Tuesday, March 31, 2020

How to Get Tutoring For Online Classes

How to Get Tutoring For Online ClassesIf you are a high school student in need of a little extra help with your math or English courses, then you may want to consider how to get tutoring for online classes. The convenience of the Internet is giving many people an opportunity to take their degree classes from home. Online classes offer more flexibility than in-person class offerings, which can be the reason why so many students are seeking ways to learn better.Whether you are looking to advance your career, or simply interested in getting new skills, taking online classes can help you get the experience you need. A good tutor will help you take your classes and improve your grades as well as assist you in any way that you need. To find a tutor that is qualified to work with your individual needs, there are a few options you may want to consider. Here are a few methods to consider in finding someone who can help you study better at home.Tutoring for Online Classes: This is one of the m ost popular methods for finding tutors. By joining a community website that has thousands of tutors on the site, you may find an abundance of good tutors at your fingertips. Of course, if you prefer a specific type of tutoring, you will want to ensure that they have the skills that will best help you learn.Your personal referral may be helpful in finding a good tutor to help you. If you know a student in college or school that has experienced the same difficulties in understanding the material, this may be a good time to refer them to a tutor. At the very least, it may give them the confidence to try a tutoring service in order to see if it will help them learn anything.Tutoring for Online Classes: One of the biggest drawbacks of this method is that there are often fewer choices available for tutors than you may find in traditional tutoring. This is because the companies that offer this service typically do not have large networks. It is very common for these companies to use only a few tutors who work with their members. So you may have to look for a good tutor yourself, which can be time consuming and frustrating.As mentioned, in-person tutoring is easier to find, but you may have to go to your local school or even your local public library in order to find tutors who are good enough to help you with your needs. You may also have to pay a fee in order to be considered for in-person tutoring. On the other hand, you can find numerous ways to study better without having to worry about traveling and cost.A private tutor may also be a great choice. These individuals are skilled in teaching different types of students and teach at a rate that is flexible for a student. Private tutoring can be helpful if you are working toward certification and just cannot find the time to meet with your instructor, or if you just want to take a few classes that are specific to your needs.Tutoring for Online Classes: The only disadvantage to the private tutor option is that you wil l have to pay for the services they provide. In most cases, you will pay a much higher rate than someone who is teaching privately because of the fact that they have the ability to charge by the hour. However, if you need tutoring at any given time or can find time to study on your own, it is the best option for those that need extra help with their classes.

Friday, March 6, 2020

A Timeline Study Guide for the SAT

A Timeline Study Guide for the SAT SAT Study Timeline If you are taking the SAT this fall, winter or spring (here are the official SAT Registration Dates and deadlines), hopefully you have already started studying. If not, look at this timeline to give yourself the best chance at success. ASAP: Take a practice test on the College Board TM website. In order to know how and what to study, you need to know how many improvement points you need to reach your goal (READ: 5 Awesome SAT Apps). Later Today: Make a list of colleges and universities that you want to apply to and then look up what your minimum score should be. Be careful here because schools like University of California use conversion charts. Make sure that your calculations are correct. Remember, the minimum score is just that. Try to shoot for 100-200 points above the minimum to give yourself a good shot. Tomorrow: Assess your strengths and weaknesses. If you got a score of 750 in math but a 510 in the verbal sections and your dream school requires a minimum or 600 on both, you will need to focus your time on the Critical Reading and Writing sections. Also, beware of your scores of the Essay portion. Remember, your essay has two graders. So, if your score report states that you received a “6”, this is really a “3” (If you received a “12”, then you actually got a “6”, the highest score). Though the essay is now optional, its still a good idea to prepare for it whether or not you plan on doing it. Why? Because many college courses administer essay tests and it will be a good way to see if youre prepared or not for that (READ: 8 Tips for the Optional SAT Essay). Find a Tutor: Be sure to mention the parts that you need to focus on the most. If you are taking the SAT in October, there is no time to waste. At TutorNerds, we pair you with the best Orange County in home SAT tutor based on how you learn. Our tutors have taken the SAT and tutored numerous students. They understand what has changed in the test, and how to best prepare. Dont wait too late to book your private tutor! (READ: SAT to drop essay requirement) Later this Week: Set aside 4-6 hours in your schedule for SAT study. SAT study includes time with your tutor, practice tests and concept study. Also, pick a day where you can mimic the real test. This will mean setting aside 3 hours and 45 minutes to sit in your room and take the full exam. Ask mom if you can borrow her kitchen timer and give yourself either 25, 20 or 10 minutes for each section according to the directions. The Week Before the Test: Go over any concepts or test-taking strategies that have been a consistent problem. Schedule an extra session with your tutor if possible and commit yourself to conquering the SAT this fall (READ: 7 Tips to Maximize Your Tutoring Sessions). The Night Before the Test: make sure you have everything you need in a bag by the door. You won’t have time in the morning so make sure you have everything such as your ID, any paperwork etc Don’t study the night before, you will just stress yourself out. Rather, eat a high protein meal with plenty of fruit and veggies and lots of water (FYI soda does not count as water). Go to bed early so that you get 8-9 hours of sleep (READ: Coping with Stress as a Teen). The Day Of: Get there early and do your best. Taking the SAT Later than this Fall If you are planning ahead you might be taking the SAT in June. Save yourself some stress and start your study timeline now. Today: Take that College Board TM practice test as mentioned above. Next Week: Make that college list and asses your strengths and weaknesses as mentioned above. Two Weeks From Now: Arrange for a tutor. In your case, you will have more weeks of study so you will likely get by with 2-3 hours a week of self study assuming you are consistent throughout the year. Keep in mind that most students will not study for standardized tests much in September because those first few weeks of school are tough. Use your winter break wisely! Throughout the Summer (If youre taking it next year): Take a practice test every other week until you have reached your top score. If you haven’t reached that top goal yet, talk with your tutor about what is and is not working and she or he can help you focus on those issues. Whether you are taking the SAT in October or June,   good luck and happy testing! All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at info@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about. The beginning of a new school year is crucial for establishing a strong academic performance. In other words, if your child wants to reach his or her potential, they can’t fall behind from the start. Hiring an Orange County private tutor is much more than extra academic help, it’s a confidence boost. Have your child be the first to raise their hand in the classroom by hiring a college educated tutor from TutorNerds. Contact us today!

Dependent Variable Chemistry - Learning A New Substance

Dependent Variable Chemistry - Learning A New SubstanceIf you want to learn Dependent Variable Chemistry, then there are a few things that you must remember. One is that you need to get a hold of a good teacher. You also have to find out what your strengths and weaknesses are in chemistry, which is what will help you decide on the subject.The second thing you need to consider is your motivation. If you are looking for a career in Chemistry and you can't stand to be at the lab all day long, then you should look into other careers. Just do a search for careers in chemistry and choose one that best fits your skill set.Third, you need to have enough patience. Learning a new subject is always an ordeal so if you're still finding out what you like in Chemistry you need to give yourself some time to get used to it.And lastly, if you are looking for Dependent Variable Chemistry you also need to be flexible. Chemists can't be sure about every paper they read or every experiment they do, so yo u need to be ready to adapt.One thing I would recommend is to look up a website called the chemist's bibliography, which is a list of all the texts and resources that contain Information on Dependent Variable Chemistry. It also lists where you can get books that cover the subject.As for getting a teacher, all the best that I can recommend is to do it through online learning. Online learning gives you the flexibility to come and go as you please and to continue your studies if you decide to do so. It also gives you the freedom to study at your own pace, which is really important.So whether you want to take a course or just have a better understanding of Dependent Variable Chemistry, all you have to do is just get started. Good luck.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Peer Tutoring Definition

Peer Tutoring DefinitionWhat is a peer tutoring definition? Well, it is a general overview of the different types of tutoring programs that exist today. The definitions you will find here include a description of the type of activities that are included in a typical program and also how they are used.The basic peer tutoring definition looks at a person's skills, abilities, and knowledge as a means of helping them achieve their goals and objectives. An individual in need of tutoring services can do so through the Internet or other mediums. These tutors are often not qualified. They may be students or high school graduates that have limited teaching experience. They might also be former school teachers who are now helping children or people with learning disabilities.Peer tutoring has become more common in the educational system in recent years. In addition to helping individuals in need of academic help, tutors also help out with things like social skills, career guidance, and even pa renting.A typical tutoring service works with the individual needing help. They may be a teacher, tutor, or counselor.Activities include tutoring in study skills, assessments, assignments, projects, and teaching strategies. There is always an element of interaction between tutor and student. The tutor can be someone that are well-qualified, but there are also some tutors who are students themselves. These tutors are usually self-trained. They learn tutoring skills by watching and participating in tutoring programs.The Internet peer tutoring service can be operated by a non-teaching person. This individual can work independently or as part of a team. They will be in charge of scheduling and planning of tutoring events. In addition to this, they are expected to bring in new students and help out with all aspects of the tutoring process.Other types of tutoring include the hiring of workers for professional services such as working with people with disabilities in the educational system s of many countries. These workers can be tutors as well. Some countries have designated areas of need for tutors and these individuals can assist the educational system there.

Peer Tutoring Definition

Peer Tutoring DefinitionWhat is a peer tutoring definition? Well, it is a general overview of the different types of tutoring programs that exist today. The definitions you will find here include a description of the type of activities that are included in a typical program and also how they are used.The basic peer tutoring definition looks at a person's skills, abilities, and knowledge as a means of helping them achieve their goals and objectives. An individual in need of tutoring services can do so through the Internet or other mediums. These tutors are often not qualified. They may be students or high school graduates that have limited teaching experience. They might also be former school teachers who are now helping children or people with learning disabilities.Peer tutoring has become more common in the educational system in recent years. In addition to helping individuals in need of academic help, tutors also help out with things like social skills, career guidance, and even pa renting.A typical tutoring service works with the individual needing help. They may be a teacher, tutor, or counselor.Activities include tutoring in study skills, assessments, assignments, projects, and teaching strategies. There is always an element of interaction between tutor and student. The tutor can be someone that are well-qualified, but there are also some tutors who are students themselves. These tutors are usually self-trained. They learn tutoring skills by watching and participating in tutoring programs.The Internet peer tutoring service can be operated by a non-teaching person. This individual can work independently or as part of a team. They will be in charge of scheduling and planning of tutoring events. In addition to this, they are expected to bring in new students and help out with all aspects of the tutoring process.Other types of tutoring include the hiring of workers for professional services such as working with people with disabilities in the educational system s of many countries. These workers can be tutors as well. Some countries have designated areas of need for tutors and these individuals can assist the educational system there.

Peer Tutoring Definition

Peer Tutoring DefinitionWhat is a peer tutoring definition? Well, it is a general overview of the different types of tutoring programs that exist today. The definitions you will find here include a description of the type of activities that are included in a typical program and also how they are used.The basic peer tutoring definition looks at a person's skills, abilities, and knowledge as a means of helping them achieve their goals and objectives. An individual in need of tutoring services can do so through the Internet or other mediums. These tutors are often not qualified. They may be students or high school graduates that have limited teaching experience. They might also be former school teachers who are now helping children or people with learning disabilities.Peer tutoring has become more common in the educational system in recent years. In addition to helping individuals in need of academic help, tutors also help out with things like social skills, career guidance, and even pa renting.A typical tutoring service works with the individual needing help. They may be a teacher, tutor, or counselor.Activities include tutoring in study skills, assessments, assignments, projects, and teaching strategies. There is always an element of interaction between tutor and student. The tutor can be someone that are well-qualified, but there are also some tutors who are students themselves. These tutors are usually self-trained. They learn tutoring skills by watching and participating in tutoring programs.The Internet peer tutoring service can be operated by a non-teaching person. This individual can work independently or as part of a team. They will be in charge of scheduling and planning of tutoring events. In addition to this, they are expected to bring in new students and help out with all aspects of the tutoring process.Other types of tutoring include the hiring of workers for professional services such as working with people with disabilities in the educational system s of many countries. These workers can be tutors as well. Some countries have designated areas of need for tutors and these individuals can assist the educational system there.

Take Violin Lessons In Music School

Take Violin Lessons In Music School Learn Violin At Music School ChaptersThe Easiest Place To Learn The ViolinPlaying The Violin At Music SchoolThe Benefits Of Playing The Violin At A Young AgeWhere's the best place to take a music lesson? With a private class, in school, or self-teaching at home?Everyone learns rhythms and responds to environments differently so the jury's out on this one, but one thing we will throw out there is that music instruction is probably easiest if you do it at school or at a dedicated college of music.Keep reading to find out how we arrived at this conclusion. TomViolin Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StacyViolin Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtieViolin Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BenedictViolin Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaisiiaViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AmyViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuísViolin Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoViolin Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Easiest Place To Learn The ViolinState school: A no expense way of learningFirstly, if your child doesn't know what kind of tuition they need or want, or even what musical instrument they like, then having the chance to pick up all instruments whilst at music school can be really beneficial. There is no huge expense, and they can try the item out before they go out and buy one of their own. This, of course, all depends on how much funding your child's school has and if they even have a string instrument available to pupils for instructional purposes.By encouraging your son or daughter to learn how to play the violin at school, you are opting for a no expense means of learning the violin - at least for the beginning!School music activities are great for allowing little hands  to experiment with different types of musical instruments. Photo credit: Steve Snodgrass on Vi sual huntUltimately, with a keen violinist in the house, you as parents will wind up needing to pay for extra-curricular classes to keep up the momentum or sign your child prodigy up to a violin lesson with a private tutor.Remember, though, that if they were to arrive at this decision later in life (for example in their late teens) then they would probably not have the opportunities to kick-start their musicianship that they do now whilst in education.So, depending on the way you look at it, you are either saving an even bigger expense later down the line by getting your child to take lessons earlier, or you might look back and wonder why you didn't wait until your child was old enough to pay for violin lessons London themselves with their pocket money!As an older learner, just to be in with a chance to hold a violin let alone do any violin playing, your child would probably have to visit numerous music shops, whilst you all sit inside their four walls trying out the different style s of violins and sizes of violin bow. Then, to get the experience of playing as part of an ensemble, they would probably need to compete with other advanced music students to enter a group of talented musicians. All of this can be quite tiring and disheartening.You see, it's not just the violin they will need, it's the violin bow, violin rosin, violin tuner, a carry case, a music stand and heaps of books or sheet music! Not forgetting all the times you will need to replace that e string!Schools, with the help of government schemes, intend to make all of this easier and place emphasis on building confidence in music for pupils of all ages, which is how it should be if we want more youngsters to get involved in classical music and have the opportunity to become a professional musician!The younger you are, the easier it is to learn violinOf the different types of musical instruments: keyboards, strings, fretted strings, woodwinds, brass,  and percussion, experts suggest that children a ged 8-12 years of age are best suited to learning how to play the guitar or taking drums lessons. But do you really want to follow suit and go for the easiest option for your little one?Learning how to play the violin is listed as another opportunity for young pupils, however others in the string family like cello or bass are ruled out because they aren't as easy to play with little hands.Everyone says that children have a brain like a sponge, which is why some of the world's most talented musical performers are, to many people's surprise, just toddlers or those who started off as young musicians before being classically trained. Keep this in mind when discussing if your child is too young to start playing an instrument, as they could the next child superstar!Studies show that youngsters who start playing an instrument  before they reach the age of seven make better and stronger connections with those creative motor regions of their brain, making the skill easier to pick up during t his window of opportunity.The fact is that a pupil who starts to master their craft aged four will be a better performer (with regular training and practice with their youth orchestra) down the line than one of his peers who started aged six.If your child is beyond this point, don't worry. Experts believe that this window of susceptibility to music continues until around the age of nine, so there's still time for your loved one to get learning! Also, you are never too old, per say, to learn an instrument!Not only will your child find it easier to grasp the musical concepts of playing violin when they are that little bit younger, the skills acquired will also help them in a number of other areas too.Playing The Violin At Music SchoolThe benefit of music school is the emphasis on the arts. Photo credit: Phil Roeder on VisualHuntWhile some pupils might be lucky enough to attend a school that is quite advanced in the way it treats the arts like music, others simply don't get that same o pportunity.If your child goes to a state school that is struggling financially or that is falling short of the national requirements, then you may need to look further afield if your child is showing an interest in music theory and music education.Dedicated music schools are a great way to give your child the best start in life if classical jazz is their thing, but unfortunately, it can also be quite costly. Those big names located in the capital may have outstanding credentials but they also have extraordinary prices, which some families just cannot afford.The good news is that some schools offer grants for those pupils who show a natural talent in the field of music or can provide partial or full scholarships to enable them to get the education they so want and need.Violin teachers may be the ones to make recommendations if they spot talent, or you may need to be an eager parent and approach a centre of the arts yourself. Enrolling your child in summer music camps may also be a go od idea as this will show their commitment to the art and help them to develop as musicians.Look up for a  violin school  in your city.The biggest advantage of attending a music academy for students is the facilities they will have: a better music studio and practice room, more advanced teaching methods with a focus on music making, and more experienced violin teachers, not to mention the fact that they will live and breathe music instead of having the off half hour lesson here and there like they would if they were at normal school.Therefore, for a more accomplished involvement in music, beginning violin at music school is probably the most effective way of learning violin.The Benefits Of Playing The Violin At A Young AgePlaying the violin combines the use of skills and senses simultaneouslyEvery student can benefit from studying music, but when violin lessons are delivered during the early years then this has so much more impact.Research has shown that learning to make music and h ow to read music actually makes learning other subjects easier, enhancing skills that children use in other areas of their education and life outside of the classroom.When you think about it, making music is so much more than just using your voice or your instrument to create sounds, it requires the use of multiple skills and senses all at once. For instance, you must read music, listen to prompts and hear back the tune, whilst also using muscles that you might not use in everyday life.Playing instruments which are hard to hold for little people can actually be quite a strenuous physical activity for some!Violin lessons can increase an individual's IQAlbeit not anything to shout from the rooftops about, researchers found that young musicians aged around six-years-old who underwent weekly music lessons displayed a small increase in their IQ level after being tested at the start of the experiment and then nine months later along with fellow peers (being given lessons in other areas li ke   or no lessons at all).When you play an instrument like the  violin, you have to use more of your brain than you would otherwise, which means your brain is working harder whilst you train and practice: for instance, reading violin sheet music whilst watching a conductor and focusing on sound production.Further biological studies have shown that those involved with music at an early age showed signs (from brain imaging) of improved sound discrimination and fine motor skills.While an average of three points more than other children their age isn't a significant increase, it goes to show that if violin classes were to continue through to their teens, then their IQ would advance at an equal rate, making them significantly smarter than others their age.There's no stopping children when they have an instrument in their hands!Learn the violin and build on creativityAs we've mentioned above, music can play a big part in making you smarter due to the way you use your brain differently to process things, but music alone does not make you a more intelligent person. Just ask some of the famous musicians out there if they see themselves as intelligent and sure enough many will disagree!Learning about music can significantly impact how easily students learn other subjects. Photo on Visual huntMusic does, however, improve discipline, attention-span, attention to detail and confidence, all of which are extremely important in the classroom.Play violin and increase happinessAside from all of the educational benefits, the underlying point is that music has the ability to make your child happier.If a pupil shows an interest in music, then helping them to enrich their appetite for music can bring them a lot of pleasure, bring them out of their shell and also avoid negative feelings developing, like childhood depression which is rife in schools these days due to bullying and a number of others factors causing kids to feel unworthy.Each person has their own individual response t o music, which can help one to appreciate all aspects of life in a different way.Music can give you a better understanding of yourself, help you to express yourself by acting as an escape, and show you what you are capable of as a human being.What could be a better gift for your child than giving them this opportunity at this pivotal time in their childhood?  Music apps for mobile can also be a great option and can give you a big advantage when studying the violin, read more about  violin learning mobile apps here.

4 Reasons Why an Introverts University Choice Matters - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 4 Reasons Why an Introverts University Choice Matters - Introvert Whisperer 4 Reasons Why an Introverts University Choice Matters Kayla Matthews February 2, 2018 Career Development No responses Go to top The time has come to start making some real choices about the next major step in your life: college. If you’re an introvert, this task might bring as much anxiety as it does excitement. After all, embarking on a new academic adventure away from home will take you totally out of your comfort zone. You’ll meet new people, experience new things and, of course, learn a lot. If you’re still struggling to narrow down your college options, don’t just go with the easiest choice. The university you choose could very well affect the trajectory of your career. Read on to learn four reasons why an introvert like yourself should pick a college very carefully. 1. Your Confidence Some of your more extroverted friends are probably chomping at the bit to get out of their parents’ house and start meeting new people at college. But for folks who like to keep to themselves, the thought of leaving home may bring on intense nerves. You’re probably tempted to choose a university based largely on its proximity to home or the fact that other friends are going there. However, it’s important for your personal growth to step outside of your comfort zone. When you choose a university based on its innate qualities, not how comfortable you’ll be there, you’re giving yourself an opportunity to really shine and build up your self-confidence. If you head home every weekend or surround yourself with friends you’ve known since you were small, you might not spread your wings in the same way, and young adulthood is the perfect time to figure out who you are and what you stand for. 2. Your Social Life Even if you break somewhat free from your introverted ways, you’ll have a hard time meeting new people if your chosen school’s social scene is nonexistent. Look for a school that has extracurricular activities available that match your interests. According to research by a former president of Princeton, approximately 40% of students “undermatch” â€" that is, they don’t choose the best college for their needs, even though they were academically strong enough to be admitted. Undermatching often happens because high school students don’t have enough information to make a good decision. Don’t set yourself up for this mistake. Instead, learn all about the clubs, athletics, philanthropic organizations and other things going on at your potential schools. Then make an informed decision based on the whole picture, including opportunities to socialize. 3. Your Career Path According to a Wakefield quantitative research study, 75% of students made their college decision based on what was more financially practical, as opposed to going into debt to attend their dream school. While this is obviously a very important factor when you pick your university, remember that one of the main goals of college is to prepare you for a career. So if your university doesn’t properly set you up to pursue your chosen job, even a small amount of debt may seem like a huge deal. Keep in mind that your college choice not only affects your ability to get a job after you graduate, but it might also directly correlate to your salary. When you attend a university that is well-known and respected, you might climb up the career ladder faster than you would with a degree from somewhere else. Some research shows that you’ll also earn a higher salary, long-term. So, although you should certainly keep debt in mind, pick the college that will take you where you want to go career-wise. 4. Your Health Depression. Anxiety. Isolation. These aren’t terms that people typically associate with the fun of freshman year, but when you’re predisposed to enjoying your alone time, it can happen. Leaving home for the first time â€" and all of the comforts it offers â€" affects everyone differently. But for introverts, it can be a tougher pill to swallow. Make sure the college you choose has the tools in place to keep you healthy, both physically and emotionally. Check out the resources on campus before you accept an offer, such as the quality of the campus gym and whether the health center offers counseling services free of charge. If you consider these things in advance, you’ll have an easier time coping with any emotional or physical issues that come your way after orientation week. Now that you understand why choosing your university is such a serious task, it’s time to get to it. Start weighing your options through the lens of your introverted personality. In the long run, embracing who you are and using that information to inform your decision will only result in a better college experience. It might also result in a better after-college experience, which is really what higher learning is all about! Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Singing Basics Do I Need to Take Voice Lessons to Improve

Singing Basics Do I Need to Take Voice Lessons to Improve Suzy S. Singing is a hobby that people of all ages and ability levels can enjoy. And if you really want to improve, working one-on-one with a qualified teacher can take you the next level even faster than teaching yourself how to sing. Whats the difference? What can a teacher give you that you cant learn yourself? Here are seven important skills that you will gain when taking voice lessons: Establishing Good Habits From the Start Everyone knows the saying practice makes perfect, but its not exactly true. While its inevitable that youre going to make mistakes from time to time, the way you practice is how you will continue to perform. Perfection does not just require practice it requires perfect practice. By taking private voice lessons as a beginner, you will learn the proper vocal techniques from day one, rather than potentially learning bad (or even dangerous) singing habits that can take months or years of hard work to break. These habits include correct posture and effective breathing, which can make a huge difference to your tone. Learning How to Warm Up Just like an athlete needs time to warm up before exercising, your voice needs to warm up before you start singing. Warm-up exercises are one of the first singing basics that you will learn during your lessons. These simple patterns are performed slowly and methodically before singing, and should be performed comfortably in the middle of your range. As your vocal cords warm up, you can slowly work your range higher and lower. Your voice teacher will teach you several different warm-up exercises as part of your singing basics foundation. Developing Your Ear Unlike an instrument where you can press a key or a certain combination of keys to create a specific note, your voice has a much wider range of flexibility. Your voice can hit notes, as well as the half, quarter, and smaller fractional steps between them. While this flexibility can be skillfully harnessed for accents or stylistic choices, it can be quite challenging for the beginning singer to hit each note precisely. To help with this, the first singing basics step you must master is training your ear. You need to learn how to hear the difference between hitting the note perfectly and when you are sharp (above the pitch) or flat (below the pitch). Until you can recognize these subtle differences for yourself, you will not be able to perfectly replicate a tune.  Your private teacher will guide you through listening and vocal exercises until you can notice the difference. One of the most common exercises to work on ear training is to listen to a tone played by an instrument or sung by your teacher and repeating it. Exposure to a Wider Variety of Music Different genres of music require different techniques and skills. Think about the contrast between the power behind Whitney Houstons iconic I Will Always Love You with the sultry sensuality displayed in a fabulous jazz piece youd hear at your local coffee shop, for example. Consider the big personalities and stylistic quirks in big Broadway hits in contrast to the round, harmonious sound of a classical choral ensemble. These different and distinct sounds make music the beautiful art form that it is. And unfortunately, there are many singers with gorgeous voices who severely limit their options by only perfecting one genre.  In your private lessons, your teacher will work with you to determine which styles interest you the most and best fit your voice. Many factors will come into play here, including the tone of your voice and your vocal range. You will learn which sounds and techniques to use to portray different genres. Learning How to Read Music While many singers go their whole life without ever knowing how to read a note of music, learning how to read music is a valuable singing basics skill. Most choirs and choral groups require at least a basic understanding of music notation, especially note count values (so you know how long to hold each note for) and intervals (the distance between two notes). Learning how to read music is very much like learning how to speak a foreign language. While you may be able to learn some of the basics on your own, you will gain a much deeper understanding by working with a native speaker your teacher, that is! Once you have learned how to read music, you can begin to practice sight reading exercises, which many singing auditions require. You will be handed a sheet of music and given a starting pitch. After just a few minutes of practice, the starting pitch is played once again and you will sing the notes as written to the best of your ability. Although it is a challenging exercise that requires a lot of skill, it gets much easier with practice! Learning How to Sing in Harmony While a solo a cappella voice can make beautiful music on its own, there is something magical about the music created when multiple voices sing in harmony with each other. Harmony is when different notes that are complementary to one another are sung or played at the same time. Most people are so used to listening to the melody, or the main tune of a song, that they find it quite challenging to sing the harmony line. While some singers seem to be born with an ear for harmony, most singers must work to develop this skill. Not only can a private vocal teacher show you how to sing harmony, youll have a built-in duet partner to sing with! Avoiding Injury Although people have made music since the beginning of time, it is possible to injure yourself when singing. One of the singing basics that your teacher will show you is how to take preventative measures to avoid injuring or permanently damaging your vocal cords. Staying well-hydrated and not straining your voice, for example, are very important to help you avoid nodules, polyps, and cysts on your vocal cords. These conditions can make it difficult or painful to sing and may change the sound of your voice. In severe cases, surgery may be required. No matter how old you are, its never too late to learn singing basics and start enjoying the art of singing. The more you practice, the more skilled you will become. Good luck! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher  Photo  by Chris Tse

How to Use Apps to Supplement Your Spanish Lessons

How to Use Apps to Supplement Your Spanish Lessons Suzy S. Its nice to have a little help when learning a new language. But what if help were available at the push of a button? Good news it is! In this article, Spanish teacher  Joan B.  discusses  how to find and use the  best Spanish learning app for you Spanish lessons are a great way to build a strong foundation  so you can speak, write, and understand Spanish fluently. A large part of your success  during lessons is what you do in between them. Reinforcing and practicing the concepts learned  can make a huge difference in your learning. One excellent way to manage your time in between lessons is to use apps as a supplement. Apps  offer immediate feedback, fun and creative games, pronunciation help, and much more. A while back, tutor Jason N. shared his recommendations for the best apps for learning Spanish, and then Breanna D. followed up with 15 MORE Spanish learning apps; now, lets take a closer look at  ways to use these kinds of apps! 1. Reinforce concepts If you learned a new concept in your lesson, you might still be struggling with how it works, as well as incorporating it smoothly into your repertoire. Practicing a new grammar concept with an app like Open Language (for iTunes and Google Play) will guarantee that you use it properly and understand it thoroughly. 2. Get extra feedback Here’s where you can take the initiative so your teacher can help you even more. Since lesson time is limited, why not do some extra practice with an app like Lingualia (for iTunes and Google Play) to pinpoint problem areas and concepts that aren’t totally clear to you? Then you can rapidly address these areas directly with your teacher. When you’ve already done the detective work of identifying the problem, your teacher can help you more effectively. 3. Immerse yourself Practicing Spanish frequently  can make it much easier to recall what you’re learning, in addition to improving fluency. Using apps on a regular basis when you have a few spare moments (on the bus or waiting in line, for example) can increase the time you spend practicing  Spanish, which in turn increases  your skill  level. 4. Comprehension practice Another great thing about lessons  is the opportunity to practice comprehension  when your teacher speaks to you. You don’t have to lose an opportunity in between lessons â€" you can continue to practice dictation, listening, and translation by using an app like FluentU, (for iTunes) where you can listen to Spanish audio. 5. Improve your accent Apps like Rosetta Stone (for iTunes and Google Play) use voice recognition in exercises. This ensures that you’re not just repeating, by rote, a word with incorrect Spanish pronunciation as you try to learn it. Using apps that help you in various ways to improve your accent will ensure that you’re pronouncing words accurately the first time you say them. 6. Make quick progress for a specific goal Some of the best Spanish learning apps, like Duolingo (for iTunes and Google Play), focus on the most useful and common words. This can be a great way to achieve a specific level of fluency in a limited amount of time, such as for a business interaction or upcoming travels. The app can provide you with a path to identify what level you want to reach and how to reach it, in combination with your lessons. 7. Discover your learning style Some apps use a more visual approach, like Fluencia (for web), while others, like Memrise (for iTunes and Google Play), use memorization as a key tool. The key to using apps as a supplement to your Spanish lessons is to discover what learning style works best for you. Experiment with different apps to see what works. Once again, this will also help you with your lessons â€" you can share with your teacher what ways of learning are working well and which ways aren’t as effective. 8. Have fun with the language Keeping it fun and fresh as you learn is important to avoid burnout and frustration. Apps like Cat Spanish (for iTunes), which is humorous and educational with its game format and pictures of cats, will keep you engaged and having fun while learning. Keep these suggestions in mind as you look for apps with which to supplement your Spanish lessons. As you find some apps that work for you, try to make steady progress â€" often the apps will keep track of your frequency of practice and your score, so use it to your advantage as a motivation tool. Your hard work will pay off! Readers, what do you think is the best Spanish learning app? Let us know in the comments! Post Author: Joan B. Joan B. lives in Carmichael, CA and has been teaching high school Spanish for more than 18 years. Shes studied French, Arabic, and Italian and spent time living in Spain. Joan aims to help students improve on tests and increase their conversational ability when traveling to Spanish-speaking countries. Learn more about Joan  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

What Should I Bring to My First Voice Lesson

What Should I Bring to My First Voice Lesson Suzy S. Excited about your first voice lesson? Beyond thinking about your goals for the lessons, youll also want to have an idea of what you need to bring. Get prepared with these tips for singing lessons from Austin, TX teacher Gfire M... I have been teaching my vocal technique, “Yoga for the Voice,” for over 18 years now, to students from ages 4-76 at all levels from beginning to advanced. And the one thing that almost all of my students bring to their first lesson is a mixture of fear and excitement! They are afraid that I will tell them that they can’t sing, yet they are excited about the process of learning to sing. So I thought I would address these issues and give you some encouraging answers! What should I bring with me? Bring a binder, blank paper, and a pen or pencil that you can use for lesson notes and handouts. Bring a bottle of room-temperature water so that you can stay well hydrated during the lesson for optimal vocal exercising. Bring an open mind singing and breathing exercises may seem a little weird at first! Write down any questions that you have for your teacher. If you have music you are already working on, bring that sheet music or CD with you. You can also email sheet music or music audio files to your teacher prior to the lesson. Will I really be able to sing? No worries the answer is always “Yes!” If you can speak, you can learn how to sing, because you are using the same exact instrument for speaking and singing. Obviously, singing uses more notes and technique, but you really can leave your worries behind and just focus on utilizing your unique vocal instrument. Does it matter what style(s) I want to learn? Absolutely not! Good singing technique is useful for singing pop, rock, RnB, musical theater, opera, country, folk, metal, gospel, singer/songwriter, etc. Again, you are just using your natural voice to express any musical style that appeals to you. I have taught musical theater singers how to wow at auditions, touring rock singers how to maintain their voices during grueling tours, “screamo” singers how to scream in tune, kid singers how to master an age-appropriate song, reality show applicants how to choose and deliver the best material to get onto American Idol or The Voice, church singers how to sing a solo confidently, and every other variety of singer under the rainbow. Do I have to practice outside of vocal classes? Well yes, if you want to be a great singer! The voice is an instrument, just like piano, guitar, or clarinet. To truly master the voice is a matter of practicing placing the notes without pushing them and that takes at least three short practices per week outside of voice lessons, even if it is only for 10-15 minutes. Okay, I am ready how do I start? If you really want to learn to sing well, make the commitment! This is one of the best tips for singing. Purchase one to three months of voice lessons and start thinking about where in your schedule you can place your minimum of three practices a week outside of your lessons. I like to get my students to make a list of 10 songs that they would LOVE to learn to sing that way you have goals that are fun and achievable. It is also really helpful if you have a piano or keyboard available for you to play your singing exercises on. I am happy to play your exercises for you, but if you learn to play the exercises and sing them, you really end up singing with more confidence and better technique. With these tips for singing lessons, you can get ready to start singing the songs you want to sing, expressing your own talents and creativity. You deserve to sing and yes, you can make it happen! Gfire teaches music theory, opera voice, piano,  singing, and songwriting in Austin, TX. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from  University of Maryland, as well as her  Master of the Science of Singing from  Ernest George White Society. Learn more about Gfire here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo  by  premasagar