Basic Scale Theory for Guitarists

Basic Scale Theory for Guitarists Become a Guitarist by Learning Your Scales ChaptersThe Chromatic Scale for the GuitarThe Major Scale on the GuitarThe Minor Scale on the GuitarImprovising with the Pentatonic Scale on the Guitar“Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.” - Robert FrippMusic is a part of almost every Brit’s daily life.  When we’re happy, we play happy music.Or is it that playing music makes us happy?In either case, your guitar playing should be your main priority.But before you start playing your guitar, you’ll need to work on a few scales and basic chords in order to make your life easier. In fact, by learning scales, you'll better understand each guitar chord, chord progressions, learn to play licks, and become a master of music theory.Here are a few of the most common scales that every guitar player should learn. PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tut ors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RyanGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Chromatic Scale for the GuitarThe chromatic scale is a scale with all 12 pitches, each a semitone apart: C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, C.Working on scales is essential if you want to progress. (Source: Abiris)The chromatic scale is played on the guitar using each of the frets. However, playing it in its entirety isn’t much use on its own. Playing three or four consecutive notes this guitar scale can sometimes be useful before a beginner guitar lesson.Playing a chromatic scale will have you systematically playing each fret on a given string from the low notes to the high notes. You can go up and down strings as well if you play the 5th fret (index finger), 6th fret (middle finger), 7th fret (ring finger), 8th fret (pinky).Low E stringA stringD stringG stringB stringHigh E stringUse a metronome to improve your rhythm and timing as you play the notes. The plectrum should follow a back and forth motion as this gives your playing the typical sound that the guitar will usually have.The positioning of your left hand (or right hand if you’re left-handed) is key when it comes to doing these kinds of exercises. Your thumb needs to be placed on the back of the neck with your wrist slightly bent and your fingers curved towards the fretboard.As we said, the chromatic scale isn’t very useful when it comes to playing songs. It’s not very melodic like a major scale or a pentatonic scale.On the other hand, there are a few advantages to it:Warming up: it’s a good idea for when you want to gently warm up before playing.Working on your technique: it’s good for improving your flexibility, the strength of your fingers, coordination, and precision.Adding nuance when you improvise: adding the chromatic scale can sometimes be a useful addition when going between scales and allows you to add more harmonious and pleasant transitions. It can make you more creative.Don’t forget about the chromatic scale as you can use it throughout your entire “career” as a guitarist whether you’re playing an electric guitar, acoustic guitar, or an electro-acoustic guitar. If you've just started playing the guitar, this is a great one for warming up and working on your improvisation.The Major Scale on the GuitarThere are plenty of scales you can play when you first learn guitar and a lot of them might seem quite difficult. However, some of them are essential!Not so fast! You'll get there. You just need to be patient. (Source: jukazek04)If you take guitar lessons London or private tutorials, you’re bound to run into the major scale. Even if you’re not taking lessons, you should s tart with it! It’s the most common scale for musicians to learn.The C major scale is all the naturals, C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. It’s easy on a piano as it’s all the white notes.  It’s also a diatonic scale.To play the major scale with other notes, you should learn its structure and the intervals between each note. Like a maths formula, learning the intervals can help you to transpose the scale anywhere on your guitar.I to II: A tone.II to III: A tone.III to IV: A semitone.IV to V: A tone.V to VI: A tone.VI to VII: A tone.VII to I: A semitone.You could also remember it like this:1T - 1T - 0.5T - 1T - 1T - 1T - 0.52 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 1The second might be more useful for guitarists as it’ll indicate how many frets between two notes on the scale.  To stay true to the intervals on the major scale in other keys, you’ll often have to include sharps and flats when you’re playing.To work on the major scale, here’s some important advice:Start off slowly with the help of a m etronome at a very low tempo.There are seven positions in the major scale: make sure you’ve mastered one position before trying to learn the next one.Learn to read a scale diagram in order to learn to learn scales and the different positions more quickly.For the first position of the major scale, here’s how to place your fingers.Low E string: index finger on the 8th fret, middle finger on the 10th fret, pinky on the 12th fret.A string: index finger on the 8th fret, middle finger on the 10th fret, pinky on the 12th fret.D string: index finger on the 9th fret, middle finger on the 10th fret, pinky on the 12th fret.G string: index finger on the 9th fret, middle finger on the 10th fret, pinky on the 12th fret.B string: index finger on the 10th fret, ring finger on the 12th fret, pinky on the 13th fret.High E string: index finger on the 10th fret, ring finger on the 12th fret, pinky on the 13th fret.The Minor Scale on the GuitarThe minor scale is arguably the second most important sc ale along with the major scale.When you work on your scales, you'll improve several aspects of your playing. (Source: Samueles)It was constructed as a solution to difficulties found in vocal music. What makes a minor scale is the third interval. There are three semitones between tonic and the third in a minor scale and four in a major scale.There are several different types of minor scales: natural or relative, harmonic, and melodic. The three types of minor scales are very similar and only a few elements differ between each one.  Minor scales aren’t ideal for beginners, especially on the guitar.You should have mastered the major scale and the pentatonic scale before you start trying to tackle minor scales on the guitar as they’re harder than the former two.The Natural/Relative Minor ScaleThis is the most common one and it's made up of seven notes. Each major scale has a corresponding relative minor scale which includes all the same notes.Here’s its structure:1T - 0.5T - 1T - 1T - 0.5T - 1T - 1T2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2The relative minor for C major is A minor: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A.The Minor Harmonic ScaleIf you want to compose or improvise, the harmonic minor scale is essential for various styles of music including blues, rock, pop, jazz, etc.  To remember it, you should start with the natural minor scale. It’s exactly the same apart from the seventh is a semitone higher.Here’s its structure:1T - 0.5T - 1T - 1T - 0.5T - 1.5T - 0.5T2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 1 - 3 - 1The Minor Melodic ScaleThe minor melodic scale is the most complicated of the three to master.  You have to start off with the harmonic scale to construct it. It’s the same but the sixth is augmented by a semitone.The structure changes again:1T - 0.5T - 1T - 1T - 1T - 1T - 0.5T2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 1You could also start off with the minor natural scale and alter both the sixth and seventh notes.  To really master the three minor scales, it’s recommended that you learn how to transpose them. Why not get guitar tutorials to help you with this?Improvising with the Pentatonic Scale on the GuitarThe pentatonic scale is regularly used in rock music and especially in solos. It’s sometimes referred to as the rock scale or the solo scale.Most rock guitarists love the pentatonic scale! (Source: StockSnap)Penta means five and tonic means note. There are, therefore, 5 notes in the pentatonic scale.The pentatonic scale is easy to learn and to play and it’s used in a lot of different musical styles including pop, rock, blues, and reggae.There are two types of pentatonic scales, the major pentatonic and the minor pentatonic scales.  However, guitarists regularly refer to the minor pentatonic as the pentatonic scale.Here’s its structure:I to III: Three semitones.III to IV: A tone.IV to V: A tone.V to VII: Three semitones.VII to I: A tone.The II and VI degrees aren’t part of the pentatonic scale.1.5T - 1T - 1T - 1.5T - 1T3 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 2You can play the pentatonic scale in var ious ways: either on a single string or using one of the five positions and starting from the tonic of your choice.  The major pentatonic scale is just a minor pentatonic scale that starts on the third.Here’s its structure:1T - 1T - 1.5T - 1T - 1.5T2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 3It’s a major scale because there are two full tones between the tonic and the third.The pentatonic major scale is very close to the major scale and you work on them both to help you remember them, understand them, and become more comfortable using them when you improvise or transition between scales.To get good at using pentatonic scales, you should follow these tips:Don’t lift your fingers too far from the fretboard, this will help you improve the speed of your playing.Break down each scale and work on it slowly and methodically.Leave the previous finger on the fretboard when playing the next note and don’t take it off until the very last moment.The pentatonic scale will really help you when it comes to composing , improvising, and playing solos.As you can see, scales aren’t just for pianists, guitarists, whether they're playing blues guitar, jazz guitar, or rock guitar, can also work on them.The theory behind a scale will help you understand a chord progression, write riffs, and play guitar solos, melodies, and guitar licks. If you want to play guitar, there are plenty of useful online guitar resources with scales and other resources for an aspiring musician.

The Guide to Teaching Photography

The Guide to Teaching Photography The Complete Guide to  Starting Photography Teaching Jobs ChaptersFinding Students for Your Photography ClassesBeing a Photography TutorDetermining How Much a Photo Class Will CostGiving Photo Classes Via WebcamIf you have a taste for the arts, why not become a photography teacher for beginners and start online tutoring jobs? You don't necessarily need any degree, a photography tutor  is a job for those simply wishing to pass on a passion. In a few sessions, your student will be able to take pictures like a real photo professional.Follow the guide to becoming a private photo tutor!Before organizing an introductory photography workshop in your workshop or in a photo studio, you should take a second to  analyze the competition  in your field. You'll be noticed more if you have a price that corresponds to who you are and to your class!Adjusting your Rates According to What Kind of Photography Tutor You AreTo determine the price of your photo class, you must not only take into consideration the average price of other tutor, but many other crite ria, too.First of all, a novice photo tutor will, logically, be paid much less than an experienced photography tutor. The photography tutor-student  must make sure his or her rate is quite low for a basic photo training course.But it is especially specialty and experts in a certain photo technique that will have higher rates. Anything from:Depth of field,Long exposures,Photo touch-up in post production or post treatment,Black and white photo,Mastery of sharpness and soft focus,Manual mode or automatic mode,Nature photos,Family photos,Digital SLR, etc.If you have advanced knowledge in any particular field, you are likely to stand out and have a higher rate.Our advice: agree to give courses online to reach a wider audience. The rarer the discipline, the higher the price. Indeed, a photo specialty  will attract more advanced students, who are more inclined to pay more in order to improve and learn to take beautiful pictures like famous photographers.Finally, if your specialty requires specific camera equipment, you can inflate your rates.In short, to make a good living thanks to private photo lessons, bet on the originality of your course while keeping it both educational and fun!Giving Photo Classes Via WebcamTake advantage of the digital age to find students looking for quality photography training online!Teach students to take beautiful pictures with the camera of their choice!In recent years, the practice of online teaching has become increasingly common. If this formula appeals quite a bit it is thanks to the popularity of digital tools. The vast majority of students and tutors already have the necessary equipment  it takes to organize an online photo course, which saves them precious money.Here is a list of equipment to acquire if you would like to offer an online photo tutorial:A laptop or desktop, Windows or Mac, depending on your desired post production software,A quality webcam, preferably not your computer's (count between 20 and 30 USD for a webcam of sufficient quality),A microphone built into your computer or webcam, or a microphone via headphones,A good internet connection (DSL is recommended),Instant chatting software with screen sharing (Google Hangouts, Skype...),Photo editing software for post production.The webcam course is particularly recommended for photography tutors just beginning!This type of teaching tends to severely take  stress away from both the student and the tutor. They can easily get in touch with instant messaging apps, which makes light of the overly serious side of in-home private lessons!But, before you leave, don't forget these important pic tips from PetaPixel:1. Get in closeIt was the famous photojournalist  Robert Capa  who once said “If your photographs aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” He was talking about getting in amongst the action. If you feel like your images aren’t ‘popping’, take a step or two closer to your subject. Fill the frame with your subject and see how m uch better your photo will look without so much wasted space. The closer you are to the subject, the better you can see their facial expressions too.2. Shoot every dayThe best way to hone your skills is to practice. A lot. Shoot as much as you can â€" it doesn’t really matter what. Spend hours and hours behind your camera. As your technical skills improve over time, your ability to harness them to tell stories and should too. ?Don’t worry too much about shooting a certain way to begin with. Experiment. Your style â€" your ‘voice’ â€" will emerge in time. And it will be more authentic when it does. â€" Leah Robertson3. See the lightBefore you raise your camera, see where the light is coming from, and use it to your advantage. Whether it is natural light coming from the sun, or an artificial source like a lamp; how can you use it to make your photos better? How is the light interacting with the scene and the subject? Is it highlighting an area or casting interesting shadows? T hese are all things you can utilise to make an ordinary photo extraordinary.4. Ask permissionWhen photographing people, especially while in countries with different cultures and languages, it can be hard to communicate. In certain countries if you photograph someone you are not ‘supposed’ to photograph, it can get ugly and rough very quickly if you are not careful. So out of respect you should always ask permission. ??I have started shooting a series of school children in Pakistan. These are all posed portraits and they are looking down the lens. My guide helps me with the language and I limit myself to smiling, shaking hands, giving ‘hi-five’ and showing them the image on the back of my camera once it is done. You would be amazed how quickly people open up. â€" Andrea FrancoliniSo, why not start teaching photography lessons now?

How To Increase Your GMAT Analytical Writing Score

How To Increase Your GMAT Analytical Writing Score UPDATE: Some of this article's advice is now outdated due to changes in the GMAT. An updated article on the exam can be found here.The Analytical Writing section is the dark horse of the GMAT. Often ignored and rarely prepared for, the Analytical Writing section slides behind the curtain of the Quantitative and Verbal Sections. However, it can dramatically improve your chances of acceptance, and some schools even place minimum Analytical Writing score requirements. The following tips can make it easier for you to grasp what a solid essay is and the thought behind it. But, working with a GMAT Writing Tutor can help you take your essay to the next level, and ultimately improve your chances of acceptance. See more from Varsity Tutors on how to increase your GMAT score. Background: You will write two, 30-minute essays (Analysis of an Issue and Analysis of an Argument), scored 1-6. Your overall score is an average of the two, and it can range in half point increments. Each of your essays will be graded by a human reader and maybe automated, essay-scoring software, which will evaluate structural and linguistic features. But most importantly, your readers are looking for a logical organization of ideas, syntactic variety and topic analysis. The GMAT Analytical Writing Section boils down to this: make a legitimate point and convince your readers it is true (including your non-human ones). Chances are, you will see a business-related topic, but you might see a variety of other general-interest topics. The average score is 4, and a 5 or higher would rank you in the 90th percentile. To be accepted into top schools, you will probably need at least a 5. Analysis of an Issue: Here,you have to argue for or against a given topic. What you really need to do, is establish a firm position in your first paragraph, and then pick 3-4 examples to support your stance. Try to diversify your supporting examples. Use a business example, a historical example and a personal example. With this prompt, youre writing your typical 5-paragraph essay with an intro, supporting body paragraphs and a conclusion. Analysis of an Argument: Instead of arguing your belief on a particular topic, you will analyze an argument that is provided. You will be asked to discuss its strengths and weaknesses, and how you can make it better. You can write about how the argument presented has solid logic. However, you will be able to pull from so much more content if you state the argument is illogical. You want to look for faulty assumptions the author made. Thats your bread-and-butter in this prompt. Chances are, the prompt will take a giant leap forward, claiming one truth causes another, when the truths are actually correlated and not causally related. Look for that. The prompt will also ignore many factors that need to be considered, especially if its a business prompt. There are a lot of business factors that need to consider beyond profit margin, including: image, employee morale, environmental efforts, persona, ethics, etc. Write about how these are ignored. This does not have to be the typical 5-paragraph essay. But, you need to state if the argument is valid or not in your first paragraph, then have 3-4 paragraphs of examples supporting your point, and then a conclusion. Review with a tutor: Practicing can improve your writing, and it can do so dramatically. Pull a few prompts off the web and write essays for them, and have your tutor grade them and offer suggestions. Write as many of these as you possibly can. Be specific: Time is an issue, but you need to be as specific as humanly possible for both prompts. Instead of stating something like Wal-Mart focuses solely on cost-cutting, write something like: Wal-Mart takes measures to ensure employees do not earn overtime, uses energy-efficient light bulbs, operates with less packaging all of which improve its cost-cutting business model. Use numbers: Money is the universal business language. Most of your prompts will hint at costs, profits and revenues. Use these figures in your essay, either made up, ballpark figures or actual figures. Teach your reader something: Everybody has some weird, random knowledge that is never useful. Well, its useful here because you want your reader to learn something new by reading your essay. If your reader can stop and say: Oh, thats interesting. I didnt know that, then you have won. You have proven that youre intelligent. For example, cite a specific fallacy the writer makes in your analysis of an argument essay. See a full list here. Read business material: Youre applying to business school, and you need to be current and knowledgeable in the field. Read the business sections in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and watch as much CNN as you possibly can. Bring this knowledge into your essays. Try to write something like: It would be wise for this company to avoid the same mistake company XYZ did in assuming. Read opinionated pieces: Newspaper columns, blogs, editorials, etc. Pay attention to how these writers form their arguments and try to mimic their style. You know the old saying: you are what you eat. Well the same holds true with writing: you write what you read. So, load your mind up with this style of writing, and it will all just fall out. Make stuff up: Dont lie about what existing companies did, but it is safe to make something up about a personal example. You have to argue your point, and if you only use existing facts/knowledge, you are severely limiting yourself. So, be creative and bring your brothers imaginary business model into your essay.

Learn How to Sew with a Serger with our Sewing Classes

Learn How to Sew with a Serger with our Sewing Classes Sewing Tutorials in Using a Serger: Overlock Stitch, Straight Stitch, and Cutting ChaptersWhat is a Serger?Which Serger Suits You?Stitching Made Possible with a SergerLearn to Sew: With or Without a Serger?The Straight Stitch on Sergers: Are They Worth the Cost?If you have been watching sewing tutorials online â€" or are taking sewing classes, you may well have heard about a mysterious and efficient machine called a serger.While your basic sewing machine is capable of rendering quality stitches and beautiful garments, a serger permits a wider range of stitching and finishing, as well as working with a greater variety of fabrics.Have you every tried to sew jersey or other knits on your sewing machine?The stretch, the curl of raw edges; the likelihood of bunching under your presser foot...There was a time, in the history of sewing, that needles of bone or wood were the only type of notion available.Aren't we grateful that technology has refined the practice of home sewing!These days, sewing machines are computerized, allowing for precise plying of needle and thread, making it easier than ever for the seamstress, tailor or dressmaker to turn out quality clothing in no time flat.Let Superprof ease your way into beginner sewing â€" from the blind stitch for hemming to the buttonhole; from garment patterns to sewing curtains and pillows...Now we enter the enticing world of home sewing on a serger.Such a finishing stitch is only possible on a serger Source; Wikipedia Credit: SeniorCrochetTo  preserve and protect your fabric's raw edge manually â€" stitching it by hand,  you would require meticulous and time-consuming work.Contrast the hours you could have to spend edging your fabric with the mere minutes the efficient serger would require for the same task!It would probably render a much more even sewing stitch, too!You can learn more about sergers/overlocks by discovering the history of sewing …Which Serger Suits You?In fact, there are 2 types of machines that can fulfill these multiple functions:One with a single needle that renders a whip stit ch of varying grades, depending on how the machine is set â€" fine or gross stitching.Sergers are double-needled and can use up to five spools of thread, and cuts off the seam allowance as you stitch.Again, keep in mind: for fabrics such as jersey, fleece or lycra, you will be best served with a serger!Some types of fabric, especially thinner or more delicate ones, are very difficult to work with a classic sewing machine.The overlock also ensures a beautiful finish of the hem, especially on those fine fabrics. If you like to make your own clothes, you should definitely consider investing in such a machine.Imagine working silk on a standard sewing machine. Or even more challenging: by hand!What about a material that stretches easily, such as tricot or some other poly knit fabric?Not everything can be made out of cotton â€" that ultimately workable type of cloth, after all!One of the greatest advantages to working with a serger is the ability to stitch stretchable materials effortless ly.Of course, if you are unusually adept at sewing by hand or with a machine, you could already possess exquisite sewing techniques, and might have sewn whole wardrobes, using a zig zag stitch instead of overlocking your edges and seams.Join the discussion: is sewing a skill that only women should cultivate?A serger can sew rolled hems and seams, but cannot sew buttons or buttonholes Source: Pixabay Credit: WeinstockHowever, a serger renders an especially precise hem, with minimal fabric loss.Even though we are currently in the grip of winter, you may be looking at sewing patterns for summer clothing â€" keeping your sewing room busy in preparation for spring.If that is the case, mastering the rolled hem on a serger would be ideal, because such a hem is particularly suited to light, airy fabrics.You might start with easy projects: maybe a dress or skirt, with a choice of using a 2- or 3-thread stitch.If you opt for a 3-thread hem, you will get a finer rendering; a 2-thread will give the right side the same appearance as the wrong side.The Flatlock SeamAs its name implies, it is a flat seam: most likely, you are familiar with them if you own a lot of sportswear.A prominent example of such a seam can be found on casual wear collars.This seam consists of two fabric panels butted together. It is executed by selecting that particular type of stitch.Of utmost importance when sewing in this manner is to disable your serger's cutting blade.You can also select this type of stitch to make decorative borders if you are making a scarf, or adding ruffles to a sleeve.The Classic HemWho has never stitched a hem?In a hurry and your pant's cuffs have come unraveled. A quick bit of hand sewing, a snip of the scissors, and that's got it, right?Have you ever dismayed over how elementary your hand sewing stitches look, compared to machine-stitched hems?This type of hem, rendered on a serger, was executed with 3 threads, giving it a professional grade look.Sewing on a serger will t ake you far beyond these basic notions! Source: Pixabay Credit: BluemorphosLearn to Sew: With or Without a Serger?Of course you can learn how to sew without a serger! However, you should invest in a basic sewing kit containing:a sewing needle complement â€" an assortment of different sizes, for different types of fabrica needle threader might be a good tool to have, toosewing thread: at least of the basic colours, for easy sewing projectsyou can buy specific shades later, for specific craftingA thimble or twoa scissors set: fabric shears, pinking shears and maybe even a rotary cutterstraight pins and a pincushionbias tapeelastic and velcroThese are the sewing basics. There will certainly be much more available at your sewing notions counter; these are just to get started on needlework.Of course, not even fabric shears can match the precision of a serger's cutting implement, when it comes to eliminating seam allowance.Furthermore, you would have to be mighty experienced to achieve a finish  that would be comparable to anything a serger could yield,  by hand or even with the best sewing machine.As great an advance as machine sewing was, novice seamstresses may find themselves dismayed to see their beginner sewing projects come unraveled after just a few turns in the washing machine.Sewn with a serger, your garments' lifespan will be much longer.Do you absolutely need a serger to achieve beautiful finishes?Of course not! There are other finishes, like the zigzag stitch or a nice French seam, done on a standard home sewing machine, to finalize your sewing work.Still, to assure quality, durability and attractive work: of all the sewing tools available, the serger is the only one to deliver all three!Also learn the terminology for all of your sewing tools and materials...As great an advance as the sewing machine was, sergers render a more professional look to everything you sew Source: Pixabay Credit: Sabine van ErpThe Straight Stitch on Sergers: Are They Worth the Cost?If you love to sew, have entire drawers full of free sewing patterns; have a room replete with sewing supplies...If every member of your family has a complete wardrobe sewn by your hand, most likely you will redeem the cost of your serger within a few months.However, if you have just completed your Sewing for Beginners class and, at best, have managed to turn out a pillowcase â€" or some other simple sewing projects, perhaps you should hold off on your investment.At least, for a little while, until you get another sewing lesson or two under your belt.Overlock machines use two needles and up to five spools of thread at once, and can be highly specialised.The downside to such a machine is that it does not function like a regular sewing machine so, if you are just starting out in dressmaking, you might spare yourself the just over £200 price tag.Conversely, if you intend to establish yourself as an independent tailor, you might consider more complicated machines, with all the bel ls and whistles, that could set you back nearly £500!As you consider your serger purchase, bear in mind some of the top names: Janome, Brother, Toyota, Singer, Bernina and Pfaff.Think about what options you would like to have, versus those that are absolutely necessary for efficient use of the machine, such as: a retractable (or easily removable) blade, and a needle threading accessory.It might also help to have a catcher under the knife, otherwise you will have errant threads everywhere.You can learn a lot more about sewing in general and serging in particular by reading sewing books, joining a sewing circle or taking part in a sewing bee.We hope that this article has helped to point you in the right direction as far as selecting your very first serger!Now you can learn how to sew from the masters of fashion!If searching for ‘sewing classes near me’ come direct to Superprof and find your sewing classes from Edinburgh to Sewing courses London.Discover more about:interfacing fab riccouture clothing

Why is Learning Maths so Important for Children

Why is Learning Maths so Important for Children Help your Kids with Maths: An Essential Part of Learning from Day One ChaptersThe Aim of Learning Maths at Nursery School and KindergartenMaths Teaching at Primary SchoolArithmetic for Children: Essential SkillsTools to Help Children Practice MathsMathematics is one of the most important subjects taught in school. From nursery, children learn about numbers, arithmetic and geometry.Throughout primary and secondary school, children are constantly delving deeper with their understanding, learning to break down numbers and do multiplication for the first time with a multiplication table, as well as tracing geometric shapes.Later on, in their academic careers, students are taught about algebra, trigonometry and calculus.The basics must be mastered if students want to increase their chances of academic success in the future. And if they face obstacles along the way, there are solutions available to help.Emphasising maths from kindergarten will provide children with a strong basis for reasoning, estimation and thinking logically in later life. Playing games r elated to maths, completing exercises with them during the holidays and searching for maths tutors together will increase their interest and expertise.Give children the tools to make sense of the world ¦ source: sasintThe first calculations done by a child represent a big step in their learning. Beyond knowing their times tables by heart, this shows that they have taken a logical route to finding a solution.Knowing the sign for 'add' and the one for 'subtract', finding the product and the difference are all steps along the path to a way of thinking that seems obvious to adults but is quite advanced for young students!By using arithmetic to solve a problem, children familiarise themselves with the properties of numbers and how to manipulate them. With practice, this becomes easier and children will be able to do simple sums as a reflex. Children will also employ techniques and develop automatic reactions to mental arithmetic questions.To help them make good progress, it is important that children can see the applications of maths in real life. Visual association will help the child develop an appreciation for operations and their uses as they can see an end goal.And maths mastery is down to practice!Tools to Help Children Practice MathsIs your child struggling with maths? Don’t let problems fester.Before turning to a private maths tutor, think about offering an alternative approach to learning to help your child view maths problems from a different angle.With a fun approach to learning, you child will be able to improve their skills whilst enjoying themselves!Exercises During School HolidaysExercise books help children to stay on the ball and commit information to memory during the time when they are not at school.Self-motivated children will enjoy working through their homework books and may not even see it as work.Even so, if your child sees workbooks in a negative light, they are far less likely to work hard and it and take it seriously, and there will, t herefore, be little benefit.This is why it is important for parents to encourage their children along the way, providing support in their learning.Educational AppsChildren love playing on phones and tables, which is perfect for getting them to play educational games!Apps for learning times tables are particularly easy to find. The child can track their progress, which motivates them to keep improving.Children learn best when they're having fun! ¦ source: Pixabay - StockSnapThese apps are real games with challenges to overcome, levels to pass and a story to follow.CartoonsIt’s easy to find educational cartoons online, which can help explain maths to children.Supporting your child this way will give them the opportunity to learn maths by a different, and maybe more effective method than the ones used at school.Learning about a new topic which is explained visually can completely turn around a child’s understanding.Board GamesDo you enjoy playing games as a family?If your youngste r is struggling with their maths skills, why not suggest playing an educational board game  adapted to their age?Developing logic and reasoning skills, learning calculations and broadening their understanding of graphing are all advantages of family games, which allow the child to make progress without feeling isolated.Having a good time with their parents can mean a boost in self-esteem for children and they learn without any pressure.Beyond helping your child with their maths by incorporating it into games, you can also make maths a part of your day-to-day life.Without pressing them too much for an answer, ask your child questions to help them learn to appreciate the practical uses of math in real life.Baking a cake is a good time to get in some practice:I have a mug of 100g of flour and I need 250g of flour for the recipe. How many mugs of flour should I use?If I put the cake in the oven at 3:50pm for 25 minutes, when will it be ready?There are many ways to get your children to a ppreciate maths and its uses, and this is completely worth the effort as laying a solid foundation will enable learners to build their knowledge with less difficulty later on.Find a local and an online maths tutor for A-level and GCSE maths revision all over the UK on Superprof’s great tutoring platform!

Where To Stay On Your Trip To Portugal

Where To Stay On Your Trip To Portugal Visit Portugal: Finding Your Holiday Accommodation ChaptersChoosing A Hotel In PortugalCheaper Accommodation AlternativesUnusual Accommodation In PortugalCompare Before You Book If You Want The Best PriceIf you visit Portugal, you will find an enchanting country with a long list of attractions, from world heritage sites, White sand beaches, monuments, resorts, Stunning cobblestone towns, wine route villages, awe-inspiring waterfalls and hilltop monastery/pilgrimage sites. No matter where you go it can be the best places to visit. The country has discoveries waiting for all travelers, the foodie who wants to try eating in the café lined streets to the adventurous traveller who wants to put down the travel guide set off exploring the best places to go.From Madeira, Faro, Lisbon (Portugals Largest city), Porto, the Algarve, the Azores islands and everything in between. Portugal is a small country that makes a big impression, the places to visit and to stay will live on in your memory as some of the best Journeys that you have had. You will soon find yourself booking yet another trip back to spectacular Portugal.In Portugal, hotels, houses, apartments and rooms await tourists throughout the year not just in the summer months. If your Itinerary is organised to visit the Valleys, Landscape and beautiful regions of the Algarve, the Azores, Coimbra, Belem, or the bustling capital city of Lisbon. Then after you book your arrival transport, you will need to book somewhere to sleep. We will look at some of the types of accommodation that you can choose to enjoy your holidays. Here are our accommodation Travel tips.Portaguese people are friendly accommodating. Photo Source: UnsplashThe Airbnb option is special since it can be as much an apartment rental as a room rental homestay.By renting an apartment, you can see how it feels to live in the country like a local, and if you rent only one room, it gives you the opportunity to meet your host and talk to about life in Portugal. Airbnb is also an asset for the wallet, as th ey do cost much less than Hotels in almost all areas.Try CampingIn a tent, camper, mobile home, camping accommodations are reserved for holidays in all parts of Portugal. It would be a mistake not to consider camping as a holiday accommodation option abroad. Not only can you save money but you also get to have a little adventure. Portugal is full of campsites, they can enjoy facilities such as a swimming pool, playgrounds, wifi or washing machines.To book a pitch, you only have to pay from around €3, but prices can be seasonal especially in tourist areas. Which mean prices go up in summer and go down in winter. But prices are so low that even summer prices may leave you with plenty of money to spare.Unusual Accommodation In PortugalTepee, Yurt, boat, huts on the beach, Palace, Castle, cabins in the woods, unusual accommodations are becoming more and more popular among holidaymakers. Portugal has plenty of options for you to choose from should you like to try a unique accommodation .Unique AccommodationIf you are happy to sign up for an Airbnb account, you will be able to search and find a long list of unique accommodations. However, you can also search on google for solutions or ask around when you get to your destination.Other unusual accommodations are also available in Portugal such as a windmill redeveloped on the south bank of the Tejo for 80 €, or a tipi by the sea for 71 € per night.Free Accommodation In PortugalIt may seem hard to believe, but you can find free accommodations in Portugal.CouchsurfingOnce registered on the Couchsurfing site, you will search through the profiles of interesting Portuguese people and get in touch with them depending on the place you want to visit. If the person is available on the dates you want, you can sleep on his sofa or in a bed, depending on what space they have available.While this does not always guarantee the best comfort, the benefit is that you get to meet new people who live in the country who are keen to spend time with you in exchange for a bed. This is great for people travelling alone or for people who would like a free guide from the local point of view. Normally in exchange, you may spend some time with your host as friends do, you may also cook for your host or bring them a thank you gift.Work Exchange ProgramsWoofing, Helpx, Workaway are work exchange programs which allow you to stay for free in exchange for helping your host with a project. In exchange for free housing and sometimes even food, you work for a few hours a day to work on a farm, in a house or project of the hosts choice. It is good to agree on everything before arrival and be honest about your experience and interests. These options also can allow you to work in hostels or with travellers, which may come with other freebies like tours, day trips and free entry to attractions.Free ParkingIf you own a campervan or truck, there are many places to park without having to pay. To find the best places for yourself try the app Park4night or other similar apps which share local information for tourists who are driving.If you arrive in Lisbon you can have a tour in the capital city. Photo Source: UnsplashCompare Before You Book If You Want The Best PriceOnline comparison sites are often used by vacationers to find the best prices for accommodation. While many people may use accommodation booking sites to book their accommodation, many people still do not compare booking sites. If you are looking for the best price, you should compare the price offered for your hotel on a few sites. Websites like trivago will search the entire web and provide you with the cheap price offered across website online.This is because the same hotel can offer different prices for the same room even on the same dates. To get the best price, it's worth doing a bit of extra research to find out if you are paying the best price offered for that room. Additionally, sometimes it can be cheaper to book directly with the hotel/ho stel. And if you are able to book in advance, you may receive an early booking discount which could make the price really affordable.While some travellers need to prepare an entire program in advance, others prefer to improvise during their stay. Both can be risky, so reading reviews can help you avoid disappointment. Remember also that if you travel during a special season such as a festival or holiday, you may struggle to find free rooms available. But if you are flexible, there will always be something for you even at the last minute. Enjoy Tourism!

Managing yourself - Private Tutoring

Managing yourself BobbiM Mar 26, 2014 Are you hard for yourself to manage? Well you better learn fast if you want to succeed. Yeah, Im calling you out. Before you can manage your time effectively, you have to be able to manage yourself. We believe that the key to self-management is being able to organize and keep track of all the things that you have to do. College life is very hectic(what are we talking about! Life in General is very hectic). You may also have a job to help pay your way through college or you may have daily family obligations. The secret to getting organized is to create a balance among school, home, work, and social life. In order to create a balance between all the things you have to do and all the things you want to do, consider the following points: Treat college like a full time job. If you are a full-time student, academic work should take up about 40 hours each week. So for the next several years, consider college your full-time job. You might be in class only 15 hours per week, but the other 25 hours should be spent studying and preparing for class. If you break it down, it is really not so bad. You will spend 3-4 hours in class and 4-5 hours reading, studying, and preparing for your assignments each day. The rest of the time is left for other activities that you want to participate in or a part-time job. The good news is that unlike a full-time job, in college you have more control over when you want to schedule your classes and your study time. No one says that your studying must take place between 9:00-5:00 Monday through Friday-you are free to study whenever you want. Schedule your classes for your most alert times. Are you a morning person? A late afternoon person? An evening person? Are you up with the sun or are you lucky to be awake by noon? If you know you will never make it to an 8:00 AM class, dont schedule a class for that time if possible. Likewise, if you are totally useless in the afternoon, try to schedule your courses before lunchtime. Many students dont consider their class times as an issue to think about when making their course schedule, but because you have the luxury of creating your own schedule, you should try to tailor it to your needs as much as possible. Go to class. Although many professors dont take attendance, most still believe that going to class is a very important part of learning. Students who skip a lot of classes miss out on the important part of learning. Students who skip a lot of classes miss our on the important information that they can only get in class. Dont procrastinate. Procrastination is intentionally putting off work that needs to be done. This problem may actually be the toughest part of self-management for some students. Because you are in control of your own time, it is tempting to put off work until later. Its just human nature. But you can quickly become overwhelmed by all you need to do when you continually neglect your work.  Procrastination tends to become a bad habit and a way of life for some students. Excerpt from  College Success Strategies  by Sherrie L. Nist and Jodi Patrick Holschuh.

Seven reasons why smart software is becoming a must have for tutors

Seven reasons why smart software is becoming a ‘must have’ for tutors The one-to-one model of private tutoring has worked well for years, and as we all know, the tutor ‘industry’ is booming. The secret’s out: tutors play a vital role in driving their students’ success. But is it ever possible to offer the ‘perfect’ service? There’s almost an unlimited amount of preparation you could do, and a sea of resources out there that you could wade through. Worst of all, when it gets to Easter, it’s almost impossible to balance workload and quality… if you've ever planned a session on the tube on the way to your tutee’s house, you’re definitely not alone!! At Create a Test, we had previously built assessment software targeted at maths teachers in secondary schools. This software lets a teacher create very targeted, professional assessment papers in minutes, tracks each student’s performance, and lets users create tailored assessments for students in seconds. We’ve had a lot of early success, and are endorsed by the Manchester Grammar School and Mossbourne Community Academy, amongst others. But the really interesting thing was this: several of our users were also tutors, and they kept telling us how useful Create a Test was for their tutoring. So we asked ourselves: why shouldn't tutors get access to software like this? How would software like this help tutors (aka, you!)? We've had several tutors adopt Create a Test already, and the friendly folk at Tutorfair have also given us plenty of their time. Here are seven of the biggest benefits people get from using software like ours, which provide good food for thought: Incredibly easy to build between-session and in-session question papers, targeted any way you want: This is at the core of what we do. Create a Test contains a bank of 1000’s of questions searchable by difficulty level and subject sub-topic. Even better, you can regenerate questions to refresh the numbers used, meaning you can have an endless supply of questions. Great brainstorming tool: Unsure if your tutee really ‘gets’ what you’ve run through on averages… but know they love cricket and want to make things engaging? Simply scroll through our highly filterable bank of questions in seconds, grab bits you like, then change a boring looking data series into a question on batting averages!   Be “exam-board-proof”: All our questions can be filtered by exam board and are maintained to the latest curriculum. You can be sure you don’t get that awkward and deflating moment when your tutee can’t answer a question that they’ve never been taught how to do. One-click personalised tests: Picture the scene â€" there’s a minute of the session left, you’ve got to shoot across town to your next tutee then the mum comes in and asks if you could set homework. Create a Test really comes into its own here â€" we can track every score every student gets on every question, and have built one-click functionality that can, for example, generate a test based on the last 20 questions that your tutee answered incorrectly. It’s ready by the time you’ve finished answering “No problem” to the mum! Professional look and feel boosts your standing with your tutee and their parents: Each paper is professionally assembled with an exam-style front cover, and formula sheets can be included. Best of all, you can tailor the paper name â€" tutees love seeing their name on the front page! Access anywhere, no need to update: Access Create a Test from any web browser â€" if your tutee has access to a computer, no need to bring anything with you or rely on them having textbooks. Also, all of your students’ scores and papers are saved remotely, so you have no need to worry about archiving and losing your work or tutees’ scores. Best of all, updates will be ready for you as soon as you log on â€" no need to download anything! Track and show your student’s progress: Create a Test tracks every student’s performance and lets you see, for every sub-topic of the syllabus, their strengths and weakness. We’re also developing some pretty cool charting output, which you’ll have access to as soon as it’s released. Pretty soon, you’ll be able to use our analytics to show as many charts, line graphs and tables as are needed to pacify those super-keen parents! When you get used to these benefits, it’s hard to go back. But here’s the really interesting question â€" as other tutors start using software like this as a part of their daily routine, can you really afford not to? ---- Create a Test provide software for Maths tutors with students at the KS3/GCSE level, across all UK syllabuses and the iGCSE. While a license normally costs £250 per annum for schools and £150 per annum for tutors, we’re really happy to say that Tutorfair Maths tutors get a 20% discount: a full-year, unlimited use license costs £120. What’s more, for every Tutorfair purchase, £15 will go to the Tutorfair foundation. Not bad for something that saves you time and keeps you ahead of the game! Visit www.createatest.co.uk and use discount code “tutorfair”. Contact me at phil.craig@createatest.co.uk, and follow us on Twitter (@createatest) for free assessment papers and more!