The Most Popular Characters in Anime.

The Most Popular Characters in Anime. Some of the Best Anime Characters. ChaptersWhat Makes a Great Character?Why Anime Has Great Characters.Some of the Favourite Characters from Anime.In this article, we want to take the risk â€" the risk of upsetting anime fans worldwide, the risk of inspiring the wrath of anime fandom â€" to share some of our favourite characters from the world of Japanese anime.There are thousands, if not millions, to choose from, considering that the number of anime produced is somewhere around the thirty-five thousand mark. And picking from among these is an effort in precise selection â€" and, obviously, massive omission.So, forgive us. We know that any list like this inspires enthusiasm, rage, and high passions of all kinds. But take it more as a way for beginners to gain a foothold in the world of Japanese anime in order to better navigate it. Rather than a declaration of indisputable, objective quality.The world of Japanese anime is a huge one and, to repeat, we are going to be leaving out some of your favourites. For example, w e don’t have any Gundam or Code Geass in the list!If you want to suggest your own favourites, comment below! NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat Makes a Great Character?Firstly, let’s talk about characters. What makes a character great? What makes them likeable, or admirable? And what makes them so memorable that we would watch another anime series â€" or any other series for that matter â€" just for the character?Character, really, is not about cracking fun jokes, being a great warrior, or looking great. All of these things help, for sure â€" as they bring an immediate interest from the audience â€" but that’s not usually enough to see one through to the end of a series.And it’s certainly not enough to make an audience follow a franchise through five animated series, twenty anime movies, a live action film, and countless manga series â€" as is the case with Dragon Ball. Rather, a good character needs something else. A complexity, a flaw, and a development â€" but also a consistency and recognisability across all media and adaptations.In some way or another â€" even in a fantastical story â€" characters need to be realistic. They need a backstory and a personality, a compelling motivation, and a deeply human element to them. This is why consistency matters, because you don’t want a character known as being calm and cool then going berserk out of nowhere (just ask the Game of Thrones writers).Without this, th e characters are just a collection of lines spoken, fights had, or movements made. And that ain’t going to convince anyone to keep coming back.Why Anime Has Great Characters.Anime, fortunately for us, is known for its wonderful characterisation. The most iconic characters will remain memorable for years to come â€" due to their particular aesthetics, their story arcs, their fully formed personalities, and the moral dilemmas in which they find themselves.In many ways, this is because â€" unlike in the West, where animators are seen to work primarily for children â€" Japanese animation has a very wide audience. This includes all different genders, ages, and demographics.As such, those working for anime shows and original manga publications ensure that the characters are believable not just for kids, but for everyone. And, as such, the whole development of the animes reaches a higher level of seriousness, cleverness, and subtlety.So, it’s worth pointing out that, here, we are looki ng specifically at the anime from Japanese culture. Whilst we in the west associated anime and manga to Japanese pop culture, in that country the term applies to any animation production.This is one of the reasons why anime is so popular in Japan â€" but read our article for more!Some of the Favourite Characters from Anime.So, let’s get down to it. Who are some of the most interesting characters in the world of anime? And who are some of the iconic from popular anime?Obviously, there’s no correct answer. But let’s dive in - in no particular order.And if you are interested in reading about some of the best anime series in Japan, check out our article on popular anime!Sakura (Cardcaptor Sakura)Sakura Kinomoto is the quintessential ‘magical girl’ character from Japanese anime. As the franchise starts, she is nine and still at school, and she grows the age of twelve throughout the series.The character of Sakura â€" or rather, her creators â€" has been the winner of a number of awards, and the series is primarily built around the relationships that she builds with others. Immediately naïve and frankly silly, we see her to be really not that at all. The iconic 'magical girl' anime, SakuraLevi Ackerman (Attack on Titan)Attack on Titan is one of the highest-grossing anime series in Japan â€" and it is known specifically as a shonen anime, meaning one that is aimed at male teens. However, despite its limited target demographic, it has spread across the world â€" and has inspired all sorts of political interpretations.The story revolves around territories inhabited by humans, but which are enclosed by massive walls to protect them against the ‘Titans’ who live outside.Levi Ackerman, the ‘world’s strongest soldier’ is a captain in the Survey Corps, the group that, initially, fights the Titans. Yet, he is a little different to most fictionalised strongmen. He is obsessed with cleanliness â€" and has an angry streak which makes up one of his most interesting flaws.Shinji (Neon Genesis Evangelion)Shinji is the main character in the genre-defining franchise Neon Genesis Evangelion, one of the most influential anime ever made.As a young boy, Shinji is forced to pilot a mecha, ‘Evangelion’, to fight the Angels that attack a future Tokyo. Understandably, he is not too happy about this decision thrust upon him by his father.He is one of the most celebrated characters of manga and anime, as he does not conform in the least to the predictable heroic character. Rather, he is a withdrawn, apathetic, and scared high school student. As a result, he has become one of the most compelling characters in anime.Learn how to draw anime!Goku (Dragon Ball)Even those people who don’t watch anime know the figure of Goku â€" a character who has developed from young, superhuman child to adult throughout the Dragon Ball franchise.The series â€" both manga and anime â€" follow Goku’s pursuits to find the Dragon Balls, which grant wishes to those who find them. Yet, his diminutive, childish appearance and overwhelming naivety â€" a naivety that is reduced, but ultimately remains throughout the series â€" has always been se en as a point of departure from the classic masculine heroes.A really special, loveable anime character. Goku, from Dragon Ball. (Image from Cleiton Hendges: https://www.behance.net/)Edward (Fullmetal Alchemist)One of the most developed â€" and another of the most celebrated â€" characters in the whole of anime is Edward Elric, from the series, Fullmetal Alchemist.Edward, a young man, is seriously wounded in an alchemy experiment intended to resurrect his â€" and his brother, Alphonse’s â€" mother. What happens instead is that Alphonse’s soul becomes trapped in a suit of armour, whilst Edward loses an arm and a leg.The series proceeds with the two characters searching for the Philosopher’s Stone that will return their bodies. Yet, Edward’s character is a fully three-dimensional hero, evolving and growing as he comes of age.Spike (Cowboy Bebop)Cowboy Bebop is a darker style anime intended for an adult audience â€" engaging themes such as loneliness and the pain of memory.Spike Spiegel is the central character, whose fake eye and existential angst give him the flaws that make his character so interesting.The creators of Cowboy Bebop wanted him to be, first and foremost, cool as hell. And sure they achieved it.Learn everything about anime here!Sakata Gintoki (Gintama)Gintama is the story of a freelance (read, ‘unemployed’) samurai, Gintoki, who fights the aliens who have occupied eighteenth-century Japan.He is an incredibly complex character, with problems with his blood sugar levels, a certain crankiness, and a brilliant talent with a sword.Ashitaka (Princess Mononoke)A character who, from the very beginning of this best-selling film from Studio Ghibli, is burdened by the impending threat of death, Ashitaka is an exercise in self-sacrifice and personal resolve.A long-suffering leader, Ashitaka is really just a young man lead by a sense of duty â€" and it makes him one of the most compelling and original characters in anime. Astro Boy is the most iconic anime character.Astro BoyOsamu Tezuka invented anime’s recognisable art style: large eyes and wacky hair. And he did it with the character of Astro Boy, or Mighty Atom, who was the title character of the first most popular anime series.He is one of the great anime characters of all time due to his iconic aesthetic and his moral struggles. A pacifist robot with human emotions who is forced to fight, Astro Boy’s character is one of self-effacement, compassion, and self-sacrifice.

Flamenco Guitar

Flamenco Guitar All About the Flamenco Guitar ChaptersThis Guitar’s HistoryDifferent Types of Flamenco GuitarsTechnical Aspects of the Flamenco GuitarHow to Play Flamenco GuitarFlamenco Guitarists of RenownLearn to Play the Flamenco GuitarIf you have ever been a spectator to a flamenco dance â€" fiery and snappy, with precise movements neatly hemming in the passion it evokes, you might have thought that the guitar is merely a backdrop to the swirling skirts, clacking castanets and floating fans.The Spanish art form known as Flamenco is composed of three parts: guitarra, canta i baile or guitar, song and dance. It is the traditional expression of longing and love; a physical expression of romantic desire.Curiously enough, in the early days of this art form, it consisted only of dancing and toque de palmas â€" hand-clapping. The guitar was a later addition; today, all flamencos are danced to the sound of a guitar (and other instruments).How did this instrument’s crisp, clean sound come to accompany the sharp pivots and finger- snapping that mark a true flamenco dance? How did it become an audio representation of sensuality and ardour?Your Superprof delves into the history of ancient southern Spanish tribes to answer those questions and others.There was substantial persecution of the latter three peoples which led to a fusion of laments that mark flamenco cantos still today. Flamenco dancers dramatic moves are done in counterpoint to a nylon string guitar Image by Ben Kerckx from PixabayAt this time, the guitar had still not made its appearance on the flamenco scene; the dances were sometimes accompanied by traditional Andalusian instruments such as the violin and the tambourine.It wasn’t until the late 19th century that flamenco â€" and its guitar went mainstream.Seville saw the opening of its first ‘singing cafe’ or cafe cantante that featured a pair of singers, a troupe of dancers and a couple of guitarists.Adding guitar music to the mix was a novel concept that went over… not so well. The cafes were not well-frequented at the outset and the guitarists were really only bit players but it was the guitar’s role that changed these cafes’ fortunes.Because much of flamenco’s guitar music was improvised, those guitar players had to not only keep up with the singers but intuit their phrasing to anticipate when the next flurry of notes would be most effective.Good guitarists were much in demand and, soon, the guitar became an active part of the show. In fact, guitarists proved their virtuosity through rapid-fire riffing and even playing with their guitar held above their head.The undisputed first name in flamenco guitar is Ramon Montoya, uncle of famed Spanish guitarist Carlos Montoya. Ramon started out as a cafe guitarist and is today considered to be the founder of the modern-style flamenco guitar solo.Thanks to him, the guitar became the third pillar of the art known as flamenco.Different Types of Flamenco GuitarsTypical flamenco guitarists were not wealthy; their financial condition dictated that they buy the cheapest instruments, generally made of cypress and, in comparison with the standard classical guitar, poorly made and with a minimum of materials.The absence of quality materials came to distinguish the flamenco guitar; until its surge in popularity, a luthier would make no distinction between the smaller, flimsi er instruments and their sturdier counterparts.Also discover the delicious history behind today’s rock guitars… PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RyanGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTechnical Aspects of the Flamenco GuitarA flamenco guitar is typically smaller and lighter than its classical counterpart. It calls for nylon strings rather than steel, which helps deliver the clean, crisp sound of flamenco with less sustain than the classical instrument.You are more likely to find tuning pegs on a flamenco guitar rather than geared tuning found on other types of guitar. These pegs closely resemble a lute or violin’s tuning pegs.Let’s take a closer look at particulars of the flamenco guitar: what it’s made of and how it’s made, how to tune it and how to get the most out of playing it. Contrary to the classic acoustic guitar, flamenco guitars are smaller in shape Image by Pexels from PixabayConstructionTraditionally, the flamenco guitar was made entirely of cypress which made it a lighter instrument with a punchier sound. Today, the guitar’s body may be made of sycamore, rosewood or cypress for the backs and sides, and spruce for the top.The tops of these guitars are much thinner than classical guitar tops and there are fewer internal braces â€" two more reasons for its brighter sound.Because flamenco music demands rapid action, the strings are usually closer to the frets and the fingerboard itself tends to be a bit narrower than on other guitars.A critical distinction between a flamenco guitar and its classical cousin is the golpeador or tap-plate.A flamenco guitarist will often tap the face of his guitar with his fingernails while playing; these percussive beats are integral to flamenco technique. However, repeated forceful tapping could soon ruin the top of th e guitar; that is why this plate is essential.How to Tune a Flamenco GuitarAs you would tune any other guitar, you must have something to tune your flamenco guitar to. As for chords, your tuning should revolve around Major D.Start by strumming your sixth string; it should be one step below the conventional-sounding E. if you’re using a piano to tune your guitar, the D you want is five steps below middle C.The fifth string should remain the same: the A directly below middle C. Your fourth string should also remain as the D, one step above middle C.Now, things get tricky: your third string will drop to F# from G â€" three whole steps above middle C on the piano.Your second string should be pitched to B (a major seventh above the piano’s middle C) and the highest string will be tuned to E â€" one octave and one major above your piano’s middle C.Naturally, you will check your tuning and made adjustments as necessary; other than that, you are ready to play flamenco guitar!How to Pl ay Flamenco GuitarFlamenco guitar calls for the strings to be plied in the space between the soundhole and the bridge rather than directly over the soundhole, as so many other styles of guitar are played.The skilled flamenco guitarist will incorporate both tonal and modal harmonies in his playing, the net result being clean, crisp sound.Besides plucking the strings â€" tirando, players often ‘walk’ their fingers, meaning they use their index and middle fingers to rapidly play alternate notes. This technique is called picado.A third distinctive technique of flamenco guitar playing is called rasgueado. It is an exaggerated strum with the wrist flicking outward on the downstroke, presumably to reflect the dancers’ dramatic moves.And, of course, no guitarist could call himself a flamenco guitarist if s/he didn’t incorporate the golpe, the finger tapping on the face of the guitar.Besides these basics of flamenco guitar playing, there aretoque airoso: lively, rhythmic style of pla ying; yields a brilliant soundtoque gitano: deep and expressive, includes many countertempostoque pastueño: slow, peacefultoque virtuoso: demonstrating an exceptional techniqueas opposed to toque corto, meaning ‘basic technique’toque sobrio: pure playing, no showing offYou’ll note the use of the word ‘toque’ earlier in this article meant clapping of hands; in general terms it translates to ‘touch’, meaning that each of these techniques shows a different touch.Join the discussion: how does the jazz guitar differ from the Flamenco guitar? Paco de Lucia is a master guitar player who specialises in flamenco guitar Source: Wikipedia Credit: Cornel PutanFlamenco Guitarists of RenownNow that you know a bit about flamenco guitar, you will surely want to look to the masters to see how playing is done.To that end, we recommend Paco de Lucia. He is often credited with bringing improvisation to an already improvised style of playing. If you can, try to catch him playing Entre dos Aguas; you will clearly see him playing between the soundhole and the bridge of his guitar.Tomatito, son of legendary guitarist Niño Miguel has many flamenco feats under his belt; he also plays in jazz combos and can rip off a mean tango.Manolo Sanlúcar started playing flamenco guitar as a child and has made his mark on the genre; his Tauromagia is emblematic of old-style flamenco canto.Vincente Amigo, a student of Sanlúcar is equally prolific in his playing; he represents a younger generation of flamenco guitarists who maintain that their art is me ant for the wider public.If you only listen to one guitarist on this list, it should be Pepe Habichuela.Growing up in Granada, he would often repair to the caves of Sacromonte with this guitar, refining his sound until it was unique in the flamenco world. Today, he is known as a flamenco master; one of Spain’s finest guitarists.Do you have a favourite flamenco guitarist? Won’t you let us know in the comments section below? While you’re at it, please give us your vote for your fav metal guitar players...Learn to Play the Flamenco GuitarIf you are reading this article, you must have some interest in playing flamenco guitar. Are you already a guitarist or are you contemplating taking up this most sensuous of instruments?If so, you will surely want to take guitar lessons, maybe at your nearby music school.If you have no guitar master near you, perhaps you might consider online guitar lessons; you might even find an app to teach you how to play and guide you into tuning your guitar .Don’t forget your Superprof!Superprof has hundreds of guitar tutors scattered all over the UK; surely there is one near you?The advantage to learning how to play the guitar with a Superprof tutor, besides the low price and the first lessons at no cost (usually), is the fact that you can specify that you want to learn how to play flamenco guitar.You won’t have boring and repetitive lessons that emphasise basic chord structures and you’ll likely be spared Stairway to Heaven and House of the Rising Sun â€" two standards that many guitar teachers like to impart.Your turn to chime in: of all the types of guitar, which is your favourite? Why?

What is it Like to Attend Binghamton University

What is it Like to Attend Binghamton University Allison earned her bachelors degree in Spanish from Binghamton University. She specializes in writing tutoring, reading tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Binghamton University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Allison: Binghamton University has a sprawling campus with a 200-acre nature preserve on it. University transportation offers buses to students living throughout the city and community, so its fairly easy to get around. How available are the professors, academic advisors, and teaching assistants? Allison:If you make an effort to connect and reach out, professors and academic advisors are available. They have weekly office hours, are available by email, and are open to scheduling additional meetings with students. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students, etc.? Allison:When I was there, the school was constructing brand new dorms every year. Personally, I didnt enjoy the campus food options. There are a lot of opportunities to meet other students on campus. I joined the ultimate frisbee team, which became my main social group. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? What did you study and why? Allison:They had a robust nursing program, business department, and liberal arts degrees. I studied Spanish literature and gender studies. I chose to do this in order to study abroad and graduate on time. Overall, I was very impressed with the classes available to me within my major and minor. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Allison:I met people by playing intramural sports and during orientation week. About 20-to-30 percent of students were a part of Greek life. I didnt participate in Greek life, but I never felt excluded because of it. The campus offered a lot of opportunities to be involved. How helpful are the Career Center and other student support services? Allison:I found the Career Center to be very helpful. They made an effort to connect students with alumni in various careers and prepare them for the professional world. How are the various study areas, such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Allison:There were multiple libraries with lots of different spaces to study. Depending on the time of year, it could be difficult to find a spot to study. Describe the surrounding town. Allison:During my time at Binghamton University, there was a great divide between the students and the local community. However, there were increasing efforts to bridge this gap. The city has an art walk every month, multiple galleries, and restaurants for students to enjoy. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Allison:Some of the general education classes have a few hundred students in them. However, the majority of my classes were between 15 and 30 students. I enjoyed the class sizes for the most part, especially the more specialized and intimate classes. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Allison:I took a class called Introduction to East Asian Philosophy, and my professor was a brilliant man who also taught metaphysics. I thoroughly enjoyed the philosophical challenges, thinking, and writing required by the course. I went to the professor's office hours and he made himself available for deep discussions about the material, which enhanced my interest in the subject. Check out Allisons tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

5 Contemporary Songs for the Piano, Guitar, and Voice

5 Contemporary Songs for the Piano, Guitar, and Voice Megan L. Practicing any song on the piano can be fun at first, but after a while playing the same songs by yourself can be a bit boring. Why not find some songs for the piano, guitar, and voice? You can perform for others in a talent show or an open mic night, or just for yourselves and have a good jam session! With any of the songs for the piano, guitar, and voice, your music teacher can help you with some pointers, and might even be able to teach you the chords by listening to the song. Be sure to ask your instructor before setting out to practice one of these songs by yourself, because there might be certain techniques that he or she wants you to focus on within the song. Here are a few ideas to get you started! OneRepublic If I Lose Myself While this acoustic cover of OneRepublics song also features a violin part, you can easily do without it and still get the same feel. This might not be one of the newest songs for piano and guitar, but its still out on the radio now and then and youll have no problem getting into the groove of it. Decide which parts each instrument will take, as the song has a few different riffs that happen simultaneously. The guitar player should be able to pick a fairly fast rate, as the riffs can get going pretty fast! Miley Cyrus Wrecking Ball If your singer really likes to croon, this is the perfect song to try! With a melody that is fairly slow and methodical, you wont have to worry about things picking up speed and getting left behind. Both the piano player and guitar player should be prepared for powerful chords throughout the chorus, and lighter playing during the verse. You can mix it up and make this one of your own songs for the piano and guitar if youd like though, by making a few simple changes here and there. The YouTube video above does not feature any vocals, but that just means that the melody is picked up by the piano and guitar. In the long run, having someone sing along with the piano and guitar parts can make things easier, as they can concentrate on the harmony and rhythm of their own playing, and the singer can carry the melody! Coldplay A Sky Full Of Stars The YouTube video for this song again has no vocal part, so the melody is covered by the piano and guitar. Both this Coldplay song and the Miley Cyrus song can be much easier songs for the piano and guitar if the vocal melody is actually sung instead of played! The guitar part for this song is mostly chords above the 12th fret, so be sure youve got those polished up! The piano part has many staccato chords scattered throughout the song. The vocal part is picked up by the piano, so the right hand octaves the melody. Adele Skyfall If you havent seen the latest Bond movie, the opening credits alone are definitely worth watching. Adele lends her signature sound to the James Bond saga, and definitely does it justice! If youre looking for songs for the piano and guitar with soaring vocals, look no further than this tune. This is another song thats a little bit more contemplative and dramatic than just upbeat and fast-paced. While it might be easier to learn, be careful, as the slower pace of the song leaves more space between notes. And its easier to notice your mistakes with this pace, if you happen to make any! The vocal part is played by the guitar in this particular cover (above), but doubling the vocals and guitar is a great way to add some depth if your guitar player also sings (otherwise any late or early notes on the guitar would sound well out of place). You could also make this song a duet for piano and either guitar or voice, if youd like. Maroon 5 Payphone This final song is a great closing number. It can really rock, and most people know the words, so its good for a crowd sing-along at the end of a set. In the video, the piano plays chords and doubles the vocal melody, and the guitar doubles the chords played on the piano. While this isnt one of the most complicated songs for the piano, guitar, and voice, it is a crowd favorite. If youre playing an open mic or talent show, sometimes thats the best way to leave things, with a familiar tune that everyone can enjoy and hum or sing to even after the show is over! Dont stop there!  Check out our list 400+ songs to sing here. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of prescreened teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for safe, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher  Photo  by Glen Darrud

Singing Basics Where to Find Free Voice Lessons Online

Singing Basics Where to Find Free Voice Lessons Online Suzy S. Want to improve your voice and feel more confident in your singing? Vocal training is great for helping you develop your range, sing with expression, and learn proper breathing techniques. If youre nervous about starting voice lessons or theres no voice teacher near you, however, online vocal lessons can offer the same benefits of in-person voice lessons. A growing number of vocalists, voice teachers, and music schools offer paid online voice lessons, done through video chat services like Skype, but you can also find many free voice lessons online, which can be great for supplementing your lessons. Here are a few resources to check out: Voice Lessons on YouTube You can find thousands of free voice lessons on YouTube, from warm-up ideas to demonstrating specific vocal techniques and more. Keep in mind, however, that these are just introductions to the techniques, and you’ll need ongoing practice and guidance to improve. Also, keep in mind that not all YouTube channels with free voice lessons are appropriate for every level. We recommend starting out with a playlist like this one designed for beginners. Work your way through it and try incorporating one lesson a day into your practice sessions! YouTube can also be a great resource for watching professional vocalists on stage or during performances. Instead of looking for guidance on specific techniques, examine their energy during the performance, their confidence, and how they incorporate their unique style into the piece. You can then take these observations as you develop your own style. Sample Voice Lessons Online Some voice teachers also offer sample lessons on their website. While these won’t replace ongoing vocal studies, they can serve as a great introduction. If you’re thinking about taking voice lessons in person, the free voice lessons on a voice teachers website can show you the teachers style, temperament, and perhaps their level of experience with the music styles youre interested in learning. Finally, many music schools offer similar sample courses, if you’re considering continuing your studies in an academic setting. But Are They Enough? Overall, while many free voice lessons are available online, they are not a good substitute for working with a voice teacher in person or at the very least, with live online lessons, where you can get real-time tips and support. Your voice teacher should be able to look at your posture and breathing, which can help put a halt to bad technique before it turns into a bad habit! In the end, whether you take singing lessons online or in person will boil down to your personal preferences. Finding the right teacher is half the battle, and that teacher might be down the road from you, or perhaps on the other side of the country. If you really want to improve, make the investment and sign up for private lessons. The one-on-one guidance you receive is invaluable, and can help you progress faster than you ever imagined.  Good luck, and have fun! 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 Paul Hudson

Beginners Introduction to Italian Colors (Infographic)

Beginner’s Introduction to Italian Colors (Infographic) Sign up successful Below  is a brief guide to help you recognize Italian colors, as well as how to  pronounce them! Pink Rosa (Roh-sah) Red Rosso (Roh-soh) Orange Arancione (Ah-rahn-cho-neh) Yellow Giallo (Giah-lloh) Green Verde (Ver-deh) Light Blue Azzurro (Ah-zoo=roh) Blue Blu  (Bloo) Navy Blue Blu Marino (Bloo Mah-ree-noh) Purple Porpora (Pour-poh-rah) Violet Violetta (Vee-oh-letta) Brown Marrone (Mah-rone-eh) Black Nero (Neh-roh) Grey Grigio (Gree-joh) White Bianco (Bee-ahn-coh) Silver Argento (Are-Gehn-toh) Gold Dorato (Doh-rah-toh) Changing Italian Colors to Masculine or Feminine When using an Italian color in a sentence,  its  important to remember that  the color may be classified as masculine or feminine,  depending on the context in which the color is used. For example, in the sentence,  La palla rossa.  the letter a is added to the end of rossa, instead of an o because la palla    is feminine. See other examples below: Il  caffè nero. ( The black coffee) La moto gialla. ( The yellow bike) Il dollaro verde. ( The green dollar) Expressing Italian Colors in Plural To express  colors in plural, you may add an “i” for masculine words and an “e” for feminine words. See examples below: I cani neri (The black dogs) Due giacconi verdi (Two green jackets) Changing Italian Colors Depending on Article The endings also change depending on the article. See examples below: Rosso (Red) Rosso (Masculine Singular) Rossa (Feminine Singular) Rossi (Masculine Plural) Rosse (Feminine Plural)  Giallo (Yellow) Giallo (Masculine Singular) Gialla (Feminine Singular) Giallo (Masuline Plural) Gialle (Feminine Plural) Grigio (Grey) Grigio (Masculine Singular) Grigia (Feminine Singular) Grigi (Masculine Plural) Grigie (Feminine Plural) Nero (Black) Nero (Masculine Singular) Nera (Feminine Singular) Neri (Masculine Plural) Nere (Feminine Plural) *Please note that there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, some colors will stay the same, and will not change conjugation, such as blu and viola. Whats more, colors that end in the letter o  will then switch to a, to make it masculine or feminine. Colors that do not end in the letter o, will stay the same, but will change for the plural. For example,  the plural for marrone would be marroni. Thats it for my introduction to Italian colors! I hope this color guide will enable you to  express yourself and the many beautiful colors correctly the next time youre  speaking in Italian. If you would like to practice using  Italian colors more,  talk to your Italian teacher to see if there are any fun exercises you can do. The more you practice the easier it will be to memorize the colors. Post Author:  Liz T. Liz T. teaches singing, acting, music and Italian lessons in Brooklyn, NY.  She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M. in vocal performance and has a graduate certificate in arts administration from New York University. Learn more about Liz here! 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

The 30-Day Challenge

The 30-Day Challenge In 2015 our most popular lesson in our 1-on-1 English classes was 30-Day Challenge, a lesson about goals and trying new things. Its a good lesson for starting off a new year, and it inspired me to try something for 30 days. Ive given up eating sugar for the month of January. Im 20 days in now, and its really not bad at all, although I really have the urge to buy some chocolate chip cookies right now.In the past Ive also given up alcohol for 30 days, which was easy, and caffeine, which was horrible. Although, coffee never tasted better to me than it did after 30 days without it.Below we have a TED Talk that we also used in the lesson. Its about 30-day challenges, and was inspired by  Spurlock, perhaps the king of these challenges, who ate nothing but McDonalds for 30 days in Super Size Me. Watch the video below and see if you can answer the listening questions.Answer the questions in comments, and well respond.A few years ago, I felt like I was ___ in a ___.What does the above sentenc e mean?What is Morgan Spurlocks actual profession? How does the speaker refer to him?It __ __ 30 days is just  about the right amount of timeHow did the speaker perceive time while doing the challenges?What were some of the challenges the speaker did?Did the speaker write a novel?Are small or large changes more likely to stick?

Asking and Giving Permission in English - Intermediate Level English

Asking and Giving Permission in English - Intermediate Level English How do we ask permission to do something? What are the ways in which these requests can be  given (granted)  or refused (denied)?There are many ways to achieve this and here are some of the words, expressions and idioms  for asking and giving permission in English.The request can be formal and the response formal too. Equally the  request can be more informal with a corresponding informal response.We are always reminded that a polite request is more likely to be met with a positive outcome  (result)  but not always. Asking and Giving Permission in English Polite Formal Requests Do you mind if….Would you mind if….May I…Could I possibly…Is it possible ….Is it possible for me to…. Polite Formal Responses No,  not at allYes you mayYes, of courseOf course, be my guest…Yes,  it’s my pleasureCertainly be my guest…. Examples of Asking and Giving Permission in English (formal) Do you mind if I take off my coat it is very warm here? No, not at all,   be my guest.Be careful here. In the reply the first word is NO but this is not a  refusal.  NO is used here because we asked do you mind so we are actually saying No, I do not mind so it is a positive response. Could I possibly close the window it is a little cold here? Yes of course.or Please help yourself. May I put my own furniture into the apartment? Yes, you may indeed. Just let me know what you  would like to remove. Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: Polite Formal RefusalsI am sorry that will not be possibleI am afraid that is out of the questionI would rather that you didn’tI am afraid notExamples of Polite Refusals in English (formal) May I go to my friends party on Saturday and stay overnight?  I am afraid that is out of the question. We are going to see your Grandmother on Saturday and you haven’t seen her for months. Would you mind if I took next Friday off work as I am moving apartment over the weekend and I  need to get ready? I am afraid that will not be possible. It is the end of the month and we simply have to get those accounts closed. May I open the window a little? I would rather that you didn’t. I have just recovered from the flu and  I do not wish to get ill again. Informal Requests and whether they are granted or refused Can I have the last piece of cake?Have you €10 you could lend me?Yeah sure..   (granted)Go ahead..   (granted)Not a problem  -(granted)Not a chance   (refused)Go away, no..  (refused, very rude) Some examples of Asking and Giving Permission (Informal) Can I skip class later I need to go to the dentist? Yeah sure, just make sure you tell the class teacher. Can I have the last piece of cake? Go ahead, nobody else seems to want it. Have you €10 you can lend me until I get to the bank? Yes, not a problem.Take your time pay me back next week. Can I have an advance (early payment) of my pocket money? Go away, no, you are always asking… Idioms connected with Asking and Giving Permission in English The idea got the thumbs up/thumbs down. The idea was accepted/rejectedIt was shot down in flames. It was rejectedThey pooh poohed it. Something was turned down, rejected (informal)I got the green light. Green for go, something was approved or accepted.Examples:I presented my idea to the board suggesting changes to our business practices. They gave it the thumbs up or they gave it the thumbs down.I thought my marketing plan was a stroke of genius (really goo) but the management board did not like it and the shot it down in flame.The idea was pooh poohed immediately without much consideration. (This is more slang than informal.)My project was approved by everyone. I got the green light and it starts next week. Iam really excited.