3 Things Guitarists Must Practice Every Day

3 Things Guitarists Must Practice Every Day Megan L.   With so much music in the world to play, how do you figure out how to practice guitar? Guitar teacher  Jack C.  breaks it down to the basics One of the most common questions Im asked by students, whether they are total beginners, or seasoned veterans who have been playing for more than ten years, is: How exactly should I practice guitar in order to get the most benefit from my time? As my explanation, I always like to break down guitar knowledge in three basic categories. 1. Technique Technique is the actual mechanical movement of your hands which you use to create the sounds coming from your guitar. It entails training the muscles in your hands so you can develop the strength and muscle memory to pull off the actual chords and scales we use when playing the instrument. 2. Music Theory Music theory is the mental aspect of learning any instrument. It is the act of breaking down the sounds we hear in to names and formulas. Its the science behind the sounds. 3. Creativity I believe, like any skill set, musical creativity CAN be learned and taught. Some people are brought to believe that youre either born with that creative muse or youre not. This simply isnt true. Lets say we have a 2 note per string pentatonic scale (you can use any of the scales found here). A great practice exercise would be to pick each note in ascending order from the low E string to the high E string, then descending using strictly alternate picking (up and down only). Start very slow, then gradually increase the speed at which you do this exercise. Then, once that movement is mastered, and the scale can be played by memory, you can then try creating a simple melody using only those notes found within the scale. This exercise kills three birds with one stone! You are practicing your technique by working on your alternate picking, youre learning a portion of music theory by memorizing the scale, and youre exercising your creative mind by applying the scale you learned in creating your own melody. By combining all aspects of learning guitar in to one exercise, you are now making the most out of your practice time. This approach to practicing is used by some of the greatest players in the world, and has proven to be one of the most efficient ways to practice the instrument. As you progress in your skill level, this approach can be applied to different scales, chord progressions, and picking techniques. In review, we know that if a guitar exercise can cover these three aspects of guitar playing: technique, theory, and creativity, all at once, then we know it is an exercise that will serve us well in our guitar journey! Thanks for reading and if you have any questions for me, Im more than happy to answer your questions. Learn more about the guitar by taking lessons with a private instructor. Search for your guitar teacher now!    Jack C. is a guitar instructor in Huntington Beach, CA. A professional gigging musician, teacher, producer, and session player, he  earned  degree in Music Theory and Guitar performance from Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California.  Learn more about Jack 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 J. Pitt

The Brigham Young University-Idaho College Experience

The Brigham Young University-Idaho College Experience Blythe earned her bachelors degree in geology from Brigham Young University-Idaho. She specializes in writing tutoring, science tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Brigham Young University-Idaho: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Blythe: The campus is fairly small for a university campus. Its about a fifteen minute walk from one end to the other. The campus is rural, located in the small town of Rexburg, Idaho. I felt very safe on campus; there was never a time when I felt at risk in any way. There are buses for specific places, such as Walmart or certain apartment complexes. However, nearly everything needed is within walking distance, so neither a car nor bike isa huge necessity. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Blythe: In my experience, the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants are always available. If the professors arent available, their TAs definitely are. As a former TA, I can attest that we were available as much as possible for the students. The campus is very student friendly. The professors all are working there because they want their students to succeed, so they make themselves available as often as possible. I did not have a single professor that was unwilling to work outside of the classroom with a student. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Blythe: I did not participate in the dorm life, but most of the apartment complexes are located within a five or ten-minute walk to campus. Both dorms and off-campus apartments live by an honor code; all students abide by it, whether they live in dorms or apartments. The Honor Code is a set of rules or guidelines each student pledges and promises to follow, which creates a safe and respectful environment on and off campus. There are usually two persons to a room, and anywhere between four and eight to apartments, depending on the size. The socialization opportunities are excellent. Almost every evening, and definitely every weekend, there are multiple social activities going on. These vary from dancing, to cultural celebrations, to group hikes. There is a great variety of activities continuously being held. Ive never been in a more social environment. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Blythe: The majority of the majors and programs are represented and supported. It seems like I heard more about the communications major than any other major, but each program on campus is supported. I studied geology, because I love learning about the processes of the earth and its formation. BYU-I is lacking a bit in the support of the sciences, however. There are fewer students majoring in science than in other areas, such as communications and physical therapy. As a result, the university really cuts back on the funds and classes for the science departments, especially geology. The science professors, however, fight fiercely to keep the departments running smoothly and efficiently, so I would still recommend majoring in science. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Blythe: As a freshman, it is extremely easy to meet people and make friends. The orientation at the beginning of each semester is centered around getting the students involved in as many activities as possible. I fully believe the school puts almost as much work into the social aspect, as it does the academic aspect. They do not have a Greek life at BYU-I. How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Blythe: BYU-I has a career center, a tutoring center, and rehabilitation classes, just to name a few services. There are many different student support services, and if you utilize them, they are very helpful. In my experience, there is not a ton of campus recruiting. The recruiting that I do remember was for things such as student leadership conferences and career fairs. How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Blythe: Every study area is easily available. The library can get a bit crowded at times, but other than a few days out of the semester, you can always find a place to study in the library. The library has a specific floor for quiet studying, so its always a great place to go before taking a test. Even if you cant find a place in the library, which is extremely rare, there are multiple lounge areas located in every building and every apartment complex. There is always a place to study and most of them are spacious. Describe the surrounding town. Blythe: The surrounding town is small, but quaint and homey. There are several places to spend time and do activities. The campus has game rooms and a bowling area. There are a few movie theaters in town, one of which has bowling, an arcade, and mini golf. There are four or five parks located around town as well. The Teton Mountain Range is less than two hours away, and is great for hiking, camping, and various outdoor activities. Closer by, there are multiple camping and hiking areas. The area is perfect for almost any activity you can think of. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Blythe: The student body has around 20,000 students. The class sizes range from 15-40 students, depending on the class. Ive never been in a class with more than 45 students in it. It makes the class very engaging and it makes it easy to listen and ask questions, and get in depth responses from the professors. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Blythe: One of my most memorable experiences at BYU-I was during what the Geology Department calls Field School. We went out into the field for six weeks and studied and utilized all the skills we learned in our classes. It was an excellent learning and growing experience, spending that much time with our peers and colleagues. During that time, I grew to know my peers not just as peers, but as family. We learned to work with each other in ways I never realized were possible. The last two weeks were the most intense and rigorous physically and mentally. The weekend before, I was in a biking accident and I was having a hard time walking. Everyone was so helpful, that it actually began to be a bit annoying. As annoying as it got, the help and support that everyone there provided me was a great comfort. Field School was one of, if not the single, hardest thing Ive ever done. Without the aid of my professors and peers, I would never have finished it. As hard as it was, it was also the mos t memorable and fulfilling thing I have done thus far. What makes BYU-I great is not the college itself, its the people. They are genuine, kind, loving, and fun. They make each other better, and they make attending BYU-I worth it. Check out Blythes tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

I Received a Severance Agreement Offer Now What

Introvert Whisperer / I Received a Severance Agreement Offer Now What I Received a Severance Agreement Offer: Now What? When you have been terminated, you are not only inconvenienced with job searching and lost time/experience but also loss of income. If you are fired/laid-off for reasons unrelated to misconduct, you will most likely be offered a severance agreement.   A severance agreement because of its promise of payments, insurance benefits, and other amenities seems like a good answer to a bad situation. However, this contract usually has hidden terms that could adversely affect the worker, so before signing any severance package you should have it thoroughly analyzed by an attorney.   Does My Employer Have to Offer Severance Pay? Typically, employers are not required to offer severance pay. However, if you have a contract that requires a severance agreement or if your employee handbook has personnel policies including severance pay for terminated employees, it is required.   What Should Severance Pay Include? Every severance package should include five things:   Payments: A decent severance agreement usually provides one to two weeks of compensation for each year an employee worked for the company/business.   Insurance Benefits: In some cases, it is possible for you to continue enjoying the life, disability, and health insurance you had during your employment at the company provided and paid for by your employer for a certain period. This is not the same as COBRA, which requires employers to continue offering benefits but not pay for them.   Assistance Finding Employment: Severance agreements may offer services to help you, the former employee, find new employment through resume assistance, career counseling, and practice reviews.   Recommendation Letter: When you are looking for a new job, a recommendation letter, if not crucial, is very helpful. Severance packages can include this vital piece of paper.   Uncontested Claims: Employees who lose their jobs will no doubt file for benefits, and their employers will undoubtedly contest them. A severance package can include an agreement prohibiting your employer from contesting your claim.   One of the best steps to avoid severance agreement problems is to read the contract thoroughly. Ask yourself the question Could the severance agreement could hinder you more than help you? Sure, you may receive benefits that will aid you; however, you will no longer be able to dispute your employer if it does not include the benefits you thought it did. Avoid this hassle by having your lawyer review the contract and negotiate terms.

Know The Value Of Learning Through Online Macroeconomics Tutors

Know The Value Of Learning Through Online Macroeconomics Tutors Macroeconomics is a division of Economics with lots of theories and ideas that tease students out of their brain. Those who are interested in the economic issues of the nation and those of the world choose Macroeconomics. But find the subject overwhelming in due course. Due to the vastness of the topics and the in- depth study and analysis they demand for mastering them. Is macroeconomics an important learning? Macroeconomics is important for the pieces of information and ideas it throws to students. Idea about global economy and the issues of his country like unemployment. If a student wants to know the details about the economic growth of his country and the status of his country in the global scenario, he needs to read Macroeconomics. Further, he gains good insights about topics like fiscal policy, international trade etc. only by choosing Macroeconomics. Tutor Pace Online Math Tutoring For College Grade In Just $99.99 With 20% Discount For The First 100 Students Why Macroeconomics is dry? Any subject with lots of theory part is considered to be dry as there would be a great deal of reading, writing and researching for such subjects. Macroeconomics is no exception and it demands more of such things with lots of web search and analyzing the searched material for good presentations and homework tasks. Classes in the traditional mode may not be conducive for interaction and students may feel bored. Getting the help of Online Macroeconomics Tutor can make things different for a student with up- to -date knowledge about Macroeconomics topics through interactive methods. Is Macroeconomics homework help a must? There are many topics in Macroeconomics which may tax students in the odd hours making them feel dizzy with terms that are complex and ideas that are intriguing. The concepts in topics may be tough in the sense they need basic analytical skills to decipher the underlying ideas in the subject. In such a case, Macroeconomics Homework Help from tutoring sites can be a rescuer. Students may not find time to complete their homework assignments with extended research and references which are obtainable through homework help from experienced scholars who know the exact material to provide for tough subject topics. Know these tech free methods for educating elementary students Macroeconomics assignment help Gets you successful scores for sure Overnight assignment writing in Macroeconomics is not possible and students who have last minute assignment preparations will find the situation miserable. The topics need to be read and understood properly for good assignment writing and it consumes hours of work also. Macroeconomics assignment help from websites like Tutor Pace can help students on time with completed write ups or render expected help in researching the material and bring forth good scores for students. So, it is not that easy to do Macroeconomics but you can cross the obstacles if you seek online tutoring help on time.

Online Z Scores Table Tutors

Online Z Scores Table Tutors Definition: - z score table is also known as standard normal distribution table. z score table list the area under the standard normal curve between z=0 and the values from .00 to 3.09. First column gives the value of the first digit after the decimal and top row gives the value of two decimal places of the z score. Example: - Find the area under the standard normal curve between 1) z=0 and z=1.95 2) z=0 and 3.01 Solution: - 1) We divide the number 1.95 into two portions: 1.9 (the digit before the decimal and one digit after the decimal) and .05 (the second digit after the decimal. (Note that 1.95= 1.9 +0.05). To find the required area under the standard normal curve, we locate 1.9 in the column for z on the left side of the z score table and .05 in the row for z at the top of the table. The entry where row for 1.9 and column for .05 intersect gives the area under standard normal curve between z=0 and z=1.95. So the area between z=0 and 1.95 is 0.4744. (From the z score table). 2) Similarly we will get the area between z=0 and 3.01 is 0.4987

Who am I to Co-Found a Language School

Who am I to Co-Found a Language School Who am I to co-found an online language school? I sometimes wonder this myself, and I think that a lot of language educators would be skeptical of my background. I have a bachelors degree in English Literature, with a focus on creative writing, and a bachelors degree in Communications, with a focus on journalism.Before co-founding LOI, I worked as a reporter for 5 years at small newspapers in Montana, managed a group of websites related to tourism in the U.S. and Canadian Rockies, waited tables, worked front desk at a hotel, spent 6 years in the Army National Guard. You get the idea, none of it was related to language learning.So how did I get here? Its a good story.In 2008, my wife, Teauna, and I quit our jobs in Montana, put our house up for rent, and moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina. We didnt have a definite reason for doing this, but we knew we wanted to  experience living outside the United States, to improve our Spanish, and to try living in a big city. We figured wed go for a few months.It didnt take us long to realize that we wanted to stay in Buenos Aires for more than just a few months, and that to stay, we needed jobs. I found a job writing for a group of tourism websites, and Teauna got work teaching at an English school in our neighborhood. She didnt have a background in English teaching either  she has a BFA in Theatre with a focus on directing, and worked previously as a sales manager at a ski resort. But the school really needed  a native speaker, and we needed work, so Teauna learned on the job.Over the next year, Teauna developed a love for English teaching, and I advanced  at my job, eventually learning how to build websites in WordPress and managing a group of about a dozen tourism sites. In the meantime, both of us began 1-to-1 Spanish classes in person with Gisela Carreras. Shes a great teacher, and really got us to fall in love with Spanish  and language learning (shes now our director at LOI Spanish).In the meantime, Teauna and I were o n Skype, talking to our family in the United States. We spent a lot of time talking to my brother Luke about ideas for businesses. I had the ability to  build websites now, and at the time it seemed like that and an idea were all you needed to start a business.Over the course of 2009 we experimented with several business ideas, none of which produced anything interesting. Then, in December of that year Teauna and I were up late talking one night, and everything came together. We had started to get a glimpse of the global demand for English language learning, I knew how to build websites, Teauna could teach English, and we could connect with any student in the world via Skype.Our initial plans were small. We mostly thought Skype classes  could fill Teaunas scheduled during the holidays. But over the course of 2010, we saw more and more interest in the classes, to the point that we had to hire 2 teachers to help. After a month these teachers quit and tried to take all their students w ith them (thankfully they failed). We hired our next teacher, Muireann, who is still teaching with LOI today.During the fall of 2010, Teauna was stuck in another part of Buenos Aires because of traffic, and on the verge of missing a first class with a new student. I had taken many hours of Spanish classes by then, and had overheard a lot of Teaunas English classes. So, I picked up the headset, contacted the student, and told him Id be his teacher that day.From then on, I was  fully committed to LOI. I started teaching classes on a regular basis, and found that I loved meeting students from around the world and teaching them what I knew about English. I saw the enthusiasm our students had for our classes, and realized that this was what I wanted to do.I eventually quit my other job, and devoted myself to LOI  full time. This was not without consequences. Over the course of 2009 we lost our renter for our home in Montana, where the rental market had crashed due to the recession. It wa snt long before we had to make a decision. Go back to the U.S. and get real jobs to keep our house, or stay in Buenos Aires and keep pursing LOI. We couldnt afford our rent in both places. We decided to stay in Buenos Aires, right up until November of 2010, and stayed committed to LOI. In November 2010 we returned to Montana to sell our house.Shortly after arriving in Montana  we discovered we were pregnant with our first child. Around the same time we sold  classes  to 50 new students through Spanish daily deal site Groupalia (its similar to Groupon). So, by January Teauna and I were each giving 10-12 hours of classes per day wed sold our classes so cheap through Groupalia that we had to teach them all. By April our home sold and we moved into a small apartment but LOI kept growing.The company grew quickly in 2011, and by 2012 I had mostly stopped teaching so that I could focus on managing, marketing, and building our own scheduling and curriculum management system. Also, we hav e an amazing group of teachers these days who are much more experienced and qualified than I am.These days I continue to teach a few hours per week, mostly because I enjoy it, but also because I like to stay close to the students and know what our classes are like for them. I also have been taking Spanish, Portuguese and Mandarin classes via Skype for the last five years.Ultimately, I think the biggest reason why I am a co-founder of an online English school is that I enjoy teaching and learning this way, and my ultimate goal is to build the online language learning system that I dream of using myself. This isnt a goal that well really reach its going to be a constant process of refinement and improvement.

Monday Link Roundup (August 7)

Monday Link Roundup (August 7) How Goofing Off Helps Kids LearnOne reason why free time is good for kids: it gives them mental space to process information and build their strengths.What Works for Getting Kids to Enjoy ReadingThe implication of these examples is that books should not just be available, but virtually falling into children’s laps, or at least, visible in as many locations as possible: in the classroom, in every room of the house, in the car, and so on.Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?The article everyones talking about this week: a sobering discussion of the effects of smartphone use on teenagers. Especially applicable in Silicon Valley where it seems like everyone has the latest technology.California State University Officially Ends Long-Time Use of Placement TestsInstead, the school will look at a combination of high school grades, SAT scores, and AP scores to decide if incoming students are ready for college-level work.Why Kids Cant Write |  What Parents Can Do to Nurture Good Writers |  How to Conquer the Admission EssayA solid collection of articles from the New York Times about writing, including a timely piece on writing the college admissions essay. Helpful advice: Choose a topic you really want to write aboutA good topic will be complexDont brag about your achievements. Instead, look at times youve struggled or, even better, failed.Sending Sons Off to College, and Finding Solace in a Big Box StoreCaitlin Flanagans reflection on her twin boys leaving the nest and heading off to college, and the inexplicable emotional draw of Bed Bath Beyond in this moment.Your Go-To Guide for Dorm Room EssentialsStill feeling the need to outfit your childs dorm room after reading Caitlin Flanagans story? Heres your shopping guide, courtesy of the New York Times.

Independence and Confidence are the Key to this Future Engineers Motivation

Independence and Confidence are the Key to this Future Engineers Motivation Independence and Confidence are the Key to this Future Engineers Motivation Shrishant, 12-years-old,MathLevelM Reading Program Completer 12-year-old Shrishant isprepared to take on any challengethat is thrown his way.Whetherhe’scompeting ina schoolspelling bee,enteringa creative writing contest, or evenparticipating inaspeechcompetition, Shrishantalwaysremains confident.Heis dedicated to giveit his all,no matterthe challenge. Confidence and independence have fueled Shrishant’s motivation beyond the classroom.Hecredits Kumon forpaving his path to success. “Kumon has helped mebeyond academics by boosting my confidence in just about anything I do,” saidShrishant. “The ability to study independently allows me to be proactive and assists me in the pursuit of my goals.” Shrishant aspires to become a mechanical engineer.To prepare for his future in engineering,hecompeteson a teamin theFIRST Lego League Robotics Challenge(FLL). The FLLempowersbright students to researchreal-world issuesand developsolutions. The solutions developed by teams include basic STEM applications, critical thinking, presentation skills, andcreativity.In 2017,Shrishant and histeam won the regional competition,andtheycontinue to take pride in their creations. Shrishant’s accomplishments don’t stop there.Hewas one of 56 studentsselected for Kumon’s 3rdAnnual Student Conference in Chicago, Illinois. “I wasoverjoyedand proud of myself when I found out I was selected,” said Shrishant. “The Student Conference was very inspirational, and my favorite part was listening to former Kumon Students.” Shrishantand the rest of the attendees had the opportunity to learn from each other through educational activitiesdesigned tofoster team building, group discussion, critical thinking and creativity. Heshareshighlights from his Kumon journey andrevealswho his inspiration is. What do you enjoy most about Kumon? The thing I enjoy most about Kumon is when Iam working on a new math concept. It’s also so exciting to complete alevel!I feltsucha sense of accomplishment when I completed theKumon Reading Program. How has Kumon helped youacademically? Kumon hashelped me academicallyandI’m now ahead of my peers in school. I can easily understand and grasp concepts quickly. What is the most beneficial thing you’ve learned in Kumon? The most beneficial thing I’ve learned in Kumon is to not procrastinate. Procrastination just leads to more work the next day. Kumon has taught me to remain disciplinedand dedicated to my education. If you could sum up your Kumon experience inone word,what would it be? Inspirational. Who’s your biggest inspiration and why? My biggest inspiration has always beenmy family. My mom, dad, and sister have always supported and motivated me. They give me so many new ideas and I LOVE being around them. They inspire me to do so many things! What was your experience like at the2019 KumonStudent Conference, and what was your favorite part? The Student Conference wassuch an inspiring event. My favorite part was listening to the guest speakers and hearing how Kumon made an impact on their lives. What advicewould you give to kids just starting Kumon? Don’t give up.Yourjourney has just begun. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Motivation is the Key to this Kumon Student’s Success Future Programmer Embraces the Value of STEM Education Discover How This Young Student Has Gained Independence in Math Meet Elina, a Dual Program Completer Who Has Developed Independence in Kumon Independence and Confidence are the Key to this Future Engineers Motivation Independence and Confidence are the Key to this Future Engineers Motivation Shrishant, 12-years-old,MathLevelM Reading Program Completer 12-year-old Shrishant isprepared to take on any challengethat is thrown his way.Whetherhe’scompeting ina schoolspelling bee,enteringa creative writing contest, or evenparticipating inaspeechcompetition, Shrishantalwaysremains confident.Heis dedicated to giveit his all,no matterthe challenge. Confidence and independence have fueled Shrishant’s motivation beyond the classroom.Hecredits Kumon forpaving his path to success. “Kumon has helped mebeyond academics by boosting my confidence in just about anything I do,” saidShrishant. “The ability to study independently allows me to be proactive and assists me in the pursuit of my goals.” Shrishant aspires to become a mechanical engineer.To prepare for his future in engineering,hecompeteson a teamin theFIRST Lego League Robotics Challenge(FLL). The FLLempowersbright students to researchreal-world issuesand developsolutions. The solutions developed by teams include basic STEM applications, critical thinking, presentation skills, andcreativity.In 2017,Shrishant and histeam won the regional competition,andtheycontinue to take pride in their creations. Shrishant’s accomplishments don’t stop there.Hewas one of 56 studentsselected for Kumon’s 3rdAnnual Student Conference in Chicago, Illinois. “I wasoverjoyedand proud of myself when I found out I was selected,” said Shrishant. “The Student Conference was very inspirational, and my favorite part was listening to former Kumon Students.” Shrishantand the rest of the attendees had the opportunity to learn from each other through educational activitiesdesigned tofoster team building, group discussion, critical thinking and creativity. Heshareshighlights from his Kumon journey andrevealswho his inspiration is. What do you enjoy most about Kumon? The thing I enjoy most about Kumon is when Iam working on a new math concept. It’s also so exciting to complete alevel!I feltsucha sense of accomplishment when I completed theKumon Reading Program. How has Kumon helped youacademically? Kumon hashelped me academicallyandI’m now ahead of my peers in school. I can easily understand and grasp concepts quickly. What is the most beneficial thing you’ve learned in Kumon? The most beneficial thing I’ve learned in Kumon is to not procrastinate. Procrastination just leads to more work the next day. Kumon has taught me to remain disciplinedand dedicated to my education. If you could sum up your Kumon experience inone word,what would it be? Inspirational. Who’s your biggest inspiration and why? My biggest inspiration has always beenmy family. My mom, dad, and sister have always supported and motivated me. They give me so many new ideas and I LOVE being around them. They inspire me to do so many things! What was your experience like at the2019 KumonStudent Conference, and what was your favorite part? The Student Conference wassuch an inspiring event. My favorite part was listening to the guest speakers and hearing how Kumon made an impact on their lives. What advicewould you give to kids just starting Kumon? Don’t give up.Yourjourney has just begun. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Motivation is the Key to this Kumon Student’s Success Future Programmer Embraces the Value of STEM Education Discover How This Young Student Has Gained Independence in Math Meet Elina, a Dual Program Completer Who Has Developed Independence in Kumon