5 Ways Learning Music Theory Can Make You a Better Singer

5 Ways Learning Music Theory Can Make You a Better Singer Suzy S. Do you love to sing? Well take a wild guess and say it wasnt chord progressions and minor scales that caught your interest. But did you know reading music and understanding the theory behind it can actually help you as you learn how to sing? Find out more in this guest post by  St. Augustine, FL voice teacher  Heather L. Music theory may not be the most glamorous part of being a singer after all, no ones analyzing Brahmss first symphony at that summer music festival in town, and that new Meghan Trainor song doesnt discuss inversions and triads. But you know what? A lot of the best vocalists have theory fundamentals down pat. Heres a list of the best reasons why music theory can help you as you learn how to sing. Versatility First, understanding music theory can make you a more versatile singer. Its one thing not to know any music theory and sing simple songs, like This Land Is Your Land, but its another thing not to know any and then to learn My Funny Valentine, or Lovin You, or a Mozart aria! In other words, learning jazz, classical, and other genres requires some knowledge of music theory.  Without it, we musicians wouldnt be able to understand the symbols and the terms that are in the actual music. What does piano or sforzando mean? What does that funny-looking symbol mean? What does D.S. al coda mean? How do I count this measure? Music theory teaches us all of this! Learning Music For those who have no or limited music theory knowledge, learning how to read music is certainly not impossible, but its certainly not fast or efficient. I see the difference in my students every day. Music theory isnt just a mundane chore or a rite of passage every musician has to get through. Think of music theory as a set of tools explanations, vocabulary, ideas that make you a better, and faster, music learner. Being able to see immediately that that particular passage is really just an F minor scale, and not just a bunch of individual notes, can cut your learning time in half. Auditions and Competitions Many vocal auditions, competitions, and scholarship opportunities are based, at least partly, on a music theory exam or assessment. I once lost an annual college scholarship only because another applicant beat my music theory test score. If I had only taken the music theory course offered at my public high school and studied even just the basics, then I wouldve gotten a huge help once I went to East Carolina University. Learning music theory opens up opportunities for you as a music student, competitor, and as a college student, because it prepares you for music theory placement tests. Better Songwriting Recently I was working on a song that Im writing for my band. The theory knowledge that I have was the only thing that enabled me to write my ideas down on staff paper. Now that I think of it, if I didnt know how to write the notes and chords of my songs down, then I dont really know what I would do. Well, I could record it and then have my band try to figure it out by ear. I could play it and have someone else transcribe it, but its tough to find anyone who can do that, and theyll usually charge by the hour or by the piece of music. Knowing your music theory means that you have a better understanding of how music is constructed, so youll be a more confident songwriter. Learning music theory paves the way for your potential career as a songwriter, arranger, or composer. And besides, youll be better able to write songs that fit your range! Easier Communication You might have your heart set on being a solo singer, only ever performing alone. But even solo artists have to work with other musicians. The best solo singers in the world still have to work with orchestras and conductors, bands, and other talent. Its essential to learn the very unique language of music in order to be able to communicate your ideas, your challenges, even just to talk about whats going on in measure 22! Music theory is the key to learning how to speak music. Can you imagine being in a recording studio and understanding none of what the producer or the engineer is saying?  Music theory allows us to talk about music that were studying or performing, because its like our vocabulary! To Recap: Singers are jokingly known for being the most clueless musicians when it comes to music theory. But we can change that perception! There are a dozen more reasons why singers need to learn music theory, and luckily, there are dozens of books for self-study, and even better, hundreds of music theory tutors online at TakeLessons.com  who will be thrilled to help you learn today! Heather L. teaches singing, piano, acting, and more in St. Augustine, FL, as well as through online lessons. She is  a graduate of the prestigious Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and has performed with the New York and Royal Philharmonics, the New Jersey and Virginia Symphonies, the American Boy Choir, and the internationally renowned opera star Andrea Bocelli. Learn more about Heather 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  Fatihah Y

How to Survive a Bad Job - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Survive a Bad Job - Introvert Whisperer How to Survive a Bad Job Dorothy February 7, 2015 Adaptability, Career Development One response How to Survive a Bad Job Ideally, this won’t happen, but at some point in your career, you may need to survive a bad job. For whatever reason, sometimes our dreams and expectations about a new job simply don’t come to fruition, and in that situation, there are a few things you can do to keep your head above water. Have you ever had to go into survival mode in your job? Share your experiences in the comments! Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

How to Buy an English Essay Writing Help on a Shoestring Budget

How to Buy an English Essay Writing Help on a Shoestring Budget 0SHARESShare How to define an Essay? In simple terms, it is a precise write up revolving around one or more related ideas. The art of writing a good Essay is hidden in the writer’s ability of making it to the point and concise. Practicing  English essay writing  is an essential tool which refines your command over the language and also acts as an aid for other styles of writings, for example- reports, invitations, research papers, etc. Due to the complications of the English language, one may need English help in drafting a good essay. Such helps are now available online, on the internet. Whatever may be your budget, or even if you do not have a budget, many online English essay writing portals can come to your aid. Many English Essay Helper sites have cropped up in the recent past that give a detailed guidance in all genres of essay writing, be it an argumentative essay or a descriptive one. No matter which area of expertise you are looking for or the subject you need to write on, the only requirement is to feed in the correct keywords on the internet search engine and you will be able to seek  English help  from the online websites. All the tricks and techniques you require to frame an essay and to put your ideas in the right order shall be present to you in whichever form you require, ranging from a face to face guidance on a real time basis or a recorded tutorial on the subject. Quit worrying and get started with the essay! [starbox id=admin]

Adding fractions with common denominators

Adding fractions with common denominators Fractions are a very commonly used numerical representation of numbers. A fraction is number written in p/q form. Where p is the numerator and q is the denominator of the number. The denominator of a fraction cannot be equal to zero i.e. q not equal to zero. Different mathematical operations can be used to simplify and solve a fractions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. While adding fractions there should always be a common denominator. Here are some examples for adding fractions with a common denominator. Example 1: Simplify and find the answer by adding the given fraction numbers 2/5 + 3/5 + 4/5? Solution: The first step is to check the denominator of the given fractions. We have a common denominator of 5 for all three fractions. Since the denominator of the fractions is same, add the numerators of the given fractions. This gives 2/5 + 3/5 + 4/5 = (2 + 3 + 4) / 5 = 9/5. Therefore, the answer for 3/4 + 5/4 + 1/4 = 9/5. Question: Multiple choice question (Pick the correct option.) What is the answer for adding the two fractions 1/7 + 6/7? a) 1 b) 6/7 c) 5/7 d) None of these. Correct answer: option a. Here the fractions 1/7 and 6/7 have the same denominator 7. Since we have the common denominator we can add the numerators. This gives 1/7 + 6/7 = (1 + 6) /7 = 7/7. The fraction 7/7 can be further simplified. Hence 7/7 = 1.

HEART Tutoring Adds Math To Name, Changes Logo

HEART Tutoring Adds “Math” To Name, Changes Logo HEART Tutoring Adds “Math” To Name, Changes Logo HEART Tutoring Adds “Math” To Name, Changes Logo April 17, 2015 Following feedback from funders, volunteers, and schools, and with a grant from Reemprise Fund, HEART Tutoring completed a branding study in 2014 and will now be Heart Math Tutoring. The goal of the branding study was to find a name and image that captures Heart’s focus on math and professionalized, measured results while maintaining the warmth of the tutor/student relationship that is core to our work. Heart’s team and key stakeholders worked with Wray Ward, a Charlotte-based marketing communications agency beginning last summer. Many thanks to all of our volunteers, schools, and supporters who spent time last summer providing input and guidance! Charlie Elberson, primary advisor for the Reemprise Fund, a donor advised fund held at Foundation For The Carolinas, explains why working with Heart Math Tutoring on this project fit the Fund’s venture philanthropy work. “The Reemprise Fund has a legacy of providing transformative grants to visionary social enterprises. Heart’s model for math intervention and volunteer management has tremendous potential to scale in Charlotte and beyond. Looking toward that horizon, the organization needed a brand identity that was a true reflection of its extraordinary premise. This new program will give them an edge, propelling Heart Math Tutoring’s marketing for various audiences in years to come.” In Heart’s new brand, the colors are updated; the shapes suggest math and geometry; and the subtle image of a butterfly evokes the feelings of growth, change, and transformation that we hope to inspire in our students and in the community. The original acronym has been dropped and a new tagline adapted: “Connecting Students Volunteers for Results that Count.” We hope you like it! Special thanks goes to Bellaworks for  refreshing  Heart’s website  and to Crystal Dempsey with  From The Hip Communications for helping us tell our story with our blog, social media, and email. Most of all, thank you to Reemprise Fund for the grant award to make all of this possible. We are excited about the way these developments will help Heart bring one-on-one math tutoring to more students in Charlotte.

Partnering with your Childs Teacher for a Successful School Year

Partnering with your Child's Teacher for a Successful School Year How can you effectively collaborate with your child's teacher? By fostering positive and productive communication throughout the year. Just as it is important to talk with your child about school, communicating with his or her teacher is crucial as well. Read on for a few pointers on how to develop a positive parent-teacher relationship and make the most out of it all year long. Go to parent-teacher conferences. Take advantage of parent-teacher conferences, which offer regular opportunities for you to talk with your child's teacher face to face. To get the most out of these meetings, jot down any issues you'd like to discuss before you go. If your child is struggling with school or homework, ask his or her teacher lots of questions, such as: Does my child seem focused during class? Does my child come prepared for class Does my child complete all homework and classroom assignments Does my child get along with his or her peers? What are my child's best subjects? What subjects does my child struggle with? Does my child participate in class? Does my child pay attention in class? Has my child had absences from school that I may not be aware of? What tests will my child take this school year? What do these tests measure? Of course, your child's teacher may have a few questions for you as well. If your child is experiencing problems at home, with friends or in other areas of his or her life, be sure to share this with your child's teacher. Together, the two of you can brainstorm ways to lessen the impact of outside factors on your child's school performance. Keep interactions positive and collaborative. Not every parent-teacher relationship will be perfect. Topics such as homework, tests and learning environment may rouse disagreement between you and your child's teacher, particularly if your child is struggling to keep up or has difficulty completing assignments. However, it's best to approach your child's teacher with a cooperative attitude, avoiding assigning blame or criticizing. First, attempt to understand the situation. Remember that your child's teacher also has your child's best interests in mind. Ask teachers what you can do to help your child at home. Whether at parent-teacher conferen ces or in a separate meeting or discussion, be sure to ask your child's teacher for suggestions on how to help your child get the most out of homework and improve his or her study habits. Your child's teacher will likely have several helpful suggestions and be more than willing to help you devise an action plan to enhance your child's learning at home. Be mindful of a teacher's schedule. Keep in mind when calling your child's teacher or requesting meetings that he or she likely interacts with many other students' parents on a regular basis as well. Ask your child's teacher what is the best way for the two of you to communicate. Some teachers may suggest using email to stay in touch when quick questions arise, saving in-person meetings for bigger issues. In the end, you and your child's teacher have the same goal: to provide your child the best education possible. Do your part to make it a great year by keeping the lines of communication open. Huntington is here to help every step of the way. If your child needs additional help, turn to us. We can address areas where your child may be struggling and tailor a program based on his or her learning needs.

Job Advice From the Editor-In-Chief of Seventeen Magazine

Job Advice From the Editor-In-Chief of Seventeen Magazine Ann Shoket, Editor-In-Chief of Seventeen Magazine, Flickr photo courtesy of Jason Meredith Landing an entry level position in the media industry can be delicate â€"  especially when aiming for a spot with a notable company like CNN,  ABC, Hearst, Seventeen Magazine, and etc. In a career field that is competitive and constantly changing, it is important to stand out from other job candidates when journeying through the application and interview process. Job advice is redundantly shoved down the throats of college students and graduates constantly, yet qualified  applicants  continue to fall short of landing jobs. Fortunately, the Editor-In-Chief of Seventeen Magazine, Ann Shoket, graced the stage this weekend at the first ever Her Campus National Intercollegiette Conference in New York , NY. With  approximately  300 young inspired students,  professionals, and media lovers under the sound of her voice, she delivered what she precisely called, Ann Shokets Plan to Getting a Job. This 3-step plan  emphasizes  the importance of making the small gestures count. 1. Write a letter to the Editor. Whether its the the E-I-C or a managing editor, find their information and send them a letter. Write a letter about your connection and what youre going to do for the magazine, Shoket emphasized. While she  acknowledged  that there is no guarantee that your letter will get a response, its vital to let them know your ideas and what you can bring to the company. Dont just say you read the magazine all of your life,  she added. Its about showing what you can actually put into action. 2. Sit on the edge of your seat. Youve managed to land a meeting or interview with the company of your liking. You know when to show up, what to wear, and how to smile like your life depends upon it. Youre invited into the interview space, but now what? Stop!  Dont you dare sit comfortably with your back against the chair. Sit on the edge of your seat, Shoket says. You have to earn the right to sit back in your seat. Its all about engagement. Dont make it  monologue; make it conversation, she added. Its okay to bring your notepad filled with questions. Make yourself memorable by not waiting to have the information pried out of you.  Just start talking. 3. Write a thank you letter. Yes, youve probably heard this more than a couple of times, but its time for you to actually start doing it. With the  convenience  of emails, not many people take the time to write handwritten letters anymore. Shoket suggests using plain paper. You dont need anything fancy with flowers, rainbows, and swirls. Ensure that your letter is not generic by including something discussed in the interview, while keeping it short and sweet. We know the economy isnt the best right now and school is expensive. But there are steps that job seekers can take to improve the process. Sometimes it just takes someone influential to say something for people to understand its importance.

How to Optimize Slow Work Days

How to Optimize Slow Work Days Image via pixabay.com Always have study materials on you While you may dread having a shift before a big test when you need the time for studying, you can still put in some studying time if you bring along materials to study with. Always go digital if you can so you have fewer papers to remember to bring and a lighter load. Look at pictures of your study guides or notes on Google Docs. Study concepts on Quizlet, which has a convenient mobile app for on-the-go studying. If you are planning on using your phone, tablet, or laptop, remember to comply with your jobs rules when it comes to using technology during your shift, regardless of how slow it is. If your job prohibits the use of technology during your shift, you can always bring along hard copies of things you need to study class readings, course notes, flashcards, etc. One of the biggest mistakes students can make is mistaking possible studying time as waste of time moments, such as slow days at work, breaks between classes, and commutes to and from school or work. Plan ahead   Having a part-time job as a full-time college student encouraged me to effectively plan out my time there werent enough hours in the day and I always felt like I was falling behind in class or socially. Instead of continuing to struggle with balancing work, school, and my social life, I started to plan out my days, weeks, and months. I always carry my planner on me, allowing me to write any new plans that come up or things I need to buy from the store as I remember them. I often dont have a set time where I sit down and plan out my week, but I often do it when I have downtime at work. If you dont like the idea of carrying around a physical planner, you can always use the calendar app on your phone or the mobile app for Google Calendar to have your schedule on all of your devices, as long as you can access your account. Planning ahead does not have to be limited to figuring out what to do the next day make shopping lists or plan out an essay/assignment you need to do. Planning out things like essays saves you the time you would need to do it at home, helping you start it right away when you actually need to. Get ahead in work, but only when needed   If its slow at work and you have already finished the tasks you need to do for the hour or shift, you may think that there is nothing to do at all. However, you can always get ahead to make it easier for you and/or your coworkers later on. If there are tasks for people later on in the day that you could complete when its slow, get them done early to save yourself the trouble later when there is the possibility that it could be busier than it is at the moment. Restock anything that needs it. Make copies for later. Draft and proofread any emails you need to send out later. When you are getting ahead in work, make sure it will be beneficial if its done earlier. If something needs to be done at a set time (changing something out every other hour, closing a machine down, sending out a reminder email), there is no use in getting ahead when it will have to be done again at a later time or if it will mess with another task later on. Take a breather It may sound weird to try to relax at work, but I often look forward to work when I feel overwhelmed with school. Its a chance to have a reason to step away from anything academic and still be somewhat productive as Im earning money while doing so. Work helps take your mind off of school and gives you some room to breathe, especially on a slow day. If you cant hang out with your friends because you are all busy with school or your own jobs, you can at least find comfort in talking to your coworkers who you hopefully have a friendly relationship with. If it really is a slow day at work, take advantage of the slow pace and relax while you can, knowing that once you get home you need to get back to studying.