The Ultimate Guide to Singing Styles, Types, and Genres

The Ultimate Guide to Singing Styles, Types, and Genres Sign up successful But several pop singers have come to be considered the greatest entertainers of all time, including Whitney Houston, Madonna, Prince, and the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Tips Vocal Exercises for Pop Singers Learn how to control your vibrato without tension. Experiment with different vocal sounds, like short, popping sounds and fast runs. Focus on improving your movement on stage and take dance lessons, if necessary. Famous Pop Singers Tori Kelly Tori  chose a really high key for this  song. She also chose to accentuate the lyrics of the song with a short, light texture in her voice. That kind of texture makes everything easier to sing in your high register. Whitney Houston At 2:05 in this video, Whitney  uses a fast run on the end of the word all. Notice how she doesnt make it overly dramatic, and uses those runs only a few times in the song? Sometimes, too many runs can be distracting from the songs message. Bruno Mars Bruno  sings tenderly because its a tender song. His voice is so free of tension that he seems to float up into his falsetto. Rock You might be surprised  to learn that rock is a grandchild of the blues. After it became heavier and more dance-ably rhythmic, the music began to rock and rock and roll was born! It grew up to become rougher and edgier, and now, rock vocal sounds are as diverse as in any other genre. Today, rock singers include voices as different as Adam Lambert, Tom Araya  of  Slayer, James Hetfield of Metallica, and Bono of U2. But that rougher and edgier part of rock has to be, at least in some ways, a defining characteristic of the rock voice. Otherwise, it might be confused with an adult contemporary or pop voice. Tips Vocal Exercises for Rock Singers Try out different vocal flairs, like a little growling or vocal fry at the end of song sections, but dont overdo it. Get comfortable singing a huge range of dynamics, from whispers (used sparingly for the health of your voice) to healthy, supported shouting. Dont be afraid of your own vibrato. Famous Rock  Singers Freddie Mercury Freddie Mercury was known for quite a theatrical kind of rock. Notice how easily he  transitions from one dynamic to another, using subtlety when its needed for effect, and rough growling when the lyrics call for it, like at 2:20. John Fogerty John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival sings this song with the emotional sense of defiance. He clearly has a hold of being what we now call a singing actor, though its doubtful that the vocals were planned as such. Ann Wilson The lead singer of Heart, paying tribute to Led Zeppelin, keeps a true sense of her own voice but doesnt change the vocals so much that its disrespectful to the original. Shes clearly not afraid of her own vibrato, using it as a tool to accentuate certain lyrics, like at 4:24. Bonus Quiz:  What Genre Are You Destined to Sing?   Opera and Classical Often considered the most formal and restrictive of all genres of singing, classical and opera singing actually require the greatest amount of freedom. Much of it is sung with uncontrolled vibrato and total emotional release. It is, however, the least conversational of all genres. Because it lacks the intimacy of that conversational quality with the audience (think folk music), it has the tendency to give audiences the impression of admiring a beautiful painting from afar. The classical genre  includes secular arias and religious oratorios, as well as motets. Opera singing is similar, but its part of a stage production, often involving dancing and speaking parts. Think of opera as a musical with classical singing instead of Broadway-style singing. Tips Vocal Exercises for Opera Singers Dont try to sound how you think an opera singer sounds. Sing with an open and free voice. Vibrato sometimes develops over time as we let go of more and more tension. Dont force it or try to create it. Get a voice teacher. Soon. Opera singing can seldom be taught without a good teacher.   Famous Opera and Classical Singers Bryn Terfel In this incredibly dramatic scene from Mozarts interpretation of the Don Juan story, Bryn Terfel is the actor in the reddish-brown cloak. Watch how intense and exaggerated his facial expressions are throughout the scene. Kiri Te Kanawa Singing one of the best-loved arias ever written, here is one of the best-loved sopranos to have ever lived. She is an incredible example of how you can sing beautifully through your entire life if you take good care of your voice. Marian Anderson Marian Andersons distinguished career is marked not only by fantastic singing, but also by courageous defiance in the face of racism. Her voice is flawless, in spite of the shortcomings of the old recordings, but more importantly, her heart can be heard in everything she sings. In the video above, she sang for a beautiful Christmas program. Notice her alignment and how it remains consistent throughout the changes in the song. Country An overly simple way to think of the country genre is fancy folk. But its had quite a history through the years, having evolved from Appalachian mountain music, southern blues, country-western and whats called honky-tonk. I recommending listening  to many different country voices so that you dont get into the trap of imitating only the big voices. Think about how different Carrie Underwoods voice is from Miranda Lamberts. Check out the differences between Hank Williams, Jr. and Luke Bryan. And dont forget to listen to classic singers like Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline. Tips Vocal Exercises for Country Singers Dont force a country accent. If you listen to a lot of country music, over time, a natural twang will come when you sing. Become familiar with great storytelling; thats where country comes from! Listen to professional storytellers on YouTube. Be willing to wear your heart on your sleeve. Audiences love when country singers share their feelings, and your credibility  is based on your ability to be genuine. Famous Country  Singers George Jones In one of the most famous country songs of all time, the irreplaceable George Jones exemplifies the all-important skills of storytelling and a down-to-earth singing style. Notice that there isnt a lot of vibrato here; its almost as if Jones is too busy telling a story to hold out a note and show off! Carrie Underwood Both this song and video are great examples of country. Carrie, season 4 winner of American Idol, knows just how to use her voice to a songs advantage. She floats a note (sings it lightly) when its a tender moment and then sings with a heavier tone when its a heavier moment. Loretta Lynn The ultimate story song, Coal Miners Daughter, was Loretta Lynns biggest hit. Take note of how similar her speaking voice (at the beginning of the video) is to her singing voice. This can be achieved through the study of something called speech level singing. Blues and Jazz The blues were born in the American south from the spirituals of slaves and the call-and-response music of the Southern church. Think of jazz as its slightly more sophisticated child who never forgot its roots. Jazz singing is characterized by clear, speech level singing and distinct consonants, while blues singing has a rough or rootsy edge to it, sometimes with a natural Southern accent. Tips Vocal Exercises for Blues Singers You cant sing the blues and jazz right without knowing its history. Watch Ken Burns Jazz documentary and the Thelonius Monk documentary, Straight, No Chaser. Experiment with different vocal sounds, like pitch slides and scatting. Study up on your music theory, especially your chromatic scales. Famous Blues and Jazz  Singers Cassandra Wilson Though she may not be the best-selling jazz artist, Cassandra Wilson is considered by many to  be the best living jazz singer. Her voice is perfect for it rich, thoughtful, and focused.  Notice how around 3:05, she  begins to use pitch slides. Sarah Vaughan Once described as having one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century, Sarah Vaughan was known for a sensitive but easy tone. At 2:15, she effortlessly shows off an impressive vocal range and some great improvisation skills. Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong is so important to jazz music that most experts agree it wouldnt have been developed, or even survived, without his contributions. Here we have a great example of a singer who loved what he did and knew how to make people feel happy and entertained. Hip Hop Hip hop, the heavily rhythmic and rhyming singing that often accompanies rapping and beat-boxing, emerged  in the 1970s, and has grown steadily in popularity since then. In fact, that popularity has turned into tremendous influence on other singing genres, including pop and country. Its origins are many, but the most apparent are funk, disco, reggae, and the blues. Singers of hip hop are diverse, but the singing generally takes on edgy and sometimes nasal qualities. Tips Vocal Exercises for Hip Hop Singers Know hip hops musical ancestry. Listen to a lot of funk, disco, reggae, soul, gospel, blues, and old-school hip hop. You dont have to become a rapper, but get comfortable switching between singing and speaking lyrics to help your versatility. Dont be afraid to experiment with different vocal sounds, like nasality and wordplay, to create your own signature style. Famous Hip Hop  Singers Lauryn Hill See if you can hear the songs Spanish and gospel influences. Despite these varied sounds, Lauryn  stays true to her own voice, which is stunningly consistent in tone and texture. Its important to listen to influences with respect, without allowing it to pressure you to imitate. Beyonce In this  heart-stopping acoustic performance of her hit Halo, Beyonce has full command of her voice. Its as if her voice is an arrow, she aims at the bulls eye, and hits it every time. In other words, her pitch is always right and her transition between the lower register in the verses and the upper register in the chorus is seamless. Cee Lo Green Originally, the hit Crazy was created and released by Gnarls Barkley, a musical duo consisting of rapper and hip hop singer Cee Lo Green and producer Danger Mouse. In this video, Cee Lo  sings the song at a much slower tempo than the original, allowing for a lot of time for both the performer and the listener to really think about the meaningful lyrics. Adult Contemporary Adult contemporary is such a unique genre, because singers from relatively different genres often get put into this camp as well, or end up here at the height of their career. Its essentially pop singing, but the lyrics are decidedly grown-up, or adult.  Adult contemporary has been called vanilla, bland and boring, but often, the most magnificent songs ever are forever embedded in its charts. Tips Vocal Exercises for Adult Contemporary Singers Learn how to sing consistently with a well-supported sound and power will come naturally. Get into the habit of speaking the lyrics of the song out loud before singing them. Dont add too many effects to your voice; singing with whatever you have, in its truest form, is adult contemporary. Famous Adult Contemporary  Singers Bruce Hornsby This is a classic example of an adult contemporary theme â€" the songwriters here are reflecting on their own lives and on life in general. Bruce Hornsbys easy, almost-nonchalant style comes across as utterly conversational, perfect for singing about down-to-earth themes. Amy Grant Amy Grant successfully crossed over from contemporary Christian music (which she practically created herself) to pop and adult contemporary. All the while, she never really changed her vocal sound. Throughout this video, she uses dynamics to her advantage to highlight certain words. Lists of Musical Genres Of course, thats not all! There are so many different styles of music to discover, as well as sub-genres within each category. For a comprehensive list of musical genres,  AllMusic is  a great resource. We also love this interactive genre map from Every Noise at Once. So there you have it, the ultimate guide to singing styles! If you have additional questions, check in with your singing  teacher  for help finding your unique voice. Happy singing! About the Author: Heather L. teaches singing and more in St. Augustine, FL. She is  a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and has performed with the New York and Royal Philharmonics, the New Jersey, and Virginia Symphonies. Learn more about Heather here!

The Life of Artemisia Gentileschi

The Life of Artemisia Gentileschi Artemisia Gentileschi: a Pioneer Among Women Artists ChaptersGrowing Up Artemisia: Early WorksArtemisia, Artiste at LargeArtemisia and DaughterCalling Naples HomeAnalysis: What Did Artemisia Want to Say?If one should ask you to name your favourite post-Renaissance painting or sculpture, which would you claim?Are you coming up empty? Don’t feel alone...Many people tend to include the Baroque period in the Italian Renaissance era, which lasted roughly two centuries and yielded amazing artworks... overwhelmingly by male artists.Were there any female artists that flourished during either the Renaissance or Baroque eras?Of course, there were! It was just much harder for any of them to gain any type of recognition in the art world and attract any patrons.Even our featured artist was often accused of passing off her father’s work as hers, which was never actually true, although father and daughter did work together at times.Who was this remarkable woman who blazed through life, paintbrush in hand? How is it that, in a time when women were not believed to have artistic abilities, she had both the respect and renown generally reserved for male artists?Artemisia: her name fairly demands her to become one of the first women artists. Her work commands us to look closer â€" at the woman behind the brush as well as the works she executed.It is our pleasure to do so. FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaPainting Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidPainting Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPainting Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StefaniaPainting Teacher 5.00 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SakinaPainting Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenPainting Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Off2themoonholliePainting Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGrowing Up Artemisia: Early Works Some say that Artemisia is the most important female painter in art history Source: Wikipedia via the History BlogArtemisia was born in Rome, in 1593 â€" although the state archive records indicate that she was born in 1590.Her father was Orazio Gentileschi, a mannerist painter whose style was heavily influenced by Caravaggio, the master of the day. When each of his children grew big enough, he took them into his studio to teach them how to paint.Much to his surprise, his daughter â€" not his sons, showed the most promise. Soon, he was bragging around about his most exceptional girl-child.Indeed, Artemisia excelled in her brushstrokes. She seemed to have an intuitive grasp on how to mix colours and to contrast light and dark elements in a painting for maximum effect.Her realistic human depictions seemed so true to life that one might believe that the canvas’ subject may walk right out of the painting, as though she were a living person. And she was not one to paint still lifes...Wh ereas her father tended more toward a representational ideal of his subject matter, Artemisia was more of a realist: she showed what was there, not what should be.For their differences in perspective and other reasons, her father felt she would broaden her palette through the teachings of another master.Agostino Tassi, a painter of some repute, had been working with Orazio, mainly in painting architectural decoration.He was a con man and a cheat; even his last name was stolen from a high-ranking baroness to support his story of having been adopted into nobility. Adulterer, liar and already convicted of petty crimes... this was the man that Orazio entrusted his daughter to.Agostino and a helper of his raped Artemisia when she was only 18 years old.In an odd twist, she continued intimate relations with Tassi on the promise that he would marry her â€" thus make her legitimate. Nine months later, with no nuptials in the works, her father finally pressed charges against him.We have to un derstand that the trauma of being raped was legally irrelevant at that time; her ‘loss of honour’ - meaning that she was no longer a virgin, was on trial.Indeed, there was a trial, during which Artemisia was tortured to force a confession that she had instigated her rape.It’s hard to imagine how anyone could return to business as usual after such an ordeal but it seemed that Artemisia did just that. After the trial, she was married to a fellow artist from Florence who either didn’t know about or, presumably, forgave her loss of virginity.Life went on.Helen Frankenthaler, the expressionist painter, is another great female artist... but her life was much easier than Artemisia! Artemisia excelled at figurative biblical representations such as Lot and his Daughters Source: Wikipedia via the Toledo Museum of ArtArtemisia, Artiste at LargeShortly after her marriage, Artemisia and her new husband relocated to his hometown, Florence, where she soon landed a commission from Casa Buonarroti â€" a former property of Michelangelo’s.Today, it is an art museum featuring the works of that great sculptor and painter.About four years after settling in Florence, Artemisia’s daughter was born (it is quite unfortunate that not much is known about her other than she too was a painter; no works of hers exist).Artemisia found professional success with Florentine patrons and academics alike; she was the first woman ever to gain admittance to the renown Academic Art and Drawing school.Although she was well-thought-of in art circles and had several wealthy patrons, Artemisia and her husband were not doing well financially or legally. Her material support of her husband’s ex cesses caused a particular strain on the marriage; she and her daughter returned to Rome without him.Works from her time in Florence include:Jael and Sisera (Museum of Fine Arts, Hungary), oil on canvasJudith Slaying Holofernes, 2nd version, on display at the Uffizi GalleryJudith Slaying Holofernes, 1st version, hung in the Palace of Capodimonte, NaplesSelf-Portrait as a Lute Player Wadsworth Athenium Museum of ArtFind out how Artemisia’s work measures up to other great women painters.Artemisia saw that she had no choice: she set about changing her image and her art, making herself a bit softer and her work not quite so brutal and intense.  Nevertheless, her newest depiction of Susannah and the Elders cemented her reputation as a painter of biblical heroines.There would be no success in Rome. It was time to move on.Georgia O’Keeffe, the American artist, might have been another such wanderer... The works of Artemisia epitomise the Baroque art movement in Italy Source: Wikipedia via Napolipost.comCalling Naples HomeArtemisia’s reputation as an artist had obviously kept growing in spite of her not landing any commissions. Her arrival at Naples was celebrated; in fact, art historians believe that she was invited there by the Duke of Alcala â€" he owned three of her canvases.In Naples, she found work painting in a cathedral, which bought a table and put food on it. She also painted Birth of Saint John the Baptist (Prado Museum, Madrid).Artemisia was surprisingly well-known among Englishmen!Traveller Bullen Rimes records in his diary his meeting with Artemisia and a group of other painters whom he casually referred to as ‘... who also paint.’ Artemisia, of course, was mentioned by name.So it came as no surprise that, when her father became court painter for Charles I, Artemisia would feel right at home, by his side and among the English. She didn’t travel there on a whim ; she too had been invited by the king.Her father died after only a year at court. Artemisia finished her commissions and then decamped just as the English Civil War broke out.  Her return to Naples was unremarkable but her work showed a shift toward more feminine themes.One of her last paintings, an oil paint on copper titled Virgin and Child with a Rosary, depicting a maternal scene, seems to reflect her father’s style of painting more than her command of light and shadow. Of all the paintings by Artemisia, this one most reflected maternal sentiment.It’s not exactly known when Artemisia died but it is suspected that she, along with an entire generation of artists succumbed to the plague that ravaged the city in 1656.Would you believe that impressionist painter Mary Cassatt had much in common with Artemisia?Analysis: What Did Artemisia Want to Say?It is easy to interpret Artemisia’s depictions of strong, heroic women as reflections of herself. It is even easier to believe tho se gory renderings such as Judith Slaying Holofernes as allegorical of her desire for revenge for what she endured.Obviously, a woman who had been treated so badly must have revenge fantasies! Why, if she weren’t a weak and puny woman, surely it would be her beheading that invading general instead of Judith!And it must be her, not Susannah, feeling shame in front of The Elders, especially as it was painted so soon after her trial...In short: whereas Frida Kahlo painted herself and her emotions, Artemisia painted the religious world Italian society was steeped in.While nobody today can know what was going through the artist’s head as she chose and painted those works, the latest postulate presents the idea that Artemisia had, above all else, a keen sense of marketing  and the sensationalism of her rape trial was like hard currency for her.The fact is, Artemisia was neither Susannah nor Judith but all of the heroines she depicted and none of them.Like so many women today, Artemisi a Gentileschi endured horror and moments of pure bliss; she was smart and talented and hard-working and wise. Whether she lived in a time when women, as a rule, were only expected to produce the next generation is immaterial.The fact that she did so much more besides raising a child is what matters.

Are you Questioning your Career Decision - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Are you Questioning your Career Decision - Introvert Whisperer Are you Questioning your Career Decision? Did you make what you thought was a good career decision x years ago, only to question yourself now? One of the things we will often do in life is to change our values and things that are important to us.   It didn’t happen overnight, it happened a little bit at a time.   Then, you started noticing that what was once a good career, isn’t anymore. When we come to that startling conclusion, we start thinking that perhaps the decision was flawed.   We question our judgment and our own ability to guide ourselves.   It’s not a good feeling to distrust us. If you have been there or ever get to that spot in life, I’m here to reassure you that you can go to sleep tonight with the confidence that you can still trust your decision making.   We don’t often notice the shift that takes place but for most people, we do shift in many ways as our life and situations shape us.   On the other side of that unnoticeable shift, the career often no longer works. That’s ok â€" it’s normal! (That means you’re normal) Sure, it doesn’t happen to everyone but it happens with the vast majority of people who have made career decisions and pursued them. What does this mean to you?   Be gentle with you.   You didn’t have it wrong all these years; you simply have changed along the way.   Now that you know, don’t spend any time questioning that decision.   Simply acknowledge the change and make a new plan. This is simple.   What’s not so simple is figuring out what you want to do when you grow up.   I’ll address that another time. Good night sweet prince and princesses.   Now you can dream well. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential.  Introvert Whisperer

Can Life Coaching Help with Depression

Can Life Coaching Help with Depression Can Life Coaches Help People Living with Depression? ChaptersWhat is Life Coaching?How Might Coaching Services Help You to Manage Depression?Should You Find a Life Coach if You’re Depressed?Depression is a complex mental illness which manifests itself in many different ways. While some people living with depression may struggle to complete everyday tasks such as doing their laundry, others will experience feelings of hopelessness and despair, even if they appear to be taking good care of themselves.There are many treatments for depression: some are scientifically proven, while the more abstract methods are usually supported by testimonials of those who have used them.Treatment for mental health conditions comes in all forms. When it comes to treating depression in particular, patients are typically prescribed oral medication as well as talking therapies such as counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in some cases, however, the treatment depends on the patient and the severity of their symptoms.For some, the treatments pr escribed by their GP are not as effective as they would like them to be, and so, they seek alternative treatment options. One such type of therapy considered by people with depression is life coaching sessions.You can get a life coach Belfast here!Depression can make you feel overwhelmingly lonely ¦ source: Pixabay - Anemone123Life coaching is a type of one-to-one talk therapy in which a personal coach explores the way in which a client’s mind operates and discusses ways in which they can achieve their goals by improving their view of themselves and changing their mindset to grow into the person they wish to become.There are several types of life coaching, as well as lots of advice on whether life coaching is a viable option for mental health patients.Are you thinking about finding a London life coach to help with your depression? Read on to find out the pros and cons of doing so.

Three Simple Ways Deliberate Practice Will Improve Your GMAT Score

Three Simple Ways Deliberate Practice Will Improve Your GMAT Score GMAT MBA Admissions Blog There’s a common myth about standardized tests, that they’re supposed to gauge how smart you are. Why else would MBA programs require all students take a GMAT? Don’t they need some easy way to figure out who’s smartest without reading through all of those pesky applications? Indeed, the GMAT does act as a kind of signifier of what type of student you’ll be, and yes it helps admissions offices separate the wheat from the chafe. But this test doesn’t show how smart you are, rather how good you are at taking this test. A high score on the GMAT is often reflective of someone who adapted to the demands of the test and worked furiously to improve at it. If anything, the GMAT communicates to a school just how hard you’re willing to work at a long, boring test with obscure data sufficiency questions and a series of terrible sentence correction options. But hard work doesn’t just mean taking every practice test available and hoping for the best. Instead, apply some principles of deliberate practice to your test prep regimen and you’ll guarantee that the work you’re putting into this exam is meaningful. 1. Focus Intensely on What You’re Missing Your absolute first step of your GMAT prep journey should be taking a practice test and reviewing everything you got wrong. Lots of people simply take the practice test, look over the correct answer choices for whatever they missed, and then take another practice test. One of the central tenets of deliberate practice is focus, and a great way to practice some focus here is to review every single question you missed thoroughly. Did you miss a lot of critical reasoning questions? Review not just how the correct answer is correct, but why the wrong answers don’t work. With the Quantitative section, keep a running list of every single math concept that appeared in questions that you got wrong. You’ll not just want to review all of those concepts, but return to this test after that review to see how that content was applied. Moving forward, you’ll want to put the same focus into homework. If you’re working out of a test prep book, spend at least as much time reading over and picking apart the provided answer explanations as you did actually working on the question that you’re reviewing. 2. Get Feedback Practicing often, you might find yourself hitting a wall. Sure, you’re getting more geometry-based problem solving questions now that you’ve revealed all of the rules, but your accuracy on the data sufficiency questions just won’t budge. Lots of obstacles you’ll encounter not just while prepping for the GMAT but also while in grad school boil down to an issue of perspective. When you can’t conceive of another way to solve a problem, you’re doomed to keep trying the inadequate method you have been using so far. This is where feedback can really help. Solicit advice from a friend or colleague who you know has done well on this test before. Google for posts on various forumsand even Reddit. You might also want to consider working with a tutor. If you have specific problems that you’re trying to solve, tutoring will likely be more beneficial than taking a class. GMAT classes tend to be tailored to people who are starting from scratch. Once you’ve gotten some feedback, practice with intense focus trying to apply it. While completing practice sets of practice tests, attempt completing those problems while applying the advice you’ve been given. 3. Understand The really tricky part about the GMAT is that no matter how much you memorize strategy or math concepts, you still have to deal with a series of questions getting progressively more difficult as the clock ticks away. What that means is that you’ll want a series of excellent instincts come test day. Those instincts are best developed by putting a lot of work into understanding the test better. There are a few different types of understanding that can help you with this test. You can understand how much text you typically need to reread to confidently answer a reading comprehension question. You can understand your exponent rules so well that you end up filtering out all of the extraneous information when trying to solve a complex algebra problem. You can develop an understanding of when a condition is or is not sufficient for a data sufficiency question. The best work you can do to prepare for this test will help you build understanding. The focus, the feedback, and the practice are all steps towards accomplishing that one, big goal of achieving your target test score on the GMAT. For more information on deliberate practice, view this YouTube video created by MyGuru's founder, Mark Skoskiewicz. Also, if you're interested in attending one of MyGuru's free GMAT skills webinars, click here for more information on what will be covered during the 30 minute session and how to sign up. About the Author Mike S. is one of our most experienced test prep tutors. For more information on our GMAT prep packages, click here.

Standardized Test Taking Strategies That Will Help On The SAT or ACT

Standardized Test Taking Strategies That Will Help On The SAT or ACT Top Ten Strategies for Standardized Test Taking Doing your very best on an exam requires careful preparation, a positive outlook, and an understanding of highly effective standardized test taking strategies. Taking a standardized test is high stakes, but it doesn't need to be high pressure. These ten standardized test taking strategies will set you on the right path! Plan your preparation and allow plenty of time Cramming rarely works. The best way to excel on anystandardized test is to carefully plan your preparation while allowingplenty of time to study. The professional tutors at Huntington Learning Centers can help you identify which areas of the exam will require the most preparation. Using careful assessment practices they will identify both your strengths and your weaknesses while planning individualized tutoring sessions tailored to your specific needs. Prepare for the format Every standardized test is different. They each emphasize different skills, knowledge, and test formats. Understanding the specific format of the testyou are going to take is vital. Spend time researching the tested subject areas, the skills included in the assessment, and the time allowed foreach section. Understand what is allowed Each standardized test specifically outlines what isallowed in the exam and what is not. There are limitations on electronics,materials, and calculators. Make sure you know what you can and cannotbring into the test and leave all prohibited items at home. Don't let awayward cell phone ring jeopardize your exam performance. Get plenty of rest and fuel your body properly Your mind can't work to its maximum potential without proper rest and fuel. Make sure you are focusing on your physical health,as well as your cognitive preparation, leading up to test day. Get plenty of sleep and choose healthy meals high in protein and low in sugar. Know where you are going Don't wait until the last minute to find out where theexam is being held. Take a trial run to find your testing center and theroom you will be in. Allow plenty of time on the day of the test to accountfor traffic or unforeseen delays. Use your test booklet Put your test booklet to good use! You can underline,circle, cross out, draw diagrams, jot notes, and work problems in yourtest booklet. Make sure to avoid errant marks on the answer sheet to avoidconfusion with electronic scoring. Scan the exam Beforeyou answer any questions take a minute to scan the exam. Look for thetypes of questions asked, how many questions are in each subtest, and anypotential pitfalls. This will help you to pace yourself during the examand allow you to maximize the available time. Get active You don't have time for passive reading. Once you startanswering questions it is critical for you to read actively and interactwith the exam. Use context clues, critical vocabulary, and connections toother topics to help you answer questions. If you are unsure how to useactive reading strategies during a standardized test, the professionals atHuntington Learning Centers can help. Your personalized tutoring sessionswill help you gain the skills necessary to quickly and effectivelynavigate and understand the exam questions. Pace yourself Ifa question seems too difficult, or may require too much time, it is a goodidea to skip it and come back to it. Make sure to spend a majority of yourtime on questions that you are confident in your answers. If there is timeavailable you can go back and answer questions that you skipped. Use every available second If you finish before time is called you should return to the test booklet and review your answers. Take a second look at itemsthat posed a challenge and reread the questions for clarity. You shouldalso scan the answer sheet for errant marks or areas that need to beclearly erased.

Fostering Perseverance and Motivation in Your Child

Fostering Perseverance and Motivation in Your Child Fostering Perseverance and Motivation in Your Child “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”  â€" Albert Einstein Intelligence equals success. That’s what most people would say, but Albert Einstein attributed much of his success to persistence and persevering through challenges, rather than to his intelligence. A word for this is grit. Merriam-Webster defines grit as an “unyielding courage in the face of hardship.” While we can all agree there is a strong relationship between intelligence and success, Einstein saw grit as a bigger predictor, which leads us to a question we often receive from parents. How can we develop perseverance in our children? A simple “Great Job!” goes a long way in fostering motivation. Parents can foster perseverance and inspire motivation in children by cultivating the right learning attitude and praising them when they meet expectations, whether at home or in the classroom. Encouragement should be given regardless of a child’s result. It’s important to focus on your childs effort and their progress. “Look at how well you are doing with addition! A few months ago, adding up to +9 wasn’t easy, but now you can add double digits in your head! Im so impressed with how far you have come. I can’t wait to watch you do it with subtraction!” Encouragement entails using descriptive words. “I know subtracting fractions feels challenging right now, but I don’t want you to give up. I know you can do it! Do you remember a few months ago when you thought long division was too difficult? Now, it feels easy for you, right? It must feel good to know you worked so hard and now you are a pro at it! Fractions are the same thing. I’m really proud of you because I know you are going to become really good at fractions too!” Encouragement has a bigger effect than praise on a child’s motivation and willingness to persevere. By developing a mindset for goal setting and ultimately cultivating an attitude to preserve in order to achieve those goals, students will have the tools they need to be successful in life. Together, parents and educators provide the ideal foundation for children to achieve their goals and their dreams, one step at a time. You might also be interested in: Motivating Children by Developing a Growth Mindset Finding the motivation to continue learning during the summer can be a challenge. 13-year-old Kumon dual program completer shares advice on perseverance. Motivation is the Key to this Kumon Student’s Success Father of Second Generation Kumon Students Talks about Motivation and Self-Learning Fostering Perseverance and Motivation in Your Child Fostering Perseverance and Motivation in Your Child “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”  â€" Albert Einstein Intelligence equals success. That’s what most people would say, but Albert Einstein attributed much of his success to persistence and persevering through challenges, rather than to his intelligence. A word for this is grit. Merriam-Webster defines grit as an “unyielding courage in the face of hardship.” While we can all agree there is a strong relationship between intelligence and success, Einstein saw grit as a bigger predictor, which leads us to a question we often receive from parents. How can we develop perseverance in our children? A simple “Great Job!” goes a long way in fostering motivation. Parents can foster perseverance and inspire motivation in children by cultivating the right learning attitude and praising them when they meet expectations, whether at home or in the classroom. Encouragement should be given regardless of a child’s result. It’s important to focus on your childs effort and their progress. “Look at how well you are doing with addition! A few months ago, adding up to +9 wasn’t easy, but now you can add double digits in your head! Im so impressed with how far you have come. I can’t wait to watch you do it with subtraction!” Encouragement entails using descriptive words. “I know subtracting fractions feels challenging right now, but I don’t want you to give up. I know you can do it! Do you remember a few months ago when you thought long division was too difficult? Now, it feels easy for you, right? It must feel good to know you worked so hard and now you are a pro at it! Fractions are the same thing. I’m really proud of you because I know you are going to become really good at fractions too!” Encouragement has a bigger effect than praise on a child’s motivation and willingness to persevere. By developing a mindset for goal setting and ultimately cultivating an attitude to preserve in order to achieve those goals, students will have the tools they need to be successful in life. Together, parents and educators provide the ideal foundation for children to achieve their goals and their dreams, one step at a time. You might also be interested in: Motivating Children by Developing a Growth Mindset Finding the motivation to continue learning during the summer can be a challenge. 13-year-old Kumon dual program completer shares advice on perseverance. Motivation is the Key to this Kumon Student’s Success Father of Second Generation Kumon Students Talks about Motivation and Self-Learning

How to transition back into teaching at home after teaching abroad

How to transition back into teaching at home after teaching abroad Back in 2012, I had the life-changing opportunity to teach Tibetan refugees living in India. Before leaving Canada, I knew very little about Tibet or Tibetan culture. Teaching in a Tibetan school definitely took a little while to get used to! For example, the classroom didn’t have desks - instead, the students sat on the floor around low tables. The most advanced classroom technology they had was a chalkboard. Although it was an adjustment, I quickly adapted to the Tibetan education system. Teaching abroad is a great experience - but only a minority of teachers teach abroad for their whole careers. While most teachers expect that moving to a foreign country will be a shock and a challenge to begin with, what they often fail to realize is that coming back home can be just as difficult. This sense of reverse culture shock can be even more overwhelming when faced with constant new technologies and changes in teaching methods in your home country. Teachers abroad, thinking about making the transition back home? Below are some tips that can help you to readjust to teaching in your home country. Take advantage of as many professional development opportunities as possible. Best practices in education are always changing. You might not have kept up with your home country’s teaching trends while you were away. That’s OK! Most school districts offer professional development workshops after school that are offered to teachers for free. The right teacher professional development can make all the difference in helping you get back up to speed on the latest teaching standards. Get your classroom technology skills up to date. If you taught abroad in a school that embraced technology, this won’t be an issue. If you worked in a school like mine, however, you might find yourself feeling lost with all the new technology trends out there. Spend some time online looking up the latest educational apps and tools - EdSurge, for example, has a handy database of classroom tech product reviews. Ask your colleagues for advice on what works for them in the classroom and to give you a demo of their favorite classroom tech tools. From experience, I know how great it feels to trade in the chalk for the iPad! Brush up on classroom management strategies. Students abroad likely have a few different behaviors and tendencies compared to students in your own country. As a teacher, you know that classroom management is a delicate balancing act, so you may need to readjust your strategies to meet the needs of students back home. Share your experience. This tip may be the most important of all. Your experience abroad likely changed you, both as a person and a teacher. Find ways to share what you learned about new cultures and life experiences with your students and colleagues. When I returned, I made sure to share my newfound knowledge on Indian and Tibetan culture with my students. I also decorated my classroom with cultural artifacts from my time abroad. Students loved to find out the story behind these objects and enjoyed learning about a culture different from their own. Just like you adjusted to your life abroad, you will readjust to teaching at home. It may feel a little strange at first, but remember, you’re returning with a wealth of new knowledge and experience that will make you an even stronger educator than when you left.