An Ionic Compound Definition

An Ionic Compound DefinitionThere are many different ionic compounds in the form of gasoline, and many people ask the question: Is there really an ionic compound? This is an extremely good question, because in our chemical world, there are different types of compounds that are made by different methods. As you might have guessed, these are different types of compounds which are used in different processes. The most common example would be gasoline.There are two different parts to gas that make it so special, and they are the molecules that make up the gas, and the catalysts which catalyze the transfer of energy into this gas. There are a few different types of catalysts, and one of them is the two-electron transfer catalysts. These catalysts have a two electron transfer, and this is what allows the fuel to run in the car. Two-electron transfer means that you can make very fast reactions when catalyzing gases, which means that you can create very cheap gas.Two-electron transfer cataly sts are one of the hottest areas of science right now, and this will play a big role in developing newer technologies in the future. In addition to the two-electron transfer catalysts, we also have oxidation catalysts and some form of electron-transfer catalysts, too.There are ionic compounds in many different categories of chemicals, and it is important to understand that the term 'ion' is actually defined in chemistry, and there are different ions that go into different processes. It is often referred to as ionic compounds, but is actually a compound that contains two electronegative atoms and a neutral atom, and this is how a simple ionic compound is created.This is something you should know, because ionic compounds may be broken down into very complex compounds depending on how you break them down, and there are a lot of different chemical structures that are involved with ionic compounds. If you want to take a few moments to research ionic compounds, it is important to note tha t they can occur in solids, liquids, gases, and even in solids and liquids.One type of ionic compound is polyene, and this compound is made out of two different elements, namely propylene and ethylene. These two elements are joined together using molecules called polymer chains, and pollen is the product of this type of reaction. The other compound that is related to pollen is polycarbonate, and this is also a compound made from two different elements, namely methane and carbon. The end product of this chemical reaction is a different compound, called monoxide, which is very common.Many ionic compounds are used in many different fields of science, and there are many chemicals that have been around for a long time, and have been used, and are still being used today. For example, the two-electron transfer catalyst is used in most processes where gas is made, and the reasons for this are very simple. When these two react, they create gas, and this gas can be used in many different ways , so that is one of the reasons why there are several different types of compounds.

E-Safety

Social Media Safety/E-Safety Social Media Safety/E-Safety ChaptersOversharingThe Power of PasswordsBe ScepticalAs far as internet safety is concerned, the biggest threat often appears in the form of malware or tricks that allow hackers access to our bank details or other important personal information.Social media can act as a platform through which said hackers can operate. Whether it’s through correctly guessing your password (which is easier than you might imagine), dodgy links sent under the guise of your friends’ accounts, or simply a case of oversharing on our part.In this article we’ll assess some of the biggest risks associated with social media  in this day and age, and how best to avoid them in the future. 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But what happens when you let your guard down, maybe you’ve had a bit too much to drink or are consumed by strong emotions, and you have access to a social media account?Keep the Personal, Private.Whereas in the past a rant was just that, these days that same rant could be broadcast to the whole world with just a tap of the finger.It is as such that a moment of madness can come back to haunt you in the future; an unpopular opinion can land you in hot water with potential employers; a secret shared can be used against you at a later date.With this in mind, we have to be careful what we post to social media and ensure that we’re not tempted to press publish on something which could be potentially damaging to us at another point in time.This also goes for interaction s we have with friends on social media. While you may think this form of messaging is between just you and them, a log of the text will be kept and so it’s best not to discuss really personal matters or credit card information for example. Especially since all it would take is your Facebook (or other social media platform) account to be hacked, and that information is no longer secure.Family MattersSomething that a lot of people don’t think twice about, posting pictures and videos of family, or close friends, can be dangerous.The more clear a picture you provide through social media as to your friends, family, and personal life, the more information you are giving away to people who could use it to harm you.While this is not an especially likely scenario, and most people post daily content involving friends and family, there are some things to bear in mind when posting this type of content.First, try to avoid posting too much multimedia content of your children. While your frien ds and family love and appreciate the updates, if this content gets in the wrong hands, it could cause a lot of pain and distress. Especially since the photos and videos will be in a public forum if you decide to post them on social media.One way to secure this type of content is to make sure that when you post or publish it, you set your privacy settings so that only friends or family will be able to view it.There’s also the notion that your child or children might not appreciate certain content being made publicly available, at least when they grow up. This is an issue that should be discussed within the family, and be given some real thought.There’s a thoughtful article by Forbes on the issue of ‘sharenting’, which is definitely worth a read.The Dangers of AnonymityThe last way in which we can succumb to the dark side of social media is through anonymity.Anonymity is a perfectly valid way to have an online presence, should for whatever reason you prefer to keep your ident ity secret.However, for some, anonymity is a mask to hide behind. The prevalence of internet ‘trolls’ is evidence of this. Unless you have a lot of followers, you might not have encountered this before, but if you do, I’m sure you’ve been on the receiving end of some unwarranted and unsolicited criticism at one time or another.All you have to do is go on a celebrity’s social media feed, check the comments under an innocent post, and you’ll understand how toxic the culture of internet ‘trolls’ can be.The lack of accountability provided by anonymity can be dangerous and gives people a way of criticising relentlessly without showing themselves or revealing their true identity.Even people in respected professions can engage in this type of behaviour, given such anonymity and free reign to express their unsolicited opinions without repercussions. As a result, it’s worth thinking before you post a response to something someone said, and ask yourself whether you would say that to them in person.The Power of Passwords Use a series of letters and numbers for a strong password.Something that a lot of people can take for granted, a password you create should be more complex than just the first thing that comes to mind.Given how simple it can be for hackers to figure out your password, and subsequently get hold of your personal details, your best bet to keep yourself safe is password-protecting your social media accounts the right way.Particularly when considering phone safety, passwords are crucial.The Stronger, the BetterThe definition of a strong, unique password, is one which contains a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. It’s also ideally quite long.The reason for having such a password is simple: it makes it much harder for hackers to figure out.Once someone gets hold of your password, they won’t just get access to that account either, they can probably get into other accounts you have too, assuming you have the same password for different accounts.That brings me to the second reason it’ s important to have a strong, unique password, since if each of your accounts has a unique password, hackers won’t be able to cause a domino effect with your other accounts falling under their control.Something which came to my attention recently is the idea of ‘brute forcing’. This refers to the automated process of trying every word in the dictionary until coming up with your password. A scary thought indeed, being aware of such a technique should make all of us want to make our password something complex, and nonsensical.Double UpAnother thing you should probably do if you haven’t already is make sure the device you use social media on is password-protected itself.Having a strong password for your social media account is all well and good, but if you don’t have a password on your phone or tablet and you leave it on the table for a moment, you’re essentially leaving the keys to the door of your personal life on the table.Of course, it goes without saying that the passw ords for your accounts and your device should be different too, to make it as hard to crack as possible.Be Sceptical Keep an eye open for social media traps.Scepticism is always a good thing when it comes to social media safety.One misclick or lack of judgement could start a ripple effect which could have negative repercussions.Stranger DangerJust as you’re taught as a child, strangers on the internet should in most cases be avoided, especially when it comes to social media.Cyber bullying is a dangerous reality if you aren’t careful online.If somebody you don’t know reaches out to you or sends you a friend request, then you should take a moment before responding or accepting.While adding someone you don’t know probably won’t be the end of the world, you never know who it is and what their intentions are. Especially if you have private information on your social media account, it’s best to exercise caution when it comes to people you don’t know.Beware of LinksInternet safety 101: links can be deceptive. They are so easy to click but can cause huge damage to your device, or lead to malw are that could compromise your personal data.For the most part, clicking links from articles and trusted sources is fine, but once you enter certain parts of the internet you might be more likely to run into an undesirable, misleading link.These links are often found in places where you might be caught with your guard down, so it’s best to avoid clicking links when you’re not on a secure, trusted website.Yet, that’s not the biggest concern when it comes to links. Funnily enough, when it comes to dodgy links, your friends are the enemy.What I mean by that is you would never expect your friends to send you a dodgy link through social media, and I’m sure they wouldn’t, but sometimes they do.  Hackers gain access to social media accounts all the time, and when they do, they often try to catch people out by posing as their friend and sending a link with an innocent-sounding message like “check out this funny video!”.The best way to avoid this is to wonder to yourself if the text that accompanies the link is something your friend would typically say to you. Also consider how likely it is that they would send you a link out of the blue with some robotic-sounding line before clicking it.To find out more about staying safe online, check out our comprehensive guide on the topic.

Websites To Learn Dutch Online

Websites To Learn Dutch Online Looking To Learn Dutch Grammar Online? ChaptersLearn Dutch Online For FreeThe Best Websites To Learn Dutch OnlineFind Other Ways To Supplement Your LearningThere are many reasons why you might want to learn Dutch. Perhaps you have friends or family in the Netherlands that you would like to communicate in Dutch with, or maybe you would like to learn a new language that’s part of the Germanic Indo-European group of languages.Whatever your reason, learning the Dutch language will allow you to communicate with over 20 million people who speak Dutch as their native language.One of the first things that people think about when they want to learn a new language such as Dutch is how they should learn more about the language. For instance, is it better to learn Dutch through:Online apps;Group classes involving a teacher; orWatching Dutch media?Another method that people also turn to when learning Dutch is using various websites to help them improve their proficiency.There are so many language-learning websites available on the i nternet these days that it’s relatively easy to find websites that can teach you about Dutch grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary,  common greetings and expressions, and more.This article outlines just some of those websites that you can turn to in order to improve your level of Dutch, regardless of whether you’re a complete beginner or have an intermediate or advanced understanding of the language.You can find lots of websites to learn Dutch online through a quick internet search. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, geralt, Pixabay)Prefer to focus on a particular area of learning Dutch, whether that’s grammar, verb conjugation, vocabulary, or pronunciation; orHave a specific audience in mind, for example, people who want to learn Dutch to live there or who want to learn Dutch for business purposes.Which website or websites you choose to use to learn Dutch will likely depend on whether you want to improve your overall knowledge of the language, or whether you would prefer to focus on a part icular area, such as your Dutch listening skills.Below are some free websites, which offer support for anyone learning the Dutch language, albeit in slightly different ways.The University of Groningen Introduction To DutchThis Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) is for complete beginners to the Dutch language, with the university stating that the course is aimed at anyone who would like to travel to the Netherlands or who would like to learn Dutch more broadly.Overall, the course takes about three weeks to complete and covers topics such as how to introduce yourself and talk about your family and friends, among others.More information is available on the university’s Language Centre’s website.DuolingoDuolingo is a well-known and popular language learning app, which is most often associated with the fact that you can use it on your phone or tablet. However, you can just as easily use Duolingo on your computer, or on any device that has an internet connection.Duolingo offers lessons in a number of foreign languages, including Dutch, and tries to break lessons down into short, manageable sessions that are most effective when completed daily. As you progress through the Dutch course, you’ll learn a variety of different nouns, adjectives, pronouns and verbs. You should also learn about different grammatical concepts, such as verb conjugation.VerbixThis website is quite specific in the service that it offers language learners, but it is a great resource to be aware of.Specifically, Verbix is a tool that conjugates verbs in a wide number of different languages, including Dutch, and also conjugates verbs across a range of tenses. So if you need to find out how to conjugate the past tense of zijn (to be) for example, you can use this site.Dutchgrammar.comDutchgrammar.com has a range of different grammar tools to help you learn Dutch, which can be a real help regardless of whether you’re a complete beginner when it comes to Dutch or you have intermediate or advanc ed proficiency.In addition, the website also offers audio clips that you can listen to, which should help improve your Dutch listening skills.When using websites to learn Dutch, the main thing is to try and find out which websites are most helpful for you. For instance, you may prefer to use just one website exclusively to learn Dutch if you find that website easy to navigate and it has all the learning materials that you need to improve your Dutch proficiency.Equally, you may prefer to use a variety of different websites to learn Dutch â€" perhaps one to learn about Dutch grammar, another website to read news articles in Dutch, and another that providers speaking and listening exercises.There’s no wrong way to learn a language, so the most important thing is finding out what works for you and sticking to that learning routine through regular practice and revision.Take Dutch language courses here.If you want to learn Dutch online, it's important to realise that some websites are f ree, while others offer premium content for a fee. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, jarmoluk, Pixabay)The Best Websites To Learn Dutch OnlineWhile there are a number of websites out there that offer free language resources when it comes to learning Dutch, it’s equally the case that there are a variety of paid or subscription-based services as well that also offer Dutch language learning services.Ultimately, the decision of whether to pay to learn Dutch is yours alone and may be influenced by factors such as your budget, how intensively you need to improve your level of Dutch, and how satisfied you currently are using free online learning tools.While there is no obligation to use paid-for language learning services, it’s always worth being aware of what other websites are available out there. A few examples of these websites are outlined below.LearnDutch.orgLearndutch.org is a website that offers a mixture of free Dutch lessons as well as paid-for premium content.It has lessons that cater to both beginners and those who have some previous experience with the Dutch language, which makes it quite accessible to all Dutch learners. There is also a range of lessons on offer, which cover subjects such as:Dutch vocabulary and the alphabet;Various aspects of Dutch grammar;Dutch phrases and proverbs.Of course, more lessons are available if you sign up for premium content, but some lessons are available for free as well.SuperprofIf you want to learn Dutch, but don’t know where to start, then you might find that hiring a Dutch tutor is beneficial. This is because a Dutch tutor can identify your current ability level and provide you with a range of tailored exercises that should help improve your spoken Dutch, as well as your:Understanding of Dutch grammar, from how to form different tenses to understanding Dutch syntax;Reading and writing skills in Dutch; andAbility to converse with someone in Dutch while also listening to and understanding their response.Superprof has a wid e network of tutors that can provide either in-person, group, or online lessons, so it’s a case of deciding which tuition format you would like and finding the right tutor for you from there!You can learn Dutch online in a number of ways, such as through your phone, laptop, or tablet. (Image Source CC0 1.0, Pexels, Pixabay)Find Other Ways To Supplement Your LearningWhile the internet is definitely a fantastic resource to use when learning any new foreign language, including Dutch, it’s equally true that you can also turn to other learning resources if you’re trying to improve your Dutch proficiency level and your Dutch speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.In addition to the work you put in online, it may be worth taking some time each week to consolidate your progress and perhaps even introduce new areas of grammar or vocabulary by doing just some of the following:Watching Dutch language films or TV shows;Reading a Dutch novel; orSpeaking if possible with a native Dutch speaker.Any of these activities can be a great way to keep up your current level of Dutch, and may even help you to develop your understanding of the language further.Regardless of whether you're a beginner and want to learn to speak Dutch more fluently by learning key words and phrases, or you're an advanced speaker that can hold a great conversation in Dutch, there's always some way that you can practise your Dutch and improve your level, either through self-taught means or through language courses.The main thing to bear in mind is that, with regular practice, you should begin to see tangible results and an overall improvement in your level of Dutch. Good luck, and have fun studying!Find out also where you can   learn Dutch in London...

What to Do After a Poor SAT Test Day

What to Do After a Poor SAT Test Day If you prepared immensely for your SAT test date and are now staring at a score that doesnt reflect your testing ability, it is not time to panic. Each year, thousands of test-takers are in your place, asking themselves the same questions you probably are: What went wrong? Should I take the test again, and if so, when? How can I make sure this doesnt happen on another test date? Tackling these questions is essential to guiding you through the rest of your standardized testing for college applications. Start with these guidelines below to gather yourself after a poor SAT test day. What went wrong? Maybe you didnt get enough sleep in the week leading up to your test. Maybe you had a ton of ordinary homework assignments to tackle, had a family emergency, or just plain neglected to do as much SAT prep as you should have. It is important to look at the circumstances surrounding your test prep and test day that may have affected your performance. While you cant erase these circumstances or mistakes now, you can reflect on them and think about what you might do differently if you are planning to take the SAT again. Should I test again? If you are a senior with halfway-completed college applications and no reasonable opportunity to retake the SAT, chances are you shouldnt register for another test and should instead focus on highlighting other strengths on your college applications. If you are a junior or even a senior with later college application deadlines, it is worth considering retaking this test. [RELATED: What is an Average SAT Score?] As you explore whether or not you should re-test, ask yourself if the circumstances or habits that led to your less-than-desirable test score before are now resolved or can be resolved. For example, if you recognize that you did not do well because you had strong anxiety about the exam, ask yourself if you can reasonably be expected to overcome that anxiety by your next anticipated test date. Make sure if you decide to test again, that you have enough time to do so and are able to conquer the issues that led to a poor score initially. When should I test again? If you have decided to test again, the next step is deciding when to test. If you are a senior, you may have limited options, but if you are an underclassman, you may be debating between spring, fall, and winter exams. When deciding on a day to take this exam again, refer once again to the circumstances surrounding your poor performance in the past. Did you underperform because you could not balance SAT prep with other academic and extracurricular responsibilities? If so, then taking a fall test might be best because youll have all summer to study. Alternatively, was your test performance negatively impacted by a circumstance that has now passed and that did not affect your studying? If that is the case, perhaps the next available test date is appropriate. Use your mistakes and shortcomings as guidelines to decide when to test again. How can I make sure this doesnt happen again? This is perhaps the most important question you should ask yourself if you are heading toward another test date. What can you do differently this time around? Was there anything about your studying that was lacking the first time? Did you forget any major concepts that were heavily addressed in test questions? Once you have identified what went wrong, you can then begin to develop a plan to make your next test date go right. Perhaps youll seek SAT tutoring or utilize an SAT prep book this time around. Make sure your plan contains reasonable and practical steps that you can implement successfully before your next test date. Being more fastidious about your preparation may pay off in a higher score next time! Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us atblog@varsitytutors.com.

Learning an Instrument When Should One Start Playing the Guitar

Learning an Instrument When Should One Start Playing the Guitar Learning Guitar: A Question of Timing and Age? ChaptersAt What Age Should You Start to Play Guitar?There is No Right Age to Start Learning GuitarCan I Be Too Old to Start Learning Guitar?When is it Best to Practise Guitar?How Much Time Do I Need to Learn the Guitar?How Long Does it Take to Learn Guitar Properly?You've always wanted to play the guitar, and now you feel it’s the right time. Yet there is lots of contradictory advice about how best to become a guitar player.Is it best to get a guitar teacher when you are very young? Is it preferable to learn how to play guitar yourself, on your own with a beginner guitar? Or is okay to learn with online guitar lessons, in which you slowly learn the basics of the fretboard and guitar tablature?And sometimes most importantly, is there a right age at which to learn how to play the guitar? Or is there no right age to pick up your first guitar and sign up to a guitar lesson?We will try to answer your questions as clearly as possible. But we'll ask you a question in return: what do you w ant to get out of your new guitar? Do you want to just play songs or do you want to smash out guitar licks in mind-blowing guitar solos? Are you more a jazz guitar person or a classical guitar dude? Do you want to play fingerstyle or are you a rhythm guitar rocker?Your answers to these questions will change our answers to your questions!Private lessons allow you to customize your learning: the teacher comes to your home and will adapt the content of their course according to the expectations of the student and their strengths and weaknesses.Check out out blog on tricks to learn the guitar quickly!

4 Reasons to Start Your College Essay This Week

4 Reasons to Start Your College Essay This Week When it comes to writing your college essay, it can be tempting to fall into the trap of procrastination. Its easy to push essay composition to the back of your minduntil, before you know it, your time is running out. As the fall semester quickly approaches, theres no better time to begin your essay than this week. Reasons to start your college essay this week include maximizing your free time, allowing for a lengthened feedback window, and preventing future stress. College admissions deadlines will approach quicklydont let them sneak up on you. Keep reading to learn four reasons to start your college essay this week. Start your college essay this week to allow time for brainstorming You likely know from experience how difficult it can be to produce great work under a time crunch. By beginning your college essay now, you allow yourself time to brainstorm the content. If applicable, set aside time to review the 2018-2019 Common Application essay prompts. Examine all of the prompts, and think about which one gives you the greatest opportunity to showcase your unique qualities and experiences. Remember that whichever question you choose, you should find a way to make yourself stand out. Also consider the school you're applying towhat is its mission, and what are the personal qualities the school is seeking? Identify these, and factor them into your prompt decision. [RELATED: 4 Ways to Find Application Essay Writing Inspiration] Start your college essay this week to maximize your free time Once school is back in session, you will have a multitude of other responsibilities demanding your time and attention. From adjusting to a new class schedule to grasping new academic content, your college essay may quickly fall to the bottom of your to-do list. That being said, utilize the last bit of free time you have before classes start again to begin your admissions essay. Take this time to scope out what you would like your essay to include and outline potential content. Note all admissions deadlines you will encounter this fall. Writing these down in an organized manner can make the process feel less overwhelming. [RELATED: 3 Steps to Edit Your Essay] Start your college essay this week to allow time for feedback As applies to any writing assignment, the more time you allow for revisions and outside feedback, the better chance you have of getting the results you desire. Your college essay should showcase your skills in self-awareness and critical thinking, and this takes time to craft. Follow the below process when tackling your college essay: After youve written an initial draft, set it aside for a few days before coming back to it with a fresh outlook. Once you feel confident in the essays direction, begin asking for help from othersguidance counselors, parents, teachersto see what feedback they have. At the end of the day, however, be sure the essay is still in your voice, reflects who you are, and illustrates to potential schools why you are worthy of admission. [RELATED: 3 Questions to Ask Your Guidance Counselor About College] Start your college essay this week to avoid excess stress later As mentioned above, youll be much busier when school startsmeaning less time to focus on your college admissions tasks. Aside from the time constraints, you also dont want the stress of college essays to interfere with your grades and classwork. Beginning the initial stages of your essay now will make the entire application process less stressful, and, in turn, ease your workload once school is underway. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Spice Up Your Playing with these Essential Guitar Strum Patterns

Spice Up Your Playing with these Essential Guitar Strum Patterns Megan L. Many guitarists have a tendency to focus most of their practice time and energy on left-hand fretting technique. Although the left hand is very important, mastering different rhythms and guitar strum patterns with your right hand adds a whole new dimension to your guitar playing. Understanding Guitar Strum Patterns Start by playing a simple chord progression. Ideally, you should be able to play through the chords without looking at the fingers on your left hand. Starting with a simple progression allows you to focus your attention and energy on your right hand. Make sure you have the proper grip on your pick and practice strumming downwards on each chord four times, and then changing chords. As youre counting to four, strum once for each count and then repeat counting to four again on the next chord. Once you feel comfortable playing this rhythm using downstrokes, try the same thing using up strokes, strumming from the high E up toward your low E. Check out this helpful tutorial for an example of some basic strumming patterns to start with. Most strumming patterns are composed of down strokes and up strokes. You might see a strum pattern indicated on guitar tabs or sheet music with up and down arrows under or above the staff, Us and Ds under or above the staff, or with strum notation as shown in the chart below: The upside down U shape indicates a down stroke, and the V shape is an up stroke. As you can see, when it comes to strum patterns, guitar notation is a little all over the place. Do a quick web search for strumming patterns on guitar and you will likely run across all of these notation systems. Its important to be able to recognize each of them, as you will probably continue to come across each of them. Although notation is variable, keep this constant in mind: all of these different types of notations represent two basic things, down strokes and up strokes. Combining up and down strokes in different rhythms is the key to creating most strum patterns. To get started, lets try the strum pattern shown in the chart above. Each measure is four beats. The single-stemmed notes you see are quarter notes. Each quarter note counts as one beat. The notes that are connected at the bottom are eighth notes. Each eighth note takes half the amount of time to play as a quarter note. When you are counting these notes, you will say and. For example, to count the measures above, youll say, One, two, three and four. Imagine that there is an and between every number you say. When you strum this pattern, you will strum: down, down, down, up, down. Alternating Bass Guitar Strum Patterns Some guitar strum patterns will also incorporate a bass note plucked individually. These patterns are called alternating bass patterns, because they alternate bass notes, or the root note of the chord, with complete strums of the full chord. You will often hear this technique used in country and folk music. One very common alternating bass strum pattern involves plucking downward on the root note of the chord and then strumming upward on the full chord. Heres what this pattern looks like using the G-chord, transcribed to both guitar tabs and traditional sheet music: Some alternating bass guitar rhythms involve more strumming. Check out this variation on the first alternating bass pattern you learned. Note that the patterns weve looked at so far have been in 4/4 time and this one is in 3/3, meaning there are three beats per measure. Youll notice that this strum pattern has a swinging, waltz feeling to it, while the 4/4 patterns can feel more like a march or a rock beat, depending on the strum pattern you use. Adding Other Elements Theres more to great rhythm guitar playing than just strumming. Sometimes, the most interesting patterns and grooves incorporate pauses and muting to add interest and percussive qualities to your playing. The simplest element to start adding to your guitar strumming are pauses. Start with a straight ahead, 4/4 beat where you are playing one down stroke for each count of four. Now practice strumming just on the one, two, and four. What happens if you change it up and just strum on the two and three? Get creative and get comfortable with not having to fill every second of a song with your guitar. Muting your strings is another great way to add some color to strum patterns. Lets take a look at the two types of muting and then learn how to incorporate them into a strumming pattern. Left-Hand Muting Technique Muting gives your guitar a crisper, crunchier sound. To mute your strings using  your left hand, just relax your fretting fingers so that instead of holding the note down cleanly, they are just deadening the vibration of the string. To mute all the strings on your guitar, lay your index finger across the fretboard. Try playing  a 4/4 strum pattern with just one down stroke per count. Now alternate fretting and muting the chord, one strum pressing the strings down fully with your left hand and on the next strum mute the strings. Get used to hearing and feeling the difference. Right-Hand Muting or Palm Muting You can also mute your guitar strings using your right, strumming hand. Allow the side of your palm to rest gently on the strings as you strum. This technique is great for muting open strings or creating a softer sound. Practice alternating full strums with palm-muted strums. Heres what muting looks like on guitar tabs and other notation: The Xs indicate muted strums. To play this strum pattern, youll start with down strokes on the one and tw0, then play four muted strokes, alternating up and down, on the three-and-four-and. Now that youre familiar with some basic guitar strum patterns, and know how to read them, you can learn many more either by looking at guitar tabs, mimicking what you hear when you listen to music, or by taking private lessons with a guitar teacher. The right guitar teacher will give you personal attention and help you progress by leaps and bounds. Find out more about guitar lessons or search for your perfect teacher today! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

How to Choose a Law School Deciding Where to Attend

How to Choose a Law School Deciding Where to Attend LSAT Law School Blog If you’ve received offers of admission from multiple law schools, congratulations! While the more difficult part of the application process is out of the way, another big decision awaits you. Deciding where you end up going to law school could dictate the course of your career. Do you prefer getting your JD at a campus where the weather is warm year-round? Or do your priorities lie towards ensuring that your classrooms are divided into small sections for discussion? As you go over your acceptances and pick your favorites, consider the following factors when deciding how to choose a law school that is right for you. Academic Specialties When thinking about how to choose a law school, you should familiarize yourself with the variety of legal specialties offered at each program. Knowing your specific interest in law and what career path you want to take after graduating is one of the most strategic ways to narrow down your options, as not all law schools offer the same areas of study. For example, if you want to pursue a career in immigration law and one of your acceptances is from Yale, you need to research whether Yale offers an immigration law track in the first place. If you choose one program and later realize that you’re unable to pursue your goals at that institution, you’ll regret your decision! Location Your answer to how to choose a law school should also rely on where the law schools are located. You might decide you’re tired of northeast winters and be excited about institutions on the west coast, such as UCLA or USC. Or, you may want to be near a city like New York, which is home to many international organizations. You should also look into in-state benefits and saving on tuition while staying close to home. Regardless, think about the pros and cons of the location for each law school on your list, as you’ll be spending the next three years in that particular area. Now that you have your options, it’s time to critically think about where you’d truly be happy on a day-to-day basis. Class Size As you explore the question of how to choose a law school, carefully consider what you want to get out of your classroom experience once you start attending your program. Do you learn best in a large classroom lecture-style setting? Or do you prefer smaller classrooms, which offer more opportunities for participation and getting to know your classmates? At many top law schools such as Harvard and Yale, classes are broken down into smaller sections. At others, seminars can go above 100 students per session. As you look at your final selection of JD programs, reflect on what is the best learning environment for you. Cost Law school is a big investment. When you’re a full-time student, it’s difficult to fit in a time-consuming job, so you won’t necessarily be earning a lot of money as you attend law school. When you think about how to choose a law school, keep the amount you would have to pay for tuition in mind, and take into account other factors like housing and utility costs. If you’ve received scholarships from any of the programs, consider how much they would offset other expenses. Hopefully, you’re able to narrow down your choices to schools that still sound exciting but would be more cost-effective than others that have accepted you. Alumni Profiles As you finalize your list of institutions to those that offer the ideal areas of study or are situated in a city that you’ve always wanted to live in, take a look at the data for graduates at different programs that have caught your eye. What are alums up to? Law schools publicize data for different industries alumni are pursuing - take advantage of these statistics to figure out whether graduates have found success in ways that appeal to you. For example, you might want to research the percentage of graduates who have judicial clerkships or have passed the bar. If an alum is involved in your ideal industry, being part of the same program allows for networking. Your choice of law school will continue to impact you - the success of past students is definitely something to note when making the final call! Summary On your journey to uncovering how to choose a law school, do your due diligence and go through websites, attend webinars, visit campuses, and talk to current students. As you’ll be making a big step in your career, this isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly. Carefully consider the factors we’ve outlined to make sure you get the most out of your legal education. You’ve got this! Author: Padya Paramita, InGenius Prep