Music Articles

Holistic Tutoring

By Therese S. | 6/8/2013 8:28 PM CST |

One of the more frustrating things about tutoring is when students or their parents want to treat tutoring like a quick fix. In other words, sometimes they want to meet the night before a test and cram for said test in hopes of getting a better grade. On the surface, this problem might work, but it treats the symptoms rather than the root of the problem.

If you're going to take the time to invest in a tutor, then here are a couple of suggestions.

First, try to catch the problem early. If you (or your child) is struggling in a subject, get help right away. Don't wait until you (or your child)...

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Soloing in C

By Ronald A. | 5/26/2013 2:48 PM CST |

When the harmony dictates that the chord should be C, then the most important notes of resolution and repose are C, E and G. These are the notes of the C Major chord.

C D E F G A B C

So we think about ways to come to rest.

We can simply stay at rest, by just playing chord tones (arpeggios)
C E G
C G E
E C G
E G C
G C E
G E C

We can connect the chord tones:
C D E
E D C
E F G
G F E
G A B C
C B A G

We can alternate from chord tone to non-chord tone
C B C
C D C
E D E
E F E
G F G
G A G

Any of the atomic approaches above can be combined in an endless variety ways.

Also Note that the non-chord tones are B, D, F and...

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Advice to my younger self- the student

By Lisa B. | 3/19/2013 8:54 PM CST |

IF I could go back in time and give my younger self some advice on how to be a better student, be more successful in school, life, etc, I would definitely tell myself that being involved in everything comes at a cost. It is better to find a few things that you like to do, do them well and often, than feeling stressed because there is so much on your plate at one time. Being a 'Jack of all Trades' it is natural for me to dip my toes in different waters- all at the same time, but that does not mean that I can give 100% to any of them at that time.

While I was able to get good grades (A- average)...

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Helping Students “Get” History

By Jeff S. | 11/6/2012 7:47 PM CST |

Many of my students have told me that Social Studies or History is their worst subject. When I ask why, they say they “just don’t get it”. I usually find out that they have a hard time connecting the dots. For example, they learn about the American Revolution but don’t understand how it connects to King George III and the Declaration of Independence. This article gives parents, tutors, and teachers some hints and tips for helping students connect the people, places, and events of history to improve their comprehension.

1. Use historical thinking skills.The National Center for History in the...

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Dad told me, anybody who can breathe can teach! He must have had poor teachers!

By Bonny D. | 6/5/2012 2:17 PM CST |

You don't need a teaching degree to effectively teach!

I'm not knocking certified teachers. I learned teaching while working as a substitute teacher and as a broadcast-media sales representative. As a mother, I had to learn to help with homework! I'm not a baby-boomer! We did things the hard way (before dishwashers!). And we were achievers!

Now I can pass those good habits on to my students! Whatever you do, do it with excellence!

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Ready for Summer Brush-up Fun Mixed with Academic Prep? Contact me! You'll Love Learning!

By Bonny D. | 6/5/2012 1:59 PM CST |

English,
Theatre,
ESL/ESOL,
Reading,
Speech,
11 more...

Why did I choose to teach via WyzAnt?

It seems that people trust screening agencies today! We want someone to do the background research for us! From the web search, I found this placement company. It's easier that way to market my services, so it seems! Be my first student or group or students!

My local and international references are excellent!

I love to teach!

My students become my friends!

Sincerely,
Bonny

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The Subtleties of Language

By Aja S. | 3/27/2012 8:55 PM CST |

For the brief time that I was enrolled in a postgraduate TESOL program, I was fortunate enough to have enrolled in one of the most fascinating classes I’ve ever taken: linguistics. For those who are unfamiliar with this term, Google says that linguistics is the scientific study of language and its structure, including the study of morphology, syntax, phonetics, and semantics (I couldn’t have said it better myself). Up until that first class, I had no idea that such a wonderful study existed. You see, I’ve always been drawn to the very science of linguistics, even without ever having known...

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Student Achievement from Asia

By Eliot J. | 3/17/2012 11:21 PM CST |

Piano,
Music

While I was teaching on faculty in Asia at a University Conservatory my student Stephanie worked with me for one semester and passed her upper divisional piano jury playing among other things a Debussy Etude. This conservatory jury was stricter than most, the faculty enjoyed giving scores in the 60s. While chapel organist and teaching piano I also taught in the theory department at the university and coached.

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Piano Student

By Eliot J. | 3/17/2012 11:10 PM CST |

This photo is of my student Sara. When she came to study with me at Indiana University she was a linguistics major. After studying with me a short time and working on classical repertoire I got her accepted into a multi-competition winner's piano performance studio at IU.

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Student Achievement

By Eliot J. | 3/14/2012 5:06 PM CST |

Piano,
Music

This photo from the Louisiana INTERNATIONAL Piano Competition 2005 is of my student Yuri. A few years AFTER this competition and after she had won a prize in International Chopin competition, she studied with me and took 2nd prize in the difficult IU Concerto Competition (I played Chopin Concerto #1 on the 2nd piano). After studying with me she was also invited to an international festival and was accepted into a European conservatory.

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