College diversity essay
Vcu Chemistry Tutor
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
The Study Of Magnetic Moment In Chemistry Could Lead To New Pharmaceuticals
The Study Of Magnetic Moment In Chemistry Could Lead To New PharmaceuticalsA study by the University of Michigan School of Chemical Engineering and their partners in Italy, suggests that magnetism could be the key to chemistry's hidden power. And if you can get your hands on a magnetic moment at the right time, perhaps you can play a part in the whole procedure?Magnetism is simply the force by which magnets repel one another. There is an enormous amount of theory and reasoning in this area of science, and it is fair to say that there is a lot that needs to be found out in order to make the concept work for chemistry. If scientists can find some way to make the theory work in practice, then they can surely use it in chemistry. And if they were to use it in chemistry, then perhaps they would be able to change the way the world works, maybe even fix some of its problems.The University of Michigan's research looked at magnets and how they could create a magnetic moment so that it could b e converted into energy. If you could create such a moment, you might be able to either produce electricity or heat, or both.The results from this study suggest that an ionic liquid could also have a magnetic moment, as well as a magnetic material, or a magnetic catalyst. The magnetic catalyst might be useful in the field of manufacturing drugs to be used in medicines, and in the production of catalysts that would help speed up the chemical reactions that we take part in everyday.Using magnets in the context of chemistry could provide an entirely new angle of thinking that would give us a new and improved perspective on the effects of magnetic force. This new angle could be very useful in this particular research and could open up a lot of opportunities for a lot of people.In the long run, if the research is successful, perhaps a new form of medicine could be developed. Not just one drug, but new and improved type of medicine that has been produced using magnetic force to produce so me of the desired results. This will in itself be a huge breakthrough in chemistry.The results of this research could also be applied to the manufacture of new medicine. For example, in the chemical industry, new and improved catalysts might be manufactured using the same principles.So if you're interested in creating a new form of medicine or new catalysts, the best place to start is by looking at magnetic moment in chemistry. The magnets and forces involved could provide a perfect setting for creating something entirely new. Perhaps this will be the big discovery that opens up all the doors to a new way of doing chemistry.
Friday, March 6, 2020
Heat of Combustion Chemistry
Heat of Combustion ChemistryHeat of combustion chemistry is a branch of physics dealing with the chemical reactions in an element or the objects or structures created by them. The system works in such a way that reaction produces energy, and this energy is converted into heat. It is responsible for the way the temperature changes during the course of a chemical reaction.In this process, the atoms in the element are moved in to one another so that they can react with each other. When the number of atoms increases, the probability of the result of the reaction increases also. Since the molecules are in motion, the energy of the motion of the atoms is converted into heat of combustion.An example of a reaction is the exchange of oxygen and hydrogen atoms within a molecule. The reaction of this element results in the formation of water, which is why we use it to cool down our water tanks.This process is also used in the production of reactions, which are called chemical reactions. These r eactions are usually separated into various types of chemical reactions like oxidizing and reducing reactions, ionization reactions, molecular dynamics, nitrogen and carbon bonding reactions, etc.The other process used in the production of reaction is dissolving and melting reactions. Here, a substance is added to a solution and then the mixture is melted. The reaction releases the energy that is released by the temperature rise caused by the melting. When this happens, heat of combustion is produced.The other types of chemical reactions are denaturation reactions, singlet and triplet rearrangement reactions, sulphide addition reaction, C3 and N2 reduction reactions, and group exchange reactions. The importance of the above mentioned processes is that these are the ways of reacting atoms with each other to produce chemical reactions.In the process of converting heat of combustion into chemical reactions, the reaction of the atoms of an element is converted into energy that is used t o do the activity. This energy is provided by the source and is what we call as heat of combustion.
How to Use Tutor Marketing to Help Keep Your Students in Class
How to Use Tutor Marketing to Help Keep Your Students in ClassIf you are looking for a way to get more students to your school, you should seriously consider using tutor marketing to help keep your students in class. But before you go and hire a marketing company to do the job for you, it is important that you think about what exactly you want to accomplish with your marketing plan. Do you want to help your students gain a better grade? Are you hoping to get more students to sign up for your tutoring program?Whatever the reason, there are a lot of ways to market tutoring services. Using the internet is one of the easiest ways to reach out to potential clients, but you need to think about the people you will be communicating with when you are setting up a business. You want to choose a firm that can provide the right services without forcing you to give away too much of your business to them.Also, make sure that they have a strong reputation for delivering results because there is no point in starting a business if you do not have any clients to speak of. Also, when selecting a marketing company, look for one that offers testimonials from former clients as well as current students. If there are lots of testimonials for the firm, it can be a strong indicator that they can be trusted.You should also find out how many tutors have signed up for the service. A good marketing firm should be able to handle their operations on their own and never let their clients ever need to contact them. This will ensure that they can continue offering excellent tutoring services to their clients.Another thing to consider when you are trying to find a marketing company for tutoring is that you need to think about whether or not you want to make money online. Make sure that the company that you are using has a website where you can view the data from past clients so that you can determine whether or not the firm will be trustworthy.Be sure that the company you are hiring will give you all the information that you need to keep track of your students. You should be able to see when your students signed up, the type of course they are taking, and even the grades that they are receiving.Making money on the internet can be a lot of fun. It is an easy way to earn some extra cash if you know how to handle it. There are a lot of things to consider when you are trying to find a good tutor marketing company.
Thursday, March 5, 2020
What is it Like to Attend Trinity Western University
What is it Like to Attend Trinity Western University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Brittany earned her bachelors degree in theatre from Trinity Western University in 2013. She specializes in math tutoring, SAT tutoring, and a number of other areas. Below, she shared her experience as a student at Trinity Western University. Read on! Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Brittany: Trinity Western University is located in a very beautiful, rural area. Its tucked away from the city and, although transport trains come through campus frequently, it is quite peaceful. Its easy to get to malls and grocery stores by car or by transit, as theres a bus station at the entrance of campus. Its a very safe, tranquil community. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Brittany: Professors at Trinity are extremely involved and available for the students. Part of the orientation process includes dinner and games at a professor or staff members home. I believe its something that really sets the university apart from other programs, because you know that the people teaching you are investing in helping you grow and succeed. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Brittany: I lived in dorms my first year and I found that it was a bit of a hit or miss. Some people thrive in dorms. Since I was a theatre major, however, I wasnt able to participate in a whole lot of the social aspects of dorm life. I think dorm life has improved since I graduated, due to feedback from the students and renovations on living spaces. That said, dining options are extremely limited due to the small size of the university, and cafeteria prices are pretty high for the average student. I preferred to grocery shop and utilize the fridge and kitchen in my dorm as much as possible when I lived on campus. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Brittany: The majors you will encounter the most at TWU are Human Kinetics and Business. Trinity has an excellent athletic program and our athletes are some of the best in Canada, with all of our teams having long histories of CIS gold, silver, and bronze. They draw and recruit a number of athletes every year. I, myself, studied Theatre, which is a much smaller program when compared to the size of the university, but just as prestigious. I looked at several schools when considering a degree in Theatre, but ultimately chose TWU because of its prestigious faculty and open classes (i.e. you dont have to audition for an exclusive program to be able to take acting classes). 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? Brittany: I had an extremely easy time meeting people and making friends freshman year because I was elected to student government. There are a huge number of community life activities that allow and encourage the development of relationships between students, but you really have to be willing to invest in them to see results. A lot of commuters struggle to feel connected with other students despite commuter hangouts and integration activities. Theres no Greek program at TWU. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Brittany: Because I chose a career thats alternative to the normal system of seeking employment, I didnt really utilize the Career Center, but Ive heard great things! TWU has a huge job fair every year and I know business students have an extremely high rate of employment upon graduation. The Career Center is also really helpful with assisting students in finding employment while they are attending school, and with creating and editing resumes. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Brittany: There are a ton of really great places to study on campus. No matter the environment you thrive in, youll find it represented at TWU. The library and dorms have study rooms for working in groups, or individual, compartmentalized desks for individual work. There are tons of lounges and couches in the atrium if you prefer a more socialized, laid-back environment. Or, you can always just pick a nice shady tree outside to work under. Describe the surrounding town. Brittany: If you like a small town, rural feel, youll be right at home in Langley. If youre more of a city person (like myself), Vancouver is 30-45 minutes away depending on if you drive or transit, and there is certainly no shortage of activities there. From hikes and beaches to museums and nightlife, its really the city for every type of person. While some people would choose to live and attend school in Vancouver, Langley is a lot more quiet and affordable if you prefer not to live in the hustle and bustle. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Brittany: TWU is a pretty small school. Its a private, Christian university with small class sizes and a lot of one-on-one instruction. I was really pleased by the quality of my education and the thought and care that nearly every instructor put into their classes. I feel like the university as a whole is the perfect size to feel connected and invested in, while having enough variety and wealth of varying beliefs and viewpoints to feel challenged and able to grow. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Brittany: My first year was wonderful and incredibly challenging at the same time. I loved my program and student government, and I made a lot of friends; however, I was also struggling with a lot of personal issues that interfered with my education and dorm life. I ended up investing in counseling and therapy with a counselor on campus who negotiated some academic extensions for me. Some professors were hesitant but allowed it based on university policy; however, one professor was incredible. My English teacher, Vic Cavalli, was compassionate and understanding and allowed me not only the extra couple of weeks most professors offered, but rather two months into the summer to complete my assignments. While I barely scraped by in a couple of classes, he allowed me to heal and recover so that I could complete the assignments to my full potential and get the grade that I deserved. I will never forget his kindness. Check out Brittanys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.
7 Easy Bluegrass Songs on Guitar
7 Easy Bluegrass Songs on Guitar Sign up successful 1. Keep on the Sunny Side â" The Carter Family Keep on the Sunny Side is one of the most famous bluegrass songs. The version I am showing you is in the key of C. It is played with a standard bluegrass-strumming pattern: Down Down Rest Up Down Up, then immediately repeat. Below are the chords used in the song and how they are played to the lyrics. C F C Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side G Keep on the sunny side of life C F C It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way G C If well keep on the sunny side of life 2. Foggy Mountain Top A.P. Carter Here is another very popular bluegrass tune. It can be played quickly with a Down Down strumming pattern while counting, 1-2, 1-2, 1-2, 1-2. There is a new chord introduced. G C G If I was on some foggy mountain top D7 Id sail away to the west G C G Id sail all around this whole wide world D7 G To the girl I love the best C G If I had listened to what momma said D7 I would not have been here today G C G A lying around this old jail-house D7 G A weeping my sweet life away 3. On Top of Old Smokey â" The Weavers On Top of Old Smokey is a slower song, played in ¾ time. It can be played with a Down Down Up Down pattern, while counting to three. It features the G7 chord. C F C On top of old Smokey all covered in snow G7 C I lost my true lover by courting too slow F C But courting is pleasure but parting is grief G7 C For a false hearted lover is worse than a thief F C A thief he will just rob you take what you have G7 C But a false hearted lover will take you to your grave F C A grave will decay you turn you into dust G7 C And there just isnât one girl a poor boy can trust 4. Man of Constant Sorrow â" Dick Burnett This is a song originally written by Dick Burnett, but made famous by The Cinch Brothers, and later made even more famous by the motion picture Oh Brother Where Art Thou. The following is a simplified version that can be played with a Down Down pattern. D A D In constant sorrow all through his days D G I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow A D Ive seen trouble all my day G I bid farewell to old Kentucky A D The place where I was born and raised A D The place where he was born and raised D G For six long years Ive been in trouble A D No pleasures here on earth I found G For in this world Im bound to ramble A D I have no friends to help me now A D He has no friends to help him now 5. Kentucky Girl â" Larry Sparks Kentucky Girl is a nice song that only features two chords. It can be played much like âKeep on the Sunny Side.â The pattern is Down â" Down â" Down Up â" Down. G D7 Kentucky girl are you lonesome tonight G Kentucky girl do you miss me D7 Does that old moon shine on the bluegrass as bright G As it did on the night you first kissed me D7 In a valley neath the mountain so high G The sweetest place in all the world D7 In a cabin with vines on the door G Is where I met my Kentucky girl 6. Old Doc Brown â" Hank Snow (Just a Closer Walk with Thee) âOld Doc Brownâ is a song that is played very slowly and has spoken word over it rather than traditional singing lyrics. Itâs a classic. It was first performed by Hank Snow, but later popularized by Johnny Cash. It shares the same chords as âJust a Closer Walk with Thee,â which is a very old hymnal song that bears no author. I chose this song because there are a few new chords introduced. A E A I am weak but thou art strong, Jesus, keep me from all wrong A A7 D A E7 D A Iâll be satisfied as long As I walk, let me walk close to thee A E A Just a closer walk with thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea A A7 D A E7 D A Daily walking close to thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be 7. Nine Pound Hammer Flatt Scruggs âNine Pound Hammerâ is another fast-paced, classic bluegrass song. It can be played with the Down â" Down â"Rest â" Up â" Down pattern that we have seen before. The chorus is as follows. G Roll on buddy C7 Dont you roll so slow G D Well, tell me how can I roll roll roll G When the wheels wont go G Roll on buddy C7 Pull you load of coal G D Tell me how can I pull G When the wheels wont roll G Its a long way to Harlan C7 Its a long way to Hazard G D Just to get a little brew brew brew G Just to get a little brew G And when I die C7 You can make my tombstone G D Out of number nine coal D Out of number nine coal Please keep in mind that these seven easy bluegrass guitar songs can be expanded upon greatly. These are merely open chord versions of the songs. The best way to learn is by sitting with a guitar teacher, so that he or she can go through the strumming patterns and fills. All chord photos are from JustinGuitar.com. Want to learn even more bluegrass guitar songs and techniques? Working with a private guitar teacher is the best way to improve your skills. Search for your guitar teacher now! Matthew K. teaches guitar, piano, and music theory lessons in Brooklyn, NY. He studied music composition at Mercyhurst University, and he has been teaching lessons for four years. Matthew is available to teach in-person lessons as well as online via Skype. Learn more about Matthew here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher
Ballet Lessons Why Get a Private Ballet Tutor
Ballet Lessons Why Get a Private Ballet Tutor 5 Good Reasons to Get Private Ballet Classes Chapters1. Private Ballet Tutorials: A Way to Gain Confidence2. Ballet Private Tutorials are Great for those with Busy Schedules3. Private Lessons Are Great for those who Need to Learn Something Quickly4. Private Ballet Tutors Focus on You5. A Good Addition to Group Ballet ClassesDoes ballroom dancing, bachata, tap, jazz, Zumba, flamenco, contemporary dance, pilates or hip hop not do it for you?Is it ballet dancing that really gets your blood pumping?Are you a huge fan of Swan Lake or the Nutcracker?Whether youâve never danced before and are looking to start or you're thinking about improving your level, why not get help from a private ballet tutor?Whether your tutorâs a freelancer or working for an agency, they should have experience when it comes to teaching. Donât forget that a good dancer isnât necessarily a good teacher.Still not convinced?If you're hoping to be the next George Balanchine (he founded the New York City Ballet and was dubbed the father of American ballet), you should know that becoming a ballet dancer can be very challenging for adults who've never trained before and a good dance teacher can make all the difference.Here are 5 good reasons for learning ballet with private tutorials. SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors1. Private Ballet Tutorials: A Way to Gain ConfidenceRather than getting classical ballet lessons in a dance academy or school, why not try private ballet lessons?A lot of p eople are too nervous or self-conscious to start learning how to dance in a group class or attend a workshop at a dance studio.This is understandable. People get nervous when there are so many people around watching you try a ballet technique youâve just learnt how to do. In private tutorials, there's just you and your instructor.Some boys are nervous about joining dance classes because it's mostly girls. (Source: Galina9237941221)AgeSome people are nervous about getting classes because of their age.Itâs a common misconception that you can only start learning to do ballet when youâre very young (around 5 years old). That said, there are plenty of classes for children throughout the school year and workshops during the holidays.However, ballet can be done by anyone of any age and there are even adult ballet classes for those starting aged 20, 40, and 60. In fact, you can get private tutorials for all ages and regardless of your skill level.While older students will probably nev er join Joffrey Ballet or the Paris Opera, recreational ballet classes are a great way for students to learn how to dance, break a sweat, and improve their fitness. Just make sure you stretch before you go anywhere near the ballet barre!That said, some people can still feel too self-conscious to join the group classes for adults. In this case, starting to dance with a private tutor could be the way to go, especially in the first few sessions when your flexibility isn't what it use to be.While there are plenty of modern dance studios offering adult classes and workshops, you can learn much more quickly in class with just you and your tutor.A lot of conditioning and strengthening goes into learning ballet. If you just don't have the stamina you used to, it could help to have a private tutor there encouraging you. Our bodies age over time and things that were easy in our youth take a little more time as we get older. Find a tutor who focuses on teaching older students or those returnin g to dancing if this is the case.Shyness and Self-ConfidenceShyness can really hinder a dancerâs progress. Some people just donât feel comfortable in large groups.If you are self-conscious, youâll soon get over having to look at yourself in the mirror and dancing is a great way to start accepting yourself for who you are. If you don't quite feel comfortable in your leotard and pointe shoes yet, it can be easier learning in a relaxed environment with a tutor who's taught adult beginners before.Regardless of what you think of yourself, your tutor will accept you for who you are and help you express yourself through the art form.Being a Boy or a ManA lot of young boys are too scared to get ballet training or attend a ballet class because theyâre scared what their peers may say about them.Itâs a common misconception that dancing isnât for them and this puts off many boys from even beginning ballet lessons. Dance tutors wonât care if youâre a boy and many will be delight ed to finally have a student who is.2. Ballet Private Tutorials are Great for those with Busy SchedulesIt can be difficult for a lot of people to attend a dance class at the same time and same place every week.Choose a private tutor with a teaching style you enjoy. (Source: Marisa_Sias)Whether you work nights, evenings, weekends, or have family commitments, for example, there are plenty of reasons why students canât work with a regular class schedule.Sometimes itâs not just the studentâs schedule that will affect where and when lessons take place. Even if there is a school of dance with drop-ins, some students have problems getting around because they donât have a driving license or a car, or they live far from the city centre, for example.Canât get to class? What about getting the tutor to come to you?If you have room, find a dance tutor who teaches their dance classes at their students' houses.While itâll never replace a proper ballet studio, a tutor should be able to introduce you to the basics of ballet such as the 5 feet positions with around 100ft ² (as long as youâre the only student). The last thing you want is to keep bumping into other people.Itâs a good idea to invest in a large mirror so you can see yourself when youâre dancing and make sure youâre getting the choreography right. While your tutor will correct you, it helps to be able to see what youâre doing, too. A mirror can also be really useful when youâre practising on your own once your tutor has left. SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors3. Private Lessons Are Great for those who Need to Learn Something QuicklyWhether itâs to help you pass an exam, prepare for a private event, or brush up on some skills, private tutorials are a great option.With a private tutor, you're the only student that matters. (Source: Vladislav83)A private tutor will help you with feedback by correcting mistakes and helping you learn more quickly. You can tell a tutor if you have any deadlines and theyâll be able to put together an intensive plan for you with that in mind.If you need to work on creating a routine, they could give you advice, help you put together your routine, and help pick you up when you feel like youâve hit a roadblock.Private classes can also help you get ready for an audition dance company, compete for a national ballet scholarship at a conservatoire, or just practise for your next recital.Itâs a good idea to consider teaching styles and ask your private tutor about their approaches to dance education.A private tutor is a pretty good option for those trying to become professional dancers, too. Whether you have a deadline or are just driven to learn a lot in a short space of time, private tutors can help you get to grips with the artistry, coordination, and discipline needed to become a good ballerina.4. Private Ballet Tutors Focus on YouIn a group class, you sometimes get the impression that youâre just another face in the crowd. While the teacher will try to make sure everyoneâs not making any mistakes, itâs impossible for them to see every studentâs mistake. This can be really important when it comes to the studentâs posture, which can hinder their progress.A private tutor can also help you do your warm-ups, build muscle and tone up, and even do stretches. They can be completely devoted, encouraging, and nurturing. You're the only participant in their class.Fin d adult dance classes near me here.The lessons can also be personalised to the student and their needs.Need to work on your improvisation, become more flexible, broaden your musical repertoire, etc.?Itâs your class! You can choose what you want to do or work on something in particular.Need an artistic director or choreographer to help you put together a routine?A good educator will also know how to adapt to your needs and help you.Taking private ballet tutorials means you can learn at your own pace without having to worry about exams at the end of the year or being compared to the other dancers in your ballet class.5. A Good Addition to Group Ballet ClassesThe extra attention from your tutor can help you learn much more quickly. If you participate in a group class and leave feeling you could do more, private ballet tutorials could be the answer. Extra instruction could help you become the best dancer in your group class.Private dance tutorials are a great complement to regular d ance classes. (Source: lynnea)Private classes are great for extra tuition. It can take a lot of work from a student to go from a beginnerâs level to an intermediate level. However, the help of a private tutor can make this task much easier.Is there something you need to work on missing from your school's syllabus or curriculum?You can enlist the help of a tutor to help.In addition to teaching you how to dance, a private tutor is also an expert in anatomy who can also help you to practise dancing safely without causing any injuries.You can also ask them about certain aspects of dancing if you have any questions. If you're training to become a professional dancer in a ballet company or applying to a dance school or ballet academy, a private tutor could help you master that pirouette or work on your ballet pointe technique.To find the perfect ballet tutor, make sure you shop around and get a free taster session. On Superprof, the first tutorial is often free. Just make sure they've g ot a passion for dancing, have studied the discipline, and have the necessary teaching skills before attending their tutorials!In short:If you think youâre too shy, old, big, or small, private ballet tutorials are a good option for anyone who doesnât feel comfortable taking group classes.If you have a busy schedule or canât make it to lessons, a private tutor can come to you and teach you from the comfort of your own home (provided you have the space).Are you getting married next summer and need to learn to dance for your first dance? Donât panic! Private tutors can help you learn a routine. Applying to a ballet school and need an extra rehearsal? Let a tutor help you work on your performance piece.A private ballet tutor can focus exclusively on your since they donât have any other students to worry about. They can also help you outside of regular group classes if thereâs something you need to brush up on with structured lessons.Ready to get your ballet slippers and leot ard and give a tutor a call?Check out the tutors on Superprof!If you found this article helpful, check out our blog on the history of ballet!
Majoring in Music How to Nail Your Guitar Audition
Majoring in Music How to Nail Your Guitar Audition Megan L. Is a music major in your academic future? Guitar teacher Brett M. shares 10 things you need to know to have a great guitar audition at the music college of your choice If youâre a guitarist whoâs planning to continue your music education at the college level, then this may be one of the most important articles you could ever read. In fact, itâs something that I wish I could have read, before auditioning and (luckily) getting accepted into Berklee College of Music over a dozen years ago. Letâs meet someone His name is Dwayne, and like you (and me, back in the day) he is interested in majoring in music. Dwayne loves to play guitar, and heâs passionate about learning more. Heâs a sophomore in high school, and has played in a couple of bands off and on. Dwayneâs not a huge jazz guy, but heâs thinking about trying out for the school jazz band, just to get the playing experience but heâs not too sure heâd know what to play. Dwayneâs got above-average technique on the guitar and he knows he wants to get faster, but thatâs about as specific as he could say. Heâs also got a feeling that thereâs a lot more to learn about scales, chords, etc. In fact, his overall knowledge of how everything fits together is a bit sketchy. But heâs hungry to learn all there is to know, and is planning on attending music college for guitar after graduation. Problem is, heâs not too sure what heâll need to know to get in, and heâs a little worried about it. Actually, hes a lot worried. Sound familiar? If so, then read on â" youâre about to find out the 10 Guitar Strategies For a Successful College Audition! 1. Have The Right Reasons If youâre really serious about wanting to attend college for guitar (and then making a go at a career in music) youâd better be doing it for the right reasons. Here are two of the wrong reasons: I want to be famous. I want to make a lot of money. Those two things may in fact happen to you, and if they do, GREAT! But to have a sustainable, lifelong relationship with music one that continues even when the going gets tough thereâd better be more behind your desire. For me, I simply couldnât (and still canât) not do music. The desire to create, to challenge yourself, to deepen your character, and to share music with others is what will fuel a successful and sustainable music career in college and after. Do it for the right reasons for long enough, and getting rich and famous (while more importantly, being fulfilled) could actually happen. Hereâs a wakeup call for you: Even if you go to music college and decide to major in performance (in other words, in playing guitar) the majority of work that you do, especially for the first two years, will not be on playing guitar. You must be willing and excited to spend a lot of time away from the guitar, learning about all aspects of music. If you donât enjoy this part, you wonât last. Examples of all the fun stuff that comes with learning about music include: ear training, text book music theory, music analysis, conducting, music history, arranging, and solfeggio (sight singing). You need to crave knowledge about all of these things, or donât even bother. Sound harsh? Not if youâve got what it takes! If hearing this actually gets you excited to be in an environment like that, then music college is probably a good fit for you. It definitely was for me. 2. Know Your Audience For a contemporary music college, the application process usually involves sending an audition tape of music âfrom the standard repertoireâ. In my case, not really knowing what this meant at the time (and being a metal guy!) I chose to play an intro to a Testament song by Alex Skolnick, whoâs a pretty rippinâ player. I figured that if a song was from a CD I had, then it must be âfrom the standard repertoireâ. I pulled it off alright, but in hindsight it was kind of a dumb idea to choose a song like that. You see, while Berklee and many other music schools certainly embrace many kinds of music, they are historically jazz institutions. So, what theyâre often really looking for are pieces that demonstrate your ability to improvise a bit, play chord solos, interpret melodies, etc. In other words, start learning to play jazz music from âthe standard repertoireâ (out of a big book of songs called âThe Real Bookâ). Even though my audition turned out okay, if I had to do it again, I would have been smarter to choose some performance pieces designed to achieve a specific goal in this case, impressing the instructors at a âjazz schoolâ and not just choosing music that I thought was impressive. 3. Listen Start to immerse yourself in music daily, and not just the styles that are your current favorites (Iâm still a metal guy!). Listen especially to classical music from all time periods, as well as jazz. You will absolutely pick up and absorb some important musical concepts simply through osmosis. Check out Jamey Aebersoldâs extensive library of CDs for jazz students, great learning tools even if you donât understand what heâs talking about yet. Theyâre mostly for putting on and listening to while youâre doing other stuff, and getting used to the sounds of jazz harmony and soloing. And, if you listen to Bach or Beethoven every day, you will reap rewards aâplenty! 4. Watch I dont just mean to watch random videos on YouTube! Iâm talking about getting your hands on some good guitar instructional videos, preferably some no-nonsense ones from the late 80s or early 90s, put out by the companies REH or Alfred. Be sure to check some out some killer guitarists who are way over your head, like Scott Henderson, Al DiMeola, Allan Holdsworth, Greg Howe, and Frank Gambale. Donât fret if you canât understand anything theyâre talking about (a lot of these guys play great, but couldnât teach their way out of a paper bag)! Whatâs important is to start getting an idea about what skills are out there that you donât know about yet. These types of videos will help you figure out where your weak points are and the areas of knowledge or technical ability that you need the most work on. They can be equally inspirational and frustrating! 5. Know Your Notes Knowing notes is more than simply reading them on the page. Its about actually finding and understanding them with the guitar. One of the biggest problems that plagues most guitar players is not having all of the notes on the neck memorized. Everything that you do, especially at the college level, has to do with notes. So does it make sense to not know where they are on the guitar? Of course not. Itâs absolutely essential knowledge for a serious player. 6. Scale Knowledge Memorizing scales on the guitar is of immense importance. There are six âfamiliesâ of scales (including all of their modes) that you must know to play contemporary music: Major Melodic Minor Harmonic Minor Diminished Whole Tone Pentatonic Knowing the fingerings and shapes on the neck is an important first step. But the actual ability to build them in your head in any key, to know the sound, and to start them from anywhere on the neck is vital for reading, improvisation, and writing. Itâs a big task, but one that every aspiring college guitar student needs to tackle. 7. Chord Knowledge Understanding how to build chords, from triads to extended harmony chords like E7susb9 and other weird ones, is an absolutely essential skill to master before attending college for guitar. Analysis of chord progressions is a necessary skill for really understanding how songs work and how theyâre structured. Chord and scale relationships also help you understand how to play or improvise over daunting chord progressions (like Dm7b5 â"G7alt â"CmMaj7) and actually sound like you know what youâre doing! This will give you an edge over your competition when applying or auditioning for music school not to mention an increase in confidence. 8. Arpeggios Arpeggios are the same as chords, but played one note at a time. They help you unlock the potential of chords as a resource for soloing, and itâs important to be able to build and play them all over the neck, including everything from the standard major and minors, to the 7th arpeggios and all of the extended harmony arpeggios (9ths, 11ths, etc.). 9. Sight Reading and Rhythm Reading Whatâs the best way to get a guitar player to turn down? Put sheet music in front of him! Itâs a joke, but completely true. Reading music (and especially rhythm) is one of the biggest blind spots for most guitar players, and it will be a major handicap for you if youâre thinking about continuing your education at the college level. So why hide from your fear? Tackle it head on! I find that rhythm really intimidates many of my guitar students. It can look like a foreign language with all those beams and squiggles and dots. But itâs really not that bad when you have the proper guidance. After that, reading the pitches on the music staff isnât that hard at all, it just takes some practice. Being a strong reader is very impressive to the people youâll be auditioning for, so it pays to spend the time getting good at it. 10. Technical Ability and Speed Believe it or not, when it comes to getting into a music college for guitar, your raw technical ability and speed arenât as important as some of the other areas that weâve mentioned. You donât have to be a shred master but why not go for it anyway! It canât hurt. Playing fast is a goal for many guitarists, and increasing your technical skill will add to your confidence and ability to impress at the college level. So, is your guitar teacher preparing you for all this stuff? If not, show them the door! For many students, finding a top-quality guitar teacher is one of the first steps on the road to majoring in music. Remember, thereâs a lot of competition to fill those limited spaces in the school that you want to get into. Hereâs the good news though: If youâve got a good work ethic, a passion for learning about all aspects of music and the guitar, and a great teacher with experience in all of this, then getting into the music college of your dreams is a thoroughly achievable goal. Good luck â" and keep practicing! Post Author: Brett M. Brett is a guitar book author, metal recording artist, and video game composer. He has over a dozen years of private instruction experience, and is the creator of the popular free audio course Unleash Your Speed: How to Shred on Guitar. Learn more about Brett here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)