INSTRUCTION

MUSIC LESSONS

Conrad is available for private or small group lessons on ukulele (GCEA and DGBE tunings), guitar, or bass  (electric / U-bass). 

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Lessons focus on concepts and skillsets for students to apply to any songs they may be learning and are tailored to each individual student.   Online video call platforms like Zoom or Facetime are preferred, but can also do local in-person (may increase price).  Lessons can be purchased as one-offs or as packages.​

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Outside of music, Conrad has been a martial arts instructor for 30 years, teaching workshops and classes for UCLA World Arts and Cultures, UCLA Recreation, and internationally in Canada, Belgium, and Germany. 

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MUSIC TEACHING BACKGROUND​​​

• UCLA Recreation - group classes (2017-2019, ukulele) 

• Centrum Acoustic Blues Festival, Port Townsend, WA (2023, 2024, 2025, ukulele)

• Reno Ukulele Festival (2024, 2025 - bass, ukulele)

• Midwest Ukulele and Harmonica Camp, Toledo, OH (2025 - bass)

• Centrum Ukulele Festival, Port Townsend, WA (2025, ukulele)

• Ukewest Online Ukulele Series (2025, ukulele)

• Strum in the Desert, El Centro, CA (2026)

• Private lessons, in-person and online (ongoing)

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WORKSHOP TOPICS

This is a partial list of ideas that have been taught or proposed for different music camps. Please reach out if you would like clarification on any of these topics or would like to suggest another topic. 

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UKULELE (GCEA or DBGE tunings) / GUITAR 

• Open position chords 

• Rhythms and strumming patterns

• All about chords  I - major triads, minor triads, 7th chords

• All about chords II - extended chords

• All about chords III - diminished and augmented chords

•  I-IV-V chords - songs, progressions, and styles

• Barre Chords - (beginner, intermediate)

• Chord Inversions and playing up the neck

• CAGED system for chord inversions​​

• Roman Numeral system for chords - how and why

• Recognizing common chord progressions - (beginner, intermediate)

• Circle of Fifths - (beginner, intermediate)

• Voice leading to connect inversions or chord progressions 

• Chord solos /melody - (beginner, intermediate, advanced)

• Swing and Early Jazz  - (beginner, intermediate, advanced)

• Acommpanying vocalists and other instruments

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​​​BASS / UKULELE BASS

• Introduction to Bass / Ukulele Bass

• Roots and Fifths 

• Outlining chords with arpeggios and chord tones

• Rhythms and rhythmic ideas

• Chord progression pattern shapes

• Riffs for different styles

• Connecting chords in a progression  - diatonic and chromatic approaches

• Walking bass lines - (beginner, intermediate, advanced)

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SONG FORMS

• Pop song forms and variants (verses, choruses, prechoruses, bridges)

• 12 Bar Blues Form and Variations (Quick 4, Jazz Blues)

• 8 Bar Blues Form and Variations 

• 16 bar Blues Forms and Variations

• 32 Bar Jazz Forms - AABA

• 32 Bar Jazz Forms - AB

• Other jazz forms - 40 bar, 36 bar, tag every time​

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ARRANGING

• Intros, Vamps, Tags, Endings, and Outros

• Rhythms, Feels, Breaks, and Hits 

• ​Creating Solo Arrangements 

• Arranging for two or more instruments

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IMPROVISATION

• Soloing concepts, tips, and tricks

• Embellishments (Hammer-ons, pull-offs, bends, slides, tremolo)

• Using Arpeggios and chord tones

• Micro-improvisations 

• Adding walking bass lines to your rhythm 

• Trading 8's, 4's, 2's, and collective improvisation

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​​GROUP  / BAND LEADING

• Before the song starts: Communicating your arrangements

• Band / group leading - (intermediate, advanced)

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​​​PERFORMING​

• Connecting with the audience

• What goes into a soundcheck

• In-between song banter

• Dealing with things going wrong on stage​​​

• Building repertoire and set lists