Online Algebra Tutoring

Online Algebra Tutoring Get an Online Algebra Tutors Today. Receive Algebra Homework Help 24/7. Math may not be easy to understand for everyone. Many students find algebra to be challenging and confusing leading to frustration and lower grades. If you or your child struggling with Algebra homework and received lower grade in a recent test, Tutor Pace Online algebra tutors can be a good solution. Algebra tutoring from Tutor Pace can make solving Algebra problems simple and easy to understand. Student receives one on one attention in virtual classroom with our live Tutors. Our Online Algebra Tutors are available 24/7. Definition of Algebra: Algebra is about finding the unknown variables, if we describe it in simple form. It describes the relationship between the things with respect to time. These are expressed using algebraic terms, expressions and equations. Boolean Algebra: It deals with the truth values 0 and 1 which indicates false and true respectively. The basic Boolean operations are AND, OR and NOT which are also called as Conjunction, Disjunction and Negation (or) complement. Algebraic term: It contains numbers and variables. Example: Algebraic Expressions: It contains a group of algebraic terms. Example: - 4pq +12pqr Algebraic Equations: Two Expressions, or an expression and a variable separated by an equal to sign is called as an equation. We will solve for one unknown variable in such equations. Example: Example 2: 5x + 7 = 9 So what you are waiting on? Sign Up today and Get Online Algebra Tutor Now!

What is it Like to Attend University of California, Davis

What is it Like to Attend University of California, Davis The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Darren is a Los Angeles tutor specializing in GRE prep tutoring, ISEE prep tutoring,SSAT prep tutoring, Algebra tutoring, and much more. He holds a Bachelors degree in Classical Civilization from University of California, Davis. See what he had to say about his alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Darren: The UC Davis campus is one of the most serene and beautiful I have seen. My sister (two years my elder) also attended Davis, and I felt immediately at home there when I would visit her during my final two years of high school, making the school one of my preferred options already at that time. In some ways, it is an understated beauty not as in your face as the beauty you might find at a campus nestled in the Rockies or perched over the Pacific Ocean. It is the beauty of open fields, of a stream meandering through the Arboretum, of sunlight breaking down onto a tree-lined street. I always felt incredibly safe on campus. Part of that (as is the case anywhere, unfortunately) is being male and having less reason to fear for my personal safety, but I never thought twice about walking home alone after a late night studying in the library. Having access to a car is a bonus due to the relative ease with which you can get to places like Sacramento, SF, and Tahoe, but it is certainly not necessary. The bus system in town is quite effective and reliable (with some quaint double-deckers imported directly from London, no less) and the entire town is built to accommodate the ridiculous bike-to-person ratio. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Darren: I was in a small major (Classical Civilization) which helped me to get to know my professors quite closely but I found even the professors of classes outside of my major to be accessible and engaging (unusually so, I think, for a university of Daviss size). I remember most of my professors very fondly from Greek professor, Dr. Albu, meeting weekly with students who asked her to help us read through the Greek New Testament, to discussing my future plans over coffee with orchestra conductor, Dr. Holoman. I am still 13 years after graduating in contact with multiple of my old Davis professors. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Darren: The dorms at Davis have by and large become quite nice. I happened to live my freshman year in a building that was dilapidated and close to being condemned. Students heading there now dont have to worry about old Emerson Hall. I didnt care for dorm life much. I felt like a rat shoved into a too-cramped living situation with a bunch of adolescents too immature to yet handle life on their own. I moved into an apartment with friends my sophomore year, as most second-year student do at Davis, and the new arrangement drastically improved my level of contentment. I had many friends who absolutely loved dorm life (my sister had been one of them), but it wasnt really for me. My socialization happened through singing, a school musical, classes, and Christian fellowship groups. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Darren: Davis is famous for agriculture, veterinary studies, and wine-making, but these are surely not the only strong programs. The only real weakness is in business classes (the closest major to Business was Agricultural Economics), and yet every single one of my Davis friends who has entered the business world has been very successful even with undergrad majors like Communications, English, and Psychology. I started out as an English major but switched when I realized I didnt much care for reading. I started taking Greek classes my sophomore year because I wanted to be able to read the New Testament in its original tongue. The Religious Studies department also offered a slew of New Testament classes that I took because of my interest in the Bible. Before I knew it, I was closer to having a degree in Classics than in English. I didnt have a huge interest in the Classical period mythology, wars, and such but the Classics classes were mostly taught by my Greek professors, whom I k new well after a few Greek classes and whom I held in high esteem. Thus, I became an accidental Classics major, joining a small group of students that tended to eat, drink, and sleep the ancient world. I had enough English classes for a minor in English, and I discovered a love of choral music in college, so I also added a minor in Music Performance. I always felt very supported by all of these departments. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Darren: I had a difficult time making friends my freshman year, but that had more to do with my own introversion and resistance to change. I ended up making very close friends (when I got married just over a year ago, three of my five groomsmen were guys Id roomed with at Davis). The Greek scene isnt huge at Davis somewhere around 10% of students rush. I think most people who arent scared of new people do just fine making friends their freshman year at UCD. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Darren: I dont have much personal experience here, as I knew fairly early on that I wanted to continue my education in graduate school upon graduation from Davis. So, I was never seeking employment while I was there. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Darren: There is plenty of space for studying at Davis. There are a lot of students, but its also a massive campus so it never feels overly crowded, either in study spaces or in other common areas. This was a major reason for my decision to attend Davis over UCLA and Berkeley, both of which felt far more congested when I visited during the stressful weeks of making my final decision of where to enroll. I went a couple of years without even owning a computer (unthinkable now, but not extraordinarily unusual in the late 1990s) and never had trouble gaining access to a computer either in a computer lab or in the library. By my last couple of years, I had taken to studying mostly in coffee shops in town or outdoors around campus (because of Daviss particularly peaceful setting). VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Darren: I absolutely love the town of Davis it is a consummate college town. The town actually largely developed around the university, so it is, in a sense, tailor-made for the college student. People who need the fast pace of a major city might feel bored at times in Davis, but the town is by no means boring. There also seem to be more clubs/bars in town now than there were a decade ago (to my taste, an unfortunate development, though I know there are many who would disagree). I loved attending concerts and plays in town, seeing performers at local coffeehouses, and such. One of the premier performing arts centers in all of the western United States, the Mondavi Center, is located right on campus. Again, there are also larger cities nearby for more opportunities as well. I sang twice a week my senior year with a very good choir in Sacramento, and I had friends who would drive 70 miles to San Francisco (the City) weekly to explore its vibrant restaurant scene. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Darren: Davis has a very large student body, but again, it doesnt feel overly large. The main campus is close to 1,000 acres and it is divided such that there are parts of campus that you rarely have reason to go to (for instance, I was almost never by the science buildings, so my campus was the humanities corner). I had a couple of large, lecture-style general education courses, but most of my classes (due in large part to my very small major) were maybe 5-20 students. I was quite pleased with that arrangement. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Darren: The moment that pops into my head was during a New Testament class with the great Dr. Lincoln Hurst (unfortunately now deceased). He was referencing Martin Luthers analogy for the difference between having bad thoughts enter your mind and consciously mulling over bad thoughts: As Luther said, You cant keep a bird from flying over your head, but you can keep it from nesting in your hair. Without missing a beat, my buddy (and future groomsman) an active hunter leaned over to me and whispered, Oh, I can keep a bird from flying over my head. I got a curious look from Dr. Hurst when I let out a thunderous guffaw. Check out Darrens tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Plan a Trip to Taiwan

How to Plan a Trip to Taiwan Our Mini Guide to Visiting the Republic of China ChaptersWhen Should You Visit Taiwan?What Are the Must-See Sights in Taiwan?The Top 10 Reasons to Visit TaiwanWhere Should You Stay in Taiwan?“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” - Gustave FlaubertAre you heading to the South China Sea, between the Philippines and Japan?Yes, we’re talking about Taiwan, its countryside, cuisine, and historical and cultural heritage.  Taiwan, for many people, conjures the idea of manufacturing. After all, most of us have seen something with “Made in Taiwan” printed on it. However, the island is much more than just that.Taiwan has a population of 23.58 million people, covers 13,974 mi ², is separated from the People's Republic of China by the China Strait, is 240 miles long, and 85 miles wide.The island’s economic growth was 2.68% in 2018, has a GDP of $52,304 per person per year, ranks 19th in the world ahead of both South Korea (32nd) and Japan (31st).In this article, we're going to look at the best time to visit Taiwan, the things you should see, why should visit, and where you should stay when you go. NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhen Should You Visit Taiwan?When can you visit Taiwan?You only need a one-word answer: whenever!Even in summer, it can rain an awful lot in Taiwan. (Source: Yenyu_Chen)The climate in Taiwan is subtropical and humid in the north, tropical in the south, and is dry in winter and humid in summer.  From the Kenting National Park to the Yangmingshan National Park in the north via Taroko Gorge, Alishan Park, and Taiwanese towns, the climate can vary wildly from season to season.While 30 °C would be a heatwave in the north of the UK, temperatures regularly approach 40 °C in Taiwan.  Taipei, the Taiwanese capital city, is located 25 ° north, on the same latitude as northern Mexico or southern Egypt.  The Tropic of Cancer runs through the island and typhoons and monsoons are common in Taiwan. Taiwanese cities can be unbearable in summer when the humidity and pollution make it feel hotter.  Temperatures can exceed 35 °C in April in Taipei.On the other hand, the winter is mild and dry in the south and humid and cool in the north. The snow covers the mountains in the centre of the island that reach 12,966 ft above sea level.While the thermometer can read 25 °C in December and January, the average temperature tends to be around 20 °C in the north with grey skies.If you want to visit Taipei in the north of Taiwan, it’s p robably better to go in the spring when the temperatures are milder and there’s less rainfall.The best months to visit Taiwan are March, April, May, and September.However, you might want to consider visiting the island in winter when there are fewer Chinese tourists except during the Chinese New Year and the Spring Festival.So how long should you go for?British Citizens can spend up to 90 days in Taiwan without a visa. This should give you more than enough time to see Taiwan’s unmissable attractions. However, it won’t be long enough if you want to learn Mandarin Chinese.If you want to immerse yourself in the language and intensive language courses, you’ll probably need closer to a year.Find out more about when you should visit Taiwan.What Are the Must-See Sights in Taiwan?Travelling to Taiwan is very easy and it allows you to experience an aspect of Chinese culture including temples, historic monuments, and cuisine. However, Taiwan is not China and it has its own culture, mo numents and food, too.The Taipei 101 tower is probably the most photographed attraction in Taiwan. (Source: tingyaoh)Here are some of the things you have to visit in Taiwan.Taipei, the Capital CityTaipei is a city that never sleeps.  In this way, it’s like a lot of the other big cities in Asia: Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Manila.  In Taipei, you have to see the following:Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial HallLungshan TempleSongshan Ciyou TempleThe Taipei 101 TowerXiangshan (Elephant Mountain)Sun Yat-sen Memorial HallThe National Museum of HistoryYangmingshan National ParkThe Tamsui River and Tamsui DistrictDa’an Park, Nangang Park, and Rainbow Riverside ParkTasting bubble teas, a popular Taiwanese beverageShilin Night Market and Raohe Night MarketJiufen and Teapot MountainOutside of the CapitalDo you have some extra time?Take the HSR (High Speed Rail), which travels at speeds of up to 186mph, to Tainan, Hsinchu, Kaohsiung, and Taichung.  From there, you can take a romantic trip to Sun Moon Lake, a popular spot for couples.Make sure you also visit the Taroko Gorge on the west coast of the island or head to the south of the island Kenting National Park.  From there, you can go to the southernmost part of Taiwan!The Top 10 Reasons to Visit TaiwanWhy should you visit Taiwan instead of elsewhere in Asia?Does safety, warm and welcoming people, decent weather throughout the year, great street food for a couple of quid, and millennia of history sound good to you?Of course!One of the best things about Taiwan is just how safe it is! (Source: 3005398)To understand why you should visit this island, let’s look at its history.  This state is sovereign at an administrative and political level and has its own government but cannot promote its own independence at an international level as it lost its seat in the UN to the People's Republic of China.Taiwan is said to be “One country, two systems”.After colonisation by the Dutch in the 17th century, the island was rep opulated under the Ming dynasty and was occupied by Japan for 50 years until 1945.Taiwan industrialised in the 20th century under the nationalist and anti-communist Kuomintang government of Chiang Kai-shek. The island progressively entered into international commercial relations and became democratic and capitalist.Tsai Ing-wen, the former Chairwoman of the Democratic Progressive Party, became the first female President of Taiwan in 2016.  Under her rule, she’s reignited the independence debate, calling for Taiwan to become a sovereign state.Gay marriage was legalised in 2019 in Taiwan, a first for Asia, making the country more progressive than the others on the continent.The country’s history has forged its national identity, multicultural society, and its place between Chinese, Japanese, and western culture, which tends to see diplomatic relations run hot and cold.Here are some great reasons to visit Taiwan:SafetyQuality infrastructureBeautiful countrysidesVaried Taiwanese cui sineFriendly localsIts history and culture, a blend between modernity and Buddhist and Taoist traditionsIn addition to all that, there are tonnes of hot springs, especially in Beitou, Yangmingshan National Park, Taroko, Baolai, and Bulao.The fact that Taiwan isn’t the most popular tourist destination in Asia is a great reason to head there. There will be fewer tourists when you go and it’ll be easier to visit the sights.The Taiwanese have spent the last 15 years cleaning up their island and recycling more.Where Should You Stay in Taiwan?While you can eat for cheap, it’s a little harder to find accommodation in Taiwan as cheaply. You’ll need around £20 a night for an Airbnb in Taichung, Kaohsiung, Hualien, and Taichung, especially if you don’t want to be too far out.There are plenty of places to find accommodation in Taiwan. (Source: chris810)That said, it’s easy to find accommodation in Taiwanese cities.  On the other hand, it’ll be harder to get a good deal on accomm odation if you go in spring, summer, or the Chinese New Year.The range of accommodation includes campsites, holiday rents, youth hostels, and luxury hotels.  Have a look at Booking.com, Trivago, Airbnb, and Homeaway to find the best prices.For long stays, you’ll probably need to find flatmates as, in Taipei in particular, renting can cost a lot.You can pay around £300 for a room in a flat with two other people.If you find somewhere in the city centre, you can see everything Taipei has to offer without spending too much time on the metro.Choosing your accommodation will depend on what you want to do in Taiwan:Hsinchu, in the south, is milder and near the sea.Taoyuan, which is near the airport.Taichung, a good base for those heading to Sun Moon Lake or wanting to hike in the centre of the island.Tainan, where you can visit the traditional and picturesque 17th-century temples.Kaohsiung, to see the Formosan rock macaques in the Gushan District and visit Kenting National Park.Hualien, on the east coast where you can see the Taroko Gorge.So are you going to start looking for flights on Skyscanner?The fact that Taiwan isn’t the world’s most popular tourist destination is the very reason that you should go!If you'd like to learn some of the language before you go, consider getting help from a private tutor on Superprof.

Choosing an Electric Guitar an Instrument Buying Guide.

Choosing an Electric Guitar an Instrument Buying Guide. A Breakdown of the More Important Aspects of the Electric Guitarist's Musical Instrument. ChaptersThe Different String Types on an Electric Guitar.  Different Types of PickupsSoundbox variationsVarious Types of BridgesChoosing a Guitar in Terms of its NeckFour Famous Electric Guitars!Want to buy a guitar pack but not sure how to choose one?Ibanez, Cort, Gresch, Fender, brand new or vintage style, rosewood or ebony, guitars come in a multitude of forms and materials. And whether you’re lefty or right-handed, an advanced or beginner guitar player, your choice of guitar is important for playing well and improving your skills…The string instruments that necessitate guitar lessons include a range of categories. Whether you play the folk, acoustic, electro-acoustic, bass or even the classical guitar, be sure to pay attention to the components of these instruments - and to their playability, the word guitarists use to describe whether their instruments are, simply, easy to play.Guitars might be classed by several manufacturing characteristics, which often vary.Whether you ch oose a famous guitar brand like a Fender Stratocaster or Telecaster, or an Epiphone Les Paul, you’ll need to decide on other elements such as the number of strings and rods and the type of pickup or bridge.The same goes for the fact that you must choose the specific amplifiers and accessories (tuners, pedals…) to achieve certain tones and guitar effects with your finger or pick.Are you lost?Don’t panic, luthiers and salespeople are skilled at giving advice according to what you’d like to do with your guitar. For instance, those who plan to go on stage or play gigs will need a different guitar - and different bits of equipment, from a gig bag to a concert-ready guitar amplifier - than those who prefer playing around a campfire with friends.So in order to decide, you can always take inspiration from the biggest guitarists in the world. Discover which electric guitars led Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Keith Richards to success.Korn or Limp Bizkit. So as you might have guessed, this string variation mainly concerns hard rock groups, heavy metal, and experimental rock music - and is only worth thinking about if you are an advanced player.But how different could it be?Simply put, a low string tuned to B  is added to the strings of a typical 6-string guitar. And if you can picture the sounds of hard rock, you’ll understand that this extra string is key.The 6-string guitar is definitely a part of the history of the electric guitar, as is the seven string too!The 12-string guitarAnother type of guitar is often used by music groups: the twelve-string guitar.Perhaps you’ve seen one at the concert of a famous band? Or in your local luthier workshop or guitar shop?On this type guitar, all the strings on the six-string guitar are doubled. This means that you’ll find two E strings, two A strings, and so on. These guitars are particularly played in concerts  as they double the sonic volume of the guitar. Folk groups notably use these guitars to achieve a warmer , louder, and more resonant sound.The 4-string guitarThe last guitar category is one with four strings. We call it a bass guitar.The electric bass guitar was first commercialized in 1951 by Fender. They are tuned to one octave lower than classic electric guitars. Their strings are much thicker and turned in E, A, D, G.There are notably used for the rhythmic base of a piece of music or to lend a deeper feel to the tune.Curious as to which guitar is best for you? A teacher giving guitar lessons London or in another UK city can help!Different Types of PickupsWhen you want to get an electric guitar, you’ll also need to choose the type of pickup (pickups are part of the guitar’s components, just like the strings and neck) you’d like. This is something that the classical guitarist need not worry about.So there are 3 electric guitar types that differ in terms of their pickup.These pick ups vary the sound and effects of the guitar, when plugged into a guitar amp. Yet, it is a bit more complex than this too. Because the guitar pickups' sound depends upon where they are placed on the body and neck of the guitar. Usually one is placed near the bridge - this is called the bridge pickup - one near the neck, and one in the middle. The one by the bridge provides a much brighter sound than the one at the neck.You can flick between these pickups using pickup selector or toggle switch, which can either be three way or five way.Guitars with a single coil pickupSingle coil pickups were the first pickups used to create electric guitars. They’re notably found on Fender, Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars, and are essentially used for  country music, blues and rock’n’roll.Pickups change the electric guitar's sound dramaticallyWhilst they provide an incredibly rich and versatile sound - with good treble and mid ranges - they have always been plagued with a hum. Hence, the next type of pick up...Guitars with a dual-coil pickupTo obtain a grander sound than with the single coil pickups, certain musicians prefer dual-coil or “humbucking” pickups. These 'buck' the hum of the single coils - hence the name humbucker - by using two coils together.They are often found on Gibson Les Paul guitars - as well as on guitars of heavy metal guitarists.Whilst any guitar for beginners will probably come with the single coils, this guitar pickup can be useful for anyone who wants to play on stage.Guitars with both single and dual-coil pickupsTo take advantage of the two types of pickups, you can even buy a guitar that combines them. You will however need a bigger budget for this purchase. They provide a greater versatility of sound, meaning that you can play rock guitar, jazz guitar, and crisp rhythm guitar chords on the same instrument.What about other guitar components that might change the sound of your playing? PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuit ar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RyanGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsSoundbox variationsLike classical guitars, electric guitars can have different types soundboxes. Each one will give you a different tone quality.So its important to choose the one you need so you can innovate your own sound!Hollow-body guitarsWhen speaking of the electric guitar, we often imagine a contoured guitar chamber without interior space, in contrast to classic guitars. Imagine the shape of the classic acoustic electric or acoustic instruments, with the body shape like a dreadnought, parlour, or jumbo.However, certain electrics are made with a ho llow cabinet too - with their own soundhole.The hollow guitar body is often used for playing blues or jazz.But what’s the difference?Some musicians prefer this type of hollow cavity cabinet for the woodier sound it makes. And the sound resonates easier - meaning that you can play it unplugged.These guitars are often preferred by jazz guitarists. They feature two holes in the shape of an  â€œf,” similar to those found on violins, placed on either side of the strings.This is notably the case of the Gibson ES 150.Solid-body guitarsSolid-body guitars appeared in the 1950s. They are notably appreciated by rockers, who wish to minimize and control the feedback effect on the sound.This is your classic guitar sound and shape, with the pronounced cutaway, the selector switch, and the volume knobs. Everything from the Yamaha Pacifica to the Squier by Fender to the Gibson USA and the Fender Telecaster all are solid body electric guitars.Semi-hollow guitarsJust like for pickups, certain gui tars combine  the two types of soundboxes. These ones allow you to add acoustic resonance to the sound without using the high-volume feedback effect.The wood with which this guitar is made is also an essential element in the choice of the guitar. For example, instrument made in mahogany and oak will have different acoustics. As we said before, this is really important to know when you are looking through different guitar brands to find your first guitar, a new guitar, or the best guitar for you.How can you learn to play your guitar heroes' riffs?Various Types of BridgesBridges hold an important role in the tonal accuracy of the instrument. It is located at the base of where the strings are attached, and connects their vibrations to the soundboard. This attaches the electric guitar strings, which come across the fingerboard, to the guitar's body.There are two main types of bridges for the electric guitar.1. Fixed bridgesThese are the most common bridges and, as the name indicates, th ey are affixed to the soundbox and can’t move. Their immobility means it isn’t possible to change the pitch of the notes that you play.The bridge holds the strings firmly in place.The advantage to choosing a fixed bridge is that the strings are better maintained and get untuned less easily. If you are not interested in massive solos or the extended techniques of the electric guitar, then this is the best option for you.2. Floating bridgesThe opposite of fixed bridges - floating bridges - can be moved with the help of a tremolo bar or whammy bar. Moving the bridge from up to down allows you to vary the pitch of notes.To obtain lower notes, move the bridge towards the top. Move it to the bottom to obtain high-pitched notes. This system is especially used by hard rock and metal groups.However, there are two categories of floating bridge.The floating tremolo bridge is entirely removable. However, the strings keep it in place.The dynamic vibrato bridge is attached to the cabinet of t he guitar by means of a screw and springs.This is a great addition to your guitar if you are interested in exploring the different effects your guitar can have. However, if you are looking for your first electric guitar, don't bother with this. Because, whilst the best electric guitar will be professionally made, cheaper versions of the floating bridge can be a bit flimsy. So, watch out if you are buying a beginner guitar package.Do you know the different playing techniques of the electric guitar?Choosing a Guitar in Terms of its NeckWhen you are choosing your guitar, pay attention to the length of the neck.  This varies according to the model you choose.Neck LengthThe average neck length is about 63 cm. This can sometimes change by one or two centimeters.Although you might think that this won’t change the acoustics of the guitar,  guitar necks affect the tautness of the strings and thus the way the instrument plays.When the neck of a guitar is longer, the tautness of the strings increases. There will be more spaces between the frets and playing will be more animated.As such, guitars with shorter necks, although their sound is less clear, will play easier because there is less tension in the strings. The frets are less spaced out, making it especially easier to play for those with small hands.Neck TonewoodAnother thing to consider is the tonewood of the neck. This is an important term that we have explored elsewhere. It refers to the different solid wood that guitars can be made from.For example, you might want to consider a maple neck - a particularly common tonewood choice - or a spruce neck.Bolt On Neck or Set NeckThere are two types of ways that the neck of the guitar is attached to the body - called either a 'set' neck or a 'bolt on' neck joint. One is bolted into the body's wood, and the other is set with glue.The DoubleAnd for the craziest players, there is the guitar with two necks for your next gig!  This, as you might expect, is called a double nec k guitar. If you are feeling confident, try out a double neck in the shop before you buy it.This guitar has a neck with twelve strings on one side, and a neck with six strings on the other. This type of guitar allows the musician to alternate between the two types during one music piece.This is the guitar type you have seen the Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page play!A neck could equally have more or less sections and frets in function of its length.Four Famous Electric Guitars!To help you choose your dream guitar, take a look at the most famous guitars in the music world.The hard rock café displays the most beautiful guitars. It’s possible to find them all over the world, in every big capital. And even though some have trouble finding a buyer, others sell at thousands of dollars. Now let’s admire some of the guitars played by our music idols - from the standard Stratocaster to a Gibson custom.These are not for those of you looking for the cheapest electric guitar pack. Here are four from among the most expensive guitar models on the market:1. 1986 StratocasterThis model was used by the famous left handed Jimi Hendrix, notably when he played at Woodstock. It's the right handed full size guitar that Hendrix flipped upside down - giving it its iconic inverted body style.The original guitar is worth 2 million dollars today. The most recent models are valued at well over $3000.2. Washburn 22 series HawkThis is one of the 7 guitars used by Bob Marley during his lifetime.To give the money to a good cause,  Bob Marley’s technician sold it for over one million dollars.3. Stratocaster Hybrid (Blackie)In 1970, Eric Clapton decided to leave his Gibson guitars for a Stratocaster. By combining the best parts of three different guitars he obtained “Blackie,” his fetish guitar.And this altruist doesn’t hesitate to put his guitars up for auction for a worthy cause.4. Gibson SG de 1964This guitar model was used by the Beatles between 1966 and 1969  on the albums †œRevolver” and “White Album.”Now that you know all about the different electric guitar parts, from amps and pickguard, to the headstock and fretboard, we can focus on tuning and acoustics!For electric guitar lovers, or those fascinated by different guitar models, find out more about the components, sounds and other aspects of the electric guitar  here.

Our Top 3 Methods for Learning the Piano

Our Top 3 Methods for Learning the Piano Out of hundreds of methods to learn to play piano, which is the right one for you? ChaptersThe traditional methodThe simplified methodSpecialized methodsThere are countless methods for learning how to play the piano. And so many questions to ask: piano or keyboard? Private piano course or music school? piano lessons online or conservatory? Piano teacher or self teaching? Music theory or improvisation? Major scale or minor scale?On the Internet alone you’ll find hundreds or methods, each professing to be the long-awaited, miracle solution for learning to play piano in 10 days, or something like that!This article attempts to help you sort through the mass of piano instruction methods, and narrows them down to three categories, each one responding to a particular aim. Afterwards, you’ll be one step closer to playing that keyboard like Mozart!Which piano method will you choose?if you want to learn piano simply to play your favorite tunes, there are more simplified methods for learning to play piano in less time.These are mainly methods that can be mined from the in ternet, full of online piano courses and piano tutorials. You yourself have most probably even seen those videos on YouTube or Dailymotion featuring a piano player promoting his or her method to learn to play the piano in 24 hours.These videos resemble those rather dubious ones that promise you thousands of dollars each month simply by working from home. You are right to be skeptical of these “miraculous” methods (be especially wary of those labeled “free piano courses”) that are coated in exaggerated marketing promises.However, there might be some truth in these miracle piano instruction methods: it can be possible to learn to play piano tunes through intuitive means rather quickly without learning solfege. The underlying principle consists in imitating another person who is playing. While it’s impossible to learn complex piano pieces this way, you’ll be able to play piano music with struck chords, or simplified versions of a score, for instance (i.e. Mary Had a Little Lamb and Ode to Joy). This method is efficient but does require a high level of concentration and a strong memory.Don't fall for those videos that say even cats can learn to play piano!Learn improvisation on the pianoThere are other “miracle” methods for learning how to play the pianos in several days. Although obviously exaggerated, is it possible?  Music is composed of chords and chord progressions: they follow one another according to a certain logic that most people could learn. This even applies to improvisation!In a given piano scale (the scale of D major for example), each note and each chord constructed on this note has a precise function. For instance, in C major, the C chord has a tonic function (the first scale degree of a diatonic scale). The note G is the dominant degree of C major (a dominant seventh chord).Then there is the subdominant chord, the fourth tonal degree of the diatonic scale: in C major, it’s the F chord. These three chords: tonic, dominant and subd ominant will allow you to improvise music pieces with little difficulty!The idea is to play a sequence of three chords with the left hand and improvise melodies with the right hand, in using all the notes of the scale. Gradually, you’ll learn new scales to diversify your piano chords and achieve modulations.There are no right or wrong methods, it all depends on your end goal!If you want to learn to play piano seriously, to deeply understand music, play complex pieces (classical and otherwise), and perhaps become a professional musician, you’ll quickly find this simplified method too limiting.Are you aiming to be a piano virtuoso?This method is advantageous only if your objectives are modest. However, methods are not always contradicting. You can just as well work using simplified and intuitive methods while learning solfege on the side (with a piano instructor from Superprof for instance).Specialized methodsAs we all know, there are many music genres! On the piano, you can learn to play all of them, from classical music to jazz, blues, variety and more.Whether you study classical music, variety or jazz improvisation, you will be using the same notes, the same chords, and most of the same rules, etc. So it’s relatively possible to go from one style to the next, and to learn piano tunes in several different music genres.Despite this, we recommend choosing one training method for the piano that corresponds to your musical aspirations. In jazz for example, the system of decoding chords uses an American system. But more to the point, jazz is an art of improvisation. And one won’t necessarily learn to improvise while studying classical music. Jazz piano training calls for a specific pedagogical instruction, a training method based on improvisation, and a harmony-driven understanding of music. Some classical musicians have very little knowledge of tonality, while it’s pretty much inconceivable to learn jazz without working on harmony. Classical music has it s own specific learning techniques, of course.Is jazz piano your thing, à la McCoy Tyner?Your chosen method of learning how to play piano will depend on your aims and the type of music you’d like to learn to play. Your chosen music style will also dictate the difficulty level of instruction.Learning to play variety music tunes  is simpler than learning a classical music score by Shubert or Brahms, because of the focus on plucked chord progressions played by the left hand, for instance. This is a bit of a stereotype, of course: some pieces of classical music are easy to play, and certain variety songs quite complex.There are methods for every style: traditional methods for classical music jazz methods and variety music methods, etc. You can learn all the musical style you desire by working at home and teaching yourself. But they share one major similarity: each method requires motivation in order to learn to play piano.You can play whatever your wish with motivation! But to retain your motivation and overcome challenges that you’ll meet along the way, working with a private music instructor in a piano lesson is your best option.And you won’t regret it! The advantages of piano playing are numerous (in terms of concentration, memory, relaxation, to name but a few). So what are you doing here, your baby grand is waiting!

The PSAT Your First Step to SAT ACT Success

The PSAT Your First Step to SAT ACT Success ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog This fall, many high school juniorsâ€"â€"and even some sophomoresâ€"â€"will take the PSAT. In all likelihood, this will be their first experience with standardized college admissions exams. You may have heard that students’ PSAT results “don’t count” and “don’t matter.” While it’s true for most students that college admissions committees won’t use PSAT scores to gauge their college readiness (that is, after all, what the SAT and ACT are for), the view that the PSAT doesn’t matter at all is both shortsighted and counterproductive. In truth, PSAT scores can provide valuable insight into your strengths and weaknesses; when used correctly, the results can help students take a big first step toward success on the SAT and ACT. But what do we mean when we say used correctly? There are several ways to take advantage of your scores, some more practical and valuable than others. Here are three tips for getting everything you can out of the data on your PSAT report. 1. Don’t get too distracted by the overall section scores; instead, focus on the detail. The highest-level scores provided by your PSAT report will be in the form of two numbers, each out of 760: your Math score, and your Evidence-Based Reading Writing (ERW) scores. (Note that on the SAT, both of these are scored out of 800.) Students and parents tend to obsess over these scores, forgetting about the other numbers the PSAT report provides. While they do suggest something about overall performance, these numbers are not terribly revealing. Instead of focusing on your 540 in Reading Writing and your 580 on Math, pay closer attention to your subscores, listed on a scale from 0 to 15. These scores reveal more specific areas of strength and weakness. For example, let’s suppose you do score a 580 on the Math. That number alone tells you that you are “above average” (average for juniors is around a 510), but not much else. The subscores, however, can reveal where that 580 came fro m. Perhaps your “Problem Solving and Data Analysis” subscore was a very strong 12 out of 15, but your “Heart of Algebra” score was an 8. This immediately reveals that you need to direct your focus toward reinforcing your algebra skills, which include interpreting, creating, and rearranging equations and expressions. 2. Make a list of topics you need to work on; use the test to isolate examples. It will be easier for you to formulate a prep plan if you translate the information within your PSAT score report into your own summary. Use your subscores to assemble a list of topics that disproportionately impacted your score. Furthermore, take a look at the answer sheet provided on the final page of the report to isolate the specific questions you found difficult. You’ll have your test booklet, so you will be able to see the exact questions you could not answer or that you answered incorrectly. Consider taking pictures of these questions with your phone, or even printing them out and pasting them into a notebook. Now, you have a suite of problems and questions that will form the basis of your prep. And by the way, even if you’re planning on sticking to the ACT, know that the (P)SAT and ACT share lots of content: the subscore categories presented by your PSAT report are just as likely to reveal pot ential strengths and weaknesses on the ACT. 3. Use the scores to establish a baseline and formulate goals. Realistic expectations and goals are are both very important. Assuming you put in a decent effort while taking the PSAT, your scores reflect where you stand without any concerted prep. Now, you can use the report to begin planning. How many topics must you focus on to increase your scores? How much time are you prepared to dedicate to SAT or ACT prep? Do your initial scores suggest you may benefit from a prep course setting (students who score around average are more likely to benefit from multi-student group courses than are students whose scores are on the extremes), or would small-group or private tutoring be more productive? Is your goal to increase your score by 50 points, or by 300 points? On which section can you focus to maximize the points earned for the time spent studying? The answers to all of these questions lie within your report: you simply have to use the data at your fingertips. Remember: though the PSAT may seem inconsequential, the information it provides can be extremely helpful in raising your scores. Using the PSAT to develop positive and proactive momentum can mean the difference between productive, meaningful prep and last-minute frantic cramming. So take advantage of all the PSAT report has to offerâ€"â€"when all is said and done, you’ll thank yourself for doing so. -Evan Wessler, Vice President of Educationâ€"â€"Method Test Prep

Follow 3 Principles To Improve Your GMAT Score

Follow 3 Principles To Improve Your GMAT Score GMAT MBA Admissions Blog Improving your academic performance, and really any type of performance (i.e., athletic, musical, professional, personal â€" you name it), is a function of following three important principles: Fuel your mind and body habitually Employ strategies methodically Practice the right skills deliberately My belief in these rules is based on my personal academic and professional experiences, my observations and discussions with MyGuru’s students and GMAT tutors, and from methodical research and review of books, articles, presentations, and podcasts on topics related to each of the rules. First, let’s introduce the rules in general (this post), and then discuss how to apply them specifically to improving your GMAT score (our next post). We’ll try to keep things short and simple in these blog posts, while fully covering the main ideas. Rule # 1: Fuel your mind and body habitually Adopt a “growth” mindset There is tons of research that shows your mindset can have a huge impact on how you perform in school, in sports, in music and the arts, and in anything else. People tend towards, in various aspects of their lives, two mindsets: fixed or growth. With a fixed mindset, you believe intellect, abilities, talents, and skills are very much “given” at birth. You have it, or you don’t. Mistakes are seen as evidence that you “don’t have it.” You can read more about how mindset influences success atmindsetonline.com. As a result, you avoid activities that you aren’t good at, and in which you are likely to make mistakes or perform poorly. For example, you may think you aren’t very good at standardized tests, and as a result you might be dreading the GMAT. With a growth mindset, you believe that ability, talent, skill, and intellect are things you can improve over time with practice, feedback, and guidance. Mistakes are viewed as opportunities to improve and learn, and you embrace the struggle. As a result, you tend to learn more, improve faster, and build skills in new areas. Believe in the link between nutrition, exercise, sleep, and performance All else equal, the person who eats better, exercises more, and gets more and better rest, will: Have higher cognitive function Perform better in athletics Get along better with others There are lots of studies and research on these topics, but they often seem so obvious that they are assuming to be minor or important. But, they really aren’t minor. For more information onhow cognitive function can be positively impacted by exercise, proper nutrition, and sleep, visit mindfull.spc.org. Adopting the growth mindset and improving your nutrition, exercise, and sleep are changes best made by building new habits slowly over time, to ensure they stick. Rule # 2: Employ a strategy methodically In one of the most popular blog articles of all time on Harvard Business Review’s web-site, Heidi Grant Halvorson, a PhD from the Columbia Business School, wrote about the nine things that successful people do differently. In that article, she writes that “decades of research on achievement suggests that successful people reach their goals not simply because of who they are, but more often because of what they do.” But, in an accompanying podcast episode where she talks about this blog post, she describes this a little differently. Instead, she says, quite simply, successful people use strategies to reach their goals. Indeed, in my former life as a business strategy consultant we often defined strategy as a clear explanation or description of what you will and will not do to achieve a goal of increasing the market value of a company. When developing business strategy, that meant making decisions about products and services to offer (or not), capabilities to build (or not), assets to buy (or not), etc. The outcome was a prioritized list of decisions and actions covering where and how the company was going to complete in the marketplace. The process of developing a strategy tends to involve: Setting a goal Gathering all of the information required to understand how to meet that goal Prioritizing a list of issues that will have the greatest impact on your ability to meet your goal Developing alternative courses of action (i.e., different paths you could take) Evaluating those alternatives using whatever criteria are relevant Choose the best alternative (or designing one that integrates the best of several) Developing a detailed plan of action to execute that alternative Rule # 3: Build the right skills deliberately As was mentioned in rule #1 and #2, contrary to popular belief, success comes from doing specific things differently, not from being intrinsically smarter or more talented. It turns out that even in highly intellectual fields, like mathematics, people viewed as geniuses have, in fact, spent hundreds or thousands more hours than anyone else in their field practicing their craft with an intense, focused, and mistake-embracing way. They have built their skills methodically and deliberately over time. In fact, Einstein once said, “it’s not that I’m so smart, I just stay with the problems longer.” To be clear, simply working hard or working for a long time is actually not enough. The research shows that skills are built by practicing in what is called a “deliberate” fashion, where you break skills down into component parts, practice with intense focus, get feedback, and learn immediately from mistakes to build good habits. This is the way to build skill in all areas of life: mathematics, reading comprehension, music, basketball, etc. More on deliberate practice and how it builds skills can be found on the Talent Code Blog. In in our next post, we’ll apply these three rules to improving your GMAT score specifically. Also, please visit our GMAT tutoring page to learn more about how MyGuru can help you achieve your best score possible.

Strong Study Skills Lead to Success In and Out of the Classroom

Strong Study Skills Lead to Success In and Out of the Classroom Strong Study Skills Lead to Success In and Out of the Classroom Emma, 10-years-old, Level  I  (Math) Discipline,  concentration, self-confidence. These are all traits that young athletes normally develop in karate.  Similarly, these are also many benefits of the  Kumon  Math and Reading  Program. Emma, who started studying  Kumon at the age of four, credits the perseverance she developed throughout the Kumon Program for helping her succeed at karate, one of her favorite extracurricular activities. Now, at the age of 10, she  continues to apply  those traits  and is excelling in the classroom, where she’s  studying three years above her grade level, and flourishing in karate with many gold medals. Emma tells us a little bit more about how Kumon has helped her both in and out of the classroom. How has Kumon helped you beyond academics? One of the biggest things I’ve learned from Kumon is to persevere. I’ve been able to apply that in my karate training, which I like to do in my spare time. Some katas (forms) in karate are hard to learn and memorize. No matter how long it takes, I always try my hardest and push through because I learned from Kumon that sometimes learning new materials or a new subject can be difficult at first, but the difficulty only lasts for a short time. What keeps you motivated in Kumon? One thing that keeps me motivated in Kumon is the fact that I will have to learn this math in the future, so why not try to learn it early. I figure if I learn it now, then when the same material comes up in school, I’ll already know how to do it. “Not everything is going to go your way. Kumon definitely helps you  persevere through that. It’s not just academically helpful. It also helps you motivate yourself.”â€"Emma   You might also be interested in: This Young Student Gets Competitive With Her Math Skills Motivation is the Key to this Kumon Student’s Success Finding the motivation to continue learning during the summer can be a challenge. 13-year-old Kumon dual program completer shares advice on perseverance. This Future Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Applies Discipline and Repetition In-and-Out of the Classroom Strong Study Skills Lead to Success In and Out of the Classroom Strong Study Skills Lead to Success In and Out of the Classroom Emma, 10-years-old, Level  I  (Math) Discipline,  concentration, self-confidence. These are all traits that young athletes normally develop in karate.  Similarly, these are also many benefits of the  Kumon  Math and Reading  Program. Emma, who started studying  Kumon at the age of four, credits the perseverance she developed throughout the Kumon Program for helping her succeed at karate, one of her favorite extracurricular activities. Now, at the age of 10, she  continues to apply  those traits  and is excelling in the classroom, where she’s  studying three years above her grade level, and flourishing in karate with many gold medals. Emma tells us a little bit more about how Kumon has helped her both in and out of the classroom. How has Kumon helped you beyond academics? One of the biggest things I’ve learned from Kumon is to persevere. I’ve been able to apply that in my karate training, which I like to do in my spare time. Some katas (forms) in karate are hard to learn and memorize. No matter how long it takes, I always try my hardest and push through because I learned from Kumon that sometimes learning new materials or a new subject can be difficult at first, but the difficulty only lasts for a short time. What keeps you motivated in Kumon? One thing that keeps me motivated in Kumon is the fact that I will have to learn this math in the future, so why not try to learn it early. I figure if I learn it now, then when the same material comes up in school, I’ll already know how to do it. “Not everything is going to go your way. Kumon definitely helps you  persevere through that. It’s not just academically helpful. It also helps you motivate yourself.”â€"Emma   You might also be interested in: This Young Student Gets Competitive With Her Math Skills Motivation is the Key to this Kumon Student’s Success Finding the motivation to continue learning during the summer can be a challenge. 13-year-old Kumon dual program completer shares advice on perseverance. This Future Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Applies Discipline and Repetition In-and-Out of the Classroom