How to Become a Singer 5 Qualities You Need to Succeed

How to Become a Singer 5 Qualities You Need to Succeed Sign up successful Singing is a performing art. A good singer is both a good musician (sounds good and sings the right notes) and a good performer (is engaging and interesting to watch). There is, in fact, a relationship between performing well and singing well; these skills rely on each other. Is there a secret formula to becoming an outstanding singer? No, but cultivating these five skills hones both musical and performance abilities. Practice these, and you will be able to sing accurately and put on a good show. A Good Ear First of all, a singer needs to sing in tune! For those who are not born with sensitive aural skills (also known as a musical ear), learning to consistently match pitch is an important first step to singing. Working with a voice teacher on aural skills exercises, and practicing those exercises at home, helps. Technology, such as pitch-recognition apps, aid in at-home practice for students who arent yet sure if they are singing the right pitches. Strong Breath Support The more breath support you have, the longer you will be able to sing phrases and the easier it will be for you. Developing a strong base of breath support by learning about the breathing apparatuses of the body and doing breath-related exercises allows you to sing those newly in-tune songs with ease and grace. A Relaxed Body Have you ever watched someone with a stiff body (shoulders up, neck tense) try to perform? It’s extremely stressful for the audience, not just the performer. Learning to relax your body â€" especially the parts directly involved with singing, such as your jaw, tongue, and neck â€" in performance situations is an essential skill for singers. Practice singing in front of a mirror, noticing what happens. When you hit a high note, do you strain your shoulders and neck? See what happens if you don’t. Do you sound better? A Balanced Stance While you do need to be relaxed to sing, you also can’t be a puddle on the floor. Audiences take performers with a powerful stance more seriously. Practice standing comfortably and openly, without crossing your arms or leaning to one side. Balance your weight across your two feet, on your pelvis, throughout your spine. If you play another instrument while you sing, spend some time finding a good stance for your body while you are doing so. Are you leaning too far forward to look at your guitar strings, for example? What do you think that does to your sound? Confidence If you’ve ever seen a great singer perform, you probably noticed that they looked utterly confident. Staying relaxed and standing right are a big part of this: humans register relaxed, open posture as a sign of confidence, and just standing this way can make you feel more confident as well. Practicing aural skills, breath support, and other elements of good singing also helps you feel more confident in your abilities. Got pre-show jitters? Do some slow breathing exercises. Eat a banana (they help the brain produce serotonin). Try holding a power pose, such as the “Wonder Woman pose,” for two minutes (this also raises dopamine levels in the brain). Then get out there and have a wonderful time! Elaina R. teaches opera voice and singing in Ann Arbor, MI, as well as through online lessons. She is currently  working on a Master of Music at the University of Michigan, and she has a B.M. from the University of Southern California. Learn more about Elaina 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  jus10h

What is Guitar Technique And Why Does it Matter

What is Guitar Technique And Why Does it Matter Megan L. Whats the deal with guitar technique anyway? Guitar teacher  Alexander A.  explains a few of the fundamentals and why they are so important If your teacher is cracking the whip every lesson because your hands aren’t in the proper position you may be asking yourself, “Does my guitar teacher hate me?” The answer is “no” â€" at least, I certainly hope not! More than likely, your teacher is trying to make you a better player by guiding you to play with good technique. We’ll be looking at effective techniques to use for guitar and bass players, though these principals apply to most other instruments as well. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about what were looking for and why. Power In case you haven’t noticed yet, playing music can be very physically demanding. Guitar and bass players face this demand with our hands, as this is our primary interface with the instrument. Ever play barre chords on guitar or an F# major scale on the low end of the bass? These tasks are challenging and require a great deal of power to accomplish. Much like in martial arts, power is not achieved with brute force but by taking every advantage we can find to deliver the most power with the least effort. This isn’t laziness; it’s a fundamental necessity of our instruments. Control Like they say in Spiderman, “with great power comes great responsibility.” I think Spiderman must be a rock star. But it’s true! All that power that you’ve harnessed will go to waste if you don’t have proper control over your strings. Among other things, this means letting them ring when they need to and being able to mute them when they need to be silent Energy Going green isn’t just for electric cars and paperless billing. Guitar players need to conserve our energy as well. Almost all players will push the limits of their physical stamina at one time or another, so it’s important to make every action count. Work with your hands, not against them. Simple Guidelines Here are some simple guitar technique guidelines for guitar and bass players. These just cover the basics, so be sure to ask your guitar teacher about progressing your technique by using more advanced methods when youre ready. 1) Fingers on the string When holding down a single note using the second, third, or fourth fingers practice using your other fingers to hold down lower notes at the same time to build strength. For example, if you play a C on the A-string with the second finger (third fret), the first finger should be holding down the note B at the same time (second fret). If you reach for the D above the C with the fourth finger (fifth fret), you should have all four fingers holding down the string. (Of course, guitarists will need to abandon this technique when playing chords.) By letting more than one finger do the work we are conserving energy and maintaining control over the string. If you are a new player (or just have some old habits to break) this technique will feel strange for a little while, but if you use it consistently you should be forming good habits within a few weeks. Before you know it you will have more power in your fingers; it will feel strange not to have all your fingers on the strings. Just stick with it! 2) Stay close We can further conserve energy and maintain control by keeping fingers close to the fretboard when not in use. Let your fingers “hover” over the strings just high enough to let them ring, but low enough to be ready for action! Reach for the stars with your music, not your fingers. 3) No negative angles We need to always have our finger joints at positive angles, curved as if holding a ball. One of the greatest losses of power for new players often occurs in the last joint in each finger â€" the one by the fingernail. They should never be bent backwards as this greatly diminishes your strength. 4) Maintain your reach Always maintain a reach covering three or four frets. If you play B-C-D on the A-string (in that order, one note at a time) your first finger should still be reaching the B (second fret) as your fourth finger plays D (fifth fret). By maintaining this reach and not letting the first finger “scrunch up” against the others we keep control over four frets of the instrument and conserve energy by keeping our fingers stationary. Energy, power, and control are all intertwined. What’s good for one is good for the rest. Let these pillars of success be your focus as you move forward with your guitar technique. Now, let’s rock! If you want to learn more about guitar technique, or get help correcting some bad guitar habits youve picked up, nothing beats taking lessons with a private guitar instructor. Search for your guitar teacher now! Alexander A. teaches guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, upright bass, and music theory in Tacoma, WA. He earned his bachelors degree at Berklee College of Music in bass performance and composition. Alexander offers lessons in-person as well as online via Skype. Learn more about Alexander. 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  Daniel Hoherd

Reasons To Learn The Globally Popular Language Spanish

Reasons To Learn The Globally Popular Language Spanish A Rich History Is Why Spanish Is So Popular Today ChaptersWhy Is Spanish So Widely Spoken?  What Should We Know About Spanish?The Benefits of Learning SpanishResources for Spanish StudentsYou may not know this, but  Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, by the number of native speakers, behind only Mandarin Chinese. This means that  there are more people who speak Spanish as their first language than those whose mother tongue is English.There are 20 different Spanish speaking countries around the globe that use Spanish as an official language, account for around 440 million native speakers. Spanish is even one of the UN'S six official languages. The importance of Spanish is obvious, and anyone who can improve their skills in this language will set themselves apart from the crowd. You don't need to necessarily be fluent. Even having a conversational level would be an asset.The benefits of learning Spanish are becoming more and more apparent, and it is, therefore, no surprise that it is increasing in popularity arou nd the world.But how did Spanish come to take on such important, and why is it so widely spoken? How did it become the world’s second most spoken language by the number of native speakers?The history of the Spanish language is a fascinating tale that dates back hundreds of years. In this article, we will look at how the history of Spanish has shaped its standing as one of the main languages in the world today.You just have to subscribe to a channel or download recordings, and listen to them where and when you want (when on the train, out jogging, in the car, etc...), meaning that you can learn at your own pace.News in Slow SpanishThis is definitely one of the best podcasts for learning the Spanish language.It offers high-quality Spanish classes for beginner to advanced levels. This podcast allows you to listen to useful subjects and master Spanish vocabulary that covers a variety of themes, including:economypoliticsecologyleisureSo you’ll absorb a wealth of relevant information each week (which is a great help if you intend to travel to the country) all in a clear, simple and “slow” rhythm.What’s more, on the website of the  podcast, you can find vocabulary sheets and complete texts for each show available. This will be useful for going back and checking that you heard the right Spanish words and phrases.Coffee Break SpanishThis is a podcast that offers 80 shows for beginner Spanish speakers, each between 15 and 20 minutes long. There are also some for more intermediate level speakers to improve their vocabulary and conversational Spanish.This podcast is unique as it’s presented by two people: Kara, a student who is learning at the same time as you, and Mark, your teacher. This teacher/learner format is ideal language learning training and is particularly useful for children learning Spanish. The scenarios are also a lot more realistic because the set-up is so relevant.Apps For Learning Spanish On The GoDuoLingo: Learning While Having FunDuoLingo m akes learning Spanish easy and fun. If you already have some experience of learning Spanish, you can take a placement test when you begin to see where to start, or you can simply start from the very beginning.The idea is to have fun by answering questions and earning points by responding as quickly as possible to go to the next level.Each lesson allows you to work on several aspects of the Spanish language, from pronunciation to listening and translation with instant correction.What's more, for those of you who are looking for an app to learn Spanish, you should note that DuoLingo is available on your smartphone or tablet. So you could be learning Spanish whilst killing time on your commute to work, or at the departure gate whilst waiting to board your flight!

Painting Classes Glasgow

Painting Classes Glasgow Where to Find a Painting Class in Glasgow ChaptersChoosing the Painting Class that's Right for YouThe Most Common Painting TechniquesWhat Art Supplies Do You Need?Art Classes and Workshops in GlasgowArtistic expression has been evolving ever since the earliest cave paintings were drawn and continues to do so today. Thanks to social media, we can have even more access to artwork and galleries we do not, or would never be able to, access otherwise. These outlets have also given way to artistic expression itself in the form of videos, photography and more.If you’re interested in learning how to paint, you’ve probably already subscribed various art Instagram accounts or have found a couple of blogs that post content for aspiring painters. What most of these outlets don’t really mention, however, is how exactly you can start painting in your city â€" specifically, Glasgow.Whether you’re looking for art instruction for beginners, or looking for some basic drawing and painting workshops, it can be useful to start by underst anding the kinds of mediums you are likely to encounter in painting class.Learn to paint by starting to take art classes FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaPainting Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidPainting Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPainting Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StefaniaPainting Teacher 5.00 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SakinaPainting Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenPainting Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Off2themoonholliePainting Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsChoosing the Painting Class that's Right for YouOil PaintingIf you know a bit about the development of painting, you’ll know that oil paints have, since the Renaissance, been one of the most dominant forms of painting. The reasons can be var ious and argued, but one of the most important ones is because of what its made of.Oil paint consists of pigment mixed with oil, which not only gives oil paintings their vibrancy but also allows artists to pile layer on top of layer, sometimes without even letting the bottom layers dry fully â€" a technique discussed later.While using oil paints can be extremely rewarding, the medium is taught normally in more advanced courses. Because it tends to be more expensive than its counterparts, and because it uses turpentine as a solvent, it can be a bit more difficult to use or less accessible. If you’d like to start to learn to paint with oil paints, however, just make sure that you keep these factors in mind.Look for art classes in Manchester.Acrylic PaintingAcrylic is a relatively new type of paint, having only been created in the mid-1900s. Since its introduction to the mass market, however, acrylic paint has become a popular medium amongst both beginners and professional painters. The reason why can be found both in its affordability as well as its fast learning curve.While this type of paint might not sound familiar to you, some of the most famous contemporary works have been painted in acrylic. In the UK alone, it has been used by the likes of David Hockney and Eduardo Paolozzi in the notorious pop art movement. Because of its popularity, if you’re looking for some art education involving acrylic around Glasgow, you’re in luck.Finding painting classes in Cardiff and painting workshops in Belfast!Watercolor PaintingPainting with watercolors can, at first, seem to be a pastime of only beginner artists or older folks. However, watercolor is not only the world’s oldest medium, but it has also evolved into one of the most dynamic mediums in the field of art.The best thing about watercolor, besides is portability, is the fact that the materials geared towards beginners are normally cheaper than most alternatives. If you’re looking for some inspiration in contemporary watercolor artists, check out paintings by Mary Whyte or Jose Apaza.Artistic technique is a skill that should be acquired earlyThe Most Common Painting TechniquesOnce you’re done understanding the different mediums you are likely to encounter in painting classes around Glasgow, you might be left wondering: but how do you actually paint?It can be overwhelming to try an navigate through the slew of terms, techniques and methods associated with painting, color theory and basic shading and sketching. Complicating this further is the fact that sometimes, the same techniques can be called something completely different in different mediums. Here’s some of the most common techniques you’ll find yourself utilizing in every class and how, exactly, they’re performed.Try a painting class in Edinburgh too!Acrylic PaintingWhether you’re painting a still life or working on depicting a human figure, knowing a variety of methods to employ while painting can go a long way. One method that can also be found in both watercolor and oil painting is known as wet on dry.This technique involves thinning the paint with water and applying it to a dry canvas. This is one of the most common ways of using acrylic and will probably a technique you utilize often. Taking this a step further is a technique known as washing.Washing involves thinning acrylic paint out to the point where its application resembles that of watercolor. Painting in this manner can be extremely useful if you’re looking for a watercolor effect with fast drying paint.WatercolorsSpeaking of watercolor, this highly versatile paint can be applied in a variety of different ways. One of the most important, besides the wet on dry already mentioned, is a technique called wet on wet. While the names of these techniques seem a bit uninspired, the process itself is actually quite amazing.Wet on wet involves mixing your watercolor paint with water and applying it to a canvas that is already wet. In order to prepare the canvas, simply apply a layer of water over the sections onto which you would like to paint. The effects of utilizing this method can often lead to some of the more intense color mixing apparent in portraits and scenes like those of Cheng Kee-Chee’s.Oil PaintingThe wet on wet version of oil painting, other than having a different name, is also slightly different than its watercolor counterpart. Known as alla prima, this technique involves painting on top of layers that have not completely dried. Doing this doesn’t just allow color to mix in interesting ways, as with watercolor, but it also allows for textures to build up.Underpainting and glazing are equally as important techniques to get familiar with that happen at the beginning and the end of the painting process, respectively. Underpainting is the process of painting a layer of a neutral color onto the entirety of the canvas before painting your subject on it. In some instances, you can also sketch your initial painting in a monochrome of that same base color before applying the colors you will eventually use.Glazing, on the other hand, is utilized at the end of the painting process and can be seen as a sealing layer on top of the finished product. The technique involves nothing more than applying a coat of transparent paint on top of your painting as both a protective measure and to enhance the effect of the colors.Find painting classes in Leeds.Learning to paint can even lead to careers in artWhat Art Supplies Do You Need?Deciding what painting materials you will be needing for self-practice, art school or workshops can sometimes be more difficult than finding the creativity and inspiration to paint a subject. This can be exacerbated if you’re dealing with a tighter budget â€" however, there’s no need to stress. Anyone involved in artistic endeavors is no stranger to financial difficulty.The best way to start is first by picking the medium you would like to work with. This will enab le you to not only pick amongst the vast variety of watercolor, oil and acrylic paint, but it will also help you arrive to the art supply store with an estimate of what you’ll be spending.When buying paint, its always good to ask the instructor for advice on which paints are necessary and which are optional. However, as a general rule of thumb, a variety of five different colors, including white and black, is a good place for a beginner to start.Find painting classes in London.Canvases and brushes are a bit more difficult to shop for, as this will also depend on what your medium will be and what exactly you’ll be painting. We recommend getting a variety of three or four brushes all of different widths. Start with a small tipped detailing brush and make sure to include a flat, wide headed brush for the times you’ll want to paint on large swaths of paint.Canvas will be different if you’re painting with watercolor, acrylic or oil paint. The three most common canvases you’ll l ikely encounter are either sketchbooks, watercolor paper, or linen and cotton canvases. The canvas you’ll be using for practicing and sketching in paint will likely take the form of a sketchbook while producing bigger, more detailed pieces will necessitate larger canvases. Make sure to get whatever you think you’ll need in your class or workshop.Art Classes and Workshops in GlasgowStudying art in Glasgow can be a rich, and sometimes interactive experience. If you're on of the many young artists interested in pursuing an art degree, some of the top art universities in the world can be found in the UK.If you're simply looking for kids art workshops or adult art lessons, starting by looking online can facilitate finding an experienced instructor. Signing up for courses online with the Botanics Glasgow art center or sites like Superprof can help you find the right class or setting.Whether you're learning studio art or life drawing, plein air painting can be an option for people who can't pay for painting classes or simply prefer to self-learn at their own pace. While this usually requires a stroke of good weather, it can be a great way to learn to paint.

Online Ratio to Percent Tutors

Online Ratio to Percent Tutors Ratio is the quantitative comparison between quantitates or numbers. Ratio is a very commonly used operation in mathematics. The symbol of ratio is : Percentage means per hundred. The symbol used for percentage is % . A ratio can be expressed in a percentage form. For example, a / b can be written as a : b. Here a / b is fraction form and a : b is the ratio form. To convert to percent the fraction is multiplied by 100. Example 1: Simplify the given ratio 4 : 8 and express the answer in the percent form. Solution: Here the given ratio is 4 : 8. The given ratio can be expressed as an fraction from by writing 4 : 8 as 4 / 8. Now the fraction form can be further simplified as 4 and 8 are both divisible by 4. This reduces the given fraction to 1 / 2. Converting into a fraction gives 1/2 * 100 = 50%. Hence the percentage of the given ratio is 50 %. Example 2: Simplify the given ratio 5 : 20 and express the answer in the percent form. Solution: Here the given ratio is 5 : 20. The given ratio can be expressed as an fraction from by writing 5 : 20 as 5 / 20. Now the fraction form can be further simplified as 5 and 20 are both divisible by 5. This reduces the given fraction to 1 / 4. Converting into a fraction gives 1/4 * 100 = 25%. Hence the percentage of the given ratio is 25%.

Learning Math

Learning Math Mathematics often looks like a collection of symbols. But Mathematics is logical. Learning Mathematics will enable us to use it in Engineering, Physics and Chemistry .All the major discoveries and inventions, theories and applications would never be possible without learning Mathematics. It is widely used in both Information Technology and Communication; .Accountants, Economists and Business people use it every day. Learning Mathematics is an just like adventure; there are always new things to discover and it will never cease to amaze us how neatly and beautifully it all fits together. Example1: Alice went shopping on Saturday for a dress at a store where everything was on sale for 30% off the regular price. If the dress she bought had a regular price of $37.50 and the sales tax is 8%, how much did Alice pay for the dress on Saturday? Solution: Amount she saved from the 30% off sale. $37.50 0.30 = $11.25 Then the sale price will be $37.50 - $11.25 = $26.25 Now, find 8% tax on $26.25 $26.25 0.08 = $2.10 Add the tax. $26.25 + $2.10 = $28.35 Alice paid $28.35 for the dress she bought Saturday. Example 2: Nancy is taking an online survey with 300 questions. She is able to respond to 15 questions per minute. How long will it take Nancy to complete the entire survey? Solution: Let x = the amount of time 15 questions: 1 minute = 300 question: x Cross multiply and solve for x 15 * x = 300 *1 So x = 20 Nancy will take 20 minutes to complete.

Back to School The Importance of Sleep for Teens

Back to School The Importance of Sleep for Teens As part of a series of “Back to School” features Mark Maclaine discusses the importance of sleep, and shares a few tips on how to ease your teen back into the school routine! You may have noticed that your alertness levels go up and down throughout the day, but have your ever wondered why? Your sleep-wake cycle is regulated by two body systems that balance each other: sleep-wake homeostasis and the circadian rhythm better known as the “body clock”. Sleep-wake homeostasis, without getting into the complicated science, is an internal timer that tells your body that you have built up a need for sleep and it’s time to go to bed. It also regulates the hours slept ensuring you have made up for the hours you were awake. The ‘body clock’ regulates your alertness levels, and these can rise and dip throughout the day. In adults the dips generally occur between 2-4am and 1-3pm (although this will depend on whether you are a morning or evening person). The level of ‘sleepiness’ we experience during these dips is dependent on whether we’ve had a good night’s sleep or not. It’s also useful to know that this cycle can make you feel more alert at certain times of the day even if you’ve been awake for hours. During adolescence the body clock changes meaning that teenagers often feel more alert late at night. The average teen needs a little over 9 hours (a suggested minimum of 8 ½ hours) of sleep, but due to these changes it can be difficult to go to sleep before 11pm. As a consequence, many teens are in fact sleep deprived. Also compared with adults, they experience slightly staggered dips between 2-7am and 2-5pm, but if they are sleep deprived the morning dip could last until 9 or even 10am. This could explain why it so difficult for them to wake up in the morning, as well as their endearing morning moodiness. Back to School: What can your teen do to encourage better sleep before school starts? Explain the Benefits of Sleep Talk to your teen and ensure there are no troubles keeping them up at night. Discuss the benefits of a good night’s sleep: such as enhanced memory, performance and creativity. Explain that tired people are more prone to stress, and that this can bring with it a whole host of other problems. For example stress can lead to suppressed immunity, so sleep is a great way to stave off a cold! Exercise Being active is not only great for general health but it encourages a better night’s sleep. Signing up to school sports teams such as football and netball is a great way to get 60 minutes of exercise into the day. The Right Environment Keep the room cool and as dark as possible. Since we are all sensitive to changes in lighting levels it’s useful to buy blackout blinds or heavy curtains. It is also important to note that standing in a brightly lit bathroom brushing your teeth before bed can actually serve to wake us up slightly. Stop the Bedtime Binge Eating/snacking before bedtime is not a good idea, nor is going to bed on an empty stomach as both disrupt sleep. Night-time Rituals   Encourage your teen to start their own night time ritual (do the same things in the same order an hour or so before bed). This could mean having a bath, listening to relaxing music, then reading a book. Their rituals should not involve bright screens, which leads on to the next point… NO Screens Electronics raise our awareness. This means no laptops, TVs, game consoles or phones. If your teen is texting, emailing, and using social media these are not only addictive but they arouse emotions which could keep them up at night. Finally, let your teen know that they are pre-disposed to go to bed late and wake up late, but don’t let them use this as an excuse. Encourage them to be more aware of themselves and take better responsibility over their sleep routine.

Critical Reasoning Question 16-Editorials - Private Tutoring

Critical Reasoning Question 16-Editorials BobbiM Feb 17, 2014 This editorial cannot be a good argument because it is barely literate.  Run-on sentences, slang, and perfectly dreadful grammar appear regularly throughout.  Anything that poorly written cannot be making very much sense. Which of the following identifies an assumption in the argument above? A.  This editorial was written by someone other than the usual editor. B.  Generally speaking, very few editorials are poor in style or grammar. C.  The language of an argument is indicative of its validity. D.  Generally speaking, the majority of editorials are poor in style and grammar. E.  The author of the editorial purposely uses poor grammar to disguise what he knows is a bad argument. Think you know the answer? The correct answer is C. The authors claim that the editorials argument is no good because it is poorly written depends on the assumption hat an arguments validity is related to its use of language.  After all, if an arguments language didnt indicate its validity, the authors argument wouldnt make any sense at all. (A)s not assumed because the argument doesnt concern whos to blame for the bad editorial.  (B) and (D) fail because the argument addresses this editorial only, so theres nothing assumed about what happens generally.  And (E) goes too far: The author neednt assume that the writer deliberately wrote badly to hide a bad argument, just that, as (C) says, the poor writing indicates a poor argument.