#TBT to the 90s 5 Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners

#TBT to the 90s 5 Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners Sign up successful 1. Today by The Smashing Pumpkins One of The Smashing Pumpkins’ radio hits from Siamese Dream, this track features a powerful wall of guitars and a catchy chorus. It’s also a great way to get accustomed to two guitar techniques that defined 90s rock: two-string melodies and barre chords. Two-string melodies, like the intro guitar lick, rely on the player holding his or her fingers down over two strings at the same time so that both continue to ring out after they are plucked. In this case, use your index finger to hold down the eleventh fret on both strings. Then, use your middle finger for the thirteenth fret and your ring finger for the fifteenth fret. Intro Riff: Barre chords are based on a movable chord shape, which means you can use the same fingering to play a chord at any fret you want! They also require you to place your index finger down over all strings at the fret you are “barring.” For example, “Today” uses the following chords: Eb Major, Bb Major, Ab Major, C Minor, F Major, G Major Eb Bb Ab Today is the greatest day I’ve ever known Eb Bb Ab Can’t live for tomorrow, tomorrow’s much too long Eb Bb Ab Eb Bb Cm I’ll burn my eyes out before I get out F Ab C F Ab Cm I wanted more than life could ever grant me F Ab C F Ab G Bored by the chore of saving face Eb Bb Ab Today is the greatest day Ive ever known Eb Bb Ab Cant wait for tomorrow, I might not have that long Eb Bb Ab Eb Bb Cm Ill tear my heart out before I get out Eb Bb Eb Ab Eb Bb Eb Ab Today is.. today is.. today is.. the greatest. Eb Bb C Ab Eb Bb Cm Day hee-yay, oo oo ooo ooo ooo. Day hee-yay-ay, hooo Placing your finger down across the entire neck can be tricky at first, but keep practicing, and it will pay off! This technique is very common. If you can’t do it at first (and there’s no shame in doing this!), you can substitute the barre chords for power chords. Power chords are basically just barre chords that omit everything but the first two or three strings, resulting in an “open” sound that goes great with a ton of distortion. 2. Wonderwall by Oasis Everyone’s learned this song at some point â€" it’s practically THE acoustic guitar song of the 90s. Central to the song’s playing technique is its exclusive use of G position chords in the verses. These are chords that revolve around the open G Major chord position. Basically, it means that your last two fingers don’t ever have to leave the third fret. G Major, A7sus4, Dsus4, Em7, Cadd9 This technique sounds really cool, and it makes the song easier to play since you only have to move two fingers! Oasis plays “Wonderwall” with a capo on the third fret, but this isn’t necessary. Play it wherever you think it sounds good! Em7 G Today is gonna be the day Dsus4 A7sus4 That theyre gonna throw it back to you Em7 G By now you shouldve somehow Dsus4 A7sus4 Realized what you gotta do Em7 G I dont believe that anybody Dsus4 A7sus4 Feels the way I do Em7 G Dsus4 A7sus4 About you now C D Em And all the roads we have to walk are winding C D Em And all the lights that lead us there are blinding C D There are many things that I G G/f# Em A7sus4 Would like to say to you but I dont know how Cadd9 Em7 G Because maybe Em7 Cadd9 Em7 G You’re gonna be the one that saves me Cadd9 Em7 G And after all Cadd9 Em7 G A7sus4 You’re my wonderwall 3. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana No 90s list is complete without mentioning this track â€" it should probably always be number one! “Teen Spirit” is all about power chords. They’re played with heavy distortion during the chorus, punctuated by the simplest possible, two-string melody during the verses. Power chords are notated with a “5” because they consist only of the root note and the note 5 scale degrees above it. Most players play these chords with three fingers: the index, middle, and ring, OR the index, middle, and pinky. Some, however, prefer just the index and ring fingers. F5, Bb5, Ab5, Db5, E5 F5 Bb5 With the lights out, its less dangerous Ab5 Db5 Here we are now, entertain us F5 Bb5 I feel stupid and contagious Ab5 Db5 Here we are now, entertain us F5 Bb5 A mulatto, an albino Ab5 Db5 A mosquito, my libido F5 E5 F5 Ab5 Hey! F5 E5 Db5 Bb5 F5 E5 F5 Ab5 Hey! F5 E5 Db5 Bb5 And the verse guitar melody: It’s actually that simple! Use your index finger to hold down both strings at the same time. Halfway through each verse, Kurt speeds it up into double time, so listen for the rhythm! Another plus â€" the guitar solo in this song is the same as the vocal melody! Try to sound it out as you play along. Getting used to hearing melodies as you play them will help you quickly improve your soloing skills. 4. When I Come Around by Green Day Like Nirvana, Green Day takes inspiration from their punk rock predecessors in the 1980s. This means power chords! “When I Come Around” is a very straightforward song, but it’s still so catchy! Also important when playing this song â€" the verses make use of extensive palm muting. Palm muting is a technique where you use the side of your right hand to slightly muffle your strings while you strum. Try to keep your picking hand as relaxed as possible, so that you can keep the mute on when necessary and then take it off to let the chord ring out. F#5, C#5, D#5, B5,  G#5 F#5 C#5 D#5 B5 I heard you crying loud F#5 C#5 D#5 B5 All the way across town F#5 C#5 D#5 B5 Youve been searching for that someone and its me out on the prowl F#5 C#5 D#5 B5 As you sit around feeling sorry for yourself G#5 B5 No time to search the world around G#5 B5 Cause you know where Ill be found B5 When I come around 5. Santeria by Sublime With equal parts reggae and punk rock, Sublime ruled the SoCal scene in the early 90s. This song is unbelievably fun to play and reasonably simple, too. However, this last technique may take a little while to get the hang of. It’s called the ska upchuck, and it’s what gives a lot of ska (and reggae) music its characteristic guitar sound. After each time the player strums a chord, the picking hand is brought up quickly on an “upswing” to hit the strings once again. This time, however, the strings are muted with your fretting hand, resulting in a “dead, scratchy” sound. Try it with any chord you like! Listen to Santeria to get the hang of the rhythm. This technique works especially well on the highest three strings, so try these chord positions first: E Major, G# Major, C# minor, B Major, A Major E I dont practice santeria G# I aint got no crystal ball C#m I had a million dollars but Id, B Id spend it all E If I could find that Heina G# And that Sancho that shes found C#5 Well Id pop a cap in Sancho and Id B Slap her down A B E Dbm All I really wanna know my baby A B E Dbm All I really wanna say I cant define A B E Dbm Its love that I need A B But my soul will have to wait You did it! You’re now a master of five 90s guitar classics! You also got firsthand experience with some of the techniques that defined a decade of music, including barre chords, two-string melodies, power chords, and the ska upchuck. Keep playing along to these songs, and you’ll quickly notice it becoming second nature! A guitar teacher can help you discover and learn even more fun songs that are right for your skill level and interests! Search for your guitar teacher now! Collin K. teaches in-person guitar and singing lessons in Brooklyn, N.Y. He studied Music Technology at New York University, plays in an instrumental rock band, and writes music for films. Learn more about Collin 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 Photo by Matt Brown

How to Get Real-World Experience in Your College Major

How to Get Real-World Experience in Your College Major While pursuing your college degree, you will take many classes that will help you explore your intended field. The knowledge gained from these major-focused courses can be very beneficial; however, gaining real-world experience in your college major can be the extra boost you need when entering the job search. Unfortunately, many students neglect to get real-world experience during their schooling, only to realize its importance once its too late. You can get real-world experience in your college major by taking on internships, career-related jobs, and relevant extracurriculars while in school. Having examples from classes can be helpful, but showing potential employers you have more direct experience can increase your chances of standing out. But what steps can you take to get this real-world experience? Read on: Gain real-world experience from internships There are many reasons you could choose to pursue an internship in college. Some colleges or majors require that you complete a minimum number of hours in an internship role before graduation, while others leave it up to the student to decide. Regardless, holding an intern position at some point throughout your college career is a great way to apply what youve learned about your major in the real-world. [RELATED:4 Career Skills for Students to Develop] Internships in your field give you the opportunity to have multiple professional experiences throughout your education. Typically, internships range from three to five months and may occur during one of the semesters of school. For example, a potential employer may have an opening for a fall or summer internship, which would typically last the duration of that session. Depending on the internship and company, these can sometimes be paid positions and potentially turn into a real job opportunity! Neither is guaranteed, but regardless, gaining the experience and networking opportunities may come in handy down the road. Utilize your college major in a campus job or organization Another great way to gain experience in your major is to take on a part-time job in your field (or in a related field). This could be the university newspaper if you are interested in graphic design, advertising, or journalism, for instance. Or, you could consider the admissions department if you are interested in hospitality, public speaking, or anything else that involves heavily interacting with people. Often, there are many roles right on campus for students to take on as well, including: Writing, math, or science center tutor Teaching assistant Lab assistant/technician Assistant in the IT department You can also join various college extracurriculars that may support your intended field. Holding leadership positions (and even simply being involved) in campus groups and organizations can broaden your knowledge of your area of study. Jobs or volunteer opportunities off campus in your community are another great way to showcase your major-related skills. Consult with your academic advisor who may be able to help you locate these opportunities. Gain real-world experience through networking Both internships and jobs in your intended field give you the opportunity to begin networking with individuals in the career you hope to go into. Oftentimes underrated, taking advantage of any networking opportunities available to you can be a great way to get your name out there. Many universities host job fairs and other networking events that allow students to meet professionals in their desired field. This is where everything ties together: by having gained real-world experience in your major, you will have something to showcase when talking to these individuals that will give you the confidence to network. At the end of the day, gaining real-world experience in your college major can do nothing but benefit you. It doesnt hurt to help yourself feel as confident and prepared as possible for what the real world will bring! Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

What is it Like to Attend Duke University

What is it Like to Attend Duke University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Margaret is a Washington D.C. tutor specializing in Writing tutoring, AP Psychology tutoring, all levels of Spanish tutoring, and more. She is a graduate of Duke University holding a Bachelors degree in Psychology. Check out her review of her alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Margaret: For my undergraduate, we had an interesting situation. There wasnt that much public transportation at the time in Durham, North Carolina. I think that might have changed in the last decade. However, we always had a free bus service not only for the campus, but between our school and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill called the Robertson bus. It was a way to go to not only different library resources if we needed them, but to a different, more typical college town. Durhams not exactly the safest place as its very urban and not a place to walk alone at night, to be honest. Chapel Hill, by contrast, was the typical college hamlet and it was a fun place to be able to get to as a change of pace. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Margaret: I really had a great relationship with my professors as I got to my upper level classes. They were great mentors as I worked on applying for graduate school and on my senior theses. That said, as a freshman, I had pretty terrible teaching assistants for General Chemistry who were barely able to speak English. It made the class almost impossible to pass and I resented it. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Margaret: I always laugh about the dorm life. There was this show from the late 90s called Dawsons Creek that filmed its final two seasons sometimes on Dukes campus to show where Katie Holmes character went to college. Her dorm room was massive. I knew kids my freshman year whose living space was literally converted from an old janitors closetfor two people. Despite the price tag, you dont go to Duke for spacious on-campus accommodations! VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Margaret: I know back in 2002, that the big thing to start majoring in was in Investment Banking. I know that since the bank crashes in 2008, thats probably not the hot ticket major it was before. Of course, Dukes extremely proud of its pre-med program and takes about 10% of its actual medical school classes from its undergraduate program, which is fairly unheard of. Also, theyre very supportive of their pre-law students and make sure they have the best resumes possible before applying to programs. I was a Psychology major and we had a great wealth of access to lab research and paper writing opportunities. I always felt supported there. Similarly, as one of the few people involved heavily in their primate/lemur studies program, I had very enthusiastic mentors who were happy I was continuing their work. VT: 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? Margaret: Its possible to make friends without Greek life. In fact, Duke wont let anyone rush a fraternity or sorority until the second semester so bonds can be established before then. That said, I made great sorority friends when I did rush and join but I also had great friends whose weddings Ive attended since then that I met the first week in my freshmen-only dorm! VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Margaret: I honestly dont know. I never used it because I was in a science track and relied on my mentors to help me apply to graduate schools. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Margaret: Again, this is sort of a sign of having been out of college for so long. When I was there, the main library was Perkins and hadnt been renovated since the 1970s. However, by the time I was a senior, most of the library stock had moved to a beautiful, new spacious library called Bostock. I lived in Durham again for two years from 2011-2013 for other reasons and sometimes went into Bostock for books and research. Its not overcrowded, has comfortable sitting areas, and tons of available computers. So, Dukes come a long way from when I was using their stacks. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Margaret: Its Durham, North Carolina. Theres just not that much to do. I like the South Point Mall off campus. I also liked going to Chapel Hill. Again, take the free bus over there on weekends. Its your best bet! VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Margaret: It was about 6,000 undergraduates back then with about 1,600 per class. The typical intro class sizes for things like General Chemistry are huge, but mostly, the classes are around 20 people. Its very intimate past the general requirements. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Margaret: I dont have one memory specifically as much as a whole year. I really enjoyed every minute of working on my senior thesis for lemur studies with my mentor, Dr. Digby. She had been my favorite teacher in the primate department and she was invaluable in helping me get grants and learn the art of being a good scientist and building up my own study from the ground up. Check out Margarets tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Talk about Transport in English - Intermediate Level English

How to Talk about Transport in English - Intermediate Level English Transport and the ways we use it in our daily lives captures the attention of all of us. I thought that today I would talk about transport in English and set out some of the means of transport we use in English vocabulary across Europe and the UK. This will help you to improve your English. Talk about Transport in English Transport to work is often a choice of Private or Public  transport. Private transport is what we provide ourselves (e.g a car) or by a private operator who wishes to make a profit. Public transport is the means of transport which is provided by governments and is not necessarily provided for profit.Vehicle  is a general noun used to describe any motorised method of travel and transport. This can include a car, bus, lorry and truck. The choice of vehicle depends normally on where we live. Governments usually provide many different choices in capital cities  and bigger towns  but there is normally less choice in rural  or country areas.Some examples of private transport are:cars saloon cars, sports cars and 4 x 4buses double decker, single decker, mini buses and trolley buses.For those who wish to skip the traffic then there are  motor bikes (motor cycles) and mopeds (scooters) are becoming increasingly popular.Taxis remain popular for those in the larger cities such as London and N ew York. You can find taxis waiting for passengers at a taxi rank. We now also have the new taxi option referred to as Uber Taxi’s.  Public transport comes in the following forms:buses double decker buses such as the traditional red buses seen on the streets of London and regular single decker busestrolley bus   buses with overhead power lineselectric bus this is a bus powered by electricity and they are getting very common in many cities in Europetram is a vehicle powered by electricity, it travels on 2 rails that are laid in a public roadcoach this is a bus that runs between towns and citiesTrains also come in many guises (forms) diesel, electric, underground and over ground). Trains travel on two tracks made of metal.Underground trains have different names depending on the city/country that we live in. In America they are referred to as subways, in London as simply the underground or the tube and other cities as metro. You wait for a train on a platform.If you prefer a fast way of travel, then you can use an aeroplane. Nowadays there are many budget airlines (companies that fly passengers by plane) and you can fly to many destinations relatively cheap.  If you are travelling to an island, you might prefer to take a ferry (a boat or ship that transports passengers and/or goods, especially over a relatively short distance and as a regular service). If you happen to travel overnight, then you sleep in a cabin.If you have travelled in Asia you will be familiar with the very small Tuk Tuk  a mix of a motor bike and small car. A great way to travel and sometimes the only means of transport in rural areas.And I am sure most of you are familiar with a bicycle, you pedal your bicycle and get from A to B easily. It is also a great exercise! Public Transport in English - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next:

Simple Reading Practice Tips to Boost Your Childs Reading Skills

Simple Reading Practice Tips to Boost Your Child's Reading Skills Have you ever wondered about methods of reading practice for kids that can boost your childs reading skills and academic success? Sometimes the challenges of a struggling reader can feel overwhelming and it is difficult to know where to start to help your child succeed. The good news is that boosting reading skills isnt impossible and you are fully equipped as a parent to help improve your childs learning with targeted reading opportunities that extend to all subject areas. Consider these helpful methods of reading practice for kids that support your struggling reader: Read every day You can never underestimate the power of simply reading to or with your child. The time spent in books is beneficial and magical and will help to unlockuntapped reading potential. Not only are you exposing your child to a world of reading you are modeling that reading is both useful and enjoyable. Think outside the book Reading practice shouldnt be limited to books. Thinkabout what your child enjoys most and find a variety of materials tosupport these interests. Consider magazines, manuals, brochures, or onlinereading. Using magnet letters or letter cards with emerging readers isalso a great way to practice reading without using books. Understand expectations As a parent it is important to stay up to date on current grade level expectations for your child. Knowing what the mastery standards are can help you gauge your childs progress. Comparing your childs skills to the grade level and developmental expectations will provide information on your childs strengths and areas of necessary growth. Utilize all possible resources If your child is struggling it is important to utilize every resource available to you. Investing in targeted reading tutoring can help your child gain the necessary skills for success and an online reading program can build skills while providing an interactive learning environment. Talk with your childs teacher about what is available and what would best match your childs ; needs. Boost vocabulary As children become better readers they are confronted with more complex topics, plots, and vocabulary. Understanding increasingly difficult vocabulary is vital for reading success. Teach your child to identify unfamiliar words and find ways to search for meaning. Encourage the use of context clues around the word or work as a team to look it up in a dictionary to find the meaning. Picture it Good readers, regardless of age, picture the story in their minds. These mind movies should play along as each word is read. Many struggling students fail to visualize the story and errantly miss important information. You can easily practice this strategy with your child by reading a passage aloud and then discussing the scenes you formed in your mind. If your child is unable to visualize the passage you can reread and prompt him with questions to elicit more information. Emphasize a books structure Every genre has a different layout and different text features to support the organization. For example, reference books utilize headings, subheadings, table of contents, glossaries and appendices while novels have chapters, dedications, and occasional illustrations. A child should understand the text features and how they work together for an intended purpose. This is especially beneficial to success in other subject areas that utilize content specific reading. Talk about books Reading with your child is important but talking with your child about books is just as powerful. Your child will benefit from viewing you as a reader and someone who learns from books. Take time each day to ask your children about what they are reading, discuss a library book you checked out as a family, or share something you learned from your own reading. These are just a few tips to help improve a childs reading ability. What are some other ways to engage in reading practice for kids?

Mathematics the Beauty in Numbers

Mathematics the Beauty in Numbers Raise your hand, those of you who thinks that Mathematics is boring? I bet most of students truly believe that it is. Today I am going to show you that mathematics can be amazing and beautiful. A lot of scientist consider, that  mathematics is  both pure science and art. And they have reasons to think so. We use math and numbers in our everyday life routine without noticing their unusual properties and beauty. But just a simple number system can amaze you. Look at these beautiful  number pattern below. Looks wonderful, isnt it? Would you like to learn more about these patterns above? TutorZ has more than seven thousand expert  Math tutors  ready to help you! Do you think that mathematics is difficult?  Think again. Because math  will be interesting, fun and beautiful  with our tutors!

Surviving the Last Weeks of School A Guide for Seniors

Surviving the Last Weeks of School A Guide for Seniors Tips from a Fullerton Private Tutor: Surviving the Last Weeks of School As the last week of the school year approaches, many seniors are tempted to find things to do other than attending class and complete assignments. This is called senioritis, and it has been an issue for generations. Once a student has completed their AP exams and taken their finals, there isnt much left that will happen in the classroom. However, its important for seniors to get through the last days of high school and make sure that they dont face any surprises over the summer. The most important thing is for students to finish the year strong and maintain their acceptance at college. 1. Double check grades The first thing seniors should do is double check their grades. To graduate, they will need to have a passing grade in every subject. Some colleges and universities will also require that students maintain the GPA that they had when they first applied; this means they may need to maintain a B or even an A average. Sometimes students will forget about that incomplete assignment from a few weeks ago or that extra credit assignment they were meant to complete. Once the year is over there will not be an opportunity to make any changes, so time is of the essence. Its important to avoid low grades at the last minute as well as summer school because this will prevent students from officially graduating and starting college in the fall (READ: 5 Things Every Rising Senior Should do). 2. Apply to graduate Many schools require students to apply for graduation. Most of the time this just means filling out some paperwork, but its important that students get this in on time if its required. This is also a great way for students to see if anything is missing on their transcripts or if any clerical errors have occurred. If a student notices that they have the missing paperwork they will still have plenty of time to get everything corrected so they can graduate on time and avoid summer school. 3. Focus on extracurricular activity Once AP exams and finals are complete there is little motivation to focus on academics. To stay interested in school students are encouraged to focus on an extracurricular activity they enjoy. If they play on the school sports team, there may still be a final game or team meeting. Students who belong to an academic or art club may be able to plan a fun activity for themselves and the younger members of the club. It’s not important what the activity is but that it helps seniors maintain their interest in attending school. 4. Balance free time and academics Its also important for seniors to balance their free time and school work. Many students were not able to socialize much at all while they were studying for finals or AP exams so it may be tempting to socialize all of the time now that those tasks are complete. Its a good idea for students to plan a schedule for the week in advance. For example, perhaps they continue to work on school assignments from Monday to Thursday but enjoy some social time on Fridays and Saturdays (READ: 3 Warning Signs of Senioritis). 5. Maintain attendance The number one issue with senioritis is a failure to show up at school. Unfortunately, most schools are stricter than they used to be when it comes to attendance. Too many unexcused absences can look bad on a student’s attendance record. As long as seniors show up to school, they are more likely to complete assignments and be involved in any extracurricular or sports activities that occur at the end of the year. End the year strong with the help of a private Fullerton tutor. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.