Seven Modes
Ukulele Strums
- Ukulele Strums Workshop - Apr 4, 2020
- Ukulele Strums Week 2 - Apr 11, 2020
- Ukulele Strums Week 2 - Apr 11, 2020
- Ukulele Strums Week 2 - Apr 11, 2020
Improv Using Blues and Pentatonic Scales
- Learn to use the C Pentatonic with the Blues. And the Super Blues Scale. - May 3, 2020
Learn how to create a simple melody and chord version of this folk classic.
- Ukulele Improv & Blues - Week 4 - May 17, 2020
Learn to navigate the fingerboard using the Blues and Pentatonic Scale.
- Ukulele Improv & Blues - Week 3 - May 3, 2020
Learn to use the C Pentatonic with the Blues. And the Super Blues Scale.
- Ukulele Improv & Blues - Week 2 - Apr 26, 2020
- Ukulele Improv & Blues - Week 1 - Apr 23, 2020
Misc
- Spring Maintenance - Apr 19, 2020
Grab a set of strings and learn how to change the strings of your ukulele. We will also cover fretboard cleaning and care, then end with a set up Q&A
- Funky Frets Getting Started with Ukulele – A Recipe for Success - May 17, 2020
Where Do I Start? That’s a common question. This workshop covers ukulele tunings, learning the ukulele fingerboard, basic chords and four famous strums. This workshop gets you rolling on having some fun playing the ukulele.
- Learn Red River Valley - Instrumental - May 3, 2020
Learn how to create a simple melody and chord version of this folk classic.
Technique Left Hand Technique
- Building Left Hand Technique - May 24, 2020
Left Hand Technique, Building Left Hand Technique explores what it takes to build killer left hand chops on the ukulele.
- How to Build Left Hand Technique for Ukulele - Introduction - May 27, 2020
Left Hand Technique, Building Left Hand Technique explores what it takes to build killer left hand chops on the ukulele.
Music Basics
- Music Basics - Intervals - Jun 14, 2020
- Music Theory, The principles of music. Starting with the basics. - Jun 7, 2020
Contemporary Triads
Just browsing over both books, they look fantastic! I'm a guitarist and uke player for over 25 years and was thinking about writing a ukulele book but you've already written what I think are the best, most comprehensive and thorough books I've ever seen for the instrument. I just might end up buying every book you've written and I'll be giving my highest recommendation for your books to my friends and students. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such great books! — Peter Rhee
Aloha, Curt, All I can say is WOW! What you have accomplished is simply incredible! All the best — Glen Hirabayashi, The Aloha Boys
Thanks for visiting and checking out the site!
Original Curtie Animation from 1987 for my first web site on a Macintosh II, 37 years ago.