Sunday, March 29, 2020

Solve My Chemistry Problem - How To Solve My Chemistry Problem

Solve My Chemistry Problem - How To Solve My Chemistry ProblemWhat you are going to discover is that there are plenty of ways to solve my chemistry problem and achieve your goals. Here is a short list of methods that you might want to consider:You need to understand that, if you are looking for an easy, fun and less expensive way to solve your chemistry problem, then why not take up running? Running is one of the best ways to get in shape and even if you don't run a marathon you can still do some aerobic exercises which will help keep your body in top condition. If you are looking for a way to solve my chemistry problem then you might be interested in swimming as this too will keep your muscles toned and very toned.The next step you need to consider is what kind of supplements you are going to take. If you need something that will prevent you from feeling as though you have taken it without the correct amount of it, then Vitamin C is the solution. This is an excellent antioxidant, wh ich is used by the body to help protect it against free radicals. The reason why this is so useful is because, although it protects your cells against any damage, it also helps the body to absorb the oxygen and to produce energy in the form of ATP.Another reason why Vitamin C is beneficial to the body is because it helps to prevent wrinkles on the skin and hence will keep your skin looking younger and healthier. Once you find a topical cream that contains Vitamin C then you will need to apply it two times daily, just before going to bed and after breakfast. Be sure to apply it with cotton wool.Another supplement, which is known to aid medicine is Folic Acid. As we all know that excessive consumption of alcohol is linked to a risk of getting cancer, so drinking alcohol needs to be avoided at all costs.Foods which contain potassium rich food should be consumed every day to help reduce the risk of developing kidney disease. There are also plenty of foods that have been proven to be hel pful. Carrots, which are high in potassium, and potatoes, for example, are high in potassium.You also need to limit the amount of sugar in your diet. Not only will it make you feel lethargic but also contribute to many other medical problems including diabetes. Of course, if you do suffer from diabetes you will also need to limit your sugar intake but if you are not overweight then the benefits of following this rule may outweigh the risks.Although there are several other ways to tackle this problem, when it comes to the most easiest solution which has the least amount of side effects, none is more effective and more affordable than the above mentioned. Start implementing these tips and you are on your way to solving my chemistry problem.

Friday, March 6, 2020

11 Ways to Honor a Veteran

11 Ways to Honor a Veteran Veterans Day is coming, an annual opportunity for communities and families to honor former U.S. service members! If you want to thank our soldiers and veterans for their service you can do it in different ways. Here are just a small list of what you can do to honor people who have served and protected our country: -Say thank you! It’s such a small and,  lets admit, simple gesture that takes just a moment, but soldiers really do appreciate it. -If you are a teacher get children involved in the day. You can ask them to make thank you posters and put them up around town. -Publish a post on Facebook  thanking our veterans. -Wear red, white and blue today to support our soldiers and veterans. -Buy some groceries or bake some sugar free cookies and bring them to a veterans home. -Lay flags and flowers on the graves of veterans to give honor to the dead. -Visit a local retirement home and have a chat with some aged veterans who will love to share their stories with you (I cannot listen to them without tears filling my eyes). -If you have a business, offer a special Veteran’s Day discount. -Take a veteran for lunch or pay for his meal if you saw him at a restaurant. -When you spot a soldier, just give him a wink, smile, or thumbs up. Let him you highly appreciate their sacrifice. -Remember to honor American heroes all year long- not just on Veterans Day! Do you want to know more about Veterans day and history of the US ask our history tutors. They are experts in their field and will help students prepare for their next history class, test or assignment. God Bless you all God Bless America!

City of Angels (and autos)

City of Angels (and autos) My boss suggested I post a little info piece on the city of Los Angeles, since it has been my home for many years now. And boy when I say many years, I truly mean many. When I look at Los Angeles now, I see a city I hardly recognize any more. When sitting   in the insane traffic gridlocks, so common here now, I gaze at new houses replacing   older ones. I see a nice classic ranch house for a family off four torn down and in its place is a two story square block of nondescript ugliness, with almost no front yard and absolutely no back yard because it’s all about square footage now. I currently live a few miles from the ocean, but it is a very nice neighborhood on the   West-side. One of our neighbors across the street sold their nice little three bedroom   stylish corner home and the new owners came in with bulldozers and mowed it down. How   sad. The sadness is because they replaced it with what many of us now term a “mini mansion”. Yea, that’s right, another of those big square maximum square footage deals. Well, there goes the neighborhood. I ran into the new owners as their home was having   the final little details completed. It turns out they are an older couple looking to settle in to their new digs on the West-side. Just out of curiosity (alright I’m nosy)   I asked how many bedrooms their home has, and I still cannot figure out what a senior   citizen retired couple would do with a five bedroom house. I guess I’d figure out something if it was mine. On another note, Los Angeles has always been known as a city for larger than life   entertainment. Hollywood has the movie studio lots where anything you can dream can   now be put on the big screen. Night club scenes are huge here too. Even some of the largest internet start-ups are here, they are especially attracted to the Venice Beach part of L.A. Man growing up down there I remember us kids took pride in the fact that   outsiders never came down there at night. Boy has that changed. Professional sports teams are also an enormous part of the L.A. life style. The Lakers, Dodgers, Kings, and   yes even the Galaxy to name a few of the biggest drawers of fans and money. Aside from living in a place where you can swim in the ocean in the morning, snow ski   in the afternoon and then spend the night under the stars in the desert, this city offers the nearly four million resident’s and guests an enormous possibility of educational opportunities. All within the city limits, we have the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), California State University Northridge (CSUN), and   California State University Los Angeles (CSULA), and that’s just the state universities.  As far as the private institutes go, I count well over 20 very prestigious institutes   including the University of Southern California (USC) and Loyola Marymount University (LMU) and the list is too long to cover in this blog. Suffice it to say, whether one was interested in Medical, Legal, Psychological, or Film, or you name it, the prospects are tremendous here. Not that these types of educational paths are easy, they are not. However Los Angeles also has an enormous resource of private tutors throughout the city including the nation wide TutorZ.com. Not to mention the temperature is almost always 75 degrees   Fahrenheit all the time (I had to throw that in). So when Los Angeles was founded back in 1871, there were 14 families that totaled the   population at 44 people and the town was originally named “El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora   la Reina de Los Angeles de la Porciula”. Translating original name into English would   be; “Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angeles of the Small Portion”.   The Population grew, but the name shrank. Unfortunately so did the traffic. Arrrgg!

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Learning With the Organic Chemistry Tutor

Learning With the Organic Chemistry TutorThe Organic Chemistry Tutor is the right choice for those students who are in need of refresher courses, but at the same time want to be more involved with their learning. It allows the student to choose what the content will be and to download a curriculum that they can use in both the classroom and online studies. This is a great option if you are interested in pursuing the job you have always wanted to, while still getting the required skills you need to get ahead in your job.The Organic Chemistry Tutor makes it easy for the student to become familiar with various materials, methods, and concepts. These lessons can include different types of chemistry including nuclear biology, organic chemistry, and many others. Students are able to download these lessons from the internet for use in their personal use as well as to be taken to school to take their final exams. For example, you can download the Organic Chemistry Flash Cards course to give to your classroom, which can be used on your own as well as to teach your child how to study in the future.The Organic Chemistry Tutor also makes it easy for the student to learn in an interactive format so that they can increase their knowledge and enhance their learning skills. There are also interactive quizzes, practice exams, and lab activities that will help to hone the students' skills.It's important that the student isn't put off by the fact that they have to pay for these lessons. The cost of the study materials can vary according to which company you are purchasing them from. Also, the cost will differ depending on the features that are included in the purchase.One of the most important things to remember when you are choosing a company to buy from is the license. If you choose one that doesn't have a license, then you are not able to take the lessons to your school and take your exams. You will find that the more famous the company is, the more likely they are to have a l icense and therefore to be able to provide you with lessons and resources that you need.The Organic Chemistry Tutor offers all the latest and greatest materials on the market. They use a state of the art computer system which means that all lessons are available and ready to be downloaded. The material includes the latest topics such as Molecular Structure, Molecular Clusters, Solubility Theory, Photosynthesis, Photo-Hybridization, Nitrogen-Oxide and more.If you are looking for ways to ensure that you can improve your career or are looking to take your career to a higher level, you should consider using the Organic Chemistry Tutor. All the materials are from reputable, trusted companies, and you are able to download the material at no cost. The lesson is available for your personal use as well as for the use of your children.

Why Do You Want to Pursue a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry?

Why Do You Want to Pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry?Why choose a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry? Is there a reason other than to get into a solid and reliable job with a stable salary? Many people who may consider this as a major career are looking at the job prospects for those who already have an advanced degree and decide that the education of some chemistry is only a stepping stone to success in a different field.Yes, it can be a practical basis for a Bachelor's degree in the different branches of science or any other major program in a higher education institution. But there are also several other possible reasons that we could point out why you would want to pursue this as a career. In fact, it may be a good career that will enhance your life experience and life style. We cannot leave out the potential opportunity of getting paid quite well while pursuing a career in chemistry.In addition, the pay for those who have pursued a Bachelor's degree in the field can be quite rewarding. As mentioned earlier, it does not include the salary that could be made as a part-time job. It can be an excellent way to get your doctorate degree.As a plus, it has a solid relationship with other important fields and is not just about chemistry alone. The other branches of physics, biology, and chemistry can be helpful in other areas of your life as well.Besides, if you are interested in pursuing a career in this field, the Bachelor's degree may even provide opportunities that are helpful for advancement in your career and life. This means that you will surely feel accomplished after graduation.Most students believe that just because the science focuses on how elements are formed and how they bond with each other does not make it a science related to a specific field. However, when this is taken to its extreme, it becomes more of a branch of chemistry. Ifwe look back at what scientists know today, we may discover that some things that can be achieved through chemistry can not be done with the help of any other science field.If you have your Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and are planning to further your studies, you need to make sure that the school that you enroll in can give you the right education and training for a career in this field. We cannot blame you if you choose to attend a course that you find appropriate for your interests.

Cosmetic Chemistry Internships - The Science Behind a Facial Treatment

Cosmetic Chemistry Internships - The Science Behind a Facial TreatmentCosmetic chemistry internship programs offer aspiring students an excellent opportunity to study under a professional and respected chemistry professor. This is perfect for high school students who have recently graduated or those who simply want to make new friends and learn more about the world of chemical science. A chemistry internship would be a great way to get your hands on all that is involved in the chemistry process. Just by working at a lab with chemicals and lab instruments you will quickly learn about how they are made, used, and stored.As you read the following paragraphs, you are likely aware that 'skincare' is one of the hottest industries in the world today. More people are choosing the cosmetics industry as their primary avenue for purchasing products for themselves and their loved ones. If you enjoy natural skin care products, and other chemical based products, it would be best for you to conside r studying at a chemistry lab.Your internship could even go as far as helping to create new and innovative skincare and skin care products. Make up artists and even hairdressers are often hired from the chemistry department at universities and colleges. This is a great job for someone who is passionate about beauty and also knows a lot about science.In addition to being able to master the principles of the sciences, you may learn the necessary skills and abilities to work with a number of different types of chemical compounds. Chemists use them to synthesize skin care and cosmetics products, by mixing them together with different amounts of other substances. Your work will take place in a chemical laboratory, with potentially hazardous and potentially explosive substances. But it is important to note that the laboratories are cleaned regularly and are monitored by safety guards.For someone who is looking for a career in chemistry, especially cosmetic chemistry, it would be good to h ave some type of hands-on experience. You can volunteer at a clinic or hospital, or you could work in the office of an expert cosmetic chemist. This could be the beginning of a long and rewarding career as a cosmetic chemist. With a hands-on experience and a decent salary, you could very well decide to stay on after you graduate from college to work in the same profession.A career as a cosmetic chemist is a great choice for someone who is interested in becoming an educator or a business owner. It would not only be great for the future of cosmetics, but for the future of your entire country as well.One great thing about makeup, and other related products, are that many companies offer organic chemistry internships to high school students who can work in an effort to improve the production of organic and natural products. You could learn everything from the theoretical foundations of chemistry, to the practical work involved in creating new organic products.

Who Were the Tudors

Who Were the Tudors What You Need to Know about the Tudor Period ChaptersWhen was the Tudor Period?The Start of the Tudor DynastyHenry VIII (1509-1547)The Reformation and the TudorsThe Tudors after Henry VIIIThe Tudors are almost certainly the most famous dynasty of monarchs in English history. And with good reason.With some of the most seismic shifts in British history occurring under their reigns, with the consolidation of the English state, and with all sorts of debauched, philandering behaviour going on in the royal court, there is a lot to be interested in and excited about.But, apart from a certain King Henry VIII marrying plenty of women â€" a number of whom he then beheaded â€" and maybe the Spanish Armada, not much about this fascinating period is incredibly well-known.Because the importance of the House of Tudor in the history of English kings and queens is not really about the wives so much as the politics. This is the real contribution of Tudor history to the contemporary world as much as to the that of the sixteenth century.And whilst you can find out about the lives and personalities of the Tudor monarchs in another article, here we’ll be looking at the changes that they made to the Tudor era in general.Let’s take a little look. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhen was the Tudor Period?The answer to the question, ‘who were the Tudors?’, starts with another question: ‘when were the Tudors?’. Because the particular time in which this most famous of dynasties rule d is largely the reason why so much of significance happened â€" and why we endlessly return to the Tudors throughout school.The ‘Tudor times’, as they are often referred to, lasted between 1485 and 1603, from the coronation of Henry VII â€" or Henry Tudor â€" and the death of Elizabeth I. This long sixteenth century came after a period of extended war â€" the Wars of the Roses â€" and before the consolidation of the first British Empire.Generally speaking, it was in this period that England prepared itself for the period of global power that began in the seventeenth century.Who were the Tudors?Long before the period which took the family’s name, the Tudors were an aristocratic family from the north of Wales.They came into importance during what we now know as the War of the Roses, a series of civil wars throughout the fifteenth century between the House of York and the House of Lancaster (the former with being identified by a white rose and the latter by a red one).These wars kicked off due to the perennially problematic monarchical issue of heirs â€" i.e. which son of whom was actually entitled to be the king. Throughout history, there have been too many similar conflicts on this matter to count â€" but, generally speaking, a lot of people died because of these disagreements.Given that the War of the Roses lasted some thirty-two years â€" through the reigns of Yorkist kings Edward IV and King Richard III â€" not many of the people who started the war in 1455 were there, in 1487, to see it finish.And this is precisely why Henry Tudor, the descendant of an obscure Welsh aristocratic line, became the leader of the Lancastrians and a claimant to the throne: simply because everyone else in the Lancastrians with a stronger claim had already been killed in the war.Find out more about the Tudor period!The Start of the Tudor DynastyAs we all know, the Lancastrians â€" led by Henry Tudor â€" ultimately won the war, at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1487. Henry Tudor therefore became Henry VII.This moment started the Tudor monarchy, which managed to retain power for over a century due to the actions of Henry VII â€" an often-underrated king. He, through threats and a strategic marriage to Elizabeth of York, managed to unify the two warring houses â€" and he brought the two symbols together as the Tudor Rose, both red and white.Nonetheless, Henry VII had plenty of rebellions on his plate throughout his reign, despite forbidding the private armies of lords and dukes across the country. None of them, fortunately, caused him too much trouble. The unified Tudor Rose, using the two roses from the Wars of the Roses. Image from WikipediaHenry VII’s SuccessesThe early years of the Tudors was characterised primarily by Henry’s financial shrewdness and diplomatic pragmatism.Throughout his reign he managed to secure treaties with the French, with the Holy Roman Empire, with Spain, and even with Scotland â€" the long-standing enemies of the English.Meanwhile, under his leadership, he built up the government treasury â€" by means of heavy taxation and through his determination to see a healthy wool and fabric trade in England.Although he wasn’t the most exciting person to have ever existed â€" and although his reign didn’t see half as much of the drama as those of his descendants â€" all of these things would be massively important for the rest of the Tudor dynasty.Discover fun facts about the Tudor era! MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesso n free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHenry VIII (1509-1547)Let’s quickly run through the reign of Henry VII’s son, Henry VIII, probably the most notorious of the Tudor monarchs. Sure, he had six wives. Sure, he died an obese and grumpy man. And, sure, he was probably quite a charismatic bloke in his time, jousting and writing poetry and music.But what is important about his reign, really, is the much greater power that he held over the England and Wales than any other king previously had. He made this happen â€" and it certainly couldn’t have happened at any tim e other than the sixteenth century.We generally know that the Break with Rome â€" in the early 1530s â€" was due to Henry’s desire for a divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, and that it caused a whole load of trouble with European powers afterwards.Yet, this is only half of the story. Because all of the stuff that happened in England in the 1530s â€" the dissolution of the monasteries, the establishment of the Anglican church separate from the Pope, etc â€" was the result of all sorts of different pressures and ideas that were coming from elsewhere.The Reformation and the TudorsWe said earlier that the most important part of knowing who the Tudors were is knowing when the Tudors were. And whilst the facts and events of the War of the Roses makes up part of this ‘when’, the other part comes from elsewhere.Generally, that other part comes from Europe, where all sorts of different ideas were being spread around as a result of dissatisfaction with the Pope and with th e Catholic Church in general.Such dissatisfaction came from the vast wealth of the Catholic Church, the fact that the clergy did not fulfil the roles that they were supposed to, and the fact that many of the ceremonies in church were facilitated by monetary exchanges â€" at the expense of the poor.These issues were widespread. Yet, it wasn’t until theologians such as Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, John Calvin and many others started speaking out about it, that sentiments against the Catholic church had much political impact.Find out what life was like in the Tudor period. One of the monasteries that suffered under Henry VIIIThe Reformation in EnglandWhilst Henry VIII’s search for a divorce from Catherine of Aragon was the spark that set off the English Reformation, these ‘protestant’ ideas had been in England for a while. Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, was known to hold Protestant ideas â€" as well as Thomas Cromwell, Henry’s most important advisor.It was these two forces â€" alongside Henry’s personal desires â€" that lead to what we know as the Tudor Reformation, and to the Anglican Church.And whilst many historians hold that Henry VIII died a committed Catholic, the significance of his actions for the future of England were huge. He brought much more money to the crown than before, through seizures of monasteries and church property and the diversion of church taxes.This moment provided a key incident in the development of a central state in England â€" as the monarch became an absolute power in the land.The Tudors after Henr y VIIIThese actions of Henry VIII, however, caused all sorts of problems for the rest of Tudor dynasty, however.Edward VI, the young king who took the throne when Henry died in 1547, was a committed protestant. However, his half-sister, Mary I, or ‘Bloody Mary’, who succeeded him in 1553, was a devout Catholic.These monarchs’ personal religious convictions made life a little complicated for normal people during these years, as state religion â€" religion that you were allowed to practice â€" was not at all time entirely clear. Mary, in particular, developed the reputation for being profoundly authoritarian and murderous â€" a reputation that is, incidentally, increasingly challenged by historians. Mary I maybe wasn't so bloody as we like to thinkQueen Elizabeth I of EnglandAll of this toing and froing ended with Queen Elizabeth, whose reign is known for religious compromise, cultural brilliance, and increasing diplomatic strength.

4 Things NOT to Let Slide During Senior Year

4 Things NOT to Let Slide During Senior Year The following is a guest post written by Anna Carapellotti of Admissionado, a premier college admissions consulting company focused on helping students get into their dream schools. Seniors, youre in the homestretch (well, almost!). As we rapidly approach the Early Decision / Early Action deadlines, knowing that the Regular Decision deadlines are just around the corner, were here to remind you that now is not the time to lose motivation. In order to sail through senior year with success, its important that you keep your grades up, stay involved, and keep your eye on the prize (the acceptance letter, that is). So, with that in mind, here is a list of four ways to ensure a strong finish to your high school career: Grades Raise your hand if youre busy calculating the absolute minimum that you have to achieve this year in order to keep a competitive GPA. Hopefully no ones hand went up, but if yours did, consider this: What if you dont get into the school of your dreams and decide to transfer? What if you decide to apply for a scholarship, fellowship, etc. sophomore year of college and they request your high school transcript? It certainly wont look great if you dont have either a steadily improving or consistent GPA. For one, a significant drop in your GPA shows a lack of motivation and maturity. Why should anyone assume youre willing to work hard now if you werent willing to work hard then? Second, you might actually be missing out on material that will be useful to you in college. And finally, you will risk jeopardizing your relationships with your high school teachers, counselors, and administrators, who might otherwise be able to support you in your ambitions. Which brings us to Relationships Whether or not you have plans to return to your hometown, its important to continue to build relationships at your high school through senior year (and we dont just mean with your friends). As you grow older, you will learn that the connections you make truly matter. So if nothing else, continuing to work hard and make a good impression will simply be good practice for the future. At the same time, you never know when you might need to call upon a former teacher, your principal, or another adult at your school for a letter of recommendation or a reference. However, at the same time, were certainly not suggesting that you build relationships with the sole goal of getting something out of them. Were simply encouraging you to continue to work hard, do well in your classes, and remain involved in extracurricular activities in such a way that people are impressed with your effort. If you do so, these connections will form naturally and you will have a solid network to build upon in the future. Extracurricular activities While you certainly need to set aside some extra time to spend with your friends and family, work on your college applications, and perhaps even visit some college campuses, senior year is not the time to let your extracurricular activities and community involvement slide. These activities will help you continue to build a strong foundation for success with skills surrounding time management, teamwork, and leadership, in addition to helping you discover where your strengths and passions lie. Moreover, staying involved, whether it be in a sport, art, or volunteer effort, will help you continue to strengthen the relationships referenced above. College application essays Last but not least: your application essays. Chances are you already have a solid draft of your Common Application essay (we hope!), but some (if not all) of those school supplements may remain unchecked on your to-do list. We have three words for you: Dont. Burn. Out. With many of you applying to six or mores schools, you might find it difficult to remain motivated until the very end. But its important that you do, and heres why even if youre considering a gap year, feel like youre a shoo-in at a certain school, or think youll ultimately transfer, youll still want to make sure youve put your best foot forward. First of all, this will give you more options. Depending on where youre applying, even the brightest of students arent necessarily guaranteed admission. And a great, truly personal application essay can help tip the scale in your favor. Second, youll simply feel better waiting for those admissions letters if you know you tried your hardest. So write, rewrite, rewrite again, and be sure to proofread for clarity and errors. The end product should be something that youre proud of. If you keep working hard, stay involved, and put forward an application that reflects your best effort, then you should feel confident that you have set yourself up for admission and success. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Exploring Jazz Improvisation Tips for Beginners

Exploring Jazz Improvisation Tips for Beginners Suzy S. Whether you play saxophone, piano, bass, or another instrument, jazz can be a really fun genre to explore! To get started, check out these jazz improvisation tips from Brookings, SD teacher  Carl S   One of my favorite things about making music is jazz improvisation. Jazz style is a lot of fun, but adding improvisation to that is essential. I, like many of my students, was afraid to improvise at first. Here are some helpful jazz improvisation tips for starting out. Before Step One Before anything else, be honest with yourself and identify what level you’re at. If you’re a true beginner, the worst thing that you can do is try to instantly memorize what all of the chord symbols mean. Yes, they are important, but this is not step one. Even if you’re just starting out with your instrument, you can begin by training your ear. Step One The first thing I have a student do is jam out on one note. I set up a play-along track, or even just a metronome, and then I play a measure of some rhythmic idea. Then, I have the student copy me. We repeat this several times, paying extra attention to style and articulation. Then, I expand to playing three note, then five, etc. All students can do this, and it is easy to customize to their needs. Remember to Have Fun! How do you get better between lessons? When I was in middle school, one of my favorite things to do was play along with the radio. I’d play mainstream radio melodies on the saxophone, not even realizing how important this was to my future as a musician. I was training my ear and having fun doing it! Start with Simple Music Theory Once you can do this, it’s probably time to start checking out some chord symbols. A lot of people start with the blues progression, but that’s a lot of fast changing chords for a beginner. I prefer to start with a slower paced AABA form, such as a tune like “Impressions” or “So What”. Learning two scales and having plenty of time to clearly hear the harmony changing makes this transition much easier. The Blues Now’s the time to try the blues. Many band directors will teach you the “blues scale” at this point. While this is a quick fix for band directors to get students to play something for a concert, it is not really considered playing the changes of a blues form. I suggest looking at Jamie Aebersold’s Play-Along Volume 54 “Maiden Voyage”. These books and many other great resources are available at www.jazzbooks.com. This series of play-along books is very well known to jazzers, and there are well over 100 volumes made for all instruments. Check out the third tune called “Bb Blues”. More Difficult Chord Progressions From here, chord progressions get more difficult. The Aebersold books can be very helpful, since they spell out the scale for each chord symbol. At this point, it is very easy to develop a habit of only improvising while staring at the page. Don’t forget to use your ear! Learning Tunes The Real Book Volume I (6th Edition) is available at www.jazzbooks.com as well as many other places, including iBooks. This is a book with hundreds of standard jazz tunes, and there are several volumes and categories. The tempting thing to do is to learn these tunes by reading, however, it is better to learn them by ear. To do this, start by picking an easy tune that’s in the book, find it on YouTube being performed by the original artist/composer, and go from there. Additional Resources Aebersold has created play-alongs for these books, but there is a cheaper and more customizable option. I use an app called iReal Pro, which is inexpensive and always with me on my phone. First, download the app, then add the content, which includes over 1,000 songs. From here, you can transpose, add dozens of repeats for practice, change tempos, etc. This is a lot of information, but if you first identify what level you’re at and keep these jazz improvisation tips in mind, you’ll be gigging like a pro in no time! Carl S. teaches saxophone, music theory, piano, and more in Brookings, SD. He  completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance at the University of Kansas in 2014, and his Master of Music Pedagogy and Performance from Oklahoma State University in 2011.  Learn more about Carl 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  sebastien letellier