Singers Do You Make These 4 Common Errors

Singers Do You Make These 4 Common Errors Suzy S. The long-hyped premiere of NBCs new show Smash aired on Monday night, and 11.5 million viewers reportedly tuned in.   Critics have been giving it mostly positive reviews, despite a few flaws (The Atlantic called it messy, cheesy and a bit of a letdown).   Readers, what do you think?   Will the show be the next smashing hit?   At the very least, we cant wait to hear more of Katharine McPhees powerful voice. For the uninitiated, singing may look easy you either can sing on pitch, or you cant, right?   Not so fast.   Without proper training, its common for beginners to make simple errors, and if those turn into habits, they may make or break your future as a singer. Here are a few common singing mistakes, as written by Teresa Radomski, an operatic soloist and professor at Wake Forest University: 1.   Poor posture The efficient alignment of the body is of primary importance to voice production.   Problems in posture range from the collapse of the chest and rib cage with corresponding downward fall of the head and neck, to the hyper-extended, stiff posture of some singers that results in tension throughout the entire body. 2. Poor breathing and inappropriate breath support Some beginning voice students gasp for air and exhibit clavicular (shoulder) or shallow breathing patterns.   Trained singers, on the other hand, use primarily diaphragmatic breath support.   The muscles of the lower back and abdomen are engaged, in conjunction with lowering the diaphragm.   As the breath stream is utilized for phonation, there should be little tension in the larynx itself. 3. Limited pitch range, and difficulty in register transition All singing voices exhibit an optimal pitch range.   The term register is used to describe a series of tones that are produced by similar mechanical gestures of vocal fold vibration, glottal and pharyngeal shape, and related air pressure.   Some common designations of registers are the head register, chest register, falsetto, etc.   Singing requires transitions from one register to another.   Lack of coordination of the laryngeal musculature with the breath support may result in register break, or obvious shift from one tone quality to another.   Regardless of the style of singing, a blend, or smooth transition between registers, is desirable. 4. Poor articulation Pronunciation with excessive tension in the jaw, lips, palate, etc., adversely affects the tonal production of the voice. The longer duration of vowel sounds in singing necessitates modification of pronunciation.   Retroflex and velar consonants (such as American r and i) need careful modification to allow sufficient pharyngeal opening for the best resonance, and the over-anticipation of nasal consonants (m, n, ng) may result in a stiff soft palate and unpleasant tone. Of course, the best way to fix these errors is to work with a professional relying on YouTube videos alone will give you some tips, but wont give you the one-on-one feedback necessary to really improve.   Were here to help find a music teacher near you, and start working toward your goals! 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 Photo by ataelw.

The Ideal Length of Time to Spend in Lisbon

The Ideal Length of Time to Spend in Lisbon How Long Should You Spend in Lisbon? A Mini-Guide ChaptersWhy Fly to Lisbon?A Week in Lisbon to Visit All the Unmissable SightsOur Plans for Visiting LisbonHow long should you stay in the Portuguese capital to really get the most out of it?This is a question that most people planning a trip to Lisbon will be thinking about.In 2015, tourism brought €8.4bn to the city of Lisbon with an annual growth of 10%.Lisbon is a popular destination with its beautiful surroundings, the historic city centre with unmissable cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, a nice climate, and a low cost of living.In this article, Superprof is looking at how long you should spend in Lisbon. IrineuPortuguese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GabrielaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoanaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouisePortuguese Teacher 5.00 (2) £27/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RodrigoPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BlancaPortuguese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarolinaPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamPortuguese Teacher 5.00 (6) £11/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Fly to Lisbon?It’s usually your holiday allocation from work that will define how long you can go on holiday for and it’s unlikely that a job will let you use all your holidays in one go.You can get some really cheap flights to Portugal if you go at the right time. (Source: fak1911)Those working full-time probably won’t have the freedom to go as long as they want to Lisbon. However, if you’re retired, a job seeker, a freelancer, or a student, you’ll probably have more freedom when it comes to the length of your holidays.Interested in discovering more about Portuguese culture in Lisbon but not sure how long to go for?Before you compare flights, you should consider a few things.What do you want to do in Lisbon? Visit museums? Party all night? Go to the beach? Head of the beaten path or do a road trip down to the Algarve? Thinking about staying a bit longer and learning to speak Portuguese?It might seem obvious that you’ll need a flat and a job if you want to stay in Portugal for a few months.  On the other hand, if you’re heading just to get away, a weekend or a few days should be enough to enjoy the best monuments and attractions Lisbon has to offer.Of course, you’ll need to have the holiday allowance for this. The cost of flights might also dictate how long you can go for.Portugal is a great destination to take in some sun without spending too much money once you get there. However, you’ll still need to know what you’re going to do there.Make a list of what you want to visit: the Bairro Alto, the Alfama, the Castelo São Jorge, the Jerónimos Monastery, the Tower of Belém, etc. This will help you know how many days you’ll need and how long your trip should be.You should also keep in mind that n ot everything will happen exactly as planned.If you’re staying for a short amount of time, you might have to skip some of the things you’ve planned as you can’t do everything in just a couple of days. You’re going to have to make some tough choices.Find out the best time to visit Lisbon.A Week in Lisbon to Visit All the Unmissable SightsA week in Lisbon will give you enough time to see all the tourist attractions and also spend some time further afield.If you go to the Belém neighbourhood, you'll probably visit this. (Source: fxxu)We recommend getting the Lisboa Card.  This is a pass valid for one, two, or three days that allows access to different tourist attractions and use of the city’s public transport.The price is:24 hours: €2048 hours: €3472 hours: €42This works out at €20 per day, €17 per day, and €14 per day respectively.Given that a metro ticket for an hour costs €1.45 and a day-pass costs €6.15, you can see how cost-effective the Lisboa Card is s ince it also includes certain attractions.A week in Lisbon is enough time to see the famous neighbourhoods (Alfama, Bairro Alto, Chiado, etc.), visit the museums, relax in the Botanic Gardens, go to the beach (depending on the season), have a relaxing day where you try the pasteis de nata and other local pastries, and have a romantic night out.If you want to visit outside of the city, we recommend renting a vehicle and maybe adding a few days to your trip.Find out more about accommodation in Lisbon.Our Plans for Visiting LisbonHave you booked some last-minute flights to Lisbon and don’t want to miss the best the city has to offer?Don’t worry!Whether you stay two days or a month, you should take the tram! (Source: essuera)Here are some ideas on how to spend your time in Lisbon.3 Days in LisbonFresh off the plane at Lisbon airport, you’ll need to get to the city centre. You can take the shuttle bus, metro, or a taxi.You can take the red line to the centre of the city in just 20 minutes costing €1.50 (or free with a Lisboa Card).Day 1: Arrive at hotel, Tower of Belém, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, Jerónimos Monastery, the city centre, São Jorge Castle, Praça do Comércio.Day 2: Bairro Alto, Chiado, Alfama and its Moorish architecture, take the Line 28 tram, Lisbon Cathedral, bars in Bairro Alto, Parque Eduardo VII and the viewpoint.Day 3: Ocreanário (Europe’s second largest aquarium with 8,000 different species and 7 million litres of seawater), enjoy some local pastries, Sintra National Palace, Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, National Museum of the Azulejo, Museum of the Orient, Carmo Convent.A Week in LisbonWhat can you do in a week?This would be your chance to see more sites and museums or take a day trip to the places to visit outside of the city.You can enjoy the Archeology Museum, the Gallery of Coaches, and the Roman Theatre.Don’t forget to enjoy the Amoreiras 360 ° Panoramic View 174 metres over the river Tage and the city.For the last two or t hree days of your visit, consider renting a car and going to the beaches, visiting the coast from Sintra to Nazaré, the Parque Natural da Arrábida near Setúbal in the south.You can also visit Lisbon for its nightlife and festivities between June and September.A Long Stay in Lisbon to Learn PortugueseIf you want to really learn about the Portuguese language and culture, you’ll need a few days.  We’re thinking about language immersion, for example.There are some beautiful gardens in Lisbon. (Source: Freesally)You could stay with a host family and learn more about the culture and everyday life.  If you’re planning on doing something like this, you might want to spend at least 6 months to a year in Portugal.Portuguese evolved from the Vulgar Latin used by the Romans present in the Iberian Peninsula, Gaul (France), Dacia (Romania), and Italy.  Portuguese, theoretically, should be easier to learn for anyone with a knowledge of other Romance languages.If you can’t live in the ce ntre of Lisbon because it’s too expensive, you should consider sharing a flat. If you’re young, you may want to stay near Bairro Alto.There are a number of companies and organisations offering language stays in Portugal.  During your stay, you’ll have the opportunity to learn Portuguese vocabulary, grammar, the history of Portugal, etc.During your free time, you can explore the Park and National Palace of Pena in Sintra, the Castelo dos Mouros, and the coastal resort town of Cascais.On the weekends, you can head to the south of Portugal and visit the Benagil caves.Are these experiences too expensive?Don’t panic!Have you thought about travelling on your own?You can head to Portugal for a few weeks with World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, HelpX, or Work Away.Looking to learn some Portuguese before you go?Get help from one of the many talented tutors on Superprof. There are three main types of tutorial available on the site: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials. There are pros and cons to each and the best one for you really depends on your situation.Face-to-face tutorials are the most personal and have you and your tutor working together for the whole session. Of course, this bespoke service comes at a cost, making it the most costly type of tutorial available. If shyness has been getting in the way of your language learning, this is probably the best option. Additionally, the tutor can tailor each lesson to exactly what you need to learn or what you've been struggling with.Online tutorials are similar to face-to-face tutorials with the main difference being that the tutor isn't physically in the room with you and you're more likely to find native Portuguese speakers as you can broaden your search to anywhere in the world!Finally, there are group tutorials. In these types of tutorials, there are several students and just one tutor. With all the students sharing the cost of the tutor's time, these tutorials are usually the cheapest per person per hour but each student won't get the bespoke tutoring or one-on-one time that they would in the other types of tutorials. However, you will get plenty of opportunities to practise your language skills with the other students in the class.

A Maze of Educational Tech for Tutors, Teachers and Students

A Maze of Educational Tech for Tutors, Teachers and Students We visited Bett (British Educational Training and Technology) show this year, and were amazed by the sheer mass of people, products and passion all in one room. Bett certainly was what it said on the tin: ‘The global meeting place for the educational tech community’, with over 700 exhibitors, over 400 speakers and over 300 hours of content. Bett 2014 brought educational thinkers, developers, entrepreneurs, students and teachers all-together to look to the future and discuss how technology really can make a difference in education. Tutorfair’s Edd Stockwell at Bett From the latest apps to audio ‘Teacher Feedback’, from video conferencing to using twitter as an educational resource, (and from 3D printers to MOOCs according to Michael Gove), the variety of educational innovation displayed was endless. Bett really did celebrate its 30th birthday of powering learning in style with fantastic guests such as Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the world’s greatest living explorer. Who could ask for more? Within this maze of educational technology, the Bett exhibition allowed everyone to take part in the debate with seminars and panels occurring all over   - in the real world and of course the virtual ‘twitter world’. Tutorfair was lucky to be a part of two of these discussion panels   - the edtech panel session and the EDUKWEST and Macmillan Digital Education panel . The latter panel was all about tutoring in the UK and held a lively discussion about traditional agencies, online marketplaces, face to face and online tutoring. Tutorfair’s very own Edd Stockwell loved being a part of the debate. Inside ExCeL at Bett “Inspiring the next generation” Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, opened the Bett show 2014 with a look to the future. He clearly expressed his enthusiasm for an education system “open to innovation, which can use technology creatively to advance learning”. He also emphasised the importance of the new ICT curriculum which will teach “not just how to work a computer; but how a computer works and how to make it work for you” so that our youth will be prepared and develop the skills needed for the jobs of the future - and the present for that matter. Gove wants not only equip to “young people with crucial computing skills and knowledge” but to “inspire them with incredible possibilities opened up by science and technology”. “Technology is transformational” Matthew Hancock, MP, Minister of state for skills and enterprise also shared his excitement for the prospects of technology in education. He listed a range of benefits that technology can bring to education so that the “drudge” of teaching will be removed, “allowing teachers to focus on inspiration”. Hancock was keen to highlight that when technology is used properly in education, standards will rise. Tutorfair is excited to be part of technology in education by using online technology to create educational opportunity. Our website is the first of its kind in the UK, allowing parents and students to find the best tutor for their requirements. Not forgetting our ‘child for a child’ promise of course â€" for every student who pays, Tutorfair supports one who can’t. As Matthew Hancock would wish, Tutorfair uses technology for the benefit of students. Want to book a Tutorfair tutor? Visit the website here to find out more. Feel like you need to be more clued up on computers and technology? Why not book a session with one of our computing tutors? Tony D - Experienced tutor creates an appetite for learning: Computing, Programming, ICT and Microsoft Office Ian M - Game and app developer: Computing, Computer programming, Computer graphics and game development

Whats It Like to Volunteer Abroad

What's It Like to Volunteer Abroad Some of our volunteers have masses of teaching experience in their home country and decide to volunteer abroad. Qualified teacher and nanny Victoria has been helping out in Spanish lessons since October. She shares her Tutorfair Foundation experience here. Opportunity to Volunteer Abroad Victoria took on the “great opportunity” of a placement at Pimlico Academy to help her understand the British education system. She  enjoyed her first day as a volunteer abroad and jumped straight into  helping students in the UK learning environment. Our partner schools are rewarding to work in whilst also providing challenges to stretch experienced volunteers.  So for Victoria the  unique experience  of teaching in a London school have been a great source of professional development. Victoria says, “I think now I am more patient and I can manage with Spanish classes.” Each day in one of our placement schools is different, presenting unique challenges and with them rewards. Victoria enjoys every session and finds she “always learn[s] something new.” Like many of our qualified volunteers, she relishes volunteering and sees it as a chance, “to give something special to society.”  Confidence through volunteering Victoria benefited from her time in the classroom  as much as the students did. Since working as a volunteer abroad,  Victoria has had a confidence boost!  She says “now I am ready to teach in the UK.” Some  of the  success of her volunteering experience was as a result of  the training day run by the Tutorfair Foundation. Top teachers and tutors run these free skill sessions to equip new recruits. The free training days offer guidance for both classroom and small group teaching placements. Being trained helps to ensure a positive impact can be made in as little as 10 weeks so that every hour counts. We asked Victoria for words of encouragement for those considering giving their time and joining the Tutorfair volunteer team. She told us, “I [have] actually [already] told many people it is a great opportunity for their life and careers!” Interested in teaching in a UK classroom? Get involved  today! You can book Spanish lessons with Victoria on Tutorfair.com

iGifts for kids this season - ALOHA Mind Math

iGifts for kids this season During the season of celebrations and holidays, what do you think one looks forward the most for? Did you say GIFTS? Yes your right. One looks forward most to getting and giving gifts during this season of the year. In today’s era most kids wish lists and gifts registries are technologically heavy and mostly driven by an Apple product. Please share your views here with me if you think any differently. Most American kids aged 6 years and above show an exponentially increasing interest towards the latest iOS offerings and a few other electronic and gaming devices such as computers, Nintendo Wii, Xbox etc. In a recent Nielsen study Approximately half the children surveyed expressed interest in the full-sized iPad (up from 44% last year), and 36 percent in the new iPad Mini. The iPod Touch and iPhone are also coveted devices among these young consumers (36% and 33%, respectively). This surely shows kids’ holiday gaming and electronics appetites are whet by a number of top-selling Apple devices â€" with the iPad leading the pack. With so many products to choose from across both existing and emerging technologies, electronics are well positioned to find their way onto wish lists again this season â€" and parents will clearly have some tough decisions to make as they weigh kids’ wants against their holiday budgets and making this an exciting sector to watch this holiday shopping season. We would love to hear from your experience, go on and share your story with us here.

Introducing italki Articles!

Introducing italki Articles! Were happy to announce our newest feature  italki Articles!   italki Articles are cultural and language learning tips which have been exclusively written by italki teachers and language learning enthusiasts for the italki language learning community. Weve got thousands of italki teachers on italki teaching all the worlds languages. Many of our teachers have some great language learning tips and advice that theyve accumulated over years of teaching their language. Many of our teachers are also great writers. italki articles allows these teachers to share their experiences with language learning and culture with the entire italki community. Types of italki articles italki Articles are actually helpful for both students and teachers alike and will generally fall under the following categories:   General Language Learning Tips For example: 10 things I can do to become fluent in Spanish, or 5 Ways to Improve My Spanish Listing Skills, etc) Detailed Language Learning  Tips For example: Vocabulary or Grammar points, Ex. When do you use ustedes, vosotros and nosotros? or Common Spanish Sentence Structures, etc.) Cultural Learning   For example: The importance of XXXX in Spanish Culture, A Spanish Christmas, How Knowing Spanish Will Help you Reach the BEST Place in Peru!, etc Currently most of the article will be written in English however as more and more articles are added and we get more article writers submitting articles, we may be adding articles in different languages.   Discuss italki articles One great feature of italki articles is that they automatically create their own topic for discussion in our Discussion forums. Oftentimes the author of the article will comment so you can ask them direct questions about what they have written. Are you interested in writing an article? While italki Teachers are the main authors of italki articles, we actually will accept articles written by anyone who is an avid language learning enthusiast.  If you are interested in possibly writing an italki article, read our FAQ on Article Guidelines and Requirements. Well be updating articles regularly so check back often for fresh new cultural and learning tips on italki!

How to succeed in teacher phone interviews

How to succeed in teacher phone interviews The phone interview presents a whole new set of interview challenges, as well as advantages. These arrangements may be more convenient, cutting out the need to travel and meet your employers, but putting yourself across as the perfect teacher for the role in a limited time, over the phone, can be harder. The number one point to remember is that phone interviews should always be taken as seriously as an in-person meeting.Be ready for the phone callMissing a call for a phone interview is just like missing any formal appointment. It may not spell the end for your job chances, but if the employer has a long list of applicants to speak to, they may not have time to try again, especially if they’re calling from another time zone. Set an alarm and write it in your calendar to remind you of the time and date. Put your phone on a loud ringtone, and keep it in front of you well in advance of the scheduled interview time.Set aside time and spaceBook some time out of your day for the interview . Take the call in a quiet location that’s private and comfortable, avoiding interruptions or noise interference. The grocery store, coffee shop, your classroom or your car are not good places to take a phone interview. Ensure that your line has a clear connection, and provide a landline number if possible. Each of these steps will ensure the interviewer can properly hear and understand you, showing that you’re taking the process seriously and will also allow you to focus on being the best you can in the interview.SmileStudies have shown that body language can be used to impress during face-to-face interviews. During a phone interview, this is one less thing to have to worry about, but remember that the only tool you have to express yourself is your tone of voice and what you say. Maintain professionalism while portraying your manner as pleasant, upbeat and enthusiastic, just as you would in front of your class. To help you do this, make sure to smile - it will come through in y our voice.Speak slowly and clearlyLong pauses in conversation can seem more awkward over the phone, but don’t let that throw you. Always think before you answer and take your time. Listen to what the interviewer is asking you and answer relevantly. Even though it may seem more casual, interviewers will still be expecting quality answers that show off your skills. One-sentence answers do not explain the complexity of what you achieve with your students on a day-to-day basis. Make sure you prepare typical interview answers in advance and detail solid examples of when you’ve put your methods into practice.Take advantage of the phone formatFinally, during phone interviews, you’re free to have some key points and examples jotted down in a notebook in front of you. Avoid reading directly from notes because it will become obvious to the interviewer. Brief pointers to ideas and examples that can be built upon are most useful in guiding you to phone interview success.