Sunday, March 22, 2020

15 Famous Photos that Marked History

15 Famous Photos that Marked History 15 of the World’s Most Famous Photographs Chapters1. Le Baiser de l’Hôtel de ville by Robert Doisneau2. The Vulture and the Little Girl by Kevin Carter3. Afghan Girl by Steve McCurry4. Tank Man by Jeff Widener5. Heart of Voh by Yann Arthus Bertrand6. V-J Day in Times Square by Alfred Eisenstaedt7. The Terror of War by Nick Ut8. The Agony of Omayra Sànchez by Frank Fournier9. Woman Resists Eviction in Manaus by Luiz Vasconcelos10. Saigon Execution by Eddie Adams11. The Death of Aylan by Nilüfer Demir12. Guerrillero Heroico by Alberto Korda13. The Falling Man by Richard Drew14. Bliss by Chuck O’Rear15. The Burning Monk by Malcolm BrowneThe history of photography has been marked by several striking photographs which have been etched into the minds of people across the globe; iconic images and subjects that speak a thousand words.Whether they entered the public eye as pieces of photojournalism, fashion photography, landscape photography, portraiture, documentary photography of historical events, or art photography, the mo st famous and iconic photographs in the world come from a variety of genres and eras.These instantly recognizable photographs have not only made a mark on the world, but they have also made the photographer famous, too.Renowned and great photographers such as Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Raymond Depardon and Robert Doisneau aren’t the only ones to have left behind an impressive legacy!Many documentary photographers and photojournalists are among those responsible for these poignant pieces, and they have the influential nature of their work to thank for their success.If you're looking for photography courses, why not check out our great tutors all over the UK. Find local  photography courses near you in London, Glasgow, Cardiff or anywhere in between.It was later learnt that the young girl in the photograph had been found alive and well.3. Afghan Girl by Steve McCurryTaken in June 1984, the portrait of the young Afghan girl known as Sharbat Gula is one of the most recognisab le in the world.McCurry's Afghan Girl appeared on the cover of National Geographic in 1985 ¦ source: WFAEAt the time this photograph was taken, Sharbat Gula was twelve years old.Perhaps the most striking part of this portrait is the young girl’s green eyes.As McCurry took this photograph while travelling in Pakistan, the Afghan Girl can be used as an example of travel photography as well as portraiture.4. Tank Man by Jeff WidenerTank Man, which was taken in 1989, is the symbol of one student’s rebellion against the suppression of the Chinese army.Powerful, political and poignant ¦ source: globalnews - Jeff Widener/APThis photograph was taken at a demonstration against corruption. As the number of demonstrators continued to grow, the Chinese government made the decision to use the force of the army to restore order.The driver of the tank refused to keep moving forward, contrary to the orders of his superiors.Join online photography courses and add your picture to the list.5. He art of Voh by Yann Arthus BertrandThe Heart of Voh (or CÅ"ur de Voh, as it is called in French) is one of the world’s most famous pictures from the not-so-famous Yann Arthus Bertrand.Taken in 1990, the photograph represents the mangrove, a forest between land and water in New Caledonia.This type of vegetation covers over 75% of tropical land, representing 15 million hectares around the world.This aerial image showed New Caledonia to the rest of the world ¦ source: Yann Arthus-BertrandWhen taking this photo, Bertrand, as a keen landscape photographer, hoped to alert people to the environmental issues in the area.6. V-J Day in Times Square by Alfred EisenstaedtIt was at the end of the Second World War that photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt captured this moment between an American sailor and a nurse in Times Square.Eisenstaedt's spontaneous snap echoes that of Doisneau ¦ source: NYDailyNews - ALFRED EISENSTAEDT/TIME LIFE PICTURES/GETTY IMAGESThis photograph, which was published in Li fe Magazine, was taken on 14th August 1945 â€" the day that Japan surrendered to the Allies.Just as with Doisneau’s Baiser de l’Hôtel de Ville, many people claimed to be the kissing strangers captured on camera.Eventually, the lady in the photograph was identified as Greta Friedman.Ever wondered about the Instagram trend of recipe flatlays? Superprof explains all in this article on food photography.7. The Terror of War by Nick UtThe Vietnam war, which took place from 1955 to 1975, was incredibly controversial.People campaigned for the war and the massacres (represented by this photograph) that came with it to be brought to an end.Nick Ut's Napalm Girl is an example of war photography ¦ source: All That's InterestingPhan Th? Kim Phúc OOnt, or the Napalm Girl as she is known, had to endure 17 skin grafts following the incident depicted in the picture.“I wanted people to know who she was” Frank Fournier on Omayra Sànchez9. Woman Resists Eviction in Manaus by Luiz Vasconcelo sSome believe Brazil to be the land of greed.This photograph depicts the desperation of a mother defending her home ¦ source: www.tribunal-evictions.orgVasconcelos’ photograph shows the woman resisting the Brazilian forces, who had come to claim land for the state.What makes this photograph even more important is its publication despite the treatment of journalists by the Brazilian government.10. Saigon Execution by Eddie AdamsAt the height of the Vietnam war, photographer Eddie Adams followed the Vietnamese army over the course of a few days.Adam's shocking photograph helped bring an end to the war ¦ source: BBC - AP/BRISCOE CENTER FOR AMERICAN HISTORYHe was present for the execution of a communist prisoner who thought he was only going to be subject to interrogation.After winning the Pulitzer award, Adams said:“The general killed the Vietcong; I killed the general with my camera”11. The Death of Aylan by Nilüfer DemirThe image of an infant refugee found dead on a Turkish beach stopped the world’s news in September 2015.The photograph of the three-year-old's body changes the view of many on the migrant crisis ¦ source: Al JazeeraPhotographer Nilüfer Demir  explained:“By photographing them, I simply wanted to capture the trauma experienced by these people”12. Guerrillero Heroico by Alberto KordaAlberto Korda’s portrait of Che Guevara is everywhere. As a well-known symbol of Marxism, this photograph is printed on on tshirts, bags and stickers.This portrait has become an icon ¦ source: smithsonianmagBut what is the story behind this portrait?The photograph was taken in 1960 as a memorial for the victims of the explosion at La Coubre.Guerrilllero Heroico was declared the most famous photograph in the world by the Maryland Institute of Art.13. The Falling Man by Richard DrewTaken during the horrors of the attack on the World Trade Center on 11th September 2001, the famous photograph of the falling man shows a man jumping from a high floor of on e of the twin towers.The publication of this photograph caused controversy in the press ¦ source: www.thedailybeast.com - AP Photo/Richard DrewSeveral people threw themselves into the air to avoid inhaling the toxic fumes as the buildings burnt.14. Bliss by Chuck O’RearIn January 1995, Chuck O’Rear, a National Geographic photographer, took this photograph in Napa County in California.Chuck O'Rear's Bliss is known by everyone who used Windows XP ¦ source: extremetechBliss rose to fame as the default desktop background for Windows XP.Several of O’Rear’s other works have also been used as backgrounds.15. The Burning Monk by Malcolm BrowneA Buddhist monk called Thich Quang Duc immolated himself on the streets of Saigon in protest of the treatment of Buddhist monks under president Ngo Dinh Diem’s regime.Malcolm Browne was the only Western photographer at the scene of the incident ¦ source: Time MagazineMalcolm Browne was the only Western journalist at the scene in 1963, and managed to capture a photograph which would mark history.Click here if you're interested in the art of contemporary photography.

Friday, March 6, 2020

How to Analyze Practice Test Results

How to Analyze Practice Test Results For many students, a crucial component of studying for a rigorous exam is taking practice tests. Practice tests are important because they allow a student to gauge his or her learning and study skills. However, many students make the mistake of worrying excessively about the outcome of the practice test. This can be detrimental to the review process. If you are preparing for an exam and struggling to analyze your practice test results, read on! You may also want to review these tips on how to identify your study style. Recognizing what is most important When studying for exams and taking practice tests, it can be tempting to think that the mere act of sitting down and completing the practice test will benefit you. This is only one step. Adjust your mindset so that you recognize that the sheer action of sitting down and completing the test is not what makes a difference; it is what you do after that countswhether you work independently or with a tutor. Extracting data To properly evaluate the results of your practice test, you need to extract data from it. Analyze your answers to acquire information, and then transform this information into awareness so that you can focus on troublesome areas in the future. Timing One of the primary areas to consider when you analyze practice test results is timing. Is there a particular section of the test where you were able to provide more accurate answers more quickly? Look for patterns that might yield clues about how you learn. Perhaps you focus more during the beginning of the test or after taking brief breaks. Maybe you remain more focused toward the end because you are less concerned about time limits. Find out what your tendencies are and make appropriate adjustments based on your results. Types of questions Now, examine the types of questions that cause you problems. If the practice test only encompasses one subject area, look at your results on essay questions, the multiple choice section, the fill-in-the-blank section, etc. There are a variety of strategies applicable to each type of question, so spend some time researching effective strategies for the areas in which you are struggling. For tests that cover a range of subjects, investigate the subjects that require more study time, and then concentrate your efforts on those areas. Level of difficulty Upon reviewing your incorrect answers, it might surprise you to discover their level of difficulty. Sometimes the questions we answer incorrectly are not necessarily complex. Evaluate the difficulty level of the questions on which you tend to err. This will help you identify where you experience the most issues. Reviewing the questions It is not always sufficient to review the number of wrong answers aloneyou are going to need to explore a little further to find out what your strengths and weaknesses are. By thoroughly analyzing your results, you are likely to find a study plan that works well for you. Find out why you are right Even if you chose the correct answer, it is helpful to assess the topic at hand. Are you able to thoroughly explain your answer? Know why you selected that answer, and try to remember that information. Find out why you are wrong It is normal to want to know why some of your answers are incorrect. When you review the questions and your answers, look at all of the incorrect choices and determine why each of them is not suitable. Some reasons may be obvious, but others may be a bit more complex. One answer may be inadequate because of a minute detail. Remember that you are looking for the best answers When reviewing incorrect answers, you will probably discover that some answers are not entirely wrong in every sense; perhaps they are simply not the best of the choices. As you take a test and browse your results, keep this fact in mindtest-makers often try to trick students by providing several seemingly correct answers. Learn to identify the most appropriate answer among a group of several appealing ones. Here are some tips on how to best study for a test. Take away what you can from practice tests, and ensure you equally balance practice tests with studying. Think of a practice test as a tool, and use it to your advantagein other words, always analyze practice test results!

Thursday, March 5, 2020

How To Improve Your Quantitative GMAT Score

How To Improve Your Quantitative GMAT Score The Quantitative Section may be the easiest section to improve in if you prepare correctly, giving you the golden opportunity to significantly improve your overall score. The following tips can help you understand how to boost your score, but working with a private Varsity Tutors tutor will be the major difference in actually doing so. Your tutor will guide you through the following tips and structures, ensuring you improve your GMAT quantitative score. See more from Varsity Tutors on how to improve your cumulative GMAT score. Focus on just the Quant. Section: Verbal, Analytical Writing dont even exist right now. First, you need to become proficient in one section. Then move onto another, then the last. Then review them all collectively. Studies indicate that the brain works best when it can see how all the information connects and relates. But, with the GMAT, its simply too big of a monster to tackle at once. So, try to get a solid understanding of each section; then connect them all. Step one Read up: Before you dive into practice tests, read, read, read and read some more. Some books specialize in GMAT Quantitative, and others simply have it as a section. Both will work out well. In this section, you will need to know arithmetic, elementary algebra and basic geometry. You will see two types of questions: problem solving and data sufficiency. Data sufficiency tips: These problems pose a question and then provide two potential answers. You must decide if one, both or neither of the statements are sufficient enough for the question. First off, memorize all five possible answers (they are listed below) to save tons of time. Then, look at each numbered statement individually and use process of elimination. It may seem odd, but dont trust your eye or your first instinct because that is exactly how test makers create traps. Instead, work through the problem. But most importantly, rely on common structures and themes instead of numbers to solve each answer. You can master that last technique by writing your own questions and changing the numbers in the problems. That forces your brain learn structures, instead of numbers, which can dramatically improve your accuracy and speed. Heres an example: 1) If the average size of 3 accounts is $1 million, is the smallest account less than $500,000? The largest account is $1.3 million. One of the accounts is $0.7 million. Answer choices: A) Statement 1 alone is sufficient but statement 2 alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked. B) Statement 2 alone is sufficient but statement 1 alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked. C) Both statements 1 and 2 together are sufficient to answer the question but neither statement is sufficient alone. D) Each statement alone is sufficient to answer the question. E) Statements 1 and 2 are not sufficient to answer the question asked and additional data is needed to answer the statements. The correct answer is C. See the explanation here. Problem Solving: For these questions, you will need your basic mathematic skills (geometry and algebra and not calculus or trigonometry) Here, you will see multiple choice calculations and word problems, most of which will be pretty similar to what you saw in previous math classes/standardized tests. Make scrap paper your new best friend and use as much of it as possible. Writing out all the steps to the problems can help you avoid careless mistakes. Read the problems very carefully because test makers load questions with traps. Making educated guesses can be very effective for this section, as it will save you buckets (and we mean buckets) of time without sacrificing a lot of accuracy. Practice test: Okay, now youre ready for your first practice test. Dont be over-concerned with your score. Just take one to get through it. Highlight any questions you were confused on or any that took you an incredibly long time. Then, review those questions at length with your tutor to learn how to use themes and structures to answer them correctly and quickly. Practice questions: Not tests, but just questions. Have your tutor create a list of questions that are problematic and time consuming for you. Run through them over and over and over again. In time, you will be amazed at how much easier these questions will become. Real practice test: Your brain likes consistency; so try to mimic the test scenario by taking an entire, timed test in a public place on a computer, like a library or coffee shop to help you get used to thinking with other people around. After you do this, start all over again until youre satisfied with your score. Understand time: You have to answer 37 questions in 75 minutes, which gives you about 2 minutes per question. So, if you find yourself taking more time, then you need to speed it up and maybe even start guessing. Always finish the test: There is a penalty that some estimate to be as high as 30-50 points for not finishing the test. But, if you blindly guess on the last 10 questions, the test will know and penalize you for it. So, pace is incredibly, incredibly important. But, if you must blindly guess on the last questions.

Tools for Crochet

Tools for Crochet The Tools You Need to Crochet ChaptersGetting Started with Crochet: Crochet HooksWhich Yarn Should You Start Crocheting with?Useful Tools when Getting Started with Crochet“Those who think chocolate is addictive have clearly never tried crochet.” - AnonymousAccording to a study Betsan Corkhill, 81% of women feel happier after they’ve been knitting or doing crochet. Knitting and crochet are great ways to reduce stress and they also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.Handmade fashion is in a resurgence at the moment and many young adults have found a passion for crafts.Are you a fan? Why not learn how to crochet?In this article, we’re looking at exactly what you’ll need to start doing crochet. RaySewing Teacher 5.00 (6) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PrincessSewing Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnaSewing Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArianwenSewing Teacher 5.00 (2) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ShaziaSewing T eacher 5.00 (2) £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZanetaSewing Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GianmariaSewing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JacquelineSewing Teacher £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGetting Started with Crochet: Crochet HooksTo learn to knit, you’ll need knitting needles. To crochet, you’ll need a crochet hook. So far, so good.You can make a lot of the same things either by knitting or by crochet. (Source: FeeLoona)Wait, just one hook?Of course! Unlike knitting, you only need a single crochet hook. The technique is different from knitting.So before you start making a snood, an amigurumi soft toy, or lampshade, you’ll need to choose the right crochet hook and for this, you'll need a bit of help!There are plenty of different materials, diameters, and sizes, and choosing the right crochet hook is half the battle. Fortunately, we’re here to help you!What Does a Crochet Hook Consist of?Firstly, keep in mind that there are a lot of differences between crochet and knitting. Crochet hooks aren’t like knitting needles, for one.A crochet needle is made up of:A headA shaftA handleThe head has a point at the end, allowing you to hook onto a loop. It can be pointed or flat or anything in between. The pointier it is, the easier it is to hook a loop in a tight-knit. If you want to crochet lace, you’ll want a flat head so that you don’t damage the lace.After the head, there’s the throat, this allows you to keep a hold on the yarn or thread. Choose a throat that the yarn won’t come off of. Above the throat, there’s the lip. This is the part directly above the throat.  You can get an inlined head or a tapered head. For more precision, an inlined hook is recommended.Find sewing classes near me.The shaft joins the head to the handle. This is the part that determines the crochet hook’s diameter. It can be short or long. A short shaft will restrict the number of l oops you can do. For consistent loops, you’ll want a straight shaft.When it comes to handles, you can get everything from minimalist handles to thumb rests, grips, and ergonomic crochet needles. It’s important to consider the handle since it’ll affect the weight of the crochet hook. Thumb rests can be very practical for some and very annoying for others. It all depends on how you hold your crochet hook. You’ll need to try out a few different ones.If you can't decide, you can always get a crochet hook set or a crochet set that comes with crochet supplies.There are plenty of great reasons to crochet.Choosing the MaterialSteel crochet hooks are used for fine work like lace doilies, for example. You can also use an aluminium crochet hook for this.For a tight-knit, you'll need a small crochet hook. (Source: xxolgaxx)For less delicate crochet projects like scarves, jumpers, or hats with thick yarn, you can use bamboo or plastic crochet hooks.  If you want to start making a tablecl oth or a rug, it’s recommended that you work with plastic crochet hooks.To get started, plastic crochet hooks are cheaper but tend to start with a 0.6cm diameter. If your budget allows it, we recommend getting a size 4 or 5 wooden or aluminium crochet hook.Different DiametersJust like with knitting needles, crochet hooks have a number that defines their diameter. A hook with a 4 will be 0.4cm in diameter. Thus, the bigger the number, the thicker the hook is and the bigger your loops will be. When it comes to wool, they tend to mention the diameter you should use. Beginners should opt for 0.4 or 0.5cm diameter hooks so that they can see the loops.  As you gain experience, you’ll be able to tell which diameter you’ll need depending on how tightly-knit you want your project to be.A crochet hook is also smaller than a knitting needle. They tend to be between 12.5cm and 20cm in length and 15cm hooks are recommended for beginners.Look for sewing classes London.Where Can You Buy Croc het Hooks?There are plenty of craft stores where you can buy crochet hooks in the UK. There are also plenty of websites.  You’ll pay anywhere from a couple of quid to around £15 depending on the material and design. You can also get crochet hook kits with several hooks in.Which Yarn Should You Start Crocheting with?The type of yarn or crochet thread will depend on your project. If you’re making an item of clothing, you’ll probably want a soft material.There are plenty of different wools to choose from. (Source: wilhei)When you get started, you should pick a project that you really want to make. Start off with something quick and simple so that you don’t get discouraged like a cushion cover, lampshade, soft toy, or a headband.Choose the yarn according to what you’re making. Most crochet tutorials and patterns will tell you which material and the thickness you’ll need. Buy just what you need so you can see if crochet is for you or not. You don’t need to stock a haberdas hery when you’re just getting started.Even though certain yarns are recommended for certain projects, you should also remember that there’s an element of personal preference to consider. Trust in yourself since the goal is to enjoy yourself, after all. Nevertheless, we’re here to help you get started and it’s better to start off with a simple material that’s easy to crochet.Choose a single colour so that it’s easier to see your work. Forget about thick wool as it tend to unravel and are tricky for beginners to work with. Soft cotton thread is easier to crochet with.You’ll soon get the hang of it and you’ll be able to make whatever you want.Useful Tools when Getting Started with CrochetEven though you can crochet with just a hook and some thread, there are some tools that’ll make your life easier.While a crochet hook and wool are the most important, there are also other important crochet tools you can get. (Source: Semevent)Crochet ScissorsYou’ll probably end up n eeding some scissors when you crochet. Choose a smallish pair of scissors, the same size as the ones you’d have in primary school, for example. These can be useful for cutting your thread at the end.Wool NeedleIf you knit, you’ll know what we’re talking about and you probably won’t need to invest in one. A metal or plastic wool needle is useful for hiding the ends of the wool or thread in your creations.Practical, isn’t it?Stitch MarkersEven if clips or safety pins do the job, stitch markers in different colours can help you differentiate the threads used.  As their name indicates, their job is to indicate the specific parts of your work, such as where you should change thread or increase or decrease.Measuring TapeEvery good seamstress knows that measuring is everything and a measuring tape will help you a lot when you crochet. It’s always a good idea to measure your yarn before you start a project.Now that you know what you’ll need, you’re ready to get started.So wh ich hook are you going to use?If you want to learn more about how to do Tunisian crochet, Afghan crochet, tapestry, embellishment, knitting, or needlework, consider getting in touch with a private tutor. Whether you need help choosing your crochet thread, crochet kits, or craft yarn, they'll be able to help you with choosing a crochet kit and teaching you the techniques you'll need to get started!On Superprof, there are three main types of tutorial on offer: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials. Each type has its pros and cons and the best one for you will depend on your budget and goals.Group tutorials are usually the cheapest because you're sharing the cost of the tutor's time with the other students in attendance.Face-to-face tutorials tend to be the most expensive (and cost-effective) as the tutor's all yours for the lesson and they'll be creating bespoke lessons for you.Finally, if you want a one-on-one tutorial for less or can't find a suitable tutor w here you live, online tutorials are great because they can be taught from anywhere in the world. All you need is a webcam and a decent internet connection!

The Parts of a Drum Kit

The Parts of a Drum Kit A Guide the Main Parts of a Drum Set ChaptersHistory of the Drum KitWhat are the Parts of a Standard Acoustic Drum SetElectronic Drum SetsIf you decide to study percussion, especially modern drumming, you will be confronted with drum kits - different types of drum set up so they can all be played by one drummer. drummers using it were called trap drummers. While the overhang pedal for the bass drum was known since the 1870s, it was not immediately popular, many drummers preferring to continue in the double-drumming style. As more and more companies offered solutions for a drum pedal, the bass drum became the kick drum, liberating the hands for more complicated fills and drum rolls with the snares.These pedals were often rather slow or unreliable in their timing until the Ludwig Ludwig Co. patented the first truly reliable bass drum pedal in 1909. Now nothing stood in the way of the full potential of the kick drum.Very often, early trap sets were set up by each individual drummer, and while the combination of instrument s - snare and bass - was fairly common, stands or traps could hold any combination of toms, gongs, tambourines… and, in fact, still can.Also discover the different components that make up a modern drum set!  A drum kit or trap set from a band in 1928. Photo credit: State Library of Queensland, Australia on Visual huntThe basic modern drum kit, though, arose in the 1920s vaudeville bands. Baby Dodds, a drummer playing riverboats on the Mississippi with Louis Armstrong, hung a side cymbal over the bass drum - the first ride cymbal. The Ludwig Company invented a lower version of the hi-hat after observing Dodds tapping with his left foot; Dodds then suggested it be raised so it could be easier to play.And so one man had a hand in the invention of both signature drum-set cymbals.Big-Band Era drum setsWith a new sound becoming popular in the 1930s - due in part to the popularity of radio - a new drum sound was needed, and drum kits expanded to include not only the snare and bass drums, but also tom-tom drums; a China cymbal and small crash cymbals became popular additions. But the basic big band drum set soon became established as:Bass drumSnare drumTom-tomFloor tomHi-hats in various iterationsEventually, the large floor toms got fitted with legs, and “consolettes” made it possible to add smaller drums (usually tom-toms called “ride toms”) above the bass drum.As be-bop evolved, the trend led away from the big drums toward a sound that wasn’t quite as loud. Mostly this meant smaller drum sizes and the popularisation of the ride cymbal. Be-bop bands also pioneered the use of a double bass drum.Discover famous drummers of rock and jazz that you could learn from!Rock drummingWith rock'n’roll, bigger drum kits became popular once more, many drummers, especially in the 1980s, using a highly-personalised drum kit with a great many different drums and cymbals.Drum kits can be expanded at will - with as many drums and cymbals as you like. Photo credit: kamalab oulhosn on VisualhuntWhat are the Parts of a Standard Acoustic Drum SetAs a beginner drummer, you won’t need to worry about unusual and eclectic drums such as timbales, congo drums or tambourines. You should start out with a basic drum set to learn your craft; you can always expand later on.The components of an acoustic drum kit are:DrumsStands for the drums, also called a rackCymbalsCymbal standPedalsSticks, mallets and brushesSeat for the drummer called the drum throne.A lot of children start out with a very simple three-piece drum set, comprised of:Snare drumBass drumHanging tomHi-hatsHanging cymbal(The “pieces” refer to the drums, not the cymbals).What easy drum pieces can beginners learn to play the drum to?A junior drum set with bas drum, snare and one tom, with a single cymbal - perfect when you are just starting out. Photo credit: mikecogh on VisualHunt.comThis is extremely basic, and while there are many easy drum songs you can learn that don’t go beyond that, if yo u take drumming and drumming lessons seriously you will eventually want to invest in a five-piece kit or another drum set.A five-piece kit includes:Bass drumSnare drumThree toms of different sizes: low, middle and high pitch. All can be hanging toms, or one can be a floor tom. The exact constellation will depend on whether you want to play jazz, rock or fusion music.2 crash cymbalsA hi-hat standEffects cymbals (optional)Let’s have a closer look at the individual drums and the different sounds they contribute to the kit.Snare drumsSnare drums are double-headed drums with wires strung under the lower drum head and tensioned. Also called side drums, snares have drum shells that can be made out of wood, metal, acrylic or fibreglass. Drum skin tension is achieved by the use of tensions rods.It is very sensitive and responsive and can be played very subtly to great effect, but also produce loud cracking sounds, especially if hit on its metal rim. It is often used for the backbeat.You ca n play the snare with sticks, brushes or mallets.There are almost infinite variations on the snare drum, from the Highland snare, piccolo snare to the tarol snare.Do you know where the snare fits into the history of drums and drumming?Bass drumsBass drums are generally double-headed. They have a cylindrical body where the diameter is greater than its depth.Bass drums come in three main variations:Concert bass drums usually mounted on a stand  where the angle of the drum can be adjusted.Kick drums mounted vertically on a floor stand and beaten with a bass drum pedal.Pitched bass drums tuned to a specific pitch and generally worn in a harness in marching bands. Often a single cymbal is attached to it.The bass drum is stricken by a heavy felt-covered mallet; two matching mallets or a double-headed mallet is used for drum rolls. On kick drums, this mallet is attached to the foot pedal.When hung vertically, it might be played with a mallet in one hand and a rute in the other.Bass drums h ave a deep sound. It is often played on beats one and three, contrasting with the backbeat (two, four) of the other drums.Tom drumsA tom-tom (a term that supposedly comes from India) is a cylindrical drum. Unlike the snare, it has no snare wires; there are one-headed and two-headed variations.Toms are usually used for fills.A nice view of well-loved drums: hanging toms, snare and a floor tom (and tons of cymbals). Photo credit: Travis Estell on Visual huntThe first examples had no rims, but as metal tensioning elements appeared, so did, eventually, the rim.Hanging toms or rack toms are mounted on high stands; racks can take more than one drum. Floor toms are set on short feet. A floor tom is not quite as deep as a bass drum, but more resonant.CymbalsA drum set typically has several cymbals; at least two, with any number of additions:A hi-hat cymbalA crash cymbalA ride cymbalEffect cymbalsElectronic Drum SetsElectronic sets have the advantage of full volume control - you can get the energy of hitting hard  without blowing away the ears of little old ladies intent on their afternoon tea. You can even listen to them with headphones.They include:A drum module that processes the data and turns it into sound.Drum pads with trigger pads that can be programmed to the sound you want. This is not necessarily a version of acoustic drums, but can be any sound you want. Rhythmic squeaking mouse is seldom called for, but it is possible on an electronic drum. They are usually organised the way the drums would be on an acoustic drum rack.Rubber cymbals.Electronic drums are particularly useful if you want absolute control over the volume of your drums or if you want to reproduce a sound that cannot be made by other modern instruments.Electronic drum sets are made to look a lot like acoustic kits. Photo credit: Christian Steen on Visual HuntHowever, tapping the trigger pads does not have exactly the same feel as drumming on acoustic drums. You will be lacking feedback from your sticks.It is possible to attach specially-made trigger pads to a traditional drum set for a hybrid drumming experience.In the course of your drum lessons, your Superprof drum instructor may recommend such a kit!Now learn more facts about drums...

Brain Rules 6 Ways to Improve Brain Function

Brain Rules 6 Ways to Improve Brain Function Improving Academic Performance In Brain Rules, John Medina, a molecular biologist and student of the brain, dissects the way our brains work, providing practical tips and advice for how to harness your brain’s ability to learn and grow to be more successful in every avenue of life from school to work and more. Oftentimes, students feel that the only way they can improve academically or enhance their performance on exams is by taking an expensive course or hiring a tutor, someone else to teach them. While seeking-out academic help is certainly important and can help you make great strides, there are many things you can do on your own to improve your brain function and ability to better comprehend and recall information. SURVIVAL Overtime, human’s brains have evolved as a survival mechanism from initially being used for necessities such as breathing and keeping us alive to a brain ideal for dissecting complex subjects and problem solving. Humans’ ability to relate to each other became our chief survival tool. By building relationships and creating alliances with others we are best able to learn, grow and problem solve. The same way that humans in the past worked together to survive the environment and a changing ecological landscape, today those same relationships serve us both at school and in the workplace. In our learning environments relationships are equally as important. How many times has a teacher or professor you perceive as being condescending led you to clam up and not seek out help. Under such a circumstance the student does not feel trust, but rather judgement and isolation. Obviously, this is not the ideal scenario for a productive learning environment. When choosing a private tutor or even study partner, you must feel comfortable, you’ll be unable to work successfully with someone who makes you feel self-conscious or insecure GENDER Male and female brains are different. Even something as simple as our gender can affect the ways we process information. Anatomically, male and female brains are different. Due to the different make-up of their brains men and women process information differently. Men tend to take in information and get the gist of it, while women are more inclined to recall more details about any given subject. On the surface, this may not have much to do with learning and retention, but students can put this knowledge to great use. We all recognize that over the course of our educational careers we have a greater affinity for certain professors or instructors over others. Think back to your favorite teacher, was she a big picture type of instructor or did she use plenty of details to paint a picture of the course material? In general, when reading a passage or watching a presentation, are you more likely to recall the main idea of the reading or do certain descriptive details stays with you? By recognizing how you absorb and retain information you can become more efficient while studying. SHORT LONG-TERM MEMORY Once you recognize the ways you absorb information you can work on methods to help you retain this information. We forget much of what we hear within 30 seconds if it’s not repeated. Therefore, it’s imperative to repeat the information in a variety of ways to remember it. This could be as simple as hearing a phone number and repeating it to ourselves over and over until we can jot it down, this goes into our short-term memory. We are essentially encoding the information in our brains to be retrieved later. If we no longer need the information, its purged from our brain. The more intricately we encode information the better it will be remembered. During infancy and childhood, we often learn songs or chants to remember parts of our body, manners, multiplication tables etc. As we grew we began to employ mnemonic devices to help us remember things like the order of operations when working an algebra problem. These mechanisms are more elaborate tools used to help us encode data into our brains. Eventually, if we repeat information long enough and consistently, we can commit it to our long-term memory. But, this takes much more time, sometimes as long as years. It’s said that information learned in the first grade is not completely formed until your sophomore year of high school! Use tools such as repetition and mnemonic devices to help you retain information. STRESS Our bodies were built to handle stress for short periods of time, as we encounter obstacles which will heighten our stress only so long as we problem solve to find a solution. The human brain and body are not built to endure on-going or chronic stress and eventually this type of stress can have a dangerous impact on our brains leading to such serious health events as cardiac arrest, stroke or damage to the hippocampus region of the brain leading to memory problems. Outside of chronic stress, there are forms of emotional stress which can leave you feeling hopeless when things are beyond your control. This type of stress hampers out ability to learn or perform at work. Take measures to keep your stress levels in check, it is hard enough to study and retain information when we are in the right frame of mind. It can prove almost impossible to concentrate when we are under a lot of stress. How can we limit stress? By being vigilant about those things we do have control over. Don’t procrastinate, when we wait until the last minute to cram for a test or pull an all-nighter to complete an assignment we are not only putting ourselves under emotional stress but our bodies under physical stress, this includes a lack of sleep or poor eating habits as we skip meals or fill up on junk and caffeine as we try to power through cram sessions. VISION Vision trumps all our other senses, we remember most, what we see. If you hear a piece of information, 3 days later you will only remember 10% of it. If you are introduced to that information with an accompanying picture, 3 days later you will remember 65% of it! It’s as if our brain takes a snap-shot of the picture and stores it, allowing us to recall the information we have associated with the picture. How do we incorporate this into our studying and retaining of information? When taking notes incorporate more diagrams and flow charts, whenever possible use a picture representation of an event or process. This way, when studying you can quickly pick out visual cues to help jog your memory about the subject matter.

Freshman Year Survival Tips

Freshman Year Survival Tips Goodbye, middle school; hello, high school! The adventure that is secondary education certainly comes with much excitement and trepidation.Eileen Huntington ofHuntington Learning Center says that while starting high school is a big change, there are many things parents can do to help their teens make a successful transition. This is a time when children become young adults and the school experience reflects that, she says. Freshman year sets the stage, so its important that parents help their children get off on the right foot. Here are several tips to help your teen ease into freshman year successfully and lay the foundation for a great high school experience: Commit to good organization. If your teen has previously struggled to stay organized, now is the time to get more serious about this essential skill. Set up routines at home like five-minute sessions at the beginning and ending of homework time to neaten the workspace, organize the backpack and get mentally prepared for the next day. Encourage your child to embrace tools like a planner or homework app, and consider color-coded folders or notebooks for each subject to minimize time spent finding notes and important papers. Talk about grades. Grades always matter, but in high school they are especially important. This is because students immediately start building their cumulative GPA, which is one of the top factors college admissions officers consider when evaluating applicants. Talk with your teen about why poor decisions lead to poor grades, which are harder to recover from when college is on the horizon in just a few years. Practice self-advocacy. On that note, because grades have a lasting impact in high school, its critical that your teen gets help as soon as he or she encounters trouble in a class. Set the expectation this year that its time for your teen to take ownership of the academic experience, which starts with making school the top priority, keeping up with homework and studying, and asking the teacher for help when he or she is confused or struggling to keep up. Take control of time management. High school is a whole new ballgame with multiple classes, different teacher expectations, extracurricular activities and more. Encourage your teen to strive for balance by scheduling absolutely everything, keeping on top of the daily to-do list and knowing his or her limits. The planner should become your teens best friendencourage him or her to put all test, homework and other important dates on the calendar and plan out time for the most essential tasks every day. Last but not least,Huntington reminds parents that keeping open lines of communication with their teens is essential. Its so important to share with new high school students that theres nothing to be ashamed of if challenges arise this year or anytime throughout high school, she says. Let your teen know that youre always there for support, no matter what. Having a solid family support system plus a positive outlook will help your teen survive and thrive as a freshman and for the rest of high school. To learn more about how to help your teen succeed in high school, call Huntington at 1-800-CAN-LEARN. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader.Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams.Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards.Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2017 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.

Inspirational Quotes and Sayings ~ Norman Vincent Peale, about Christmas

Inspirational Quotes and Sayings ~ Norman Vincent Peale, about Christmas Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale (1898 1993), an American clergyman, writer and forefather of the theory of positive thinking. Peale is author of over 40 books. The Power of Positive Thinking is his most notable and widely read book.