What is an NTA?

What is an NTA?If you're looking for an NTA tutor, then you've come to the right place. To answer your question, what is an NTA and what can I expect from a tutor? First off, what is an NTA and how is it different from a private tutor? This is what we will be discussing in this article.An NTA is not as strict as a private tutor. If you have had some problems with your grades, or a particular subject that is causing you a problem, your tutor can help you overcome your struggles. You can also schedule a time for one on one tutoring with your tutor.A private tutor would be more strict than an NTA as the private tutor is expected to work on your weaknesses and strengths to improve you overall grade. You may want to ask your tutor if they have any students in their group that are in the same situation as you. Chances are they will be able to work with them on it and help them through it.The second question you may have is how can I find a private tutor. You can take advantage of the inter net and talk to other students who have used a tutor. Once you get your homework done and your grades in order then you can then go online and ask around for recommendations.After you've narrowed down the field of tutors you will want to find out what they offer, fees, and what are their teaching styles. Be sure to get their contact information as well as their school and type of education. Some tutors require a higher fee but will be able to get you the most out of your lessons. Make sure to find out if they offer distance learning classes as well.To help you decide which tutors you should choose, compare pricing and ask about specific programs that may fit your needs better. Remember the biggest benefit of these tutors is that they will be there for you during the school year and during the off-season.So that was a quick explanation of what an NTA is and what can I expect from one. The next question you may have is how do I find a tutor. Finding a great NTA tutor will be the harde st part because there are so many of them out there and they are all competing for your business.Remember, if you want to make the most out of your school year and still be able to find time for yourself, NTA tutors are the way to go. Be sure to research each teacher that you are considering as you will not want to end up with someone who doesn't seem to be giving you the attention you need.

Improve Your Spanish With Tutoring Rancho Cucamonga

Improve Your Spanish With Tutoring Rancho CucamongaIf you are looking for an inexpensive way to improve your Spanish, consider the benefits of taking Spanish language tutoring at Tutoring Rancho Cucamonga. When you first step off the plane at TPC and begin the learning process, you will feel as if you have just stepped into a foreign land.TPC offers instructors who can guide you through the fundamentals of conversational grammar and vocabulary. They can explain the intricacies of a sentence, how to ask for directions, and the correct use of questions and phrases. Also, students can benefit from a variety of audio classes to help them master the rules of the Spanish language. These classes are developed and presented by native Spanish speakers who have years of experience in teaching other people to speak the language.The instructors at TPC encourage students to practice by asking questions and practicing basic sentences and phrases. In a typical class, students will take private less ons with an instructor throughout the day.However, if you prefer to work from home, you can choose to work with one of the many online Spanish courses that are offered to all ages' children and adults. The language is becoming more popular and many students have turned to it to learn how to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking friends.When you sign up for language training programs online, you can work at your own pace and find a teacher from anywhere in the world. You can choose from a variety of language programs and study at your own pace.Whatever the reason for your desire to learn Spanish, Tutoring Rancho Cucamonga can help you learn to speak and read in Spanish. You will start off on an easy level that will allow you to practice everyday and enjoy the process. After four or five weeks, youwill be ready to move onto a more advanced level where you will have to follow a more organized program and have more time to devote to studying.You will also be able to increase you r confidence in your ability to communicate in Spanish. Tutoring Rancho Cucamonga has an online community for students to share their experiences and encourage one another. Whether you wish to speak the language with friends or your family, Tutoring Rancho Cucamonga is the right place to learn how to speak Spanish.

What You Need to Know About Graduate Programs in Chemistry

What You Need to Know About Graduate Programs in ChemistryIf you are interested in graduate or undergraduate degree programs, one of the most effective ways to make a great impression is to take Chemistry in an HCC Chemistry major. Whether you are intending to become a doctor, a teacher, a scientist, or an educator, you will find the coursework to be highly rewarding. You will learn how to identify the right mixture of physical and chemical properties of materials to use in your lab, and how to analyze data for the information that you need.Before you choose a chemistry major, be sure to understand what makes chemistry different from other science fields. Chemists use laboratory work to find out the properties of elements, molecules, or combinations of elements that can be used to create new chemicals. This type of research has helped make our modern world possible, allowing us to discover cures for disease, batteries that last longer, and even a type of paint that doesn't fade. It's important to understand the process of doing chemistry so that you can become an expert in your field.So how does HCC Chemistry help you become an expert? Chemists use methods and techniques that differ from those that you would use in the average lab. To have the most fun in your laboratory, you need to learn about lab equipment, laboratory safety, and the most effective methods for analyzing data. You'll also learn about the mechanics of creating complex materials, and the reasons why it is important to perform experiments in controlled environments. These are just a few of the many aspects of chemistry that you will learn when you choose to attend a graduate program in HCC Chemistry.There are several types of chemistry that you can study at the graduate level, including organic chemistry, which studies the interactions between molecules, such as carbon and hydrogen; and forensic chemistry, which deals with the analysis of trace amounts of drugs and alcohol in bodily fluids. Thes e are some of the aspects of chemistry that you will learn through the Graduate Studies Program in Chemistry. Although many different types of study occur in a lab, all of them focus on studying materials under controlled conditions, analyzing data for scientific research, and even preparing a case for trial.Once you have chosen a graduate program, you will need to decide on a concentration. This can be a huge decision, since you will need to choose a concentration that will allow you to complete the required number of required courses, without disrupting your life outside of the lab. Chemists choose different areas of study, based on their interests, career goals, and personalities. After you have chosen a concentration, you can enter the lab and begin the work that you love to do.The Faculty of Science in HCC offers a wide variety of opportunities for students interested in a career in the laboratory. To get the most out of your time in the lab, you will need to take the classes t hat are related to your concentration. For example, if you are interested in forensic chemistry, you will need to be able to understand the process of detecting trace amounts of drugs and alcohol, as well as the chemistry involved in creating trace amounts of chemicals. Of course, you will also need to take the classes that are appropriate for your career goal.You can learn about the chemical properties of materials through the Graduate Studies Program in Chemistry, even if you don't want to become a scientist. Many graduate programs require a high school diploma or its equivalent. The Graduate Studies Program in Chemistry provides a solid foundation for your studies, while helping you find a graduate program that will lead to a successful career in the laboratory.

Maths Tuition A Guide to Calculus

Maths Tuition A Guide to Calculus A Maths Tutor Guide to Calculus ChaptersAn Introduction To CalculusCalculus: A Speedy Introduction MyriamMaths Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £200/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KamalMaths Teacher 5.00 (9) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PetarMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GowsikaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RubenMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorMaths Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsAn Introduction To CalculusCalculus, which takes its name from the Latin word for ‘small pebble’, is a Maths term that describes the study of continuous change.There are two principal branches of Calculus: Differential Calculus and Integral Calculus. (Learn more about Differentiation/integration problems  here).While t he first is concerned with rates of change and curves and slopes, the latter is focused on the accumulation of quantities and the spaces under and between curves.As such, they can be as somewhat opposites of one another yet the two are directly related by the fundamental theorem of calculus.Modern Calculus, was thought to have been developed by Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in the 17th century. The mathematical theory has since been adopted by various subject fields, including the Sciences, Engineering, and Economics. Calculus itself acts as a gateway to other, more advanced areas of mathematics.The individual principles of Calculus include Limits and Infinitesimals, Differential  Calculus, Leibniz Notation, Integral Calculus and Fundamental Theorum. As previously mentioned, Physics makes particular use of Calculus and its principles, however it is also applied to Computer Science, Statistics, Business, Economics, Engineering and Medicine. This shows just how broad the concepts and theories reach.Calculus: A Speedy IntroductionLet’s face it, Calculus is not something that you can learn overnight. However, to make the principles of Calculus less daunting, why not approach the subject in bitesize chunks?Also important is to understand what Calculus is all about before you set off on studying it in depth. By knowing a bit more about what to expect, there will (hopefully!) be no surprises during the course and you will be able to absorb the information given to you with more of a level head.What Is Calculus?Calculus, as explained above, is a term used to describe the study of continuous change â€" but what does that even mean? In simpler terms, Calculus is about finding, splitting and rearranging patterns and shapes. Let’s take a circle, for example.If you imagine that circle is made up of a series of rings, then rotate the 3D image, you will notice that the once disc now takes a dome shape.If you take a circle and flip it on its side to imagine a dome shape, this is just one of the ways that Calculus manipulates shapes to work out areas and other information related to lines, curves and spaces inbetween them. Photo by ANBerlin on VisualHuntBy unrolling these rings which make up the triangular shape and plotting them on a graph, we can come up with a simple formula to measure the circle’s area. (Area = ½ base x height)Even more mindblowing than obtaining  the area of a circle, another way to look at Calculus is to think that of it as a branch of Maths that covers tiny to huge numbers, called (in Maths terms) ‘infinite and infinitesimal'.Not only does it study these numbers, it takes them and uses them to describe an intangible event, like figuring out how fast objects move in a certain direction. Mathematicians refer to this as 'acceleration and velocity'.So, taking all of this into account, Calculus combines lessons in Algebra and Trigonometry and then adds a few extra rules and theories to take take on board. Be prepa red to hear about parabolas, see a bunch of new symbols and to use the famous Pi!What Is Interesting About Calculus?“Calculus is really exciting”, said nobody ever! However, elements of Calculus are very interesting. For example, the concepts play a role in various aspects of our every day lives from cars to aeroplanes to mobile phones.Calculus concepts are present in our everyday lives, from how vehicles and planes work to how we are able to use our mobile phones. Photo on VisualHunt.comFor instance, a number of elements linked to Calculus and its theories are examined in the build of an aircraft, specifically when it comes to parts like the wings.Engineers must study lift force to inform them of the design that they must adopt for the wings, adjusting the curve according to purpose. In addition, they must consider the pressure on the part as velocity increases.For this reason, many equations and calculations are required to ensure that the aircrafts are safe and fit for purpos e.On the subject of speed and velocity, take a look at our next point which expands further on why Calculus is so interesting to learn about.If you are already familiar with Algebra, then you will understand that if we have two bananas and add three bananas, we will have five bananas in total, and be able to visualise a formula.Calculus, on the other hand, highlights things that are less obvious and that can’t be seen with the eye, like how fast one of those bananas hits the ground when dropped from the picnic basket. This process is really useful for people studying the fields of Technology, Physics, Chemistry and Engineering as the results or solutions found will directly impact on the working processes they undertake.Breaking Down CalculusFunctions, Variables And LimitsYou can’t expect to understand Calculus without first of all learning about what makes up this branch of Maths.First of all, just like in Algebra, there is a basic element called a 'function'. This is normally a group of letters separated by an '=' sign and is described as a 'rule'.When a value is added to the mix, what goes in one side will be reflected on the other side, just like a standard algebraic formula. Within each function, there is also an 'independent variable' (input) and a 'dependent variable' (output).The biggest thing to consider, however, is the 'limit': the value that the dependent variable approaches as the independent variable approaches a given value.Derivatives And IntegralsOnce again, you will have heard of slopes being mentioned in Algebra lessons. A slope is used to describe the change in y divided by the change in x, i.e. the slope between two points on a graph. This calculation then serves to determine the average rate of change between y and x too.Derivatives take this slope and then work out the gradient of the slope at a point on a curving line, which is where limits come into play.An integral is a term used to describe a way of  finding an area. Integrals ca n be used to find the area of a circle, a square, or any other irregular shape. It’s basically the opposite process of a derivative, and it’s yet another way to take away even more data from a graph.Calculus enables us to find the area of circles, squares and irregular shapes. Photo by pedrosimoes7 on VisualHunt.comAdditional Calculus ThemesOver the course of your study programme, you will be faced with the above themes, along with many more such as Graphs, Tangents and Areas.If all of this sounds like too much to take, do not despair. Your course will be designed to give you a fully comprehensive and well-rounded view of Calculus and its many themes, to the point where you'll know each of them inside out.Not only will you understand how each of them works, you will also be able to make links between the themes and how they all relate to one another to make up this complex mathematical subject.Until then, focus on taking each step one at a time and to give yourself plenty of tim e to absorb the different themes covered before jumping ahead to the next.Remember also that there is no shame in feeling unsure of yourself - this is after all a very tricky subject to tackle, even for advanced mathematicians.If you feel you might need a little extra support in the way of homework assistance, revision maths help  or you just want someone to go over the content at a slower pace with you, then why not consider contacting   private maths tutors  to offer you that tailored one-to-one experience.For more on A level Maths problems, see our blogs on  Solving Exponentials and Logs  and  Solving Mechanic Forces.

How Much Time Do You Expect Students to Spend on Homework Assignments

How Much Time Do You Expect Students to Spend on Homework Assignments 0SHARESShare This question has concern with an individual capacity of learning and hence it is the most debatable question among parents, tutors and students. There is no right or wrong answer as there are no clear cut rules formed.   Often it is said that number of hours spent on homework help students to get the better academic achievement. But this does not work with all the students. Each child has a distinct and unique way doing things. The tutors and parents should understand the actual purpose of homework. The time spend in doing homework should serve the purpose of homework and not become burdens that develop anxiety and frustration. Take homework as an extension of activities that goes in the school which gives practice and enrich students with the lessons that they have discussed during the day. Young age students should spend less hours doing homework as they require time to play and cultivate hobbies that helps overall growth. While older students should spend a couple of hours more with the reason that each primary subject is learnt much more in detail. For younger students, Math tutor online typically spends less than hour doing homework that gets completed in about 15-20 minutes. While they spend 45-60 minutes for middle class and high school students which may last longer more than an hour to complete complex problem statements. Physics and Chemistry are the subjects learnt in high school and college level. Typically, Physics tutoring and Chemistry tutoring spend at least one hour to complete each set of homework in high school grade. The college students should spend equal hours on homework as that of spending learning Physics and Chemistry in their class. However, the number of hours purely depends on age, grade level, kind of school you attend and number of classes you are taking. [starbox id=admin]

Feeling Inauthentic in Your Extraverted Workplace Adapt! Its Really Not So Bad - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Feeling Inauthentic in Your Extraverted Workplace Adapt! It’s Really Not So Bad - Introvert Whisperer Feeling Inauthentic in Your Extraverted Workplace? Adapt! It’s Really Not So Bad This is a counterpoint article. I recently read someone’s post that made me cringe for so many reasons I feel compelled to make my opinion known. The basic message was that they were ticked off because they were an Introvert and forced to adapt their behavior in the workplace. They felt they shouldn’t have to do this, but that everyone else should adapt to their personality. This isn’t a direct paraphrase, but it was the message. Here’s what’s wrong with this message: Being Ticked Off About Being an Introvert Nothing good can come from being ticked off about the hand nature has dealt you. There are whole ethnic groups out there who are given the shaft along with fat people, people with disabilities, women and the elderly. I have fought some type of bias my whole career, and today is no different. Oh well. Get over it and be the best version of you. Being a fantastic professional is the best way to wage a war against stupid people who discount you because of who you are. Their loss. You don’t make yourself feel better by harboring a bad attitude, and you’re doing nothing to convince the world to change their opinion. Life is inherently unfair, and our job is to maximize the assets we have while minimizing the lesser-valued qualities. Think of this like a photographer showing the best side of you in a picture. It’s still authentically who you are; it’s just the best side. Work with what you have and what you have is probably seriously great. You Must Adapt As Charles Darwin (the father of evolution theory) put it: “Adapting and changing is central to the human existence.” Said another way: “Change or die,” as coined by Dr. James Prochaska. Adapting wasn’t my idea it was an acknowledgement by a bunch of really brainy people (who are also Introverts). Were in a constant state of change and adaptation, even if we don’t know it. You don’t stay the same, and nothing else does, either.To think you shouldn’t adapt your way of doing things is perhaps one of the stupidest things I’ve heard in a long time. Of course you need to adapt. You adapt all the time. You don’t interact with a child the same way you do an adult. You don’t interact with management the same way you do a friend. We constantly adapt to people and situations to ensure our encounters go well. It doesn’t make us fake or inauthentic; it makes us warm and likeable. The people who are best at adapting to various situations at work are the ones who will be the most successful. It’s called Emotional Intelligence. It’s being able to “read” the people and the situation and then calling upon your soft skills to optimize the outcome for all involved. People who don’t adapt are difficult to work with and are seriously no fun to be around. Theyre rigid and frustrating because the world revolves around them (as far as they’re concerned) and how they want things done. To think you shouldn’t have to adapt because you’re an Introvert and that the world around you should adapt to your personality is self-centered at best and at its worst is simply crippling. The world is not going to adapt to you. Not only that, but that very thinking is counter-intuitive. You’re saying you shouldn’t have to adapt, but other people should adapt to you. Are you listening to what you’re saying? One big lesson I picked up while becoming a certified Myers-Briggs instructor was that personality type never changes, despite some people thinking that it does. What does change is how versatile a person becomes in accessing other personality characteristics over their lifetime in other words, adapting. If you’ve ever heard a person say they used to be “very Introverted” but now they’re “more Extraverted, means they picked up the skill of adapting driven by the situations they encountered. That is also true for the other three personality preferences as identified by Myers-Briggs. Be Smart in How You Adapt It turns out you don’t have to wait for enough experience in life and work to develop your skills for adapting. You can accelerate the development of those skills. It requires a recipe of: 1. Consciousness toward what you want to change, and 2. The specific behavior to change to If the dyspeptic person who said they were done adapting was so uncomfortable with the behaviors they were pursuing, they did it wrong. I have learned that, just like there are different learning styles, there are also different styles for how you do things. Life is not a “one-size-fits-all, which in this case means we don’t all have to do things the same way. (Click here to tweet this thought.) Most of the typical advice, especially for soft skills, is inherently oriented toward our more Extraverted culture and ways of doing things. If thats what you try to start doing, most likely you will feel uncomfortable and inauthentic, too. If the motto “just do it” worked, as an example, for Introverts doing networking, then we would all be rockstar networkers. We aren’t. If we Introverts could “just do it” with networking, we would already be doing it. Yes, there is an approach Introverts can use that takes into account our strengths and involves a slightly different process. You get the same result strengthened relationships. You just use a different route to get to the same destination. This is called adapting. In other words, being smart about how or what you adapt your behaviors to is first about defining what end result you’re looking to achieve, then using a process that will get that result you can feel comfortable doing. Keeping with the example of networking, if my goal is to expand and strengthen the circle of people I know, does that mean I have to go to multiple networking events per week and work the room? Absolutely not! I can use coffee dates to strengthen existing relationships (only one example of things I could do), and I can ask my friends to bring a friend I haven’t met, which will expand my networking circle. You see, as an Introvert, we do form relationships. We just prefer to form them in a small, intimate scale like this. Different route, same end results, and I didn’t have to creep myself out by working the room. Let me end this commentary by saying this: If you don’t like how your career is turning out, don’t be cranky about it change what you’re doing. Just know you can make changes that still work for you and can get you the result you want. And for Petes sake, don’t listen to crappy advice. Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!  Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer How have you adapted, or been challenged when you didnt adapt, in the workplace? Share your thoughts in the comments! Image: Flickr

How to Get Back Into a School Routine

How to Get Back Into a School Routine While the holidays offer a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, they can easily throw your thoughtfully-constructed schedule out of order. Getting your child back into a school routine after winter break can be a challenge. Luckily, there are a few strategies for successfully easing your student into the back-to-school transition. Creating a list of goals for the spring semester, encouraging a smart sleep schedule, and supporting your child through the common jitters of starting a new semester can help make the change easier. Looking to help your child start the new year off on the right foot? Heres how to get back into a school routine: Get back into a school routine by listing important dates and goals in a planner Whether your family prefers to use an assignment book, a calendar, or a planner, set aside time before school starts to write down any important dates. When looking for significant items to mark in your calendar, ask yourself questions like: What are some dates to keep in mind, including family events, holidays, or travel dates? Are there any major assignments that your child already knows about or projects that you can note on the calendar? This type of exercise can help both you and your child envision whats happening in the near future and make the transition less overwhelming. Whats also helpful is planning outtentativelya weekly or daily routine once your child goes back to school. Things to consider include wake up and bed times, when your child will do homework, and any extracurricular activities. [RELATED: 3 Common Back-to-School Issuesand How to Address Them] Get back into a school routine by implementing a sleep schedule A good sleep routine is sometimes one of the first things to fall to the wayside during the holidays. A week or a few days before school starts, begin practicing healthy sleep habits like having a cutoff time for technology. You can incorporate some wind down activities into your nightly routine as well, like reading, drawing, or coloring before bed. Some people also like to go to bed incrementally earlier each night until school starts. Get back into a school routine by minimizing last-minute decisions and purchases Set aside time before school starts to take an inventory of your childs school supplies. Is there anything that needs replenishing? Are there any books that they need to buy or borrow from the library? This is also a great time to do a wardrobe check and see if your child is prepared for what is often cold weather. Finally, spend time working on minimizing decisions and tasks during the morning rush, like what to wear and what to put in their backpack. This can make your morning routine much less stressful. [RELATED: How Parents Can Help With Elementary Homework Challenges] Get back into a school routine by offering support for back-to-school jitters Your child might be nervous, sad, excited, or feel a mixture of feelings before going back to schoolall of which are completely normal. It can be very helpful as a parent to guide them through or teach them strategies to process these emotions. You might encourage them to write in a journal, draw a picture, or simply spend some time talking about and acknowledging these feelings and any anxieties. It might be helpful to practice some mindfulness exercises, like meditation, deep breathing, or engaging in hobbies and exercising. Get back into a school routine by planning a future event your child will look forward to Especially if the back-to-school transition is nerve-wracking, take some time to plan a future event your child or your family collectively can look forward to. This helps ease the difficulty of returning to a less fun schedule. It can be a favorite meal, a field trip with the family, or an event related to your childs interests or hobbies. [RELATED: How Parents Can Help Students Setand AchieveAcademic Goals] Keep in mind that transitions are generally stressful, so there might be more arguments or heightened emotions during this time. Dont worrythis is normal. Just keep your lines of communication open and encourage your child to talk to you about worries, stresses, and thoughts as school starts again. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

13 Guitar Apps We Cant Live Without

13 Guitar Apps We Cant Live Without Megan L. The secret to improving your guitar skills  isnt much of a secret at all in fact, its right in your pocket! In this article, guitar teacher  Zachary W.  shows you 13 of his favorite apps for learning guitar and improving every step of the way As a guitar player, I find it important to keep my rudimentary skills sharp. That includes practicing with correct technique,  as well as being able to improvise, control tempo, and read music. Below,  Ive listed 13 guitar apps that I use regularly and that I know will help you improve each aforementioned skill. Each app serves a different purpose, but all of them are friendly to users of  all skill levels. A fair warning: these are addictive apps for musicians  of any kind. Lets go ahead and take a look at the apps that will undoubtedly improve your guitar playing! 1. TakeLessons Live (Free) There arent any other guitar apps out there quite like this one. TakeLessons Live offers online classes that are led by live guitar teachers. With the free membership option, you can join a variety of classes from anywhere in the world. Topics covered include guitar exercises, theory, scales, song tutorials, and more.  If youre looking for a fun way to practice your skills while getting feedback from a real instructor, this is the app for you! 2. 7 Minute Guitar ($2.99) 7 Minute Guitar is wonderful for those who have a super busy schedule. This guitar practice app has compiled a series of exercises that each take seven  minutes. Theres no longer  an  excuse to neglect that daily practice session. After using this app for a while, youll begin to develop a good practice routine; you start out practicing for seven minutes a day, then you extend to 30 minutes a day, and  eventually, youll reach a goal of practicing for more than an hour per day. 2. Time Guru ($1.99) Time Guru was developed by rhythm guitarist Avi Bortnick  for the John Scofield band. With this app, you get way more than just a simple metronome. This metronome app also  mutes the sound at random. This allows you to monitor your own playing by showing whether or not you tend to speed up or drag behind the metronome. This special feature essentially allows you to take off the training wheels given to you by the metronome, while still reaping the benefits of playing with a time-keeping device. 3. TabToolkit ($3.99) This app may cost money, but if you  tend to rely solely on tablature when you  learn or teach a new piece of music, TabToolkit  is completely worth the small fee of $3.99. With this app, you can  upload your own sheet music from other programs, such as Guitar Pro,  or browse their large library of guitar tabs. In addition to hosting guitar tabs,  this app also has a great multi-track playback, which gives you the ability to play along with some of your favorite bands and artists. This app also works with over 128 instruments its not solely for guitar players. For example, you can take a heavenly Charlie Parker saxophone solo and transpose it  to any instrument you please. 4. GarageBand ($4.99) If youve ever wanted  to get a group of people together and jam out in your garage till the early hours of the morning, then  youll be happy to know, theres really an app for that! When it comes down to it,  GarageBand is the best app for music creation on a touch screen. With real world instruments, true to life sounds, and tons of easy-to-use tools, there isn’t really another app on its level. 5. AmpKit (Free); AmpKit+($19.99) AmpKit  allows you to take your amp with you no matter how far you travel. Just plug in your guitar  with a digital interface and youll immediately have access to all the amp channels and sound effects of your wildest dreams. AmpKit+ may cost $19.99, but with this upgrade, you gain access to many more sound effects, amp channels, and pedal options. Its a must-have guitar app if you plan on playing professionally. 6. Anytune (FREE); Anytune Pro + ($14.99) If you have a relative that plays the guitar, Im sure youve heard the famous phrase, “You youngsters  have it so much easier than we did back in the day. Well, in this case, thats completely true! With Anytune,  you have the ability to slow down songs. Use this app  to dissect crazy, lightning fast licks or solos without losing the quality of the music. For example,  if youre having a hard time figuring out what notes Guthrie Govan is playing on the Aristocrats album, this app will help you out by slowing the song down at any section you choose. The app also has the ability to gradually increase speed as your confidence builds what plausible excuses to not practice do you have now? 7. Drumgenius (FREE) The name of this app pretty much sums up all that you need to know about it. Drumgenius  has over 300 different drum beats in a various time signatures, from boogaloo jazz in 21/8, to your typical big jazz band in 4/4. Its fun to pick a beat and play along with it on guitar! 8. MuseScore (FREE) Along with ear training, another key skill  that every musician should master  is the ability to read sheet music. This skill  opens up many more doors as a musician than you  thought possible. Musescore  lets you  listen to scores of music with the ability to adjust the tempo as you please. If you have the urge to hear the classic T-bone Walker song Stormy Monday played at 200 bpm, or perhaps that lightning fast Steve Vai solo on Zombie Wolf at half speed, this app is for you. 9. Shazam (Free upgrade cost $6.99) Just hold your phone up to the speaker and let Shazam detect what song is playing.  This app is extremely helpful for me. I don’t know how many times Ive been on the road listening to the radio and hear a rhythm I like or a solo that blows me away; instead of forgetting the lyrics or having no clue how the song goes, this app collects  the song data for me. 10. Soundcloud (Free) Soundcloud allows you to post original audio recordings on the web where they can be accessed by anyone. This gateway opens up so many doors that you wouldve never known existed. In addition, this app gives you the perfect place to get constructive criticism from other  musicians. 11. J4T Multitrack Recorder ($3.99) The  J4T Multitrack Recorder  helps with those spontaneous moments when a melody strikes me and Im miles away from my equipment this app acts as a sketch pad for my musical ideas. With the ability to record 4 tracks simultaneously, this app gives you the basics that are needed for the foundation of any great musical idea or thought. Sadly, this app is only for Android. To those who have an Android phone go out and download it for the rest of us who have iPhones! 12. Evernote (FREE) Evernote  may seem very basic  on paper, but in reality, the capabilities of this app are limitless. This app is perfect for both those who  receive and those who teach lessons. This app has saved my hide on more than one occasion. I use this app to write down a summary of my lessons; this helps me keep track of a multitude of students. I keep constant track of my students progress because I like to max out the full potential of what we can accomplish in our hour or half-hour lessons. For all those out there who are teaching themselves, this app is perfect for logging your progress. If you include some of these guitar apps in your practice routine, I guarantee youll make progress faster than you will without them. Be sure to check out the detailed descriptions of the apps on the store page to see which features work for your reaching goals. As always, be sure to practice every day and dont be discouraged by new concepts! Post Author:  Zachary W. Zachary A. is a guitar instructor in Katy, TX specializing in beginning and intermediate students. He is currently earning a degree in  music theory. Learn more about Zachary here! Photo by Dino Latoga 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

Learning to Make Origami

Learning to Make Origami Learn How to Create Origami ChaptersEasy Origami: Simple FoldsA Word on PaperHow to Make Origami FlowersHow to Make an Origami CranePerhaps every child in the world has made and played with an origami fortune teller â€" it was certainly my first brush with folded paper creation.Of course, at the time I had no idea I was manipulating a genuine origami design... and, quite possibly, neither did/do other children on the planet.Have you ever made one? Have you ever made a paper aeroplane, a paper boat or even paper flowers?  Did you know you were actually practising origami?The art of creating shapes out of paper is centuries old; an exacting exercise that teaches patience, discipline and helps develop fine motor skills â€" much the way handwriting does.But making an origami dragon is much more fun than practising penmanship, even if it does offer substantial educational benefits.A part of origami’s appeal is that you don’t need scissors, glue or glitter to adorn your creations, just square paper and knowledge of basic folding technique.That is what your Superprof offers up today: we’re going to look at some simple origami creations, a few methods to enhance your origami and finish up with some more complex designs.Are you ready to learn the art of paper folding? NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsEasy Origami: Simple Folds You might try folding a few origami frogs before tackling something so complex as a kusudama ball! Image by 995645 from PixabayA long time ago, the paper art known as origami involved cutting as well as folding and, to be sure, there are still paper arts that involve snipping: découpage is an example of such that is currently en vogue. The only cutting you may need to do to make origami animals is reducing a standard sheet of paper to a square â€" square paper is the standard in origami.Starting with a square of paper, fold the paper in half to form a rectangle. Be sure that the corners are aligned before putting pressure on the folded edge. Once you have a defined edge, unfold the paper. Congratulations! You have just executed your first mountain fold.Now, flip your paper over and repeat the exercise. Align the corners so that your new fold is perpendicular to the one you’ve already made, making sure your paper has a marked crease, and then unfold. Excellent! Now you’ve mastere d the valley fold.These two are the most basic and the most important of all origami folds. Indeed, every origami incorporates either a mountain or a valley, or some combination thereof. Another easy fold is called a pleat. Just like pleats in drapes or clothing, origami pleats can give your work extra depth.To make a pleat, measure off one-third of the length of your paper and then fold along that line. For example, if you are working with a 30 cm square, make your fold at 10 cm.Once properly creased, flip your folded paper over and fold the other edge to meet the line of the first fold. Press your folds firmly before releasing. Your pleat should resemble the letter Z.If you happen to have a road map, you can see this pleating in action. Or, before the next heatwave, you may want to pleat a paper fan...Crimping is a lot like pleating but on a bit smaller scale. You might say that crimping involves putting a notch into your design while leaving the rest of the paper uncreased.To mak e an effective crimp, start by making a mountain fold and then restore your paper to its open position.  Next, somewhere along the first quarter to third of the page, make another fold, as though you were making a pleat.The next move really depends on you: how deep of a crimp do you want?You can make a shallow crimp by folding the paper back at just a centimetre or you could go for a more generous one by folding back at five centimetres.The important part is that your folds do not run across the entire width of the paper. Perhaps you might visualise a small-bodied Z with long tongues on the top and bottom.These are basic folding techniques to get you started in creating origami; you will also need to know a few ‘bases’: folding patterns that can be used in creating many different origami shapes. We’ll start with the most common.The square base (or preliminary base): fold your paper diagonally; again fold corner to corner. Raise one of the flaps, squash it down and fold; repeat with the other side.The kite base: fold your paper diagonally and reopen. Using that fold as a central axis, bring the right corner to the centre, followed by the left corner. Your paper should now resemble a kite.The bird base: it starts with a square base but gets a bit more involved; ultimately, you end up with a long diamond.The frog base: considerably more steps than any of the bases discussed thus far.The fish base: fish are a symbol of peace and contentment; you too will be happy to hang brightly coloured fish around your room!Explaining each of these bases is a complex undertaking and, if you are the type of person who needs to see to understand, perhaps looking at diagrammes would be more helpful.Join the discussion: why is origami integral to Japanese culture? You can use any type of paper to practise your folds but, when it comes to creating, origami paper is best! Image by Nhelia from PixabayA Word on PaperYou could certainly use any type of paper to practise your folds and bases but it is recommended that, once you start creating origami art, you use only origami paper.This type of paper is more durable and resilient than ordinary paper, the better to hold your creases and folds. Also, you may select a two-tone paper to give your creations added flair.  Best of all: origami comes pre-cut into squares!Before you rush out to Hobbycraft and buy out their supply of folding paper, there are a few things you should know.Folding paper comes in all colours, grades and sizes.Your ideal starter pack is kami paper; it is two-sided â€" meaning it is white on one side and coloured on the other. It is thin, smooth and holds creases really well.If you are looking for a more versatile paper, Tant would be for you. Made in Japan, it is very flexible and comes in many colours. Its biggest downside is that it does tear rather easily.Washi paper is handmade using long cellulose fibres. Very strong and durable, this is the elite of origami paper.Many craft stores stock all types of origami paper including Japanese paper. Just ask the helpful clerks to direct you to the paper arts section  to see for yourself what is available.We have just enough time left to tell you about a few origami projects you might undertake before you chime in on why origami is so important to the Japanese...How to Make Origami FlowersNow that you have raided the crafts store and bought all the paper you need for your origami projects, let’s start out with a relatively simple origami flower.Fold the paper of your choice into a kite base (see above) and rotate it so that the open flaps are at the top. Fold the first flap down, exposing the two, narrow-angled flaps.Fold those two flaps at a 45 degree  angle to the downturned fold you just made, and then fold t he last flap back. Voila! A two-dimensional flower!  If you’d like, you may use pinking shears or scissors to define the petal edges.Are you ready for some more intricate flowers?Kusudama is the Japanese art of sewing or glueing individual origami together; in this case, we would make multiple flowers and then fasten them together to make a ball.These step-by-step instructions will guide you to getting it right on the first try but we do offer this helpful tip: you might use smaller paper squares to make the individual flowers.Did you know that ninja stars have just about the same appeal as flowers do?If you lead an origami for kids workshop, your young warriors might like to make these rather than paper blooms.Start with two pieces of origami paper side by side. It would lend a neat effect if your papers were of different colours.Fold both sheets in half lengthwise, and then again, so that you end up with two long, narrow strips. Now fold each strip in half to make a guiding crea se.Fold the bottom half of each strip 90 degrees  to the right; flip the folded strip over and repeat with the top half, folding it to the left. Repeat with the second strip.Your little origami warriors are going to be so excited to see their stars come to life! The Iconic crane looks difficult but is easy to make Image by Ennelise Napoleoni-Bianco from PixabayHow to Make an Origami CraneCranes have special meaning in Japanese culture; they symbolise hope and healing; peace and long life. You can learn more about origami cranes in our history of origami article.In light of that, we could hardly close this article out without any folding instructions for the most renown of all origami models.This is an easy-to-intermediate model involving only one sheet of paper. It starts with a square base and follows 22 precise steps.To make the prettiest crane, you might use multi-coloured paper or even foil paper... just make sure that it can withstand multiple folds without tearing.Once you’ve mastered how to make the iconic paper crane, you might move on to more intricate origami designs; you may even want to try your hand at making paper. It’s not that hard!With Christmas just around the corner, now is the time to think about how you’ll wrap all of those gifts; using an origami butterfly to identify each parcel instead of a name tag would make your offerings so much more personal!Now discover the poignant symbolism of origami.