3 Ways to Incorporate the Arts Into Your College Experience

3 Ways to Incorporate the Arts Into Your College Experience Courses in the arts can enrich and revitalize your college experience. Even if you are an engineering, psychology, or business major, taking a class in the arts or design disciplines can be enjoyable, stress-relieving, and enlightening. Many majors are cross-disciplinary, and you may be able to tie what you learn in your arts courses back to your major. So, how does a student in an unrelated major incorporate arts into his or her college experience? Read on to learn three ways to incorporate the arts into your college experience: 1. Fulfill general studies requirements with arts courses Nearly all majors require students to complete general education or general studies courses. This ensures that students have a well-rounded experience and are exposed to a multitude of ideas. So the next time you meet with your advisor, find out what general studies you have remaining and which might be fulfilled through an art course. Many history and theory courses in art, dance, theatre, film, music, and design offer historical or humanities credits, and might be more enjoyable than some of your other course options to fulfill the same requirements. Also, these courses might provide a bit of a break from your typical finance or electrical engineering courses, while also providing inspiration and even a new intellectual challenge. 2. Incorporate arts practice courses into your schedule Maybe you are a nursing major, but always loved drawing or ceramics. Or, maybe you are studying sustainability but miss filmmaking. Check your college catalog or speak with your academic advisor about arts practice courses that are open to non-majors. Many colleges and universities set aside seats in their introductory arts practice courses for non-majors to explore disciplines. Most majors allow a few electives. Taking a course in arts practice will help fulfill elective credits while nurturing your creative pursuits. If you dont have room for an elective or if youve already used your electives, consider taking on an extra course in the summerto fit in an art course. If you take a few courses and really love it, see an advisor in the creative discipline of your interest to find out about adding a minor. Minors might include theatre, film, dance, music, digital media, design, or art. 3. Enhance your major with a relevant arts course Majors and their corresponding careers are typically not independent of every other major or career. Instead, they are trans-, multi- or cross-disciplinary. You can use courses in the arts to enhance your major, and eventually acquire skills and knowledge for your career. For example, a computer science major may love programming, but he or she may also wish to learn elements of graphic and web design. Although computer science will have classes in programming and graphics, it may not delve as deeply into the artistic principles that make certain designs visually appealing. Similarly, a psychology major may not think the arts applies to his or her major, but there are several courses in music and art therapy that can help psychology majors understand the different methods of counseling to help people with emotional or behavioral disorders. As an additional example, a marketing major will learn all about targeting consumer markets and influencing consumer behavior, but he or she will rarely learn the creative and design side of marketing through his or her business program. Marketing students can benefit from taking a media design course to gain skills in graphic design, film editing, sound editing, and basic web programming. These skills will make them much more marketable when applying for jobs post-graduation. The arts is such a broad area that interests students of all backgrounds. Your college experience can be varied and include the arts despite your major. If you are interested in incorporating the arts into your college degree, dont hesitate to do so. Speak with an advisor and ask for help identifying how you can best fit these courses into your program of study.

Getting the Gig Audition Tips for Musicians

Getting the Gig Audition Tips for Musicians Suzy S. Preparing for an upcoming audition? It’s a competitive world out there! To get a leg up, check out these helpful audition tips from Tao G., who teaches music theory, trombone, and guitar lessons in New York City: Work in the music industry is drying up due to lack of funds, a generational shift of interest away from live classical music, and the evolution of music taste to an industry that places more importance on being a dramatic public figure than being a good musician. Broadway shows aren’t willing to pay 30-piece orchestras when they can get away with pressing play on an MP3. Symphony orchestras are going bankrupt because their audience is literally aging out. Established performers are hanging on to their job until they retire. All these factors are creating a bottleneck of resistance for many young musicians looking to make a living playing music. Consequently, young musicians may find themselves unsure how to break into the business. I’m speaking mainly of orchestral, jazz, and commercial work. But this also applies to any musician trying to get a gig with big bands like the Glenn Miller Orchestra, cruise ships, television and film soundtracks, military bands like the President’s Own, Broadway and other major productions like Cirque du Soleil, musical theater touring, theme parks like the Disney Bands, solo recording, and so forth. So here are some general audition tips I’ve accumulated through my experience. This information is of course intended as a helpful guideline and should be supplemented with lessons through a private instructor. Master your instrument. This means practicing often, working on the basics of your instrument and attacking your weaknesses. Don’t always play what you are good at. Well-rounded musicians find more success than one-trick ponies. Your ability to speak through your instrument should be as comfortable as speaking your native language. Know who and what you are auditioning for. This is somewhat self-explanatory, but is extremely important in this context. Orchestral auditions, for example, are intense ordeals that require your absolute finest preparation and attention to detail. But the auditioning panel in Chicago will want something different than the New York Philharmonic. Listen to recordings of the group you want to join so you know what sound they want to hear, and get to know your musical director’s style. Mock-audition for others first. Play your materials for family, friends, pets, neighbors, and certainly other musicians. Get rid of performance anxiety by getting comfortable playing with other people listening intently. Also, listen to recordings of yourself. You never can believe how sloppy you sound until you put a microphone in front of yourself and listen back! But that helps build finesse and precision. Let them talk. Ours is an industry that stands on the bitter truths of criticism; from other musicians, critics, teachers, and consumers. However, it’s not always a bad thing to learn that you have a deficiency in one area or another, because that knowledge can help you focus your practice. Young musicians, especially college students, are extremely susceptible to harsh criticism. Always believe in yourself, and remember that even Miles Davis had critics. Love what you do. If you want to play jazz trombone, become the smartest person you know about jazz trombone. Get every recording of J J Johnson and his contemporaries, then listen to modern trombonists like Marshall Gilkes. Transcribe everything you hear. Go to jazz clubs. Learn the language of jazz musicians, because when you finally do get in with those cats, you want to be able to keep up so you get another gig with them. The important point of this is that you should be excited about what you do, with music as in life in general. It should make you happy to work hard for what you want. Like I said, these audition tips are general in nature and the best advice I can put together from my experience getting through and winning auditions myself. I would encourage you to also research on your own the methods of great players that have done what you want to get into. For trombonists in particular, check out tromboneforum.org for a whole community of players to gain knowledge from. Similar websites and communities exist for other instrumentalists like cello.org and trumpetherald.com, for cellists and trumpeters, respectfully. And finally, advice on surviving the day of your audition starts with the night before: Get plenty of sleep! Stay away from caffeine the day of to reduce unintentional tremors. Give yourself a healthy amount of time before the audition to travel to the location, sign in, and then set up your instrument. Don’t do something different on this day; practice as you always do, for this creates a sense of familiarity and comfort that aids in reducing anxiety. Try not to chat up your peers as many people need some privacy before auditioning and may find your chattiness to be rude. Find a water fountain and take a little walk to it every 10 minutes or so. The water is good for keeping you alert and hydrated, and the walk will let you work out some of the uneasiness of waiting. Don’t overplay! Warm up and then put the horn down. You want your embouchure/hands/head fresh but settled into playing “shape” when your name is called. Breathe! Take deep, purposeful breaths while playing as nervousness tends to lead people to taking quick, short breaths which could lead to phrases losing their intensity or dying altogether before their intended duration. The rest is up to you, your preparation, and the will of the panel. Listen to their instructions and do your best to comply quickly but purposefully. And when it’s all over, I suggest getting a transcript of the judge’s notes so you can study the things they didn’t like and use it to improve for the next audition. I hope this guide is helpful to you. Any questions, please look me up through TakeLessons.com! Good luck! Tao G is a professional trombonist and teacher in NYC. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the Dana School of Music and his specialties include musical theater, jazz, classical, audition repertoire, music theory, and ear training. He is also popular in Japan as a didgeridoo soloist. Tao joined the TakeLessons team in early 2014. Learn more about Tao, or search for a teacher near you! Photo  by Camilo Rueda López   Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! 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What is it Like to Attend Boston University

What is it Like to Attend Boston University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Catherine is a New York City tutor specializing in all levels of Latin tutoring. She holds a Bachelors degree in Ancient Greek and Latin from Boston University. Check out her review of her undergraduate experience: 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? Catherine: Boston University doesnt have a traditional campus feel, although there is a central campus and a sort of quad we call the Beach. Boston is a wonderful starter city for students who have always wanted to live in an urban setting but dont want to be overwhelmed. The campus isnt that large, but there is the subway or The T. A car would be a hassle to park. A bike would be helpful (but watch out for the drivers!) if you lived in West Campus or off campus in Allston. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Catherine: My professors and teaching assistants were always available during their office hours and by appointment. I loved my academic advisor, Prof. Stephanie Nelson. Although she was very busy, she always made time for me. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Catherine: I had a unique experience as I always lived in a brownstone in specialty housing. I highly recommend applying for specialty housing. My friends who lived in the dorms had the standard college experience. They made friends on their floors and in the student lounges. My friends who lived in West Campus complained that they lived far from the main campus, but there is more of a traditional dorm setting up there. Its a trade-off. At the time I attended, there were many dining options that combined dining hall and points to use after the dorms closed at night or at the student union (GSU). The food has a good reputation at BU. 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? Catherine: The most popular majors are Business, Management, Marketing, Social Sciences, Communication, Journalism, and Engineering, but the school offers a tremendous amount of other majors as well. I started out as a premed student. I was taking the required science courses. At the same time, I also loved the Classics, so I decided to major in Ancient Greek and Latin. I cant praise the Classics Department enough! They were so supportive, and as a Classics major, you feel as though you are attending a much smaller school. Im still in touch with some of my professors, and I graduated almost 10 years ago! 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? Catherine: It was quite easy to meet friends. I started making friends at Freshman Orientation. Because I lived in specialty housing which is smaller, I had to make a bit of extra effort to meet people than the students who lived in a big dorm. I knew a few people who belonged to a fraternity, but Greek life isnt too big at BU. All the sororities and fraternities are off campus. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Catherine: I visited the Career Center to get advice and for career testing, and they were very helpful. Because there is such a vast alumni network, many great companies recruit students and alumni. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Catherine: BU is constantly building new spaces for students. The only time I found the library and student union to be too crowed was during finals. I am curious to see what theyve done since I graduated. 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? Catherine: Boston is a great, small city. People from some cities find it somewhat limiting because all the bars close at 2 a.m. and the T stops running at 12:30 a.m., but I really didnt mind since I was from the middle of nowhere. Boston is a cultural center, so there are a ton of museums, restaurants, shopping areas, concert venues, etc. They have all that you could ask for in a city. Students constantly go downtown Its so close. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Catherine: With over 18, 000 students, it is a large school. I was generally pleased with my class sizes, especially for my Classics courses and in my recitations. Lectures can be a few hundred people, but there is a good TA to student ratio. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Catherine: There were so many memorable moments at BU, but I really loved how the professors in the Classics Department did individual speeches for the graduates at graduation. That touched my heart! Check out Catherines tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Be Relevant, Be Memorable and Be Noticed with a Marketing Message - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Be Relevant, Be Memorable and Be Noticed with a Marketing Message - Introvert Whisperer Be Relevant, Be Memorable and Be Noticed with a Marketing Message Career Attraction August 18, 2014 Career Development, Personal Branding, Self-Promotion No responses Go to top There are many times where you have the chance to share information about yourself and your job search, and you don’t want to miss an opportunity because you’re not prepared. Whether it’s at networking events, on social media, when you interact with your family and friends or any chance encounters you may have, a powerful marketing message can distinguish you from other job seekers and create a memorable impression with those you meet. You’re contending with everyone else for attention, and you want anyone you meet, either in person or online, to remember who you are, what you do, what kinds of companies you can help and how you solve problems. You are the product. You help companies solve a problem; now you have to deliver a message that describes your strengths in a memorable way. You want to motivate others to learn more about you and to know when to refer you or identify potential job openings that would be relevant for you. So, what do you say when someone asks, “What do you do?” It sounds like a simple question, but how you handle the next 15-60 seconds could be the difference between a casual encounter and a potential job opportunity. This is why you need to create your personal marketing message, one that differentiates you from everyone else. The average person only has an attention span of about 25 seconds, so if you aren’t prepared with a well-crafted, easy-to-understand, intriguing yet personal message, you could lose out. What exactly is a “marketing message” for a job seeker? Simply, put it is: A confidently delivered, concise a 30- to 60-second statement that is easy to understand. A portrayal of you, the type of job you’re seeking and the type of company or companies you want to work for. A description of a challenge or problem you solve that adds value to the company you work for. Attention-grabbing. A powerful first impression. A conversation starter. A narrowly focused mini sales pitch. A memorable way for people to share what you do with others. Crafted with the person you are talking to in mind. Personal and not pushy. How to create your unique marketing message: The following is a step-by-step guide for developing your exclusive marketing message. Be specific to increase your chances of leaving a memorable and lasting first impressionâ€"an important step in cultivating business relationships. 1. Know who you want to talk to. First, you need to know who you want to talk to. This will help you you share what you do in a way that is relevant to their needs. Who is your target audience? Be specific. You can’t be everything to all companies, so you need to be clear about who your ideal “customer” is. Use the following questions to accurately define your “customer”: What type of company do you want to work for? A large corporation? A small startup? What type of corporate culture are you seeking? What type of work do you want to do? What industry do you want to work in? What specific companies are you interested in working for? This doesn’t mean you’re locked into one target market or company, but in order to gain attention and give people the information they need to most effectively help you, you need to accurately and specifically describe what you’re looking for. The more specific you are, the better your chances of creating a marketing message that will be compelling and enable your “customer” to think about who they know and can refer you to. 2. What are your networking goals for your job search? Know what you’re trying to accomplish when networking. Are you trying to: Meet people from a particular target company? Talk to someone about a specific type of job and better understand the responsibilities? “Sell” yourself to someone who works for a company you’re targeting? Earn a referral? Get an interview? Set up a future meeting to explore employment options? Ask for help on how to position your skill set within a particular company or industry? Simply inform people of your situation? This information is important as it will guide you in how to position your marketing message. 3. Now, write some action statements about what you do and what makes you different. Demonstrate what you do and why people should want to hire you. Clarify and emphasize your competitive advantages and what makes you different. Play around with words and phrases until it sounds just right. Use the phrases that best highlight what you do and what you have done. Share examples of ways you have helped to drive change, implemented a solution or solved a problem. Some ideas include: Describe your attributes: I am reliable, detail-oriented, creative, a problem-solver. Describe your experience: I have experience in developing social media strategies in Facebook, reconciling financial statements, etc. Use examples from relevant work you’ve done in the past: I worked at a local pizza shop, where I handled scheduling and managed other employees or I helped implement X strategy at my internship. Mention classes you have taken and how you can apply what you learned to future work. 4. Next, it’s time to use these action statements to create your marketing message. This should be a declaration or question designed to prompt some action linked with your goal (getting a meeting, getting a referral, etc.). Rather than saying “I’m looking for a job in ____,” demonstrate your skills and experience with a message like: I help companies increase lead generation by developing creative marketing strategies using social media. I’m looking for a small company in the financial services industry that needs more visibility in their market. I’m a master at managing projects and can help companies manage the public relations process, from writing press releases to contacting the media to getting articles published. I’m especially interested in working for an advertising agency. Metrics are my passion, and I help companies drive results by analyzing marketing trends to provide information for more effective marketing decisions. The companies I’m pursuing include __________, __________ and __________. I understand the restaurant industry and have experience in food service, scheduling and bartending. I’m interested in applying my hands-on experience with the valuable restaurant management courses I took at XYZ University to increase profitability in the restaurant business. My passion and attention to detail are what will set me apart from others. I’m looking for a restaurant that needs help managing their business. I am passionate about helping people stay productive on the job by keeping computers online and in use. My IT experience includes programming and systems administration, and I’m specifically looking to join a large corporation in the Jacksonville area. The idea is to create a power statement that will paint a picture of what you do and how you help. This makes it so much easier for people to know how to help you and to put you in touch with the right people. 5. Practice your message and get feedback. Rehearse many timesâ€"in front of the mirror, to your family and your friends, to your dog. The contents and essence of your message should be memorized; however, the delivery should be more natural and flow with the conversation. You don’t want to sound like a telemarketer reading from a script. With that said, until you get really comfortable, start with memorizing your message and, as you get in the groove, you can continue to practice and work on your delivery. Be genuineâ€"you are marketing yourself, and people like to know who you are and if you would be a cultural fit with the companies or people they may refer you to. Don’t stress about getting it perfect. The perfect message may not sound as genuine. 6. Be prepared for the next time you meet someone. Be confident and passionate in delivering your marketing message, and people will be more likely to remember you. Be flexible depending on your circumstances. If you’re at a job fair and will be talking to people at specific companies, you’ll want to position yourself differently than if you were meeting someone at an alumni networking event. Don’t be afraid to ask for somethingâ€"a business card, a referral or to schedule time for a follow-up discussion. Don’t be pushy. Read the other person’s signals to see if they’re even interested in learning more or having additional conversations. Are they engaged in your conversation, or are they looking around? Are they asking you questions? Are they actively listening? Be ready when someone asks you to “tell me more.” Be ready to tell a story that further clarifies what you do and demonstrates your abilities and how they helped solve a problem. I can’t reinforce this enough, but make sure it’s a story that will resonate with the person you’re talking to. (You have been asking some questions and actively listening, right?) Now what? How and when do you use your marketing message? The short answer: anytime. Anytime someone asks you, “What do you do?” you should be prepared to share your message. If you were successful in coming up with something thats interesting, compelling and intriguing, you will “hook” the person into asking you to tell them moreâ€"and now you can share your story. This will open the door to further conversation and networking opportunities. How can you tell if have a goodâ€"no, GREATâ€"marketing message? Let’s see. If you can answer “yes” to the following questions, then you are good to go! Does your marketing message briefly describe what you do? Is it clear who your target market is? Is your message personal and relevant to the person you are talking to? Does your message describe how you are different/better than other candidates? (What makes your capabilities unique? What is your competitive advantage?) Is your message memorable? Are YOU memorable? (Energetic, enthusiastic and passionate without being over the top?) Is it clear that you’re enthusiastic and passionate about what you do? Is your message clear about what problems you can solve? (What exactly do you do?) Is it attention-grabbing? Compelling? Maybe a little humorous? Intriguing? Is your message short and to the point? What will your marketing message be? This post originally appeared on Career Attraction. Image: Cindy Schultz Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Tips for Teaching Yourself the Drums

Tips for Teaching Yourself the Drums 12 Tips for Learning to Play the Drums ChaptersAdopt the Right PostureHolding the DrumsticksRecording and Filming YourselfPlay with a MetronomeBe PatientPractise RegularlyRelaxLearn the RudimentsLearn Rhythm TheoryPlay Anywhere and EverywhereJoin a BandDrumming Definitions“To be a drummer you also have to be a musician.” - Ian PaiceAccording to American neuroscientist Daniel Levitin, music uses all parts of the brain and the Triune brain, in particular, which is responsible for our fundamental and difficult-to-control emotions.Learning to play the drums is a great way to improve your memory and coordination. Check out the best books to learn the drums.So how can you learn to play the drums on your own?Can you learn to play drums without taking drum lessons?While the drums are thought of as being easier and different from other musical instruments, is this really the case? SerbanDrum Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyDrum Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutor s RussellDrum Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StephenDrum Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeteDrum Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OllieDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsAdopt the Right PostureYou have to sit properly if you’re playing the drums. If you teach yourself to play the drums, you mightn’t pay attention to your posture.Are you sitting comfortably? (Source: krlosrocha)However, a bad posture can result in back problems and tendonitis.  Furthermore, a good posture will help you improve your speed and dexterity on the snare drum, toms, and cymbals.Playing in front of a mirror can help you adopt the right posture, effectively making you both the student and the teacher.Your Position on the Drum ThroneY ou need to be sitting towards the edge of the stool so that you can free up your thighs. The angle between your thighs and calves will be greater than 90 °.The snare drum should be between your knees and slightly higher than your thighs.Hi-hat and Snare PositionYour arms should be crossed.Your right hand will be over your left hand so that you can hit the edge of the hi-hat.The left hand is positioned to hit the snare drum directly in the centre. The angle between your two drumsticks should be just under 90 °.You’ll adopt the same positions for the toms as you would the snare drum.Bass drum PositionThere are several possible positions. I’m going to start with the most logical and the quickest.Place your foot as far up the pedal as possible and lift your heel.You’ll move your entire leg when you hit the bass drum as well as feeling it in your thigh.Cymbal positionWith the ride, your right hand will be perpendicular to the floor. You’ll hit it with the tip of the stick.If you play the bell, you’ll hit is with the thicker part of the stick to the left of the screw.It’s the same for the crash cymbal except that you’ll only play using the thicker part of the stick.Holding the DrumsticksUnfortunately, it’s not as easy as you might think!Just like religion and politics, everyone has an opinion on the matter.There are two main ways to hold the drumsticks.However, in reality, you can hold the drumsticks in four different ways.Traditional Grip: This is the oldest way to hold the drumsticks and is commonly used in jazz drumming. You don’t hold each stick in exactly the same way. Your non-dominant hand holds the stick under the palm whereas your dominant hand will hold the stick similarly to how you’d hold a pen. Have a look at how Buddy Rich does it.Matched Grips:French grip: you hold the sticks towards one another. You use your fingers to create the movement in the sticks.German grip: the sticks are moved by the wrists and your palms are parallel to the ground. This method is used to generate power.American grip: This is a mix of the two previous grips and is difficult to get right. You use both your fingers and your wrists in order to give you more versatility.The toms that you see on drum kits nowadays were once war drums. (Source: skeeze)No grip is better or worse than another. Each one has its pros and cons depending on the style of music you’re playing.Recording and Filming YourselfIf you’re not getting music or drum tutorials, it can be difficult to correct errors. It’s a good idea to record or film yourself with a camera.Sit in front of your computer and film yourself.Not only will you be able to see yourself getting better, but  you’ll also be able to check your posture and any techniques you’re wanting to get better at.Play with a MetronomeWhether you’re teaching yourself to drum or learning with a teacher, the metronome will quickly become your best friend.A drummer’s job is to keep time. To make sure yo u’re perfect at it, there’s nothing better than a metronome.A drumbeat helps the electric guitar, bass, saxophone, etc., to stay in time.It may seem dull, but you have to keep time correctly. It’s also a good idea to start slowly at around 60 beats per minute before moving up to 90 and then 120.Be PatientWhether you’re learning a binary or ternary rhythm, it can take some time, especially if you’re teaching yourself.Be patient!You’re not going to learn any quicker by skipping important steps. Playing drums is a mentally demanding activity as you need to have coordination and be able to operate your limbs independently of one another.  You also need to give your brain time to remember things.Playing slowly at first will allow your brain to understand and remember each technique. You can’t play quickly if you can’t play slowly. SerbanDrum Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyDrum Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RussellDrum Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StephenDrum Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeteDrum Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OllieDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsPractise RegularlyLearning how to play drums requires regular practice and training.If you want to get better at the drums, you'll have to practise. (Source: StockSnap)It’s better to practise for 15 minutes every day than to practice for 2 hours once a week.It’s a good idea to work around your schedule and fill the smaller gaps with a bit of drumming practice.Make sure that drumming becomes a habit, something that you do without even thinking about it. Above all, make sure that you concentrate when you practise. Turn off the TV, set yo ur phone to silent, and disconnect from the internet so that nothing stands in the way of your progress.RelaxTo get better at playing the drums, regardless of the genre, you need to relax.Playing while tense will make your playing less fluid. Furthermore, if you’re tense, you also run the risk of doing yourself an injury.Think about doing some breathing exercises and stretching before you start practising: especially your neck, back, wrists, and heels.You should breathe naturally as you practise. If you notice that you’re holding your breath, stop the exercise and bring your breathing back to normal.Learn the RudimentsThe three main rudiments are:Single stroke roll: RLRL RLRLDouble stroke roll: RRLL RRLLParadiddle: RLRR LRLLThese three rudiments are essential for drummers and are great for getting you started. They’re also really useful for drum breaks.Of course, there are plenty of others. The Percussive Arts Society has 40 of them for you to check out.Learn Rhythm TheoryWhil e music theory can be complicated, rhythm theory is a little easier to learn. It would be a shame to not make use of it.This will open a lot of doors for you, especially when it comes to understanding sheet music for drums.  You’ll also be able to communicate with different musicians more easily as well as read sheet music.Play Anywhere and EverywherePlaying the drums as often as possible is a great idea but you won’t always have a drum kit with you. It doesn’t matter!Buying a drum kit isn’t necessarily the first thing you need to do. You can practise with the drumsticks before you get your first kit.Cushions, your thighs, electronic pads, and even a chair can become a musical instrument!  Even air drums can help you practise before you buy an electronic or acoustic drum kit.That said, even if you have a drum kit, there’s nothing stopping you from practising a few rudiments on your lunch break.Enjoy Yourself!  Don’t forget that playing a musical instrument is fun.Of cour se, you’ll need to practise in order to acquire new techniques or become a professional drummer.However, playing for fun is a great way to improve your creativity and that’s why we often want to learn to play a musical instrument!Make the most of it by playing a song you like or just improvising.Join a BandWhether with friends or by placing an ad for other musicians, playing in a band is a great way to get better quickly.Joining a band is a great way to practise playing the drums with other musicians. (Source: Pexels)You’ll learn how to work with others and lead a group of musicians.You’ll also develop your ear for both drums and other instruments.So why not start composing your own pieces?Drumming DefinitionsSingle-stroke rollOne of the essential drumming rudiments.ParadiddleAnother of the essential drumming rudiments.

October 2012 PSAT scores have been released!

October 2012 PSAT scores have been released! By now, most juniors should have received PSAT results from their schools.   If you’re not sure how to read your score report, here’s how it works: you have three scores, one for critical reading, one for math, and one for writing.   Those scores are added together to give you a composite score.     To get your approximate SAT score, just add a zero onto the end of each score.   Now, compare that approximate SAT score to average scores at your colleges of choice.    If you want to improve your PSAT score and get a better result on the SAT, you’re in the right place!AJ Tutoring has a fantastic individualized SAT preparation program.   We pair you one-on-one with a tutor at our Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Saratoga, or San Jose offices.   Over the course of 9 sessions, you’ll learn everything there is to know about test-taking strategies, what’s actually on the test, and how to best prepare for the big day.If you’re planning to take the March 9, 2013 SAT, there’s no time to wa ste!   With only 10 weeks left before the test, there’s still time to prepare, but the AJ Tutoring team is starting to fill up.   If you’d like to start tutoring for the March 2013 SAT, give Aaron or Joe a call at (650) 331-3251, or email  info@ajtutoring.com.If, on the other hand, you haven’t thought about the SAT since you got those PSAT results back, now’s the time to start planning.  You should have a full round of tests (SAT, ACT, SAT subject tests) done by the end of junior year, so you can retake the tests senior year if necessary.    We would be happy to help you develop a testing plan that makes the most sense with your schedule â€" give us a call at (650) 331-3251.

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Final 11+ Session at The Stretch Academy 2014/15 At Stretch, our volunteer tutors help top-achieving primary pupils with 11+ preparation and enable them to competitively apply for the top places at the highest achieving secondary schools in the area! The Stretch Academy Cohort 2015 had their final session last week, so we celebrated with cake, sweets and a happy photo of them all! Below is taken from the certificate they each received: Dear Stretch Academy class of 2015 Congratulations on all of your hard work this year, and on all you have achieved. Since our first  session back in the Autumn of 2014 you have taken on new and challenging tasks, you have shown  dedication and leadership, and most of all you have shown courage in expanding your horizons. Over  the past nine months, you have developed new skills, found new talents and made new friends. You  have shown real character and determination, and you have made your families and teachers proud. I wish you all the very best for next year, for your next steps to Year 6 and secondary school, and for  the steps after that. It has been a real pleasure to teach you this year, to see you progress and learn,  and to come to know each of you as the outstanding young people that you are. I cannot wait to see  the incredible things that you will do with your future. Work hard. Be confident. Good luck.

Teach in 2017 - New English, Math, Science, Business, PE and ICT teaching jobs!

Teach in 2017 - New English, Math, Science, Business, PE and ICT teaching jobs! Are you a licensed teacher at middle or high school level? Do you hold a bachelor’s degree in your chosen subject area? Have at least two years’ teaching experience in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada or the Middle East? If you answered yes to all of the above, then we’ve got a teaching job with your name on it! UAE government schools are currently seeking applications to fill over 500 open teaching positions across a wide range of subjects in the United Arab Emirates, including: English teachers Math teachers Science teachers - Physics, Chemistry and Biology Business teachers Physical Education teachers ICT (Information Communication Technology)/Computer teachers This is your big chance to be a part of one of the most exciting education reforms in the world. Successful candidates will be teaching students from grades 6 - 12 at various UAE schools across one of six of the following Emirate states: Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Ajman. Teaching positions include a tax-free salary and added perks such as return airfare, paid vacation, end of contract bonus and health insurance. A generous allowance for housing is also included in your monthly salary to cover the costs of accommodation and housing expenses. Dreading the thoughts of apartment hunting? Don’t worry - finding accommodation in the UAE is easier than you might first think! For many new arrivals, finding a place to live is a fun way to kick off their new teach abroad adventure, start exploring and get familiar with where they’ll be living and working. Rental options can be found relatively cheaply in the UAE, are usually conveniently located in central areas close to key amenities and finished to a very high and modern standard. With a housing allowance, where you choose to live is in your own hands. You’ll have the flexibility toplan your commute (some teachers even teach in one Emirate but choose to live in another to avail of cheaper rental options!) and weigh up your options so you can find the best living arrangement to suit your needs. The following websites will give you a good idea of the types of housing available: Property Finder Dubizzle Just Property Take your teaching career to the UAE in 2017 and apply today!