How To Choose An Organic Chemistry Tutor

How To Choose An Organic Chemistry TutorIf you are an organic chemistry student and looking for a good chemistry tutor to help you through your course, then it is important that you take the time to choose the right tutor to get you where you want to be. There are so many to choose from and choosing the right one can be extremely hard. Luckily, there are a few things that you can look for in your tutor to ensure that you get the best out of your experience.One of the first things that you should look for in a good organic chemistry tutor is his or her training. You need someone who has experience in the field and knows what you are going through. This person should also be someone who is experienced with the problems that you will encounter throughout your career. The more experienced you find a tutor to be, the more confident you will feel that they know what they are doing.Another factor that you should consider is the quality of their teaching. No matter how good the tutor is, if they aren't effective in teaching you, then how do you expect them to do their job? A good organic chemistry tutor will always be accessible for questions. He or she should be available for chat via phone or email and should offer you options when it comes to setting up appointments.Lastly, you should find out whether the organic chemistry tutor you select has been through any kind of accreditation. The only way to really be sure that you have found the right organic chemistry tutor is to check with their current accreditation. You should be able to contact the institute in question, and if they have had any issues with their school, you will know as soon as possible.In addition to checking all of these points, you should also make sure that the tutor you choose has the training and knowledge in chemical aspects of organic chemistry that you are seeking. If you find that the person you select doesn't have the education, experience, or training that you require, then it could very we ll mean that you will not see any results from the study materials you receive. There is no reason to rush into something that could cause you a lot of frustration, and this should be a top priority when selecting a tutor.Once you have the basic information about the organic chemistry tutor you are looking at, it is time to compare their prices. If you find that their fees are very high, then you need to investigate the ways in which they charge their fees. Some organic chemistry tutors will charge by the hour, while others will offer a flat rate fee for each session.Overall, finding the right person to help you through your study will be easier than you think. You should know the expectations you have for your instructor, and you should also find out what kind of quality assurance procedures they use. All of these factors will help you select the organic chemistry tutor that will work best for you.With the right organic chemistry tutor, you will have the best experience possible. Y ou will gain the knowledge that you need, and you will also have a great chemistry class to go to! Good luck!

Math Tutor in Athens, GA

Math Tutor in Athens, GA Meet our new Tutor Mr. Will B. He lives in Athens, GA and specializes in math ranging from the common core, to high school calculus, to college courses including linear algebra, graph theory, and vector calculus on manifolds. Will graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelors degree in Mathematics. He was a member of the Math Club as well as volunteering at many organizations in the Athens and Atlanta areas. He began tutoring in August of 2010, after scoring in the mid 700s on the SAT. Ultimately, Will aims to benefit the students. He always encourages feedback and suggestions from both students and parents in order to make himself more effective. Will always tries to present the material in a way that perhaps is different than in the classroom, often times tying in the subject matter to real world applications. He always ensures that there is ample time to work through problems together, reviewing steps along the way. So often Math is a subject area that has a bad association, Wills goal is to make the learning experience as pleasant as possible through a hands on approach. Will has worked with students aging 12-23 over the course of the last six years or so. He has tutored in group settings in the past, but Will found that one-on-one engagements seem to be the most effective. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with Will or other tutors at TutorZ. Will is  almost always available short notice, and will always respond promptly. Please feel free to contact him with any additional questions or to schedule a time to meet. Math Tutor in Athens, GA Meet our new Tutor Mr. Will B. He lives in Athens, GA and specializes in math ranging from the common core, to high school calculus, to college courses including linear algebra, graph theory, and vector calculus on manifolds. Will graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelors degree in Mathematics. He was a member of the Math Club as well as volunteering at many organizations in the Athens and Atlanta areas. He began tutoring in August of 2010, after scoring in the mid 700s on the SAT. Ultimately, Will aims to benefit the students. He always encourages feedback and suggestions from both students and parents in order to make himself more effective. Will always tries to present the material in a way that perhaps is different than in the classroom, often times tying in the subject matter to real world applications. He always ensures that there is ample time to work through problems together, reviewing steps along the way. So often Math is a subject area that has a bad association, Wills goal is to make the learning experience as pleasant as possible through a hands on approach. Will has worked with students aging 12-23 over the course of the last six years or so. He has tutored in group settings in the past, but Will found that one-on-one engagements seem to be the most effective. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with Will or other tutors at TutorZ. Will is  almost always available short notice, and will always respond promptly. Please feel free to contact him with any additional questions or to schedule a time to meet.

The Magic Number How Many Words Do I Need to Know in My Target Language

The Magic Number How Many Words Do I Need to Know in My Target Language The Magic Number: How Many Words Do I Need to Know in My Target Language? How many words does it take to get to the center of a delicious foreign language?One?Two?Just like Tootsie Pops, languages are tasty treats  that we rarely notice ourselves getting closer to the “center” of until were  chewing on the chocolaty  goodness of free-flowing conversation and wondering how many steps it took us to get there.Unlike  Tootsie Pops, languages are complex living things, frustratingly resistant to black-and-white measurements of how many words or how many licks it takes to cross the finish line and reach your goal.However, while the number of licks in a Tootsie Pop remains a mystery to this day, there are a few different useful ways of sussing out how many words you need to reach arbitrary labels like being “conversational” or “fluent” in a foreign language, or to truly “speak” the language.Theres no magic number of words that you can learn to suddenly unlock all a languages mysteries, but there most certainly are ways to think about the numbers o f words that add up to fluency.For instance, there are  ranges of vocabulary that correspond roughly to different levels of fluency. There are particular kinds of words you should learn before others to get yourself closer to fluency faster. There are  learner-tested strategies for first learning to understand new words and then learning to use them.But before we start counting, lets talk about what were counting, as well as what counts. The Magic Number: How Many Words Do I Need to Know in My Target Language?When someone mentions learning a foreign language, our minds often  fill up with images of endless  flashcard apps and apartments covered in foreign words written on sticky notes stuck to everyday objects.After all, words are the stuff language is made of, right? The gotta-catch-em-all approach seems bound to pay off at some point.Its true that you cant learn a language without learning the words that make it up, but amassing a huge vocabulary shouldnt be your  main goalâ€"the difference between 1,000 words and 5,000 is a small one if those extra 4,000 are just different versions of the first thousand, if theyre words youll rarely get to use, or if you dont really know how to use them.Before you can wrap your head around the difference between 1,000 words and 5,000, youll need to think about what a word is. The answer depends on who you ask.What is a word?A quick search for how many words are known by the average native English speaker can give you results that vary widely.One source will claim that highly-educated native speakers have a vocabulary of around 10,000 words, while another says that an ordinary speaker who has finished high school knows 35,000 easily.Its not because these studies are fudging their numbers, but rather what theyre measuring is just different.Some word counts count every form of a word. For example, from the verb to run, we get  run, runs, ran, running and many more. By some counts, these would all count as individual words, all with slightly different meanings related to person, number and tense.Other counts  only look at headwords or word families, the forms by which most words are listed in the dictionary and the root word from which all other forms are derived. When counting this way, house and houses would be two forms of the same headword, house. The same would be true of am, is, was and be, all forms of the headword to be.Taking the latter  approach to counting up our vocabulary, you can think of a verb like to run as a word that youve learned, and your ability to conjugate it to the dog  runs would count as grammatical knowledge, rather than an entirely new word.This way of thinking closely mirrors organic language learning, in which we learn one form of a word and, as we learn more about the language and its structures, were able to generalize it and apply it to other situations. The grammatical understanding you acquire over time allows you to make the word plural, past tense, future tense or a d irect object.Perhaps you can already see the gulf of grey area between these two approaches.For instance, if run and ran count as one word, what about the verb to run in the sense of to manage or the noun form, as  in a quick run to the store? Where do we draw the line between one cluster of meanings and the next?When attempting to count words, its important to adopt a consistent standard (what youre counting and how youre distinguishing one word from another).Its also important to remember  that, at the end of the day, its all a bit arbitrary.How do you know what you know?Another complication is defining words we know.Do you know a word if you sort of mostly understand it when you hear it, but are unable to recall it and use it during conversation?This is the distinction between active and passive vocabulary.Active  vocabulary  is  vocabulary that you can quickly remember and actively use when writing, speaking and thinking.Passive vocabulary is  vocabulary that youre passively abl e to understand when you see it or hear it, but that you cant useâ€"or that youre unsure of how to useâ€"when writing, speaking and thinking.Generally speaking, new words  will first be gradually absorbed into your passive vocabulary as you encounter them several times and start to get a feel for their use.Then, once youve gained enough context clues, and once youve heard and read enough of a words different meanings and usages to have a more exact idea of what it means and how its used, itll move over into your active vocabulary.Native speakers and second language speakers alike generally have a passive vocabulary several times greater than their active vocabulary.  For learners, upgrading our passive vocabulary to the active category is one of the best ways to expand our knowledge of the language were learning.How many words do you know, and how many do you need to know?For the sake of this post, lets say that our vocabulary counts are using  headwords  and  word families that are included in our  active vocabulary.So, were not counting all the various forms of a given word, and were not counting anything thats only in our passive vocabulary.When we narrow our perspective  down like this, we can start making approximations.In general, we can describe levels of fluency in a foreign language with these rough word counts:Functional beginner: 250-500 words. After just a week or so of learning, youll already have most of the tools to start having basic, everyday conversations. In most of the worlds languages, 500 words will be more than enough to get you through any tourist situations and everyday introductions.Conversational: 1,000-3,000 words. With around 1,000 words in most languages, youll be able to ask people how theyre doing, tell them about your day and navigate everyday life situations like shopping and public transit.Advanced: 4,000-10,000 words. As you grow past the 3,000 word mark or so in most languages, youre moving beyond the words that make up eve ryday conversation and into specialized vocabulary for talking about your professional field, news and current events, opinions and more complex, abstract verbal feats. At this point, you should be able to reach C2 level  in the  Common European Framework for Reference (CEFR) in most languages.Fluent: 10,000+ words. At around 10,000 words in many languages, youve reached a near-native level of vocabulary, with the requisite words for talking about nearly any topic in detail. Furthermore, you recognize enough words in every utterance that you usually understand the unfamiliar ones from context.Native: 10,000-30,000+ words.  Total word counts vary widely between world languages, making it difficult to say how many words native speakers know in general. As we discussed above, estimates of how many words are known by the average native English speaker vary from 10,000 to 65,000+.Of course, youll need to keep in mind that different languages have different amounts of words, and thus voca bulary quantities  at different skill levels can vary considerably.Where Quality Meets Quantity: How to Learn the Right Words in Your Target LanguageTheres definitely a way to learn the right words in the right order when learning a language.Dont set out to learn as many words as you can as quickly as possible, but instead set out to learn the words that offer you the most benefit.Which words do I need to learn?A good starting point in any language is a list of high frequency vocabulary, or a handy base vocabulary list for any language.In English, for example, 3000  words make up about 95% of everyday conversationâ€"youll want to be sure you can recognize words like the, is and goes before you concern yourself with learning the names of plants and animals or todays slang.In any language, there are a few categories of words that will come in handy before others. Some of your first linguistic building blocks will be personal pronouns (I, she, your) and basic verbs, which normally incl ude words like to be, to have, to go and to do. Once you learn six personal pronouns and just these four verbs, youll already have a bunch of useful  words in your linguistic arsenal!With these basic tools in hand, youll move on to everyday concrete nouns like words about people (boy, family, hand) and household objects (table, window, refrigerator) to basic descriptors, conjunctions, demonstratives and so forth until your vocabulary numbers in the thousands of words.Strengthening your passive vocabularyAs earlier mentioned, most words wont be added directly to your active vocabulary the first time youre exposed to them.Instead, new words tend to gradually build a home in your passive vocabulary, the words that you completely or somewhat understand when encountered in context but cant independently use on your own (yet).To learn more words in a language, youll need to saturate your passive vocabulary with new information constantly. That means exposing yourself to linguistic input   like TV, videos and reading material, as well as plenty of real-life conversation.Beginning learners, dont fret over not understanding all the new words you expose yourself to every day. Every new word starts as an unfamiliar word, and repeated exposure is the only way to truly learn (rather than memorize) unfamiliar vocabulary.Tips for strengthening passive vocabulary:Watching childrens shows:  TV shows for small children speak in a slow, articulate manner with a simple vocabulary and lots of context clues. This weeks episode about colors might not be as exciting as Game of Thrones, but itll help you expose your brain to the new vocabulary in context, just like children do.Reading childrens books in translation: Green Eggs and Ham only used fifty words in the whole book. Hunt down some Dr. Seuss or other familiar childrens classics and learn new words easily by reading these, as the vocabulary is simple and youll already be familiar with the context.Watching Disney or other animate d films:  Watching a movie youve already seen a hundred times (but doing it in your target language) works on the same principle as reading familiar childrens stories. The vocabulary is simple, and you already know the story so well that youll understand much of what you hear without ever needing to open a dictionary.Learning vocabulary with real-life video with FluentU:  FluentUs online language learning platform uses videos like TV and movie clips to let you expose yourself to real-life language use and suck up some more new words into your passive vocabulary.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch somethin g? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the iTunes store  or Google Play store.Watching documentaries and educational programs: Learning a language with TV is one of the best ways to build vocabulary, and  documentaries and educational programs in particular  often (1) speak slowly and articulately, and (2) speak about something you see visually on the screen, making for a natural language learning setting in which you can start making connections between the words you hear and the images you see.Reading public signs, menus, etc.:  Stop, exit and emergency are all words you can learn quickly by taking a stroll through nearly any town in the world and looking around.Wikipedia pages on familiar topics:  Once youve moved beyond Dr. Seuss, try pulling up your professional field or favorite pastime on Wikipedia and finding the version in your target language on the left-hand menu. Once again, your familiarity with the subject should allow you to recognize and passively understand new words easily.Flashcards and flashcard apps:  Its old-fashioned, but spaced repetition  works. The tighter you tie new words to real-life images, the firmer they stick in your passive vocabulary, and the riper they are for promoting to active vocabulary.Strategies for building your active vocabularyPromoting passive vocabulary to active vocabulary is a question of use-it-or-lose-it.Once youve gotten acquainted with a new w ord and seen its different sides, its time to embark on the anxiety-inducing path of trying it out and using it yourself.Here are some handy ways to go from passive understanding to active use:Translating childrens books:  Translating childrens books is one of the easiest ways to start using your new vocabulary. Pick a familiar book (maybe the same one you read in your target language to help gain more passive vocabulary), and translate it into the language youre learning.Practicing new vocabulary in FluentUs learn mode:  With FluentU, once youve had a chance to wrap your head around a new word in context, learn mode or quiz mode gives you a chance to put it to work by using it actively.Vocabulary games:  Engaging your new vocabulary to accomplish a task is not only good for long-term retention, its also fun!Skype exchanges and language exchange meetups:  It doesnt get better than actual conversation. Check out some sites for Skype language exchange, or look around sites like Couchs urfing and Meetup for local language exchange events you can attend in person.Writing in your target language:  Keep a diary just for you, and dont worry about correctness or spellingâ€"just use your words! You can also chat with friends on social media or use sites like Lang-8 to have native speakers check over your writing.Talking to yourself:  Sometimes youre your own best conversation partner. Find some quiet time to read or watch some target language material and talk out your understanding of new words you hear, playing around with it until you think youve got it right.Taking a course:  If you need a more structured way to learn, you can take a course to help you along. For a very friendly and approachable course, check out polyglot Olly Richards  Conversations course, which is designed to help you set up workable, step-by-step systems for learning your target language and picking up useful new vocabulary.How to Build Your House of WordsWhether youre an absolute beginner or in termediate reaching for loftier linguistic goals, let the size of your vocabulary be a barometer for your progress rather than a goal in itself.Vocabulary is just one of the building blocks that make up a language, and just like building a house, you wont get very far with a bunch of odd-sized bricks or a faulty foundation.As you build your house of words and lay your bricks, remember that the foundation is all you need to get started, that syntactical scaffolding will support it, grammar will mortar it together, and social meaning and pragmatics seal off the roof.And to build up that critical vocabulary, take a cue from the owl in the Tootsie Pop commercial.Just bite into your language  and start chewing!

4 Ways to Beat the IELTS Exam - TutorNerds

4 Ways to Beat the IELTS Exam - TutorNerds Orange County Test Prep: 4 Ways to Beat the IELTS Exam Although the majority of students who wish to study in the US will take the TOEFL exam, some US colleges and universities will accept the IELTS exam, (most often used in Great Britain). Students studying for the IELTS can follow the same general study habits as students studying for the TOEFL. The majority of students, even those who are fluent or near fluent, will need to focus on a number of factors including speaking, listening, reading comprehension, and writing (READ: ESL Study Tips for Taking the SAT). 1. Speaking Speaking is one of the most difficult aspects of the IELTS exam because many students who speak English as a second language will feel a little bit nervous, especially on test day. Although many fluent and conversational speakers will have no issue speaking English to other ESL students or to native English speakers whom they know in their personal life, the fear of failing an exam often causes the mind to forget important aspects of a second language. Students are highly advised to practice speaking in a structured, test-like environment starting several months before they take the exam. Students should practice with a tutor or classmate until they become comfortable speaking English in an interview situation. When it comes to speaking any language, practice makes perfect. 2. Listening Listening is also a challenge when it comes to taking the IELTS exam because people who are listening in their second language will need additional time to comprehend what is being said due to the fact that their brain is translating their second language into their first language throughout the conversation. Its often harder to get practice listening if a student lives in a country where there arent a lot of native English speakers. The IELTS exam will have a person speaking in a British or American accent, depending upon the situation, and so being able to hear a native English speaker on a regular basis is important. Students who need practice are advised to listen to recordings given to them by their tutor or to utilize English language podcasts, TV, or radio broadcasts. Students can practice their listening by dictating the information given and then replay the podcast or TV show to see how close their translation was (READ: 5 Steps for Surviving Literature Class). 3. Reading comprehension Although this is certainly not an easy topic, it’s often one that IELTS students struggle with less because there is more study material available. Although tutors and classmates are helpful, students can practice reading comprehension during self study and underline or highlight unfamiliar vocabulary words and look them up in a dictionary later on. Reading comprehension students are also encouraged to utilize websites like Thesaurus.com in order to understand how different words are used and how they can substitute similar terms. They can also practice reading the great books list as well as more user-friendly publications such as American magazines or novels that are generally read for fun. Students should practice reading comprehension about 30 minutes per day in order to solidify their skills for exam day (READ: More Standardized Testing: What is the SBAC?). 4. Writing Writing is also something that IELTS students can practice by themselves. However, it’s very important that a tutor or teacher read through the various passages that the student writes in order to determine if the student is on the right track. Some of the most common issues when it comes to ESL and English language test prep are subject-verb agreement and words in context; understanding vocabulary in context can be very difficult for a non-native speaker. In short? IELTS students are encouraged to work with their Orange County test prep tutor to discuss their individual strengths and weaknesses. Studying for the IELTS can become overwhelming but it’s important that a student’s study is targeted to improve the issues they struggle with the most and also reviews the subjects they are doing well in. 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 post about.

The Types of Organic Chemistry Synthesis Reactions

The Types of Organic Chemistry Synthesis ReactionsOrganic chemistry synthesis reactions can be performed in a wide variety of ways, but they are not all the same. Some reactions are going to be much simpler than others. This article will discuss how to combine two different chemistry synthesis reactions for the best results.The selenium reaction is extremely simple and it has many applications. It is responsible for many of the blue chemicals which we have in our everyday life. It also has a very high melting point, so when it is mixed with calcium or potassium it will turn to a soft ball. The selenium is found in silver and is also used in many industrial applications such as the production of explosives. Sometimes selenium is needed in other chemical reactions, but sometimes you want to try another synthesis reaction.The sulfur and hydrogen combination is also very simple and does not usually need to be combined with anything else. However, when sulfur and hydrogen are combined the y make sulfuric acid. You can use this acid in a couple of different ways.You can mix the sulfuric acid with water and create a water-soluble compound, which you can then use to hydrate some other chemical compounds. You will have to add an oxidizer to the reaction before it produces the desired compounds. The sulfuric acid reaction is very similar to the selenium reaction in that both involve the addition of sulfuric acid to an anhydrous sulfur. Also, it is important to understand that although sulfur is the oxidizing agent in both the selenium and sulfur combination, sulfur is used in organic synthesis reactions.The acidification process for the formation of chlorinated hydrocarbons is actually quite a long boiling process. The two chemicals react by producing a chloride byproduct, which is then re-oxidized using water as the reducing agent. This reaction can also be used to create various forms of alcohols, which can be used in a variety of organic synthesis reactions. You may ne ed to add boron, which is often necessary in these types of organic synthesis reactions. However, you should always remember that you do not have to add any of the important chemicals for the reaction to occur.These organic chemistry synthesis reactions can all be very easily combined, so it is not hard to understand why they are so useful. They are also simple to perform and if you are not sure what the reaction will produce, then it can simply be mixed with something else to get the desired product. If you are uncertain of how to combine two different synthesis reactions, you may want to consult an organic chemist.Organic chemistry synthesis reactions can be performed in a wide variety of ways, but they are not all the same. Sometimes one reaction will be much simpler than the other, but in general they all can be used in conjunction to produce different types of compounds.

What Is LIVC Tutoring?

What Is LIVC Tutoring?Lived on college campuses for many years, I first heard about LIVC tutoring while working in the Los Angeles area. Since then, I have worked with many college students that were applying for entry-level positions. While some are fluent with English, others do not have a thorough understanding of the language. To help them with their LIVC programs, LIVC provides certified teachers to their students.LIVC tutors come from a variety of backgrounds, and although all are committed to helping their students succeed, their methods may differ. LIVC believes that an online LIVC program will have a lower attrition rate than an in-classroom teaching experience. LIVC also believes that students will be more motivated to achieve higher grades if they have a more flexible schedule. This gives them the opportunity to study and attend class when it is convenient for them.When students enter a LIVC program, they must complete the LIVC Online Certificate of Completion. They then t ake the exam known as the GRE (Graduate Record Exam). LIVC provides the required materials and then prepares the student to pass the exam.The next step after completing the LIVC certificate is to start a LIVC online course. Some online courses allow the student to sit at their own pace, but most use a timed format, where they complete each course work at a specific time. Students should ensure that they have enough time to complete their required course work.Once students have completed their required courses, they can apply for LIVC teacher certification through an accelerated online process. They can get their certification in just over two years, and then they can apply for a full-time position teaching online LIVC courses. Courses are similar to a regular university course, and students can use the LIVC websites to research courses and check out class schedules.Another benefit of using LIVC Tutoring services is that they have a comprehensive list of tutors who are experienced wi th the LIVC program. When students go through their application process, they must submit a profile of their online classes. When they call for an interview, they can find out which tutors they want to talk to. If they are looking for an experienced and reliable tutor, they will have options to choose from.Whether you are searching for a LIVC certificate or you are simply seeking additional experience for your resume, finding a certified LIVC tutor can really help you. It allows you to fill a need, and it can increase your confidence in your abilities. Get a mentor today!

Teach Yourself to Play Drums

Teach Yourself to Play Drums Learn to Play the Drums ChaptersOrganise Your Drumming Sessions like You Would a Gym SessionExample Drum ExerciseDrum Training: Recreational SessionsMore Advice on Improving Your DrummingDrumming Vocabulary“In music, silence is more important than sound.” - Miles DavisThe digital music market grew massively between 2007 and 2017. In fact, digital streaming is responsible for the biggest rise in music sales in the UK for two decades.Whether you play the electronic drums, saxophone, electric guitar, or even the djembe, mastering musical instruments on your own is always difficult.  You need to be really motivated if you want to learn to play the drums without taking lessons or getting a private tutor.Patience, routine, and rigour are essential for teaching yourself how to play the drums.  Here’s some advice on the best ways to learn how to play your drum kit. SerbanDrum Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyDrum Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tut ors RussellDrum Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StephenDrum Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeteDrum Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OllieDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsOrganise Your Drumming Sessions like You Would a Gym Session“If you’ve got a problem, take it out on a drum.” - Neil PeartThis is similar to all the inspirational quotes you’ll find about working out.There are many self-taught drummers who play professionally. (Source: ivonpollakova)When playing the drums, you need to challenge yourself and a good session will always result in you breaking a sweat. Your muscles need to feel the effort you’ve put in. You should definitely schedule around an hour of practice.Before you practise for an hour, you need to warm up just like you would if you were about to start working out at the gym.The difference between working out and playing drums is that you need a lot of creativity for the latter.  You need to warm up in two different ways: physically and mentally.In fact, you’ll put your brain through its paces when playing the drums. It’s one of the instruments that requires the most coordination.In fact, drummers need to use both sides of their brain and will create neural connections that aren’t found in other types of musicians.Before you start hitting the cymbals and drums, you need to make sure you have an appropriate place to practice, be it an entire room or a dedicated space within a room.Your drum kit should always be set up. If you have to put it together each time you practise, you’re going to end up practising much less.  Make sure you have everything you need before you start: water, towel, sheet music, pen and paper, video or audio resources, metronome, camera, etc.Put your phone to silent and close any tabs in your web browser that you’re not going to need. Say goodbye to procrastinationA good session can go like this:10 minutes of warming up your wrists, back, and legs.10 minutes of mental warmups: keep time on the snare while hitting the other drums however you like.20 to 30 minutes of focused practice: Do exercises or study a particular piece in order to improve.10 to 20 minutes of creativity: Let your imagination run wild!You always need to have a goal in mind before you start each session: mastering a new rudiment, doing a fill on the toms, working on your rhythm, improving a certain skill, etc.Example Drum ExerciseTo master an exercise, you need to start before you sit down at a drum kit.While the drums may seem complicated at first, you'll figure them out. (Source: 931527)Can you play the drums without any drums?Of course! It’s a great way to save time before you start doing a certain exercise at your drum kit. Rudimen ts are a fundamental part of drumming.Let’s take the paradiddle, for example RLRR LRLL RLRR LRLLYou can tap away on your lap while saying right (R) and left (L). You don’t need to go quickly. Work on this for 5 to 10 minutes to make sure it becomes second nature.Start by playing this rudiment on a pad or on your snare drum at a slow tempo (around 60bpm). You can then speed things up until you’re playing it at 100bpm.Don’t skip any steps! To learn how to play a drumbeat quickly, you need to be able to play it slowly and make sure you’re hitting every beat.The second step consists of adding a bass drum beat on the first and third beats and then opening and closing the hi-hat on the second and fourth beats.Try practising moving your feet on their own at 60bpm (with the help of a metronome) and then start increasing the tempo.Once you’ve mastered using your hands and feet separately, bring everything together.  Once again, start slowly at around 60bpm and work your way up to between 110 and 120bpm.Make sure to accent the beats on the paradiddle. This will help you keep time.To make things more difficult, you can do a double bass drum hit on alternate beats.You can also add offbeat bass drum beats.First beat: right hand and bass drum, left hand, right hand, right hand.Second beat: left hand and hi-hat, right hand, left hand and bass drum, left hand.Third beat: right hand and bass drum, left hand, right hand, right hand.Fourth beat: left hand and hi-hat, right hand, left hand and bass drum, left hand.Don’t panic if you’re struggling to speed things up when you first start! Just stay at 60bpm and you’ll start progressing.  Practise these exercises for around 20 minutes per drumming session.You can also change things up by playing the bell on the ride cymbal with your right hand and keeping your left hand on the snare drum.This type of exercise is both creative and technical and you could also implement it into one of your compositions. It’s a grea t way to work on your coordination and using your limbs independently.Go grab your drumsticks! SerbanDrum Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyDrum Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RussellDrum Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StephenDrum Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeteDrum Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OllieDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsDrum Training: Recreational SessionsWhen learning an instrument, we can sometimes forget to have fun with it.In addition to practising, you also need to play for fun. (Source: 889520)When you focus solely on technique, you lose the fun aspects of playing a musical instrument. This can have a negative effec t on your motivation in the long run.  We play musical instruments mainly for enjoyment, after all!Don’t forget to set aside some time to just have fun with your drums. This could be at the end of a long drum session.You can also schedule this for after a hard day of work in order to relieve stress.  This is good for your mind and will also help you improve your drumming.You can improve your creativity by playing a song you like or by creating your own compositions.More Advice on Improving Your DrummingIt’s not always easy to teach yourself. Sometimes your motivation will waiver. Here’s some advice to help you stick at it.When you buy a drum kit, you can feel tempted to play it constantly! Make sure that your playing doesn’t become a chore so that you can get the most out of it.If you don’t have the time to practise an hour each day, you’ll have to play smart.6 20-minute sessions a week are far more beneficial than a few sessions lasting 2 or 3 hours.Almost everyone shou ld be able to find 20 minutes to practise daily. You have to dedicate this time to drumming.Start by playing the end of a song or fill that you’re struggling with.We tend to start playing music from the beginning. This means that you’re usually a master of the beginning. However, your focus will dwindle and your playing will be negatively affected.By starting in the middle or the end, you’ll have an opportunity to practise and learn parts of the song that you won’t play as often because you decided to start playing another song (we all do it!).Film yourself! Filming yourself playing the drums is a great way to make sure you’re adopting the right posture and see exactly how you’re playing.Be critical, especially when you first start. You’re not going to be amazing when you first start. It’s important to correct mistakes the first time you make them so that you won’t pick up any bad habits.  Of course, make sure to reward yourself for good work, too.If you’re strug gling, I recommend getting a drumming notebook and writing time your objectives and the goals you’ve achieved. Do an appraisal each month. You’ll soon see how much you’re progressing and will feel encouraged by it.It doesn't matter what kit you have, it's important you practise. (Source: jonnyeaston)Drumming VocabularyRegardless of the instrument  that you’re learning, you’ll need to learn all the lingo.Crash CymbalThis is a small cymbal measuring between 14 and 24 inches in diameter which produces a powerful and intense sound than diminishes quickly.MalletA mallet is a drumstick with a felt or woollen ball on the end. They’re generally used for orchestral drums.