7 Essential Rhythm Guitar Techniques

7 Essential Rhythm Guitar Techniques Megan L. Strumming a chord sounds pretty good, but these rhythm guitar techniques truly bring a song to life! Guitar teacher Jerry W. shares the tricks youll need to have up your sleeve Rhythm guitar is both easy to learn and hard to master. It is relatively easy to learn the open chords and strum along with someone as they sing. But what if you want to take your playing to the next level? What are some of the essential techniques that will help you become a more complete rhythm guitarist? Let me suggest seven key skills that will help you excel at your craft. Power Chords Power chords are a great way to add color to your playing and, even better, they are simple to learn. Because of their unique “open” sound they work well with distortion and are very common in many styles of popular music. Below are the two most common movable power chords. Palm Muting Muting the strings give the guitar a completely different sound. It muffles the tone and shortens the duration of the pitch. To mute the guitar simply place the side of your picking hand lightly against the strings very close to the bridge. The trick is to use the right amount of pressure so the notes sound muffled but not completely stopped. This technique works great when combined with distortion and power chords. To take this technique one step further, try playing selected notes open to give it a strong accent. In the following example the + is over the notes to mute and the o is over the notes to play open. Try this pattern with any power chord. Fret Hand Muting A great way to create rhythmic variety in your strumming is to learn to use fret hand muting. To mute the strings with your fret hand all you need to do is lighten the pressure from the frets so that the strings are dampened. This is different from palm muting in that you do not want the pitch to sound at all. The effect should be more of a “thunk” sound. When you intermix open strums and dampened strums you can create very interesting rhythmic patterns. This method works easiest with barre chords. A similar effect can be accomplished by laying your pinky over the strings when doing open chords. In this example the x note heads represent the dampened strums. Fingerpicking Learning how to fingerpick on your guitar will open up a whole new world of accompaniment patterns. Fingerpicking has a much lighter feel and allows you to create complex moving lines. Playing in the Higher Frets Many rhythm guitarists never learn to use the full range of the guitar. They play almost exclusively in the the first 5-7 frets. To be a more complete guitarist learn to use the higher frets. There are two ways to play in the higher frets: 1) use a capo, 2) learn the movable barre chords. Using a capo is both a simple and effective way to quickly add a higher range to your playing. Learning the movable barre chords will take a little more work but will pay off in the end. Try this exercise to memorize some of the higher chords. Hammer Ons and Pull Offs Hammer ons and pull offs are a little harder to master than some of the other techniques but they are well worth the effort. They are especially effective when combined with fingerpicking, but they also work with many strumming patterns. To hammer on, use your fretting finger and hammer it down on the fret to sound the pitch. For a pull off, you sound the pitch by pulling your finger off of the string in a manner that plucks the string. Here is a simple strumming pattern that includes hammer ons. Chord Inversions and Slash Chords My final essential technique for rhythm guitar is to learn chord inversions. This is a very complex topic and requires that you know the names of the notes on each of the lower strings. The goal is to be able to play the bass note that is requested when you see a slash chord, such as a G/B chord. This techniques is best used when there is no bass playing. It allows you to capture the sound the composer intended even though the bass is absent. Essentially you play the chord on the left side of the slash but make sure the note on the right of the slash is the lowest sounding note. Notice how this works in the following example. Learn these seven rhythm guitar techniques and you will be well on your way to becoming a complete guitar player. Looking for more guitar tips and tricks? Lessons with a private guitar teacher are the best way to learn to play the guitar better, faster! Search for a guitar teacher now! Jerry W. teaches classical guitar, composition, trombone and  trumpet  in Grosse Pointe, MI.  He received his Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition from  Cornerstone University and went on to receive both his Masters and PhD in Music Composition from  Michigan State University.  Jerry has been making music and teaching students for over thirty years.    Learn more about Jerry W. here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by faunggs photo

Spanish Lessons London

Spanish Lessons London How to Find Spanish Courses in London ChaptersSpanish Lessons for the Casual SpeakerSpanish Classes for Young StudentsTaking Spanish Courses OnlineEver since you had that dinner at Barrafina to celebrate the New Year, you’ve been haunted by strains of Spanish guitar music... and your taste buds crave more of that flavour of Barcelona.Later, making your resolutions for the year, you decide to study the language and culture of Spain and plan your family’s summer holiday in Andalusia.Naturally, you don’t want to have to count on native speakers conversing with you in English when you get there, so you want to learn at least Conversational Spanish; enough to get by while you discover if Spanish studies are worth pursuing.They are!Imagine being the only one in your circle of friends to understand Venezuelan singer Thomas Ender’s En Silencio or Desire!And what about earning that coveted promotion at work? It is true that bilingual workers are more sought after than ever these days and Spanish is becoming one of the mos t prevalent languages in business.Why you ask?Spanish is spoken by millions of people worldwide, on four continents.In fact, the number of Spanish speakers has surpassed the total amount of English speakers worldwide, coming second only to Mandarin Chinese in terms of how many people who use it as their primary language or who speak Spanish regularly.Isn’t it time you joined those ranks?Let Superprof report from the streets of London on the best Spanish lessons for you and for your children because, naturally, your kids are onboard with learning a second language.Let’s Learn Spanish.No matter if you are proficient or a beginner, Let’s Learn has a class for you.All of their teachers are native Spanish speakers who teach Neutral Spanish â€" meaning there is no need to worry if you’re learning the right type of Spanish for your goals.Just as there are many variations of the English language â€" Australian English, American English and the many regional distinctions of our Briti sh English, the Spanish spoken in Spain is not the same as in the Dominican Republic or Cuba.For that matter, the Spanish spoken in northern Spain is not the same as in southern Spain!So, if you have very specific goals that your language learning will help you reach, you should consider which Spanish to learn or, more simply, opt for Neutral Spanish.If learning a language is your primary goal with little emphasis on where and how you will use your newly acquired language skills, whether the Spanish you learn is Mexican or Peruvian is of less importance.However, having fun while learning is paramount and that is where Let’s Learn Spanish excels!Leaving aside, for now, the monthly tapas parties they host and free Fridays â€" open sessions where you can come and practice your spoken Spanish, Let’s Learn’s small class size guarantees the optimal student-teacher ratio and plenty of opportunity for dialogue.Are there such Spanish classes in Birmingham?You may take classes in the mo rning, afternoon, evening or weekend with a small group of friends or by yourself â€" they do offer one on one sessions.If you are not yet sure about committing to learning Spanish, you may attend a few cultural events at Instituto Cervantes, also in the Holborn area.You could enjoy a night of music or peruse their library; idle around their gallery loaded with works from Spanish artists or attend a lecture on Spanish culture.Oh, and they conduct language lessons for adults and children, too!If all you know of Spanish (besides delicious food and passionate music) is ‘Hola!’ and ‘Adios!’, you would be recommended to join other beginners.If your child is preparing to sit Spanish GCSEs or A-Levels, s/he may be a bit more advanced; say at the intermediate level.No matter what level you or your learners are, the Cervantes Institute stands ready to provide quality instruction in Spanish language and culture.They even host a Spanish club for you littlest learners!You would find suc h Spanish lessons in Leeds for little ones as well...Young children engage rapidly and enthusiastically in language studies Source: Pixabay Credit: KlimkinSpanish Classes for Young StudentsAs we’ve already mentioned, the ability to speak another language provides a multitude of benefits to adults. In children, those bonuses are magnified.Bilingual children are highly creativeThey are also better at problem-solving and ‘out of the box’ type of thinking â€" a business buzzword that has been around for a while but is still relevant todayChildren with a second language capability score better on exams and focus better in the classroomThey also tend to be better readers; they get more meaning out of what they read!Bilingual children tend to be more confident and sociableLearning a second language early in life opens the door for easier language learning later in life.Bilingual youngsters have more intellectual and emotional tools to appreciate the cultural context and linguistic nu anceAll of this holds true no matter what language your child studies but these points take on special significance in light of the Spanish language’s growing influence around the world.With global citizens needed now more desperately than ever, arming your progeny with the cultural competence that comes with extended language learning is perhaps the best way to prepare them for their future.Students who have taken Spanish lessons in Manchester can attest to that!Battersea Spanish encourages learners of all ages but especially the youngest ones to feel at home; indeed it is their slogan!While they hold classes for Spanish students of all ages, Saturdays belong exclusively to children.Role-playing, storytelling and dancing; tasty snacks and music all provide an enticing, immersive atmosphere where kids pick up on Spanish words and phrases almost by osmosis.Kids Lingo takes things a bit further; they believe that the younger the student the better the opportunity at mastering Spanis h. That is why they promote Baby Spanish classes.Before your child can sit up, let alone utter a word in any language, their experienced teachers use music and stories to immerse Baby into the language of Cervantes.Their progressive curriculum continues to cultivate your child’s love of Spanish by promoting them into more advanced groups as they grow, culminating in their Junior Programme, where children as old as 11 participate in playacting as well as structured learning.With all of the talk of Tiger Parenting recently, you may baulk at exposing your young child to early learning.Plenty of parents have no qualms about engaging a private tutor to give their children an academic leg up throughout their child’s academic career.Wouldn’t it make more sense to promote their academic chances before they are required to attend class?Considering that speaking a second language boosts confidence and cognitive ability â€" the two determining criteria of academic prowess, enrolling youn gsters in Spanish language lessons at an early age could give them exactly the tools they need to succeed in school!Do you wonder how many GCSE level student take Spanish lessons in Glasgow?Many language learners prefer learning Spanish one on one, with a tutor Source: Pixabay Credit: NrjFalcon1Find out where else you can take Spanish in the UK with our other posts on Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff.Taking Spanish Courses OnlineNot everyone has children and not everyone has time or energy to attend a Spanish course in a language school, either in the evening or on weekends.For those of you who do have children embroiled in language study at school, and for those of you who want to learn Spanish but can’t see yourself attending class, there are a few options open to you.Online Spanish lessons can help you improve your Spanish vocabulary and pronunciation and can help the students in your home prepare for Spanish examinations, or simply keep up with their Spanish classes.Generally, a n online course of Spanish will see you/your child working one to one with a Spanish teacher. These meetings are scheduled and, depending on the age and need of the student could last anywhere from 30 minutes to a full hour.Websites such as Verbal Planet and Live Lingua function as tutor marketplaces.Upon creating your learner profile, you would peruse all of the teacher profiles, find a likely candidate or two and send them your request for Spanish lessons.Such tutors may be scattered across the globe, meaning your Spanish lessons could originate in Spain!However, if you prefer a Spanish tutor with real presence; one who would teach you Spanish at home, look no further than Superprof.Superprof has more than 450 Spanish tutors in the London area alone, many of whom are native Spanish speakers â€" we are quite the international city, after all!Furthermore, you may be assured of any Superprof tutor’s credentials and experience in teaching by reading the bio and past students’ revi ews on their profile page.Naturally, if you’d prefer Spanish lessons via webcam, there are Superprof tutors who would be happy to accommodate your request...Whether you choose to learn Spanish online, with a private tutor at home or in a more formal setting, the important part is the learning. ¡Vamalos! Let’s get going!Discover all you need to know about Spanish lessons near me!

Hold On - Phrasal Verb of the Day

Hold On - Phrasal Verb of the Day Todays phrasal verb of the day is: Hold OnInfinitive form: Hold OnPresent Tense: Hold On/ Holds Oning form: Holding OnPast tense: Held OnParticiple: Held OnHold On is an inseparable English phrasal verb. The opposite of hang on is Let Go. It can be used in three different ways:When you wait for a short time. Hanging On can be used as an alternative.1. The operator on the other line told me to hold on, while he gets the supervisor for me.2. Holding on to someone who has apparently let you go is pretty stupid, dont you think? So, wise up and get on with your life!When you hold something tightly so you wont fall off or get hurt.  Hanging On can be used as an alternative.1. How long am I supposed to be holding on to this rail until help arrives? My arms are getting tired!2. Hold on to the rope, your life depends on it!When you hold someone or something tightly to either protect them or prevent them from leaving or being taken1. The kid holds on to his mother tightly as she was leaving th e house. Separation anxiety is pretty common in his age.2. I held on to the sword that the warrior gave me; he told me that one day, he will come back to get it.iframe width=560 height=315 src=//www.youtube.com/embed/kELmSLtEiiI?rel=0 frameborder=0 allowfullscreen/iframeExercises: Write your answers in comments and we will correct them.Fill in the gaps from the video above:You better ____ ___ tight, Spider Monkey.What was the short clip about?Complete the sentences below with the correct form of Hold On.1. Grandma had been _____ __ to my uncles return from the war; however, It has been weeks now since we last heard from him.2. One of the biggest challenges in life is not knowing when to ____ __ and when to let go.3. Did you see that who is _____ ___ to the ledge for his dear life? He needs help.4. Can you ____ __ to this bag for me?5. The suspect was trying to disarm the cop, but he ____ __ to it tightly, and ended up shooting the criminal.Change the example sentences above to negat ive sentences (or positive, if the sentence is already negative). Then change them to questions.

GMAT Question of the Day #116 - Reducing Unnecessary Calculation

GMAT Question of the Day #116 - Reducing Unnecessary Calculation GMAT MBA Admissions Blog This blog post relates to question #116 from the Official Guide for GMAT Review, 2017. What intimidates most students here, and sends them spiraling into a black hole of unnecessary calculation, is the first line of the table: 10.8% of 37. It’s not as bad as it looks, but we’ll come back to that… Do you see a friend? Isn’t 66.7% = 2/3. Since we can’t have fractional marbles, the total number of marbles in Bag Q must be a multiple of 3… in other words, So, we can dispose of A, D, and E. Let’s try C â€" the number of marbles in Bag Q is 12 Total Marbles = 37 + 12 + 32 = 81 Back to 10.8% of 37. What’s 10% of 37? What’s an integer that’s a little more than 10% of 37? 4 See, that wasn’t so bad. Takeaways: Be on the lookout for your friends, and numbers close to your friends. Use context to eliminate answers â€" you can’t have fractional marbles, people, cats, dogs, etc. Don’t be intimidated by numbers that aren’t your friends… the people at GMAC are just trying to mess with your head. Don’t let them. John is a Senior MyGuru GMAT tutor based in Chicago, but is also the founder of Owl Test Prep . We encourage you to check out their web-site and YouTube channel.

BISS Teacher Training Institute

BISS Teacher Training Institute BISS Teacher Training Institute Welcome to the BISS Teacher Training Institute! Based in Beijing China, the BISS Teacher Training Instituteis a pioneering research project working to develop and apply current methods of EFL teaching and learning that aim to better equip Chinese students with real life English communication skills.The project is run in collaboration between the Beijing Chaoyang District Education Committee andBeijing BISS International School. As you read furtheryou will discover our goals, methods, case stories, position openings for EFL teachers and trainers, how to apply and more. Who WeAre Launched in 2011, the BISS Teacher Training Instituteboasts a growing team of professional educators, experienced foreign EFL teachers and trainers who collaborate with local Chinese experts and teachers.Together, both foreign and local staff are working to develop communicative, student centered and skills based learning in Beijing Chaoyang District primary and middle school English classrooms.All teachers on the project have the opportunity to make a substantial contribution to English language teaching and learning in this district. Project Goals The goals of the BISS Teacher Training Institute have been established to benefit students, teachers and schools. For Students:Advance English language skills and communication abilities; promote learner autonomy through more enjoyable student centered learning; increased attention from teachers and exposure to native English speakers. For Teachers:Explore a foreignlocal team teaching model; improve abilities to apply a new teaching methodology and organize teaching effectively; through cooperation develop local teachers skills and methodology; promote local teachers English competence. For Schools:Promote educational research capacity; expand exchanges and promote communication; Undertake research into international education; influence and encourage skills based, student centered approaches across other subjects How WeWork The BISS Teacher Training Instituteemploys two models of teaching: 1. Team Teaching Model most schools work with this model Foreign teachers are partnered with a local teaching partner Partners plan, teach reflect together Ongoing training including a 3-day intensive at the start of the school year and then weekly or bi-weekly ongoing sessions throughout the year Guidelines for how to structure lessons and classroom management are provided, as well as lesson plan formats Observation feedback the project trainers visit each teaching partnership every few weeks to observe and give feedback, and assist with planning as necessary Feedback is designed to be supportive and provide action points for the teams development 2. Teacher Trainer Model at present only one school works with this model Foreign trainers work with local teachers in either primary or middle schools The trainers provide on-site ongoing training and a cycle of observation and feedback. Contacts For Project and Recruitment Inquiries: Mr RandalEplin, Head of Programme(Replin@biss.com.cn) ForPublicity inquiries: Ms Elaine Tian, Liaison Officer (etian@biss.com.cn)

Two Vital Skills your Child Needs - ALOHA Mind Math

Two Vital Skills your Child Needs (Part 1 of 2) The Two Vital Skills Affecting Success in School and Career: Focus Span and Attention Take a moment and think back to when you were in grade school and middle school. You might have had classmates who had the energy and imagination, or the quick wit of actor and comedian Robin Williams, but you, your class, and the teacher were annoyed and frustrated because of the continual ruckus caused in a learning environment. How can it be that one child can have the focus and attention span of an adult and another child the same age fidgets, does not wait their turn, or is easily distracted by every noise and movement? Being Attentive According to the National Institute of Mental Health, http://www.nimh.nih.gov, even though Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, is common there are no known causes. Not all children who have focus or attention issues have Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD, or ADHD. Children who have symptoms of inattention may: Be easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another Have difficulty focusing on one thing Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless they are doing something enjoyable Have difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new Have trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities Not seem to listen when spoken to Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly Have difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others Struggle to follow instructions. This information is for educational purposes only, not for diagnosis. For additional information visit the National Institute of Mental Health, http://www.nimh.nih.gov or your family physician or your child’s pediatrician. Next: In part 2 we will examine the issues of focus, being impatient, and hyperactivity.

Montebello Academy

Montebello Academy Montebello Academy OUR VISION Montebello Academy will offer a culture of learning that prepares our students to go out into the world ready to compete for real choices in career or profession, where they will live and share the message of Jesus Christ. OUR MISSION Montebello learning begins with international standards according to what the best universities in the world determine to bereadiness for secondary education rigor in a chosen discipline. Montebello Academy accomplishes its learning objectives by training its teachers in amethodology designed to produce deep and transferable understanding of the subject matter as opposed to memorization of facts and content. Montebello Academy emphasizes the use of what is being learned as a vehicle to carry out into the world Bible based values as modeled in the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. WHY WE ARE UNIQUE We use a hybrid core methodology to achieve international benchmarks borrowed from the most effective educational systems in the world. We reach out to our community and the country to provide education to kids in every socioeconomic strata, who as a result will be able to compete anywhere in the world. As a Microsoft Showcase School, we are recognized leaders in Ecuador and abroad for our successful educational model.