4 Steps to Help Beginner Piano Students

4 Steps to Help Beginner Piano Students To learn the piano follow these 4 steps! ChaptersBegin with proper postureEase your way into playingGradually improve your techniqueHow to play the piano with small handsRegardless of your level and objectives, today we’re asking the question: how does one play the piano?Ok, it’s a bit vast we know. So we’ll break it down into four pieces of advice. In order to play the piano well, you’ll need to have the proper posture, and know how to play slowly, but at the right tempo. Lastly, how can you play like Mozart if you have small hands? Read on to discover the answers to these questions and more! LouisPiano Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlisonPiano Teacher £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErenPiano Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BarbaraPiano Teacher £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Chi yuenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomPiano Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtiePiano Teach er £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBegin with proper postureWhen you play the piano you’ll need to use your entire body. So it’s important to adopt (and memorize) the correct positions and posture when you start to learn how to play piano, so that it becomes like second nature.First, position yourself in the middle of the piano, comfortably seated on your chair or stool. Use the key of G in the middle of the keyboard as a benchmark. Remember that will alter slightly depending on what piece you're playing. To play piano songs that call for high notes, you’ll position yourself slightly towards the left side of the keyboard, and in the opposite side for music with a lot of low notes. Where is that middle C again?Learning proper posture is key to becoming a true pianist.Next, you’ll position your lower arms by adjusting the height of your seat. To be well placed,  your elbows should be at th e same height of the keyboard. Or slightly under the keyboard if you have short arms. The lower arms should not be perfectly perpendicular to the keyboard.This arm position will allow you to move your fingers on the keyboard faster and easier, for a maximum of flexibility in fingering. Generally speaking, pianists aim to have good body position in order to make piano playing more supple and fluid. These are all things that your piano teacher will instruct you on. Check out an online piano video to see how the professionals look.What type of seat is best for playing piano? A stool, bench, or chair?This really comes down to your personal choice. The renowned pianist  Glenn Gould played on chairs, which obviously served him well! The downside is that you can’t adjust their height. If you choose to sit on a chair, select one that corresponds to your body and the height of your piano keyboard.The benefit of the piano bench, in addition to the possibility of modifying its height, is tha t its width facilitates side movements of the piano player. This is why the bench is generally the most popular type of seating used by pianists.Standing up while playing is just something for the great Elton John, not for beginners!After your arms, the next thing to check as you learn to play piano is your back! The back’s position must be perfect so that you don’t cause any lumbar pains from playing. Above all else, piano playing should be a pleasure! If the piano is causing back pains, you’ve overlooked this goal.When you play the piano, the back should be straight but not too rigid. And this rule is not only applicable to the piano. In a seated position, the back should always be straight, and never hunched over the keyboard: this is the worst position for playing the piano.After you’ve mastered the position of the lower arms and back, you’ll need to think about your hands! Even if the entire body is in use when you play the piano, the hand plays the most important rol e.To play the notes perfectly and reach the keys, your fingers must be curved and arched. Your palm should be slightly higher than the fingers, so that they “dive” into the notes (except the thumb which should be almost completely flat). This position will allow you to reduce tenseness and gain in speed while playing piano. The power you’ll need to touch the keys should be stemming from the fingers and not the wrist or arms â€" easier said than done!This is also what allows for the curved position of the hand. And remember to keep your feet flat on the floor, to increase your stability and confidence. Playing on the tip of your feet is not a good idea, even when you are beginning your instruction and don’t yet know how to play piano.While we wholeheartedly stand by all of this advice, it’s important to note that every person has a unique physical makeup. With time, your positions might differ slightly from the accepted rules, as outlined above, and more in keeping with you r individual playing style and physique.Discover the best ways of playing your piano scales too…Ease your way into playingWhen you start to learn piano, it’s important begin by playing slowly. This will allow you to warm up your fingers before playing (in the context of a piano course for example). It will also be very helpful when you learn to play a scale, chord progression, or piano song.Certain pianists want to play faster than the music, or play the piece at the speed required by the sheet music notations without being at the level to do so correctly. These are not the right approaches!Increase your execution speed gradually but begin by playing slowly. You must succeed at playing the piece perfectly before being able to play fast. You can’t jump from Mary had a Little Lamb to the most complex arpeggio. Get a metronome to pace your playing!Begin by playing slowly!In general, playing the piano slowly will allow you to:Memorize what you're playing easier. Your brain must co ncentrate on every detail in the sheet music, to absorb and remember them all. Soon you’ll be able to identify and pass quickly from minor scales to major scales.To make technical progress quicker, because playing slowly allows you not only to memorize music easier but also to memorize finger movements that you’ll find in other songs.Be attentive to what you’re playing, to piano chords, tempo, rhythm, etc. As such  you’ll be assured that what you are playing is correct, and that you’re not making mistakes in rhythm or in reading music.Better understand the nuances of the piece and “feel” what you are playing.To anticipate the upcoming measures instead of running after the music that you’re playing. By playing slowly, your brain will work faster than your fingers.If you're looking for a piano tutor, you can stop searching the Internet for piano lessons London and head directly to Superprof!Gradually improve your techniqueIf you are playing the piano, chances are you w ant to get better. That’s the goal of most pianists, whether they are absolute beginners or more experienced musicians. But making progress in piano playing could mean different things.First, it’s the ability to read sheet music easily. By decoding the notes, you’ll acquire a knowledge of solfege and music theory. You’ll see, soon you’ll be reading more complex music and sight reading faster.Making piano playing progress also means becoming more flexible and faster.Your hand movements and fingering will become more and more supple. You’ll play chord progressions (with the left hand) and note progressions (right hand) faster, without creating tenseness and clenched fingers. And your playing will become better articulated and more expressive.In order to use your fullest artistic potential, you must reach a good technical level. Technique serves the artistic, creative and performance sides.Getting a piano instructor and taking piano lessons will help you advance must quicke r than if you are self-taught. Piano classes are especially useful if you are stumbling over a piece of music or blocked from learning in any way. There are so many benefits to a piano lesson! Studying piano tutorials and videos on the Internet will also be fun and helpful, but beware of free piano classes and certain online lessons advertised online.You’ll make great progress if you are disciplined and practice the piano regularly. Don’t force progress, because you risk skipping steps and making mistakes. There are phases in piano instruction that just can’t be rushed through.How to play the piano with small handsEven small fingers can reach the black keysSome people believe that the piano isn’t for them because of their small hands. Is it possible to play the piano with short fingers? Our answer is yes.In truth, there are many pianists who don’t have particularly big hands â€" “piano hands” as we say â€" who play those sharps and quarter notes with a lot of fluidity and ease.Sure, certain music composers are known for their large hands. But the hand length has no bearing on quality of playing and piano technique.This is notably the case with Liszt, who, according to legend, could play the eleventh interval with just one hand! Some small-handed people might have difficulty playing some music by Liszt, as it was conceived for those with Liszt-sized hands!Generally speaking, classical music from the Romantic Period (nineteenth century) used a lot of intervals and chords with sevenths and ninths. Therefore, much of the “Romantic” repertoire requires large hands. We can’t deny it, but perhaps with a bit of creative improvisation on your piano notes you can overcome it!But remember that 95% of piano music can be played with modestly sized and even small hands. What’s more, it’s even preferable to have small hands when playing songs that use chromatic movements. Just ask your music teacher!Each hand configuration has its benefits and disadva ntages, and hand size has a limited effect on piano instruction. If you have small hands and you want to learn to play the piano, go for it!Whether you play classical piano or jazz piano (or anything!), you now have everything you need to attack those black keys and play those tunes. Your beginner piano skills will fade away, and you’ll learn to play by ear and read music like Mozart!Are you the next Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?

Tips for Open Mic 3 Ways Guitarists Can Shine

Tips for Open Mic 3 Ways Guitarists Can Shine Suzy S. Guitarists, are you ready to hit the stage at a local open mic? Polish your performance with these tips from guitar teacher Samuel B. Performing (like songwriting) is a craft at which any dedicated musician can excel. It requires no prerequisites â€" only the desire to share your talent and creations. My high school music teacher once said Thomas Edison misappropriated the original purpose of music by inventing machinery to record it â€" that nothing can replace your experience of seeing it live. Your interplay with the audience is actually the most important component of your performance. Here are three tips for open mic performances that will help you connect with your audience. Make Eye Contact Most of us are familiar with the term “stage fright.” Even Frank Sinatra admitted to regularly trembling during his walk up to the microphone. You might even have been advised to “pretend that the audience isnt there.” However, as a performer your job is to create a bond with the audience â€" not ignore them. In fact, for each song you play, you should be making eye contact with at least three different people in your audience. The audience needs to understand your music on an emotional level. In other words, theyve come to have an experience and are trusting you to provide them one. Consider what kind of experience you want to give them. Do you want them to feel welcome and appreciated? Do you want to make them laugh? Do you want to involve them in the music in any way? If so, how? Be aware that they dont have to know that youve just forgotten a word and had to make up a new one on the spot. They dont even have to know that you just played a wrong chord. Music is a fluid form of art that (in my experience) has more to do with conveying thoughts and emotions than it does with flawless recitation. You want to reach people on thinking and feeling levels, not show them how perfectly you can hold a piece together. If youre new to the guitar and are playing a piece that requires you to keep on eye on your left hand while on stage, practice alternating eye contact between your hands and your audience. Find one person whos looking at you and look back for a few seconds. See if you can feel a connection being made. A nod or smile helps. After a few more chord changes, find someone else and do the same. A little acknowledgment here and there goes a long way! Read the Room Hearing applause is an obvious indication of the audiences engagement with you. So is whether or not they have their heads turned towards you and are perhaps even smiling.  The closer the audience can physically get to you, the deeper their connection to you as a performer generally is. Keep an eye out for signs of this connection and use it to your advantage â€" particularly if youre new to performing. Unless youre a seasoned veteran of the instrument, I dont recommend attempting to play complicated arrangements during your set. Ive been a guitarist for over twenty-five years, and I sometimes play two-chord songs live. Playing material that feels comfortable for you allows you to focus out on your audience and read their reactions to your performance. Choose songs for open mics that give you opportunities to connect. Go With the Flow If your audience is clearly focused you and your music, you may decide that its time for a ballad or an original song thats especially important to you. If their focus seems to be drifting, you may decide to switch gears to a fast, high-energy type of number to draw them back in. Some performers prepare set lists but adhere to them only loosely. Bruce Springsteens three or four-hour concert marathons have been known to begin with a pre-planned list of songs and then continue way past them. My favorite example here is Richie Havens who chose his opening number before hitting the stage and then let the rest of the act unfold on its own. Ive copied this model in my own act and highly recommend it! As a performer, dont concern yourself with showing an audience how well you play, sing, and plan. Thats what your daily guitar practice time is for. Once you are on stage, focus on making connections with your audience and having fun! If you want even more tips about performing and playing the guitar, working with a private guitar teacher is the the best way to expand your skills. Search for your guitar teacher now! Samuel B. teaches beginner  guitar lessons in Austin, TX. He teaches lessons face-to-face without sheet music, which is his adaptation of Japanese instruction (involving a call-and-response method).  Learn more about Samuel 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  Gordon Dionne

4th of July Fun Facts

4th of July Fun Facts Americans have celebrated Independence Day on July 4th with fireworks and speeches since 1777but in some ways, the day is more of a symbol than an anniversary. Brush up on your history and learn a little more about your favorite summer holiday with these 4th of July fun facts! We actually declared independence on July 2nd, 1776 The legal separation of the colonies from Great Britain happened two days earlier, when the Second Continental Congress voted to declare independence after King George III ignored the first Congress petition. The vote was unanimous, except for New York, which abstained. John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that he expected this date to go down in history: The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival.[]It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. (The Book of Abigail and John: Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784,Harvard University Press, 1975, 142). July 4, 1776 was the day the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress Very few of the members of Congress signed the Declaration of Independence on that date, and the vote to declare independence had taken place two days earlier. But because citizens learned about the vote from copies of the Declaration of Independence that were delivered and read aloud, they celebrated the date on that document: July 4th, 1776. Most delegates didnt sign the Declaration of Independence until August 2nd, 1776 John Hancock was famously the first to sign with letters much larger than other signatories, but historical documents show that some of the men who signed the Declaration werent present in Congress on July 4th. They were present at a different meeting on August 2nd, and historians agree many of the signatures happened then. The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence occurred on July 8th, 1776 in Philadelphia Col. John Nixon read the Declaration aloud at the State House, and readings of the Declaration have taken place every Fourth of July since then. While bells throughout the city were rung to announce the reading, historians arent sure if the Liberty Bell, then called the State House Bell, was one of them. [RELATED: Flag Day Fun Facts] Many colonies and cities had already written declarations of independence that heavily influenced Jeffersons draft Fighting against British troops had begun well before 1776, but many still held out hope for a reconciliation. As fighting grew more heated, the colonies slowly recognized their desire for independence and began to create documents outlining their reasons and philosophies. The wording of these documents appeared frequently in Congress Declaration of Independence. One particularly influential document was the Virginia Declaration of Rights by George Mason. Both Adams and Jefferson died on the 4th of July, 50 years later Though the two stopped corresponding during Jeffersons presidency, they were close lifelong friends, and they both passed away on Independence Day, 1826. Two other U.S. presidents had important claims on the date: James Monroe died on July 4, 1831, and Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872. There is something written on the back of the Declaration of Independence But its not a map! Upside down on the bottom of the reverse side, two lines appear: Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776 Current thought is that the document was rolled up and the label was added to the outside of the scroll. See it for yourself on the archives website. The 4th of July commemorates many events and ideologies that led to the creation of our country. While youre watching the fireworks this year, take pride in the long tradition of celebration youre joining, and remember the stories behind the symbols. Happy 4th of July! Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

How to Take Computer Courses Online

How to Take Computer Courses Online Fee Paying and Free Online Computer Courses (with certificate and without) ChaptersAdvantages of Taking Online IT CoursesHow to Find Computer Courses Online?What Equipment do I Need for IT Online Learning?Tips for Improving Your IT Skills Through Online Computer CoursesTechnology has forever changed the world we live in. We're online, in one way or another, all day long. Our phones and computers have become reflections of our personalities, our interests, and our identities. They hold much that is important to us. -  James ComeyToday, the internet is ubiquitous. It has come so central to people's lives that 24 hours without internet for many would mean a day turned upside down. According to a survey undertaken by the Office for National Statistics, in the first three months of 2017, 89% of adults in the UK had recently used the internet whilst 99% of people aged 16 to 34 years were recent internet users.It is possible to find almost any resource you need via the internet. Why not the make the most of it and also use it as a platform for learning to master t he ins and outs of the interweb.IT for beginner's, improvers or advanced - whatever level of learner you are, there will be something to suit you. Whatever computing knowledge you are looking to acquire, there will be an accredited online education institution waiting for you to enroll!You can take computer courses here. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Te acher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsAdvantages of Taking Online IT CoursesLearning to use a computer and all that it entails (basic computer commands, the internet, software, multimedia, designing, etc.) can sometimes take time and very often demand concentration.This is why many learners use online resources as a way of finding information on how to become an IT pro. But what are the advantages of learning IT online rather than a more traditional learning experience with face to face tuition with a qualified instructor and exams, coursework, etc.?Do free online courses and online degree programs mean you are less likely to succeed in your chosen computer-based profession than those studying on traditional graduate degree programs or even postgraduate university courses such as doctoral degrees offered by brick and mortar higher education institutions?Of course not! Very often online programs and training courses can equip you  with all the IT knowledge and skills that you need for the profession.Find out information about our computer courses here.With the help of a webcam, you can take online IT courses with the click of a button. (Source: Visual Hunt)Have a look at our guide to the best schools to study computer science.Learn at Your Own PaceSearching on the internet, learning to make one's ow n website, managing a blog and editing and uploading videos - it is now possible to do so much online now to digital advancements, online tutorials and online instructional videos and lectures.A number of videos and forms of interactive online classes exist on the web. Many are geared towards IT enthusiasts and can help you to study different ICT subject areas.Just find computer-based subjects that you enjoy and gain the professional skills you need to turn them into a career!Another one of the benefits of following this type of online course curriculum is that you can continue and further your studies by working as quickly or as slowly as you would like to.Motivation is the driving engine behind any kind of learning.The chance to work at a moment that is convenient for you (work has finished/not too late and you are not too sleepy etc.) will ensure that your brain is able to remain concentrated for longer periods of time.Learning What You Want'What a girl wants, what a girl needs.. .', so goes the famous song by Britney Spears. However, the lyrics not only apply to one's love life but could just as easily apply for one's search for online IT lessons.Programming languages (java programming),  cybersecurity, computer technology, business communication, algorithms, internet browser, networking, Powerpoint, OpenOffice, free software, computer systems, etc. - the program of study and curriculum needed to become an accomplished IT and computer expert can sometimes turn out to be a long and fastidious  process.For some, it will be necessary to learn all the functions of a computer before starting out on an online course.The advantage of online IT courses is that they offer students the chance to choose  exactly  what they want to  in terms of the IT skills they have already acquired and  their learning goals.You could always establish your own program of study. Such as individual lessons in computer programming, IT equipment, web development, software development, co mputer networks, information systems security, network administration, health informatics, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Open Office, computer coding languages like HTML5/CSS3, Javascript or Java programming, JQuery, PhP, MySQL, etc.However, computer courses have the advantage of letting you ask questions and get feedback from a qualified tutor.Get a private IT tutor and learn at you own space.Learning Through PracticeSo that lesson content imparted during online IT lessons is properly absorbed by online learners, it is essential for the students to put into practice what they have learned. The great thing about learning online is that you can immediately try out and practice the elements of the course that you have just been taught by your online teacher or fellow online learners.There are of course some disadvantages to learning online.For example, you are not able to directly interact face to face with other students and the teacher, having conversations as you would in a cl assroom to further your learning - you are effectively self-taught.What's more, it is important to allocate some regular time each week and stick to a specific timetable to ensure that you do not let your study time slide and slow down your IT learning progress.Being effectively self-taught through an online computer course can be a challenge, but remember, nothing is impossible!  How to Find Computer Courses Online?Are you ultra motivated to become familiar with all the main bases of IT but do not know where to find the right course that corresponds to your needs?There are a number of options available to you if you are looking to learn online from the comfort of the sofa in your front room!Knowing that e-learning is now more and more common and that it has become very easy to access quality content online. However, now that there is such a huge amount of choice when it comes to online computer courses, locating a good course or courses for your studies can sometimes be a challenge in itself.Beware of 'pseudo schools' - not all online computer courses are worth the hefty online fees! (Source: Visual Hunt)First and foremost, it is probably worth looking at  free  IT online learning courses.Some internet sites are entirely dedicated to helping you with your computing learning. Learning to code, to upload/view/edit/download a video, learning graphic design, learning how internet networks work and have a range of resources all available online.Obviously, being free courses, they are usually not the best quality.In a nutshell, as soon as you see a course is free, you should have a look who it was created by.Some lessons can actually be really informative and come from professionals who work in the IT industry (computer engineers, IT experts,  systems integrators, programmers, web developers, ICT teachers, computer scientists, IT technicians, webmasters, computer maintenance repair specialists, etc.).Sometimes content is also written or filmed by amateur IT enthusi asts who are actually very competent and know what they are talking about in the field of IT.However, many free lessons are simply posted online with the aim of making money thanks to adverts on the webpage.Whatever the content, whether it is IT related or something completely different, such as, humanities, psychology, mathematics, criminal justice, science courses, etc., just make sure that you do not start wading through free online content with too optimistic an approach and be conned by titles like 'learn to code in 2 hours'. Even if you are a natural and find computer coding not as difficult as it seems, it will still take time to master the different computing languages.Look on online platforms like YouTube. A lot of people post IT tutorials (learn to program, or lessons in using computers for admin purposes, using the internet, making a PowerPoint presentation, analysing data, etc.) in order to learn a few of the fundamental areas of IT.Try to come up with a desired program of study once you have watched a few videos.You could always turn to paid courses later on. Some sites sell packs or blocks of tutorials which may be helpful. But as always, make sure you check carefully by whom they were created. For example, you can be assured that tutorials on Adobe software that have been filmed by reputable companies such as Adobe will be of a high quality and worth the money.Read around to see what other learners have to say about the courses before purchasing and look carefully at the course content to make sure it meets your requirements.There is also another formula for learning information technology online - having 1 on 1 coaching sessions with a private online tutor via a shared screen.This is very often a good compromise between having a private face to face tutor and teaching oneself.Whatever path you decide to go down, it is always advisable to carefully look at the program of study to see that the learning outcomes are clear and match your desired ta rgets. The program of study should be explained clearly with practical titles detailing each area to be covered.What Equipment do I Need for IT Online Learning?Learning IT lessons at home can be very practical, but only if you have the right materials. Computer, software, accessories and the knowledge to set them up and use them.Which Computer to Choose?If you are starting IT lessons, you will probably already have a personal computer within arms reach. Given that using a computer has become such a staple part of life, most people will already have one in their homes.But are all types of computer and laptop adequate enough to manipulate information, use software and complete all the functionalities needed for a professional IT course?You don't have to invest in a host of costly computer equipment to get by on online IT courses! (Source: Visual Hunt)Well, it will all depend on what subject matter you would like to cover in your classes and the existing equipment and software you alre ady have. Despite laptop technology significantly improving in recent years, desktop computers are very often still more powerful and tend to have a greater amount of memory than laptop computers.To ensure that your computer is able to handle all the software that you will need to install onto it, make sure that you check not only how much space is left on the device but also how much RAM it possesses. Having a sufficient amount of RAM is important because your computer will support a large amount of software without slowing down greatly.You could conservatively aim to have around 8 gigabytes of RAM before the start of the course in order to guarantee use of software and computer functionalities run smoothly during your lessons and waiting for the computer to react does not cut into your lesson time.SoftwareIf you do not have all the basic Microsoft software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc), you can always use free versions of these types of text and data manipulation programs that ha ve similar functionalities, for example, Google Spreadsheets and WordPad.Nowadays, a lot of software is available to purchase via a monthly or annual subscription. Paintshop Pro, Photoshop, Lightroom, etc, are all rather expensive and you should, therefore,e plan to allocate a   budget for the purchase of such programs to be certain that you will be able to get your hands on the necessary software for practical use during the course.But don't panic! If you do not particularly want to shell out for expensive software subscriptions, you could always turn to free software such as gimp and Free Open Office in your hour of need!Computer AccessoriesNot all computer accessories are completely indispensable when it comes to learning IT online. You can easily learn how to create and set up a website or learn to code simply by using a computer with internet access and nothing else (apart from a mouse, keyboard and monitor, obviously!).However, if you are lacking space on your computer or simp ly want to back up your files for extra security then you would do well to purchase an external hard drive.Tips for Improving Your IT Skills Through Online Computer CoursesImproving your IT skills is not always easy without the presence of a teacher who is there to correct you or help you fix certain issues or bugs you may come across.However, with a bit of motivation and hard work, it is still completely possible to make good progress in your online IT training and become a veritable expert in all things digital!Getting the skills you need through a distance learning course, an online course, a MOOC or any other form of e-learning that teachers the skills you need to program, code or whatever else you may require in order to become a computer engineer or work as an IT maintenance specialist is completely feasible and doable!Regular IT Online LearningThe most important part of e-learning and the first thing you should do before you start your course or program of learning is to crea te a timetable of when you will study and stick to it. You will need to take regular online classes or watch tutorials at the same time each week or even every day in order to guarantee that you reach your learning targets.It is better to learn small nuggets of information every day rather than to have marathon e-learning sessions once every three months!You will retain a lot more of the information that you learned during your study sessions if you are learning regularly. What's more, you should not overload your brain with too much information in one go - like most things, little and often is the key to success!Nobody ever said computer science and IT were easy but online programming courses are as hassle-free as they come! (Source: Visual Hunt)Set Yourself E-Learning TargetsOne of the first conditions for study success is that you should know from the outset where you want to go with your IT learning. Learning to code, for example, is not necessary for successfully editing videos .So unless you are a true IT and tech enthusiast, make sure you study only the essential areas that will help you reach your targets to avoid wasting time and brainpower!Before starting your course, define your targets and the level that you would like to acquire. This will help to keep you motivated and stop your studies falling by the wayside!Write a list of all the things you would like to learn  (using the internet, Outlook Express and email, algorithms, Microsoft Word, computer programing, computer networks, computer architecture, Java, cryptography, digital and IT technologies etc).Check out our complete guide to learning computer science.Do Regular Practical IT ExercisesDon't forget that just because you don't have a physical teacher to get on your back about doing homework does not mean that you should not give yourself regular practical computer exercises to go over during the course of your online IT training. Try to set yourself targets, like learning the A-Z of creating a web page. This will help you to cover several areas at once, for example, computer coding, but also graphic design and cybersecurity.It might even prove to be fun and useful at the same time!IT tools, IT project management, antivirus, becoming familiar with Python, etc. - these are all good exercises that will help you to progress quickly.

4 Quick and Easy Italian Grammar Exercises

4 Quick and Easy Italian Grammar Exercises Brooke Neuman One of the keys to learning Italian is practice. Below, Italian teacher Nadia B. provides some quick and easy Italian grammar exercises to help get you on the road to success Despite what you may think, mastering Italian grammar isnt impossible. In fact, its as quick and easy as putting the rules youve learned into practice. The following four exercises will have you perfecting Italian grammar in no time! Remember, learning a new language takes time, so dont get discouraged if you stumble along the way. Its expected! Exercise 1: Interrogative Words In Italian, interrogative wordssuch as che  (what),  chi  (who),  quando  (when),  perché  (why) and  come  (how)are used to form a question. Practice using interrogatives by forming a question using each word above. Doing so will ensure that you can quickly produce the correct interrogative when needed to ask a question. See examples below: Che vuoi fare oggi? (What do you want to do today?) Chi era quelluomo? (Who was that man?) Quando arriva Giovanni? (When does Giovanni arrive?) Exercise 2: Telling Time Write down a series of times (for example, 2:24 p.m., 3:00 a.m., 8:00 p.m., and 9:45 a.m.) and then practice saying the times out loud, concentrating on your pronunciation. After youve mastered that, try working on your time expressions next. You can include di mattina  (in the morning), del pomeriggio (in the afternoon), di sera (in the evening) and di notte (at night). See examples below: Sono le nove e quattro di mattina.  (It is 9:04 a.m. in the morning.) Sono le sei e ventidue di sera.  (It is 6:22 p.m. in the evening.) Sono le undici e trentacinque di notte.  (It is 11:35 p.m. at night.) Sono le undici di mattina.  (It is 11:00 a.m. in the afternoon.) Dont forget that you also have the option of using the following phrases as well: a quarter before (meno un quarto), a quarter past (un quarto), half past (mezzo/a), noon (mezzogiorno), and  midnight (mezzanotte). See examples below: Sono le sette meno un quarto di mattina.  (A quarter before seven in the morning) Sono le otto e un quarto di mattina.  (A quarter  past eight in the morning) Sono le otto e mezzo di mattina.  (A half past eight in the morning) Exercise 3: There is vs There are There is and there are are indispensable in Italian, and its easy to practice using them correctly. Look around whatever room you are in, and use cè   (there is) and ci sono (there are) to describe the objects you see. For example, if you see a white chair in the room: Cè una sedia bianca. (There is a white chair.) You can even take it a step further and describe the quantity of each item to practice the numbers in Italian. Ci sono dieci libri e tre cuaderni. (There are 10 books and three notebooks.) Exercise 4: The Definite Article There are two main forms of the definite article in the singular, il (masculine) and la (feminine) and two alternate forms,  l,  for any noun starting with a vowel, and lo,  for any masculine noun starting with s- plus a consonant, ps-, or z-. Singular  masculine  noun: il Singular feminine noun: la Noun starting with a vowel: l Masculine noun starting with  s-  plus a consonant,  ps-,  or  z-  : lo Remember,  i  for plural masculine,  le  for plural feminine,  gli  for plural masculine beginning with a vowel, s- plus a consonant, ps-, or z-. Plural masculine noun: i Plural  feminine  noun: le Plural  masculine  noun beginning with a vowels-  plus a consonant,  ps-, or  z-:   gli To practice using definite articles, write out a list of singular nouns and then assign each one the appropriate definite article. Then, do the same for plural nouns by writing out a list of plural nouns and assigning each the correct definite article. See examples below: Singular mattita la matita (the pencil) zaino lo zaino (the backpack) uomo luomo (the man) Plural mele le mele (the apples) uomini gli uomini (the men) bicchieri i bicchieri (the glasses) With these Italian grammar exercises, you should be well on your way to a thorough and accurate understanding of basic Italian grammar. If you practice these quick and easy Italian grammar exercises regularly, youll start to notice that youre making use of these grammar concepts in an easier, more rapid, and accurate way than ever before in conversation and in writing. Nadia B. teaches Italian in New York, NY. She graduated summa cum laude from New York University, with a double degree in Italian Language and Literature and Classical Music Performance.  Learn more about Nadia 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

How can I improve my English

How can I improve my English Learn English for the price of a cup of coffee Students often ask me this question. They want to practice their English, but they dont have anyone to practice with. Whenever I am asked, I am tempted to tell them my friends solution to the common question, How can I improve my English? I had a friend named Joseph who moved to Montreal from Czech Republic in the 1990s. He worked as a janitor and spoke very little English at the time. After work and on his days off, Joseph would go down to the local doughnut shop on Sherbrooke Street, in the Notre-Dame-de-Grace neighbourhood of Montreal. Every day, a strange woman would arrive, buy a cup of coffee, sit down and talk to herself. After she finished her coffee, she would get up and leave. One day, Joseph saw that she had finished her coffee and was about to leave, so he bought her another cup and asked to sit with her. The woman accepted the coffee and kept talking. She could talk and talk on any topic, provided there was a cup of coffee in front of her. Sometimes he would ask her questions. Sometimes he just listened. Since she spoke more than she drank, he said it only cost him about a dollar an hour for crazy conversational English practice. He spent about $3 a day on coffee for about a year and learned so much English by the end of it that he went on to become an English Second Language teacher. Joseph told me this story after class in a Grammar for Teachers, a course we took together at Concordia University  in 2001. I have never forgotten it. I am not sure whether going in search of crazy conversation partners is a good idea. However, it demonstrates that languages are learned primarily through the repeated exchange of meaningful messages with a focus on form. In Josephs case, he focused on form at home by studying grammar books in the evening. Please follow and like us:

Financial Lessons for College Bound Students - Private Tutoring

Financial Lessons for College Bound Students BobbiM Apr 24, 2013 Today we welcome John Gower, who is knowledgable about all things finance (i.e., How to Pay for College). In this article, hell share with you some tips on how to manage your money before you enter college and especially while youre in college. As high school seniors prepare to head to college, the prospect of independence is near. However, that independence might not be as hands-off as they (or you) would like. Managing your child’s expenses while they are living at home is quite different from doing so while they are in a dorm room halfway across the country. Before the big move-in day, consider these tips for steering your soon-to-be college freshman towards a life of financial independence and success. 1. The basics: Staying in the green If you have not done so already, help your student open a basic checking account. Many banks offer accounts targeted to students with no minimum balance or maintenance fee. The account you open does not necessarily have to be at the same bank you yourself frequent. A better gauge of which bank to pick may be the proximity to the campus your child has chosen to attend. Finding an account with the lowest fees and having easy access to an ATM for cash withdrawals ought to be the driving concerns, as most else can be managed online. Tuition and housing costs aside, there are still a number of expenses that necessitate the use of a checking account. The occasional weekend trip, basic personal expenses, or a work-study job on campus are a few of many activities that will force your student to start some sort of budget management habits. Teaching your child how to manage his or her checking account without incurring overdraft fees is a great stepping-stone for the future. 2. Money management: No excel worksheet needed The average student loan debt for a graduate in 2012 was around $27,000. Whether or not your child’s education costs will be covered by loans, grants, scholarships, college savings, or a combination of the above, keeping your student aware and involved in the payment schedule is a place to start responsible financial habits. This does not entail leaving your student out in the cold to deal with complex financial aid issues, but instead giving them some additional responsibility. This can be as simple as making tuition payments themselves (on time) or being in charge of paying for housing each month. If that seems like too much to handle from the get-go, consider instead making out a small home utility bill such as cable or internet in your student’s name to get the same benefit of building responsible and timely payment habits. 3. Plastic: Put away those scissors for now Due to new regulations passed in 2009, banks are now prohibited from passing out free water bottles, t-shirts, and other goodies on campus as recruiting efforts to get students to sign up for credit cards. So while you don’t have to worry as much about your student coming home on their first Thanksgiving back with a pocket full of plastic, there is still good reason for concern. Start building good credit habits early, as when your child reaches the age of 21 they can apply for credit cards without a co-signer. There are a number of benefits to helping your student build credit. A high credit score will help them once they are out in the real world signing apartment leases, getting credit history checked by employers, and applying for car loans. Credit cards of course have their pitfalls. They have the potential to be widely misused if not grounded in the fact that plastic is indeed spending real money that must be repaid in full. In order to fully understand this, your student should know what the terms minimum payments, annual fees, and APRs mean at the very least. If you have allowed your high school graduate to piggyback on your existing credit card, remember to keep a close eye on the account, as anything they do has the potential to hurt your credit history. The tips above are a great starting point for beginning a conversation between you and your college-bound senior. Start small, and most importantly communicate and be available to guide your child as they navigate tricky financial waters in college. John Gower is a writer for  NerdWallet, a personal finance website dedicated to helping consumers find the best free checking account, high interest savings account, rewards credit card and more.

Tutorz.com announces the release of YouTube channel

Tutorz.com announces the release of YouTube channel Tutorz recently created their own YouTube channel, featuring infomercials, client testimonials, client interviews and reviews of tutors. At www.youtube.com/tutorz, potential tutoring clients can see and hear reviews from current tutors and students regarding their personal experience with the tutoring service. Most recently, Brook, a student in Orlando, FL, gave an video advice about upcoming exams. Talking with her parents she decided to get help from a tutor. Not knowing where to look for tutors she found Tutorz.com on the Internet. Using the Tutorz referral service she found several qualified tutors for the calculus, easy writing and history subjects. The results speak for themselves: Brook passed all of her exams in flying colors. Asked bout the importance of Tutorz.coms YouTube channel, Dirk Wagner â€" CEO of Tutorz.com stated: The channel was established in response to the growing need for demonstrating the capabilities of the Tutorz.com service, and to communicate with students, parents and tutors, about their experience, needs and future requests. The channel ought to inform and to entertain; important concepts in the field of learning. So log on to https://www.youtube.com/tutorz, watch the shows and leave your Like and comment.