GCSE Geography Revision Tips, Tricks, and Strategies

GCSE Geography Revision Tips, Tricks, and Strategies We're Here to Help with GCSE Exam Preparation. ChaptersRevising Geography DifferentlyWhat Geography OffersOnline Revision Resources for GCSE GeographyCase StudiesFind Geographical Information in Newspapers and MagazinesGCSE Textbooks and Revision WorkbooksUsing Past Papers for Geography GCSEsPreparing for Geography Exams with a Private TutorRelaxing, and Self-CareConclusionRevising for your examinations can be a little stressful. It can be frustrating, a little dull, and often lonely. We all feel like this when working on our own towards assessments which our teachers tell us are of the utmost importance or completely crucial to our lives.This pressure is not entirely fair. You know that it’s not exactly the most helpful thing in the world and, as you get older, you’ll see that it’s also not actually entirely true. SerenaGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoelGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChloeGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Matth ewGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidGeography Teacher 5.00 (10) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConnieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LaurieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsRevising Geography DifferentlyBelow, you’ll find some tips and guidance about how to excel in your revision. But first, let’s try and change the way we think about exam preparation.Firstly, no matter what happens, it’s not the end of the world. GCSE exams are important, yes, but you needn’t strain yourself or push yourself far too hard in the subjects you are studying. As you’ve probably heard, to study efficiently and effectively is better than working hard. Secondly, let’s try to cultivate an enjoyment of the subject you are studying. This doesn’t mean that you have to love every bit. But you will find revision much easie r if you can appreciate at least some parts of the curriculum. A small proportion is enough. So, sit down and think through the syllabus, and try to recognise a favourite part. Or alternatively, think about something that you enjoy and try to fit it into the framework of the exam â€" as this will encourage you to revise a little more.A meander - every geography student's favourite landform, for some reason.What Geography OffersWhen it comes to geography â€" whether human geography or physical geography â€" you will find that there will be things that do interest you. If you have ever been interested in injustice in the world, you might benefit from delving further into ideas such as the urban environment, globalization and development, and global warming.If, on the other hand, you have always been someone who likes science â€" chemistry maybe, or biology â€" you could spend more time thinking about the ecology or geology parts of your programme.Geography is interesting and, whilst y ou may not immediately think so, it is such a broad subject that there must be at least one thing that makes you want to pay closer attention. So, before anything else, find that thing, and let your appreciation of it help with moving you towards your examination and your subsequent achievement. It’s worth taking a moment to do this, as it will help your enthusiasm in the long run. Online Revision Resources for GCSE GeographyOnce you have thought about what you like, it’s time to get started. And one of the best ways to begin â€" interactive, enjoyable, and effective in its attempt to get facts to actually stick â€" is through the internet.There are hundreds of different resources available and, over your course of revision, you’ll find the ones that suit you best. BBC BitesizeBBC’s Bitesize is an institution, having provided students of geography and other subjects with articles, information, and quizzes that are clear, fun, and engaging. Whether it’s cultural geography y ou are studying or something like hydrology â€" the fancy term for the study of water â€" you’ll find all the fundamental facts that you require for your geography course.Revision WorldA competitor to Bitesize is Revision World, a site that compiles information on every topic in your geography specification. Whilst this site is less interactive in its approach â€" as it is merely a compilation of texts â€" the details given are comprehensive. It’s a perfect site for those looking for quick facts and concepts. They cover everything from coastal and river landscape to population, resource management, and tectonic activity.Internet GeographyFinally, for this section, try Internet Geography. This is a website that focuses mainly on physical geography, from coasts and erosion to environmental problems, earthquakes, and ecosystems. Whilst not specifically directed towards your course, it is a great resource for those looking to find information which isn’t immediate, obvious, and wh ich the examiners haven’t necessarily seen a hundred times before.An incredible geography case study for urbanisation: La Paz, Bolivia.Case StudiesAll geography topics at GCSE will have a relevant case study that you will need to research and know. These are important as they tie the theoretical ideas that you will be taught to the real world in which we live. Whether it’s on the preparation for an outcome of a particular volcano or earthquake, or on the management of space within the boundaries of a city, case studies will make you look at the world outside of your classroom.How best can you learn these things then? As said above, you should first find a case study that you know or that might be interesting to you. Do you live in a big city that might be interesting to think about in terms of urban geography? Do you remember a particular earthquake â€" or have you been to a place that experienced one recently? A personal attachment to the case study will make you more intereste d in the topic! SerenaGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoelGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChloeGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MatthewGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidGeography Teacher 5.00 (10) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConnieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LaurieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsFind Geographical Information in Newspapers and MagazinesWe have been talking about finding ways to enjoy your studying. For a learner this is key! Yet, we have not mentioned one of the most interesting ways to develop the breadth of your knowledge of the topics you have studied.This is reading newspapers and magazines. Whilst you might think that only adults read these things, they are super helpful in giving you up-to-date information on every different subject. Try a newspaper like The Guardian or The Times, or a beautiful magazine like National Geographic or Geographical. Just flick through them and see what you find, but we bet that you’ll come across something that both interests you and is relevant to your course.GCSE Textbooks and Revision WorkbooksIn terms of taking in geographical knowledge, then, the final important resource that you can use is textbooks, workbooks, and revision books. These will be designed to fit your course â€" in terms of content and exam structure â€" and so will make up an important part of the organisation of your revision.In these books â€" from CGP, My Revision Notes, and Revise Edexcel, just as examples â€" will be explained the fundamental concepts for your course â€" alongside every different requirement of your particular exam board. They are listed here last as people often rely too much on these books, copying by rote the information included and looking nowhere else. This isn’t advised, as it is usually this that makes revision experiences so unpleasant!Using Past Papers for Geography GCSEsAs you will see in our article on GCSE geography past papers, an essential part of your revision timetable should be dedicated to these. Whilst people often recoil from them in horror, they are incredibly helpful â€" and, once finished, they can give you a real sense of satisfaction.Past papers are great for giving you a sense of the knowledge you have gained during your revision and the areas that you still need to teach yourself. This is essential to keeping track of your progression, and it can be a real reassurance that you can actually do it!It also helps you nail your exam technique and makes you aware of the pace you need to go at to finish the exam on time. This, as the examiner’s report will make clear, is one of the main problems that a geography pupil might face â€" so give this your attention too!Preparing for Geography Ex ams with a Private TutorIf you are still struggling with maybe cartography, reading tables, understanding a particular model, or in another of the key skills you will need for your exam, you can get in touch with a private tutor. These will explain or help to walk you through every conceptual issue that you might be facing, and they are, more often than not, university alumni who are very experienced and knowledgeable in their field.Superprof is a great place to find such a tutor â€" for sessions over Skype, or in person, wherever you are.Once you've finished your geography revision, remember to do something relaxing, please.Relaxing, and Self-CareThis, finally, is the most important point of all: during the whole process of revision, make sure that you are well-rested, well-fed, and well-supported by friends and family. Revising is hard and, at the end of the day, you are absolutely entitled to relax and chill out. There is no point working so hard that you fall asleep at your desk !Remember that revision is not a competition, so seek the help of your friends and family â€" as they may well have the answers to the questions with which you are struggling.Good luck!ConclusionIf you are an A Level student, try our guides to A Level geography past papers and A Level geography revision. There's a general guide to geography revision as well.

Photography Tips for Different Types of Photography

Photography Tips for Different Types of Photography Photography Techniques for Taking Different Types of Photography ChaptersWhat is Contemporary Photography?What is Humanist Photography?Landscape Photography TipsPhotographs that Have Marked HistoryThe Evolution of Food PhotographyPhotojournalism, aerial photography, landscape photography, portrait photography, digital photography, artistic photography… the art of taking photographs is anything but limited.Whether you’re a professional photographer or an amateur, every genre of photography is open for you to express your creativity!The profession of photography is also incredibly accessible thanks to the many avenues that can be pursued when it comes to training for a career in the area.But just how much do you know about the origins of the art and the cultures within it?To be a photographer is also to have an appreciation for the history of photography and bear it in mind when creating your own photographic art.If you’re a beginner and considering getting into photography, what do you need to know before you get started; what are the photogr aphy basics? AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is Contemporary Photography?Throughout the history of photography, the artistic styles used within the practice of taking photographs have been incredibly varied.From the emergence of photography towards the end of the 19th century to the growth in popularity of Instagram in the last few years, photographers have come a long way.So, what is meant by the term ‘contemporary photography’?Often referred to as modern photography by amateur photographers, contemporary photography corresponds to an era defined by precise dates.Contemporary photography includes every photograph taken from the year 1980 until the modern day â€" that’s quite a large photo album!Even the photographs you post on Instagram are classed as Modern Photography! ¦ source: Pixabay - Webster2703Sandro Miller, Sabine Pigalle, Thomas Ruff, Terry Richardson and Richard Avedon are just a few of the many contemporary photographers who have brought artistry to the world of photography.Any budding photographer must be aware of the different movements within contemporary photography.One such movement is that of fine art photography.This movement is defined by photographic works which are more creative than documentary photography found in the press. They exist to communicate the creative vision of their artists (or photographers), rather than to document specific e vents.Other contemporary movements within the discipline of photography include subjective photography, which is a depiction of the artist’s inner psyche rather than the outside world.Fashion photography is also a large part of photography in the modern age. This fashion photographer holds an extremely important position in contemporary society.What is Humanist Photography?Artists including Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Capa emerged as humanist photographers in France in the period between the world wars.During the aftermath of the Second World War, France was in a state of devastation.Its economy was in tatters and everything has to be rebuilt. The horrors of war had shocked and scarred the minds of many.Amongst the distress, certain photographers sought to capture the simple pleasures that they saw in life on camera.Robert Doisneau photographed a couple kissing in the street. This photograph became the symbol of the incredibly French artistic movement that is humanist photogr aphy across the globe.Artist puts Man at the heart of their creativity.The most popular subjects among humanist photographers are men, women and children going about their daily lives. Schoolchildren, labourers, housewives… everyone is important to the humanist photographer.This movement went strength to strength as more and more artists began to see art in the everyday.Some photographers were particularly interested in photographing the societies of certain defining periods of history.This style of photography is close to war photography and photo journalism.This era also saw the birth of the very first photography agency in 1947: Magnum Photos.Photographers became more independent in their work and had an opportunity to choose their own subjects and develop a personal style. Most of their photos were published in magazines such as Life and Paris-Match.Humanist photography remains a popular area for exploration among modern-day photographers.This documentary-style of photography is largely used in news articles, but it is also displayed in art galleries. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLandscape Photography TipsAnother popular genre is landscape photography.Landscape photography is as old as photography itself. Throughout the history of taking pictures, landscapes have fascinated professional as well as amateur photographers.Landscape photographers capture the essence of a landscape or scene. If you decide to learn more about photography in online photography courses or on beginner photography courses, you'll learn all about white balance, the aperture of a lens, shutter speed and editing images with photoshop.So, what do the experts recommend when it comes to taking photographs of landscapes?There are several things you should consider if you want to get the most out of the landscape and your equipment.Be inspired by nature as a landscape photographer ¦ source: Pixabay - bosmanerwinFirstly, you need to choose the right material. Choosing the right material doesn’t mean buying the best quality and therefore most expensive equipment. You need to define your needs as a photographer before you begin your search for equipment.Most photographers advise that you use a tripod. This will help to stabilise the camera, which will ensure sharper photos and give you the opportunity to take long-exposure shots.You should also work on your composition. To do thi s, you will need to practice choosing a good frame and working with the rule of thirds.As an amateur photographer, this is the best piece of advice I have ever been given: either rise early or sleep late.This advice is based on the fact that the sunlight at dawn and dusk makes for more aesthetically appealing photographs as sunrises and sunsets bring an aspect of originality to a scene, casting shadows and contrast.This can also be true for the weather.Thunder and lightning, rain, and fog can bring a particular ambience to a landscape which makes for interesting nature photography.So, zip up your coat and go outdoors, even when the weather isn’t so inviting â€" you will be rewarded!As a photographer, you should try to find inspiration in the everyday. Whether it’s looking for a good landscape photos while walking your dog or taking note of the best places to see the sun set, working within areas that are familiar to you will help you regularly practice your photography skills as well as expand your portfolio.You can also look to other photographers for ideas on the direction in which to take your work.Of course, taking inspiration from others doesn’t mean copying them, but understanding what you like about their style.Landscape photography is first and foremost about knowing how to observe and capture your favourite element of the scenery in a photograph.Photographs that Have Marked HistoryThere are many famous photographs which have captured the minds of the public.Whether it’s because they’re particularly striking or thought-provoking, these images span a variety of genres and carry different messages.So, what are the names of these big-impact pictures?The Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville - Robert DoisneauThe Vulture and the Little Girl - Kevin CarterAfghan Girl - Steve McCurryTank Man - Jeff WidenerHeart in Voh - Yann Arthus BertrandV-J Day in Times Square - Alfred EisenstaedtNapalm Girl - Nick UtThe Agony of Omayra Sànchez - Frank FournierManaus Woma n Resisting Eviction - Luiz VasconcelosSaigon Execution - Eddie AdamsThe Death of Aylan - Nilüfer DemirPortrait of Che Guevara - Alberto KordaThe Falling Man - Richard DrewBliss - Charles O’RearThe Burning Monk - Malcolm BrowneBehind each one of there photographs lies a story.The story of a man, of a woman, or the destiny of a Buddhist or revolutionary.These are unforgettable stories which have marked history and humanity by being caught on camera.The Evolution of Food PhotographyWe’ve all taken photographs of successful recipes and restaurant meals before.In recent years, there has been a surge in popularity of culinary photography for both amateur and professional photographers.Culinary photography is a type of commercial photography and a genuine profession â€" but who do you end up working for?Professional culinary photographers can work completely independently if they so wish. The main type of work you will find as a food photographer will be working with businesses on th eir advertisements.Good cookery books need good photographers to sell them! ¦ source: Pixabay - RitaEWhether you work with restaurants or producers, you’ll never be short of places to look for clients.It is also possible that you will become a full-time employee of a business as a culinary photographer. For instance, you may find yourself taking pictures to appear in cookbooks.After all, what would be the appeal of a recipe book without photographs to tempt you to try them?If you want to get into the business of culinary photography, all you have to do is take a photography course on the subject!Photography is first and foremost an art, and culinary photography is the still life painting of the photography world.By taking lessons in photography, you will learn about working with different photography techniques and learn to understand how natural light can affect an image.Once you have learned and mastered the basics of photography, you’ll be ready to specialise in any area you wish with advanced photography classes, which may include tutorials on portraiture, street photography or studio photography.Taking a photography class can give you the level of skill you need to learn how to shoot photographs professionally and pursue a career in your passion.It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on what other photographers are doing. Follow the Instagram accounts that inspire you as you improve your photography skills and develop your personal style.So, whether you'd simply like some home photography tips and tricks from a professional instructor, or you're considering a career as a photojournalist, taking photography lessons can help you take your shooting to the next level.

SAT II Test Online SAT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace

SAT II Test Online SAT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace SAT II is a group of 20 standardized tests taken by high school students in 20 different subject areas. SAT II is also known as the SAT II Subject tests, where students take the tests in specific subjects of their choice. SAT I and SAT II differ from each other in various aspects as SAT I examines the ability of the student in general reading, writing and math skills. However, SAT II measures the academic knowledge of students in various specific subjects such as Mathematics, Sciences, Social Sciences, History, Foreign languages etc. High school students take these subject tests to gain admission in their desired colleges or universities. Students can choose the subject they would like to get tested on depending on their knowledge in that subject. However, sometimes certain colleges and universities prefer students taking the subject test in few specific subjects only based on their requirement for admission criteria. Therefore, it is recommended for the students to first find out if there is any entrance requirement of the colleges only on particular subjects, so that the students can take only those subject tests. An SAT II subject test consists of multiple choice questions and students must choose the right answer from the given set of options. Students should be careful while answering questions because there is negative penalty for wrong answers. Therefore it is better for the student not guess many questions cause if they are wrong, then the points will be deducted from the already existing score.

Start to Learn the Guitar Some Tips!

Start to Learn the Guitar Some Tips! Wondering How to Learn Guitar? Read On. ChaptersThe Desire to Play Guitar is the Only Motivation Needed to LearnWhy Do You Want to Learn Guitar?A Few Additional Questions Before You Start to LearnYou’re Ready to Begin Your Lessons: Do You Need a Teacher?Learning to Play the Guitar Without a TeacherLearning to Play the Guitar with a Guitar TeacherThere is Always a Way to Learn the GuitarThe guitar is definitely one of the instruments that most fascinates and attracts music amateurs - due, generally, to both its cool and its ubiquity.At first, it seems easy to learn how to play the guitar. And damn right. You have the basic chords down, you can play songs that go down well with a little audience, and you've even tried some fancy guitar tricks.Your fingers are itching, you want to play your idol’s solos, whether to impress your girlfriend or simply for your own enjoyment.Except that you’ve never learned guitar before formally and you don’t know how to do it: do you need to get a guitar lesson or two? Or can you learn the guitar yourself with a book, a guitar course, a DVD, or with free guitar lessons near me? Or else seek help from a friend, who might show you a few guitar basics?In this article we'll try to answer some of these questions - and show the beginner guitar enthusiast that they too can learn how to play guitar beautifully and impressively.But, honestly, there ain't no 'best guitar method' for you to learn the fretboard, guitar chords, and all those songs to learn. Sorry, that's a lie. The only guaranteed method is practice, practice, and more guitar practice.Before learning how to play the guitar, it is essential to be in a good state of mind: not only the desire to play, but above all being prepared to learn, because practicing guitar, like any musical instrument, requires hours of learning and with that all of the highs and lows, its moments of joy and its difficulties.Nonetheless, fun remains an important vehicle: if there is no joy in playing the guitar, there is no reason to con tinue. It’s only by being enthusiastic, passionate, and invested in the learning process that you will progress and play those classic blues guitar or rock guitar songs.Honestly, what's even the point otherwise? If you can't sit for hours enjoying practising your barre chords or power chords, why are you even bothering? If you don't enjoy learning new guitar licks or guitar songs, what are you doing it for? If you don't care to learn fingerpicking or the pentatonic, why are you even here on this page?Why Do You Want to Learn Guitar?That is the first question you must ask yourself before learning how to play the guitar. Before taking guitar lessons or watching tutorials and other videos on the Internet, ask yourself one sole question to save time: Why do you want to learn to play guitar?Is it to play Bach on a classical guitar?Do you want to learn to play chords, rhythm guitar, and fingerstyle to accompany your singing?Do you want to learn to play your favorite songs and play the a mazing guitar solos and guitar music by your favorite star (Slash for example)?Become a guitar virtuoso and strum at full speed on the neck like Satriani?Play folk music to have a nice time with your friends?In answering these questions, you will determine the musical style you want to learn. Depending on your tastes and your likes, you have the choice of rockabilly, grunge, or punk, but also traditional blues, rock blues, electric blues, gypsy jazz, pop, country, reggae, free jazz guitar, etc.Once this first essential question has been answered - and you have considered the option of beginner guitar lessons - you can move on to serious matters: learning how to play the guitar.A Few Additional Questions Before You Start to LearnHow Do I Choose my First Guitar?To learn to play the guitar, you have 3 main options in terms of the instrument: classical guitar, folk guitar, or electric guitar (there are other guitars, but we will focus on these three in this article).The classical guitar is an acoustic guitar with nylon strings, which are good for beginners who experience finger pain. The other advantage of the acoustic guitar is that it is easily transportable, without needing an electrical hook-up. A guitar like the Yamaha C40 A is ideal for a beginner.The folk guitar looks like an acoustic guitar except that it has metal strings. It allows you to play different musical styles, including rock, folk, blues, country, jazz, or pop. Why not try the Cort Earth Acoustic model?Finally, the electric guitar: it needs to be plugged in to an amplifier to be played. Equipped with metal chords, you can play all styles of music with it, including blues and especially purely electric styles like metal or hard rock. The GRG 170M is perfect for beginners.How Do I Buy My First Guitar?To buy your first guitar, the ideal situation is to be able to try it out in a music store; however, if you don’t know how to play at all, ask a salesperson to play a few chords so that you can hear the sound.It’s an excellent occasion to begin to exercise your guitarist’s ear and to give yourself a better idea about your preferences. There are also very nice used guitars on the Internet that are less expensive, but you will not be able to benefit from the advice of a knowledgeable professional.Concerning the price, it’s pointless to pay a fortune for your first guitar. Your tastes and your level will evolve with time and practice.To start out, a first guitar that costs between $100 and $200 will do quite nicely.Do not go for the cheapest price because it will not be of sufficient quality: a $50 guitar is more of a toy than it is a real musical instrument.Today, thanks to the Internet, there are online guitar lessons, videos, tutorials, and ebooks that show you how to begin the guitar. It is possible to learn how to play without an teacher, but you run the risk of adopting bad habits and not being corrected.Another questions arises: do you want to just practice when you have an itch or do you have a real desire to learn to master, as much as possible, this incredible musical instrument?In choosing between the two options, you’ll be able choose the type of teaching best suited to you.If you just want to strum your guitar for your own enjoyment, your approach to the guitar will be simpler: you will learn a few basicsâ€"how to position your fingers on the neck, how to hold your pick or play with your fingersâ€"and you will learn the principle guitar chord shapes, the major and minor chords, and then you will be free to play guitar as you like.If you have a real desire to learn and master the guitar, your learning process will demand more rigor, more discipline. If you want to learn complex chord progressions, ear training, and fingerstyle guitar, generally, with a teacher, you will increase your knowledge of the instrument and get advice on how to play (the positioning of your hands, your back, corrections on your rhythm, etc). You will benefit from personalized attention from a professional who will follow your progress. If this is you, guitar lessons for beginners are probably the best option.No matter your choice, just know that you’ll get nowhere with the guitar by snapping your fingers; you will have to work at it. Also, your choice of learning style will depend on your personality, your taste, and your desire to progress with the guitar.Learning to Play the Guitar Without a TeacherThe Autodidact RouteNumerous artists were self-taught (Eric Clapton, Slash, Hendrix, and even Joe Perry) but it should be noted that at the time, the network of teaching methods and education was much less developed than today, and numerous schools of teaching specific to the guitar didn’t exist then.Bear in mind: autodidact does not necessarily mean learning on your own.The majority of musicians cited above learned at the feet of other musicians. By joining a group, playing with more experienced guitarists, they were absorbed into the univ erse of the guitar: they observed, listened, discussed their experiences, and this considerably enriched their knowledge of the guitar as well as their practice. Guitar instruction is not only given by formal teachers.Playing in a group, they trained their musical ears to correct their errors.Being exposed to other guitar players is an incredible learning opportunity. It's one of the most inspiring parts of the guitar.Learning to Play According to a Particular Guitar MethodToday, if you decide to work in a completely autonomous fashion, there are methods; your work can be simplified through numerous online courses, audio and/or video.No matter your level (beginner, intermediate, or advanced), there is a guitar course made for you - and often even free lessons for guitar online.These “methods” have a downside: they require great discipline on your part.If you can’t manage to choose a method that works for you, plan out your practice time, and organize yourself, you will will fa il somewhere along the way.It’s up to you to decide whether you are capable of self-discipline: if you are not, it’s better to avoid that option so that you don’t run straight into the wall.Learning the guitar without a teacher means spending even more time working, in order to obtain the same result, than if you have someone to correct you.The Main Risk is Abandoning the Guitar while You are Still LearningOne of the biggest dangers when we learn alone is getting discouraged: you have no one to support you, to assist you, or to tell you “come on, concentrate, it’s normal, that’s part of learning!”Do not abandon your guitar lessons.It’s not that you need more time to learn more quickly: even the the guitar masters say that learning a musical instrument like the guitar can take a lifetime.The important thing is to make a plan for yourself and to follow it: no need to force yourself to play one hour every day (unless you want to!) because you will get tired quickly, but try for between 15 and 30 minutes each day (or every other day), at a set hour, and you will see progress.Finally, learning the guitar means combining practice and theory with dexterity.Even if it’s possible to skip theory at the beginning (learning the notes, music theory, reading the chords, reading the tablature), there inevitably comes a moment when you have to learn it.Some Advice for Learning the Guitar on Your OwnLearning to play the guitar without taking private lessons is always possible.But very often, beginners abandon the guitar through lack of self-confidence, lack of time and availability, lack of conviction or motivation, or because their fingers hurt from practicing.Yes, you can learn the guitar practising solo!But to learn to play the guitar, especially when you want to do it on your own, there is just one way: you must practice, over and over.1. The Internet has it all: the bad and the good.Start by researching the different online teaching sites, there are doze ns that offer guitar lessons.They will be an excellent addition to your regular training.There is also more of a chance of finding precise answers to your questions on those sites. 2. If you want to copy the style of your favorite guitarist, learn to identify his level.If after a few weeks you are at the level of your favorite guitarist, either you have a gift, or it would be better to pick a more competent musician. 3. Explore the instrument itself.Learn the names and functions of each of the parts that make up your guitar, discover for yourself how these parts interact with one another, discover how your guitar works.The more familiar you are with your guitar, the better you’ll be at mastering it.4. When you decide to learn a chord, try to do it in all possible ways.By performing this exercise of playing the same chord in different ways, you will improve in speed and in finger agility. 5. Practice for a minimum of thirty minutes a day if possible, 4 or 5 days a week.In order to progress and continue, your brain needs to be fed the guitar day in and day out.This will develop your ear, your concentration, and you will improve the technique and coordination of your left hand in relation to your right hand, as well as the muscle memory of your left hand in relation to the guitar.No need to really play each chord: try practicing them in silence, try new hand positions, for example, while you’re watching TV.Since memorization is more difficult for the left hand than it is for the right (if you’re right-handed), it’s recommended to practice with both hands regularly.When you aren’t concentrating on your hands (the example of the TV is perfect for this), you are more relaxed, less tense.Once you’ve memorized the finger positioning for a chord, reproduce it on the neck of the guitar and check to see that the position is correct.With time, you will look at your left hand less and less and you will gain confidence.6. Reinforce the muscles in your left hand if you’re right-handed and do the opposite if you’re left-handed.To do this, squeeze a tennis ball or a similar object for 5 minutes.By exerting small amounts of pressure like this daily, you will strengthen your forearm and all of the muscles that make up your hand.Goodbye to after-practice cramps!7. Learn to accept frustration.Why not get on stage yourself? It's a great way to see how much guitar you have learned.As with all learning, you’re going to have highs and lows with the guitar, encountering the intoxication of the perfect chord progression, that beautiful sound, and the hell of stagnation, where you feel like you don’t know anything. Unless you’re an ultra-gifted guitarist, you’re going to need to learn that there are, like with everything, many steps to be taken to become an excellent guitar player.Whatever happens, keep practicing, don’t let yourself be overwhelmed by this negative feeling. With the guitar, it’s the same thing; you will need to work, wor k again and again in order to get to a higher level.If you like precision, quality, you must concentrate every day in regular practice.Feel free to work on different aspects of your instrument, like tonality, speed, finesse, precision, the chords.Little by little, you’ll succeed in perfecting your mastery of the guitar.8. Take a piece that you listen to a lot, put it on in the background, and try to play the guitar parts.This is one of the best approaches to take pleasure in playing the guitar.For those who can’t read sheet music or don’t know music theory, learn to decipher the tablature, it’s a proven technique that will help you tremendously.9. Develop your ear and test your ability to recognize when you play out of tune and when it sounds right.This takes a certain amount of time, but with mastery of your instrument, you will improve your hearing little by little. Learn to identify your mistakes, to notice when you play out of tune or when you’re no longer playing at t he proper rhythm. Don’t hesitate to take notes or ask for outside advice. 10. If you have a friend who’s a guitarist, try to meet regularly to play together.Even if he’s better than you, you will learn a lot by playing side by side, both in terms of technique and your overall understanding of music. Watch him play, listen to him, ask him questions. Try to imitate him, pay attention to his movements and ask him to correct you if necessary.11. If you have audio editing software, select certain parts of your favorite pieces in order to work on them.With Audacity (the most well known) or even GarageBand, you can take advantage of the best free sequencers to make guitar recordings and a proper program that allows you to create and edit music.Beyond that are multi-track recording studios.12. Why not whistle or sing while you play guitar?This will develop your musicality, your sense of rhythm, and your hearing.Replay the tunes you’ve learned, try to achieve the same tonality, the s ame rhythm.Feel free to use a metronome to fix your playing.  And improvise!Learning to Play the Guitar Alone: the Online Course ApproachThanks to many possibilities available on the web, you will be able to start with the guitar as well as perfect it.Be aware, however, that even if the videos are well made for the most part, this doesn’t replace the presence of a professional guitar instructor who would be there to correct you and watch that you’re doing the right thing.Online videos are very well made, but be careful not to automatically go to YouTube channels where you will find both good and (more often) the not so good.With online videos, you can learn pieces by your favorite bands and singers, such as U2, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Oasis, The Beatles, Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Blur, etc.The advantage of online guitar courses is that the playful aspect remains intact: you can accept challenges, follow a curriculum, earn rewards, get a report on your progress, etc.Most of the time, each online course is given by an expert in his specialized area.Nonetheless, this approach also has its inconveniences: for one thing, as the courses are online, you must have a broadband Internet connection or access to 3G at a minimum, otherwise the quality of the videos will suffer.The other downside is the subscription: generally monthly, you must have one to take advantage of the long term course programs.But there is some good in this negative point, in the need to show perseverance: by paying, you will perhaps have the feeling that you must “get a return on your investment,” so you’ll hang in there a little longer.And lastly there’s an economic aspect: paying $20 monthly on the internet or taking a weekly course with an teacher, the cost isn’t the same.Learning to Play the Guitar with a Guitar TeacherIt’s important to choose the right guitar teacher for you.The Classical WayHaving a teacher as you learn an instrument like the guitar is like having a gui de; that’s why it’s important to truly find “your” guitar teacher, one who suits you, one who understands your desires, your expectations, your style of music.There’s no reason to meet with a teacher of classical music if you want to play rock or blues, you will waste your time and your money, as well as the teacher’s. And, in the end, you will lose your motivation and you’ll abandon the guitar.It’s important that the teacher is attentive to the sensibilities of the student, that he employ pedagogy to lead the student towards meaningful progress.Music, and especially for the guitar, needs to be a partnership, the kind of association between devotees where each will develop and at the same time contribute to the evolution of the others.By finding your guitar teacher, your style of learning the guitar will completely change in relation to someone learning on their own. It’s in the very structure of the teaching that the changes will take place.With the Internet, wher e you’re holed up in your room, you take the risk of being distracted, of turning towards any number of things that have no connection to your original plan.Once you have learned to play guitar, you can busk too!The teacher is going to give you directions to follow but these directions will be modular according to your desires, your progress. This is the added value that a teacher represents in learning the guitar: he’s going to deliver an effective work method, teach you to concentrate, know how to lift your morale if you face setbacks or if you stagnate.Returning to this idea that learning the guitar is a partnership, the relationship between the guitar teacher and the student is formed like this: between the two, there is a constant exchange, questions and answers that will enrich one another.A teacher who gives guitar courses delivers adviceâ€"some of which you might be able to find on the Internet but in a one-dimensional wayâ€"in which theory is connected to action right a way.The guitar teacher explains, demonstrates, plays and the student reproduces, practices, and, gradually, he will start to become an accomplished guitarist who, no matter what level he reaches, will have strong foundations.With a teacher, you will benefit from tips that help you simplify your life and more than anything else you’ll have a reliable outside opinion; instead of concentrating on yourself, which prevents you from seeing your inevitable faults, a teacher will point what is wrong and, to the same extent, further encourage you if everything is going well.This process of emulation, this awareness, this encouragement, will enable you to progress more than any online course you might do alone in your home.Another positive point is that you learn much more quickly next to a professional than alone.Nonetheless, learning the guitar with a teacher can also also have its negative points: you should understand that this instruction has a cost and represents a significant persona l investment to pay for it.Another negative point is that there are not always teachers available in every city in the United States and perhaps not near you; you’ll need to travel many miles to learn to play your guitar, but your passion is worth a few small compromises, right?Learning the guitar at a conservatoryThere are dozens of respected music conservatories across the U.S. (Julliard in New York, Berklee in Boston, Cleveland Institute of Music, etc.), and the degree-granting institutions offer multi-year programs to those who get in. They are often very competitive.Many medium to large cities also have smaller conservatories that offer guitar lessons to the public, and generally last 30 minutes to 1 hour.There is Always a Way to Learn the GuitarNo matter what, learning the guitar is always possible; if you want do it in your home, by playing with friends, or by carrying your case to a teacher who gives specialized courses or even going to courses at a music school (or even a conservatory), there is always a way to combine the practical with the enjoyable in playing the guitar.The constant is that you must continue working at it, whether you go it alone or accompanied by a teacher.Everything goes well as you learn to play the guitar when you are passionate and motivated, so it’s important to find the right approach that serves you best in terms of learning.If you truly want to learn to play the guitar, feel free to ask around, especially at the instrument stores, where you’ll find the obligatory little guitar course announcements, and if you’re still hesitant, ask for advice from a salesmen, who can point you to a professional.

Switch Off - Phrasal Verb of the Day

Switch Off - Phrasal Verb of the Day Todays phrasal verb of the day is: Switch OffInfinitive form: Switch OffPresent Tense: Switch Off/ Switches Offing form: Switching OffPast tense: Switched OffPast Participle: Switched OffSwitch Off is a separable English phrasal verb. It is used in the context written below:When you change the controls of a mechanical device such as light switch, and stop it from doing something. It is synonymous to Turn Off. The antonym of this phrase is Turn On or Switch On1. Leizyl cant sleep with the lights on, so she makes it a point to switch the lights off before she goes to bed.2. Its a good thing indeed, that Jean had switched off the fire alarm before everyone starts to panic. After all, there wasnt any fire at all.iframe width=560 height=315 src=//www.youtube.com/embed/Ucl39bzzd-M?rel=0 frameborder=0 allowfullscreen/iframeExercises: Write your answers in comments and we will correct them. Fill in the gaps from the video above:I must ____ ___ the appliances.  My employees are most anxious a bout the size of their footprint.Based on the short clip, why is there a sense of urgency? Whats happened?Complete the sentences below with the correct form of Switch Off.1.I dont believe in monsters! says Eric. Oh yeah? So why do you freak out when I start  ____ the lights ___?  asks his sister.2. Well, I thought I saw something! Eric replied. Ill leave the lights on, then. You can ____ them ___ when youve calmed down, okay? his sister said.3. Eric thought that it would be a good idea to sleep with the lights on, so he ____ ___ the main light but kept his bedside lamp on.4. Dont just press the power button to ____ the computer ___. It helps if you shut it down properly by pressing the Shut Down button.5. Did you know that you can reset or powercycle your phone by ____ it ___ for a few minutes, then turning it back on?Change the example sentences above to negative sentences (or positive, if the sentence is already negative). Then change them to questions.

TutorZ Works Well for German Tutor Walter Bachmann

TutorZ Works Well for German Tutor Walter Bachmann TutorZ works well for German and French tutor Walter Bachmann of  Clarkston, MI. In an email to TutorZ founder Dirk Wagner, Walter writes: Im getting quite some requests trough tutorz.com, so therefore I invested $20.00. Your website works and gets attention! Thank you. Kind regards, Walter B. Thank you very much for your nice words, Walter. Being a fellow German tutor I like to addEs ist uns bei TutorZ eine Freude Ihnen zu Diensten zu sein. Walter is located in Clarkston, MI. Should you be looking for a German tutor elsewhere find a good German tutor nearby your home. Auf Wiedersehen TutorZ Works Well for German Tutor Walter Bachmann TutorZ works well for German and French tutor Walter Bachmann of  Clarkston, MI. In an email to TutorZ founder Dirk Wagner, Walter writes: Im getting quite some requests trough tutorz.com, so therefore I invested $20.00. Your website works and gets attention! Thank you. Kind regards, Walter B. Thank you very much for your nice words, Walter. Being a fellow German tutor I like to addEs ist uns bei TutorZ eine Freude Ihnen zu Diensten zu sein. Walter is located in Clarkston, MI. Should you be looking for a German tutor elsewhere find a good German tutor nearby your home. Auf Wiedersehen

Dual Program Completers Love of Music Leads to Giving Back

Dual Program Completer’s Love of Music Leads to Giving Back Dual Program Completer’s Love of Music Leads to Giving Back A native of the Cincinnati area of Ohio, Natasha has been an avid piano player since the age of four. She has wowed the audience through six solo performances at the world-famous venue Carnegie Hall. Natasha says on getting nervous, “I don’t really feel the pressure because I actually enjoy playing the piano. I want to get better for myself.” Natasha also demonstrates her musical talent on the clarinet and performs with her high school marching band. She enjoys band because “everyone is united.” Natasha’s impressive accolades also include being a top Kumon Student. She enrolled in Kumon Math at six years old and in Kumon Reading at nine year old. By the time she was in sixth grade, Natasha reached Level J in both Kumon Math and Reading. Natasha soared through the Kumon Reading Program in just five years. Now in her sophomore year of high school, Natasha also recently completed the Kumon Math Program, making her a distinguished dual program completer. Her favorite subject is math and she likes that school math feels like a review. After a piano performance at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Natasha decided she wanted to bring more smiles to the faces of patients now and become a pediatrician someday. Natasha founded Book for Cure â€" a nonprofit organization that donates new books and board games to patients at the hospital. Natasha raises donations and collects used items from friends and family to sell to raise money. She has donated over $5,000 worth of books and board games to the hospital’s library and says, “I like working with little kids and I want to help them feel better.” Natasha credits Kumon with helping her develop time management and organizational skills, which enables her to accomplish so much. To see more about Natasha’s extraordinary story, click here to watch a brief video. You might also be interested in: Kumon Dual Program Completer Aims to Become an Assistant at her Local Center Reading Program Completer finds Connection to Music Through Kumon From Struggling Student to Kumon Dual Program Completer Meet Elina, a Dual Program Completer Who Has Developed Independence in Kumon

Where to Buy Books in Other Languages Book It to These 6 Websites

Where to Buy Books in Other Languages Book It to These 6 Websites Where to Buy Books in Other Languages: Book It to These 6 Websites Looking for a novel way to learn a language?Need an approach thats bound to improve your reading skills?Well, then, youll want to book it to your favorite website to order foreign language books.Reading foreign books is a wonderfully useful way to improve your language skills. Whether you enjoy  language instruction books  or recreational reading in your target language, books can help you learn new words, improve your comprehension skills and more.Sometimes, though, finding books in your target language can be tricky. If you arent traveling abroad, how can you possibly find good foreign reading material? And if you arent already knowledgable about literature in your target language, how would you even know what to search for?Luckily, weve got you covered. Here are six sensational websites where you can easily browse, discover and buy books in other languages! How to Select the Right Book Vendor for YouConsider how rare of a book you want.  Popular books written in commonly spoken languages are often available through websites youre probably already familiar with. However, if youre looking for a book in a less common language or simply looking for a less common book, youll have to scour some websites that are more specialized (weve got some examples of these below).Consider how you want to pay for the book.  Most websites accept credit cards. Some also accept PayPal. However, if you choose to shop at an international vendor, its important to remember that your credit card and PayPal may charge an additional fee, so you might want to look at the terms associated with your account to see what the best deal will be.Consider what youre most comfortable with.  Purchasing online can be nerve-racking. Will your purchase arrive? Is the vendor reliable? Thats why its important to check vendor ratings and consider which ones youre most comfortable with before clicking purchase.Where to Buy Books in Other Languages: Book It to These 6 WebsitesThe six sites below range f rom big sellers you probably already use all the time, to smaller shops full of language and literature gems. Well show you whats available on the sites and how to browse them most effectively.If youre already on the hunt for great books in other languages, youre probably the type who appreciates authentic foreign-language content. You knowâ€"the real-deal stuff that native speakers read, watch and listen. In that case, youll want to supplement your reading diet with real-world foreign videos on FluentU. This app offers movie trailers, music videos, inspiring talks and more thatve been transformed into language learning experiences.Each video comes with interactive captions that you can click for an instant definition and pronunciation of any word. There are also flashcards and exercises to help you remember what youve watched. Its a great way to make sure youre building those reading skills even while absorbing the authentic sounds of your target language. Check out a free trial  t o supplement your book browsing and reading with fun video learning.AmazonYou know it. You love it. But did you know your favorite provider of must-have items and last-minute Christmas gifts also has an extensive  foreign language books section?Its true. Amazon offers books in over a dozen languages, including widely spoken languages like Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. It also offers selections in a number of less common languages, like Amharic and Lithuanian.You can browse by going to the foreign language book section (linked above). From there, you can browse by language using the categories on the left side of the screen. Still not finding what youre looking for? Try searching your target language with the word books. For instance, Spanish books. You can also search in your target language. For instance, libros en español (books in Spanish). This will provide you with a nice list of options.One book that you can find in a wid e variety of languages is Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone (known as Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone in the U.S.), which can be purchased in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and more. (Note: some are shipped through outside vendors.) Perfect for language learners and/or intense Harry Potter fans!You can also try ordering from foreign Amazon sites. For instance, the regional sites for France, Mexico and Germany  offer tons of book options. The caveat is that youll have to conduct your searching in your target language (though you can consider this bonus language practice) and shipping charges will vary.PowellsPowells is a Portland, Oregon-based independent bookseller. Lucky for language learners, it also sells books online, and its  foreign language section is nothing to sneeze at.Theres a huge variety of language options, including common ones like Chinese, French, German and Spanish, along with less common ones lik e Basque, Cantonese, Serbo-Croatian, Swahili and Yiddish. However, authentic texts (i.e. written for native speakers) are mixed in with instructional texts and textbooks, so finding the right option for you may require a little perusing.There are a lot of fun options for language learners on this site. For instance, Powells offers a dual-language (Chinese-English) edition of The Art of War.  Some Japanese manga like Naruto  is also available.AbeBooksWish you could browse multiple booksellers at once? AbeBooks lets you do just that.Thats because AbeBooks is an online marketplace used by a variety of book vendors around the world. Because AbeBooks includes many sellers, youll also find rare and collectible books here.Among AbeBookss offerings is an extensive foreign language collection. You can find books in virtually any language imaginable.The quickest way to find what youre looking for is to search the name of your target language. From there, youll be offered Curated Collections f rom different booksellers offering texts in your target language. For instance, at the time of this writing there are nearly 200 curated collections that focus on Portuguese. One of those collections by Libros Latinos  can help connect you with books on history, culture, medicine and more.Elkhorn BooksIf you want an extra dose of language study, Elkhorn Books has options that can certainly up the learning quotient.Elkhorn Books focuses on nonfiction and scholarly texts, so theres a lot of learning packed into these volumes. Plus, one third of the books offered by Elkhorn Books are in foreign languages.Elkhorn Books offers a simple format that lets you browse by language with a menu on the left side of the screen. Language options include Arabic, French, German, Hebrew/Yiddish, Latin/Greek, Persian and Spanish.The selections themselves cover a wide variety of topics. For instance, Arabic offerings include poetry, history, political texts and more.Hackenberg BooksellersLooking for som ething special? Hackenberg Booksellers might have just the coveted piece you want on your shelf or coffee table.Hackenberg Booksellers specializes in scholarly, out-of-print and rare texts, including historic works. This means that some of these options can be pricey. Luckily for language learners, though, a lot of these works are in foreign languages.Unfortunately, theres no good way to browse by language, so to find the ideal book for you, youll have to scroll through the catalogues. Still, there are some nice works, like Italian-language novels, Spanish-language history books and more.Hackenberg Booksellers is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, though books can also be shipped.eBayeBay might not be the first place you think of when you want to purchase a book, but its a handy resource if you want a book you cant find elsewhere. After all, eBayers scavenge bookstores, estate sales and more, and they come up with some real treasures.Theres no separate foreign language category fo r casual browsing, but eBay sellers usually use keywords pretty effectively to help you find what youre looking for, so searching is often quite effective.For instance, if youre looking for novels, try searching your target language along with language novel. Just as an example, searching Italian language novel yields a number of options, including some classic novels as well as childrens books and comic books. You can also try searching the book in in your target language. For instance,  ????? ?? ??????? ????? (book in the Russian language) provides a number of options, including fairy tales and childrens books.Plus, plenty of international sellers use eBay, so you can often get books shipped directly from abroad through the site.So check out these six websites where you can buy books in other languages. You might find your next favorite language learning tool!And One More ThingIf you love learning with authentic content, youll love FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn langu ages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that real people speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.