Piano Lesson Games for Kids Make Music Learning Fun

Generally young children who enjoy educational activities such as reading, coloring, crafts and word games also enjoy playing the piano. One reason is because they enjoy doing things with their hands. Did you know that there are games and activities available like this for young children that will give them a musical foundation as well? If you plan to give your young child piano lessons or if your child is taking piano lessons they can benefit greatly from musical games and activities at home. There are many foundational keyboard abilities children can learn at home while having fun that will give them a musical head start in piano. Here's 5 of these.

1. Drawing and Visualizing the Piano Keyboard

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2. Learning the musical alphabet in a variety of ways

Piano Lesson Games for Kids Make Music Learning Fun

3. Learning keyboard theory concepts for note reading

4. Learning to use their hands at the piano

5. Visualizing five-finger hand positions and finger numbers

This knowledge is not difficult to give your children at home. All you need are the right resources and of course a keyboard. You'll be giving your child musical values and educational opportunities that will prepare them for a positive future of learning. Piano lessons also help children learn

o key reading and math skills;

o how to set goals to achieve their dreams; and

o the need for self discipline and persistence; and

o how to take responsibility for their success. So take advantage of the early years and give your child even more of what they love to do with musical learning games and activities they'll enjoy.

Piano Lesson Games for Kids Make Music Learning Fun

To learn the best way to share the gift of music with children visit Amazon.com for my Piano Bears Musical Stories for Children The exciting Piano Bears Musical Stories for children ages 5 to 11 feature the loveable characters, Mrs. Treble Beary and her new piano student, Albeart Littlebud. Children love following along with Albeart to Mrs. Treble Beary's piano studio in Musical Acres Forest. Here they learn what piano lessons are all about in a fun way that kids readily understand and appreciate! Piano students laugh and giggle while reading "Little Bear's Musical Garden" and "Little Bear's Piano Goals."

For a wealth of free information and piano music online visit Piano Bears Music Education Resources Don't Wait to Share the Gift of Music!

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Guitar Lessons - How to Determine the Key of a Song

The "key" of a song seems like a mystery, but it really is not that big of a deal. You do not need to know music theory to understand or be able to determine the key of a particular song.

By using your ear and a TUNED guitar it is relatively easy to find the correct key of a song and even determine the chords and scale. First of all, what is the "key" of a song and what does this mean. In many cases the key of the song is nothing more than the tone of the first chord or note in the repetitive riff or verse of the song. Typically, if the first chord of a song is a C Major then the song will be in the key of "C". Most songs revolve around 3 chords that sound good together. In many cases if a song is in the key of C it will include a F and G chord in the chord progression. This is not always true, but it tends to be the case. There are several examples of typical chord groupings or chord progressions that can be found at our web site.

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Not much music theory in this bit of information, but how do you determine the key of a song with just your ear and a guitar. Well listen to the song and play the notes of the low E on the guitar from the first fret up to the 12th fret. Play them as you listen to the song and just keep moving up and down the frets until you find the note on the low E string that sounds good with the chord progression being played in the song. This is typically the root note for the chord and the scale for the song.

Guitar Lessons - How to Determine the Key of a Song

For example if you find that the note at the 5th fret of the low E sounds best for a particular song then the song is most probably in the key of A. Consult your list of chord progressions for the Key or A and try them while listening to the song. Chances are that it will sound right. Check out site our for more information.

To determine the scale first try playing the relative minor pentatonic scale over the chord progression you've determine was correct. In the example above use the A minor pentatonic. In many cases, this is all you will need to figure out the various notes and solos in the song. You may have to try other types of scales, but for most songs the pentatonic scale will work.

Now you have the basis for figuring out your favorite songs. Don't let the fear of learning "music theory" scare you. You already know what you need to understand how songs are constructed. Trust your ears and your instincts, but most of all "Rock On".

Guitar Lessons - How to Determine the Key of a Song

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Violin Master Pro - Learn to Play the Violin Online

The internet makes so many things available to people right from the comfort of their homes. That is the exact case here with Violin Master Pro. You can now learn to play the violin online, from a master of the trade, Professor Eric Lewis. If you were thinking of learning to play the violin or having violin lessons then Eric Lewis' course is exactly what you need, and at a fraction of the cost of one to one lessons from a violin teacher (under !)

Professor Eric Lewis is a member of the famous "Manhattan String Quartet". His skill and experience when it comes to playing the violin is unquestionable. He has traveled the world playing the violin and has been teaching privately for over 40 years. The quartet sometimes hold workshops that sell for 0 per person and last for only 7 hours. With Violin Master Pro you will get 100's of downloadable videos and MP3's that basically make this the same as Eric Lewis being in your home with you giving you private violin lessons.

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The beauty of these online violin lessons is that they cater for all needs. It doesn't matter whether you are a complete beginner or already an experienced violin player, you will all be able to benefit from these Eric's experience and ability to teach through these online violin lessons.

Violin Master Pro - Learn to Play the Violin Online

His lessons are not restricted to any one style of playing either, you will be able to learn to play the violin in the styles of classical, jazz, pop, fusion, Latin, European, rock, folk, country and many more. You will also be taught the more technical aspects of playing a violin, from learning how to read music, mastering rhythm through to holding the violin in the correct way.

Violin Master Pro gives you access to the complete ViolinMasterPro learning system, the exclusive video library where you can download and follow at your own pace, the Jamtrack which are MP3's for you to practice and play along with, and also the ViolinMasterPro membership which gives you unlimited access to all of the features and regular updates which include further instruction, tips, training on video, audio and documentation.

So if you are serious about learning to play the violin, or you are an experienced violin player and you want to improve further, then the Violin Master Pro course is highly recommended. These online violin lessons can greatly improve your skill and at incredible value too.

Violin Master Pro - Learn to Play the Violin Online

Learn to play the violin from the comfort of your home, from a master of the art.

Start learning minutes from now, as this course is available through instant download.

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Songwriters Wanted

Songwriters Wanted! How many times have you seen a similar advertisement in the newspaper? The music industry is ever growing and thus new types of job opportunities are opening up for various people. Good lyrics are hard to find and people are willing to pay a lot of money for it. If you write songs as a hobby not only can you make some additional money out of it, but nowadays many people are making a living by writing song lyrics. Almost every artist has a professional lyricist.

These days there are a lot of career options for a lyricist. A professional lyricist can get a job in any television and radio or even in an advertising agency. You can write jingles for various products. The scope is broadening with time and it's a great way of putting your writing skills to good use. Becoming a songwriter or a lyricist can be a very lucrative option for you. You can even work on a freelance basis, getting paid for every project you do instead of a monthly salary.

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Songwriting helps you grow both professionally and personally. For becoming a good songwriter you should write about what you know, and do so honestly and with emotion. Learn to question each and everything that is happening around you. Trying to find answers to various questions you would be able to live a better life. Writing lyrics help you and those around you. By writing you are able to process your thoughts and think more clearly. The actual words you write can change the world. Words have the power to influence other people and change the way they think. Through your words, you can help a certain person during difficult times.

Songwriters Wanted

To get started with songwriting as a career you can start searching on the internet and look for various platforms, which promote the idea of songwriting. Show the world how well you can compose and automatically offers from all over the world would start pouring in your in-box. Remain as much social as you possibly can and interact with different people. That would ultimately help you get the word out.

Songwriters Wanted

If you need help with writing song lyrics, contact our professionals who have experience writing lyrics today.

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Support Music Education

I support music education because it has played a vital role in my life. I had very difficult behavioral challenges as a child. I was defiant. I was expelled from three schools and was hospitalized three times because of mental, emotional and behavioral challenges. I was diagnosed with depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and a behavior disorder.

At the end of tenth grade, my defiance was at its peak and contributed to my third expulsion from school. Like a defiant child, I told my parents that I was not going back to school unless they found a way for me to play the drums more during the school day.

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Weeks later, my mother discovered the Long Island High School for the Arts. I was accepted and life changed for me completely. My grades went up, my behavior improved, and I discovered my mission in life. This is how I reaped the benefits of music education. I remember my adolescence as a time of life-changing transformation. Today I am honored to mentor musically-minded teens on the faculty at the Long Island High School for the Arts.

Support Music Education

Now I am a professional drummer and I love my job. I am happy, healthy, and I am in control of my own behavior. Instead of defiance, I've found positive ways to express myself. Like everyone, I suffer from periodic stress. When I sit behind my drums and play, I experience relief, emotional expression, and a wonderful connection with other people.

Music education is extremely beneficial for children and adults. If you type "benefits of music education" into a search engine you will discover tons of research done on the positive effects music education has on people. The best-known benefits of music education are improved SAT scores, literacy, and social skills.

One famous study was done by Profiles of SAT and Achievement Test Takers, The College Board, 1998. The researchers who conducted this study concluded that students who participate in music score higher on the SAT. Another popular SAT study showed that students who performed music scored 57 points higher on the verbal and 41 points higher on the math, than those who were not musical. Students who take music appreciation classes score 63 points higher on the verbal and 44 points higher on the math, compared to students who don't participate in the arts.

Although much of the research focuses on children, there are many benefits of music education for adults. According to a study done by the American Music Conference in1998, retired adults who took keyboard classes reported decreased anxiety, decreased depression, and decreased loneliness when compared to a control group. I believe that music education is just as important for adults as it is for children.

Support Music Education

As a proud supporter of the Fender Music Foundation (formerly the Guitar Center Music Foundation), I encourage you to support music education. You can do this through becoming an advocate or making a donation. When you purchase anything through my website, a portion of your purchase will be donated to the Fender Music Foundation. Music education has improved my life a great deal, and I hope you will join me in supporting it. Please make learning music a part of your life.

http://www.MikeVeny.com

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The Real Role Of A Team Leader

Team leaders play a very important role in the development and encouragement of a team. It is their job not only to ensure that the standards of their team are high and the tasks that have been assigned are being done, but also to ensure that the team spirit and morale of their team is kept.

Some of the main characteristics of a team leader are:

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1: They need to have the ability to inspire a team.

The Real Role Of A Team Leader

2: They should be responsible and dependable.

3: It is very important that a team leader can recognize and acknowledge the contributions and ideas of their team members.

4: That they can celebrate the accomplishments of their team.

Here are some tips on how to be a good team leader:

1: Provide team leadership and coaching. It is important that you set a good example to your team. For example, try not to arrive late or leave early while you are working. You should always try to encourage the group through dexterity and constant improvement in their work. And always try to recognize the accomplishments and performances of the team.

2: Try to ensure that your criticism is constructive. When you are reporting back to a person in authority, try to highlight the good points as well as the bad points. If you only convey the bad points it may also reflect badly on you. Try to supply distinct suggestions on how to solve these problems that have lead to bad performances.

3: If you are positive, then this enthusiasm will give your team a lot of encouragement. Motivation is a very important characteristic of a team leader. If your team is at a low point, try to motivate them by eg. Having a meeting and discussing what the problem may be or by running small competitions among the team. Setting targets and having prizes for the winners can be an excellent form of encouragement. You should always listen to what your team has to say and by having a meeting every now and then you can take in their ideas-they may even have better ideas than yourself! It is very important to value these ideas.

4: Try to train your team without actually doing the task at hand yourself. If you constantly do the job for the team member they will find it very hard to learn and they may become dependent on you. It can also hinder a team members confidence and skills.

5: A team leader needs to be very committed to their job. They may need to work extra hours or be available at short notice. They have to be committed to their team and ensure that the standards of performance are kept at a high level.

There are many ways that a team leader can kill team spirit. Here are a few examples:

- If you are critical of your team it may discourage your team members and thus cause tension. This in turn will drain your team.

- You should never talk about team members behind their backs. This may cause them to distrust you and it could also form a barrier between you and your team.

- You should not speak unfairly or badly about people in authority. Not only does it reflect badly on yourself but it could also cause you to lose your job.

- It is important that you try to get to know all of your team members. You will be highly valued by your team if you show that you are interested in what they have to say. If you fail to get to know members of the team it may make them feel that their hard work is not appreciated.

- And finally, never make others look bad. You should always take the blame for your own mistakes. If you leave it for your team members to pick up after you, it only reflects badly on yourself. It may be the easy way out to blame others but always remember that to build a barrier between yourself and your team is only killing the team spirit which is crucial if you want your tea to perform well.

It may take some time for you to build up a strong team but never give up. If you act as a good team leader, your team will eventually be there for you through the good times during your career and also the bad.

The Real Role Of A Team Leader

Sarah Coppin, is the lead copy manager of Redfly Marketing LTD. – Online Marketing Ireland. For more information visit http://www.redflymarketing.com
© 2007 Sarah Coppin. You may reprint this article online and in print provided the links remain live and the content remains unaltered (including the "" message).

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The "McDonald's-ization" of Education

McDonald's is astoundingly successful at purveying inexpensive fast food of consistently high quality.  They have achieved this primarily through standardization and quality control. If you purchase an "Egg McMuffin," or a "Big Mac" at an outlet in Seattle, or Milwaukee, Chicago or Miami, it will be almost exactly the same.

Standardization is increasingly making in-roads into education.  Once the realm of diversity (of opinion, thought, approach, teaching technique, classroom styles, etc.) and independence (academic freedom), the higher education classroom is being transformed into a "product" type delivery system.  The "products" in this case are the concepts, lesson plans, group exercises, assignments, etc. - indeed, the education itself.

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The intent of this transformation is to provide a "standard" high quality student classroom experience  within disciplines, and across institutions.  With the student being the customer (consumer) of the educational delivery system, we want to make sure he or she is getting the highest possible quality product, and the key to this is "quality control" and standardization.

The "McDonald's-ization" of Education

Instead of the after-the-fact quality control offered through instructor "evaluations," " classroom observations," and the like, the approach introduces a far more intrusive and directive model.  Lesson Plans, indeed, entire courses and curricula are loaded into pre-packaged modules, on thumb drives (USB) or onto computers, or servers. 

As in the fast food business, manufacturing, or other product producing sectors, the product creation and delivery process is developed to gain the efficiency and effectiveness obtained in industry.

JUST LIKE McDONALD's

Just like McDonald's where the customer can expect to enjoy a standard, high quality product, served in a clean, well-designed environment, the student consumer can expect convenient delivery of the educational product, for his consumption, and enjoyment - "satisfaction guaranteed."

THE PROCESS

First, a product team is assembled.  In this case it consists of academic experts, curriculum designers, course writers, technology experts, product representatives, trainers, content specialists, etc.  The product development process is based on outcome objectives, i.e., "what do we want the student to know?," "what should he learn during this course?" and "how do we measure that?"  This "beginning at the end" philosophy is crucial.  It keeps the spotlight on the product, promotes quality, and ultimately, "customer satisfaction."

THE ENTERTAINMET COMPONENT  

Gen Y students have different expectations from their predecessors, and are less likely to indulge obsolete or dated instructional methods and techniques.  They demand to be engaged.  

Instructors are partially selected on their ability to "entertain" as well as "inform."  They are expected to be animated, humorous, engaging, and entertaining.  They are expected to convey knowledge in convenient, enjoyable, and satisfying, bites.

STEAMLINING THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS  

The more standardized the process becomes, the less latitude for the educator, the more prescribed the content, exercises and learning activities are, the more the business managers of the career and "for profit" colleges like it. This concept may, however, benefit the student as it concentrates on a quality, standardized, classroom experience.  

IT'S EASIER  

Once the instructor has mastered the technology, the whole instructional process is easier under this model.  Everything is pre-packaged.  No messy development of lesson plans - they're already done - and done well.  No thinking about creative learning activities and approaches -  they're already there.  You could almost do it in your sleep!  (if it wasn't for the requirement to be animated and entertaining.)  

STUDENT NEEDS  

Students in this new education model will be immersed in technology throughout their degree program.  This is the world of today, and the future.  They will participate and interact with SMARTboards, laptops, WiFi, simulations, business games, remote "clickers," interactive learning, real-world relevant projects, presentations, etc.  It's designed to match their learning styles and attention spans  It is preeminently designed to prepare them for their careers. Although many students are "comfortable" with technology, fewer are proficient, and fewer yet have an in-depth understanding. The curriculum should help them become more proficient and better prepared for the technology demands of the future business environment. The intensely technological nature of the classroom experience also addresses the various learning styles.  The auditory learner will have voice, music, and noise.  The visual learner will enjoy the videos, powerpoints, and other visuals.  The kinesthetic learner will appreciate the hands on components, especially the SMARTboard.  

Student satisfaction is, of course, a primary objective.  Education, especially for-profit education, exists to serve the student, while running a business.  And, through serving and satisfying the student, ultimately the student will stay in school, graduate, and learn valuable knowledge and skills in the process.  These graduates will benefit the business community, and society at large.  An advanced society like ours is critically dependent on an educated and productive populous.  

EMPLOYER NEEDS  

What do employers want and need?  The link to employer requirements is a vital one.  Businesses need educated workers.  They require technologically adroit employees who can meet the demands of a rapidly changing technological environment and a highly competitive situation.

Ours is a productive society.  Businesses spend billions of dollars training and re-training their employees.  "Business Ready" graduates will be more productive from day one and employers will appreciate this.

HAS EDUCATION COME TO THIS?  

Purists would argue that the more traditional approaches are preferable, and that academic freedom is being infringed upon.  They would say that instructors should be hired based on their knowledge, quality of education, expertise, research history and contributions to their field.  They would undoubtedly prefer to see pure "academicians" and "scholars" in the classroom.  However, there is room for an interesting debate here.  Is it about the instructor or the student?  Obviously, we understand that it's about both, but whose needs take precedence?  The answer has to be - THE STUDENT!  After all, the whole educational system is in place to meet the needs of the student, and ultimately, society.  

Instructors with real-world, practical experience and without techno-phobia will be more adaptable to this new format, and perhaps better equipped to relate to the student.

THE BOTTOM LINE

In education there is always room for a broad range of opinions and approaches. Let's try this new one.  It works in business - why not education?  This is probably why Career Colleges are embracing the approach much more readily than their mainstream counterparts. The "for-profit" Career Colleges are definitely  the forefront of this initiative, and "early adopters." 

We all know that "quality " is an issue in education.  Graduates with virtually identical credentials can have vastly different skills, knowledge, and abilities.  This is, and always has been a concern. This standardized, quality-assured model addresses that issue.

Sure, this educational model is controversial, as it should be!  But the end result may very well be that students have a reasonably similar experience, learn comparable skills, and become better "fits" within the business world.  Employers can be better assured and confident that graduates have the knowledge and skill base they require to be successful contributors.  They will probably, at some point, wish to be full participants in the curriculum development process.  In the globally competitive market, this might just be what is needed.

When we're teaching Business we must be business-minded.  Let's transfer those "best practices" from the business world to academia, keep our students involved, and better prepare them for their future careers.  And, the lessons to be learned from places like McDonald's may be more applicable to education than we might have ever imagined. 

Copyright ©, 2009, Dr. Ben A. Carlsen, MBA. All Rights Reserved Worldwide for all Media. You may reprint this article in your ezine, newsletter, newspaper, magazine, website, etc. as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, leave my name and bio box intact, and you follow all of the EzineArticles Terms of Service for Publishers.

The "McDonald's-ization" of Education

Ben A. Carlsen, Ed.D, MBA, is an experienced CEO and manager. Dr. Carlsen has over 30 years experience in management, consulting, and teaching. Currently the Head of the Business Department at Everest Institute, Hialeah, FL., he was Chairman of the Los Angeles County Productivity Managers Network and President of the Association for Systems Management (So. Calif. Chapter). Additional information can be obtained at http://drben.info

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Lack of Education Contributes to Crime

As more and more low-income families move into neighborhoods that once catered to the middle or upper class, one must be on the lookout for his own personal safety and report any criminal activity going on in their surroundings. Crime is everywhere in these neighborhoods where kids find too much time on their hands after school hours or after the school year lets out.

What also contributes to the crime rate in such places? Is it just the lack of money for low income families? Sometimes, crime can be attributed to the lack of education on the part of the perpetrator or their families.

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It is a statistical fact that the crime rate is inversely proportional to the education level of the culprit. Kids who grow up in families that do not stress the importance of getting an education are more likely to be living out on the streets, doing drugs, joining gangs, or ending up in prison.

Lack of Education Contributes to Crime

Sometimes parents who raise such kids were raised in similar conditions when they were youngsters. Nothing has changed. An education should be foremost on parents' minds when rearing their kids. In fact, an education is the key out of poverty. As the old saying goes, "The way out of the gutter is with a book and not a basketball."

Kids who do not have a good education in school are more likely to have difficulty with finding jobs, getting into college, or staying out of trouble with the law. Many times they have family issues that are attributed to the loss of a parent at a young age due to a death or an incarceration.

Kids from single-parent homes run that risk of growing up as an "at-risk" child. This is due to the fact that the parent must work to provide food and shelter for the child, and the absence of the other parent fails to provide leadership and guidance for a growing mind. A parent who is incarcerated will definitely not be around to guide the child to getting good grades in school.

What kind of message does an incarcerated parent send to a child? Is it okay to be dumb and stupid and end up in prison like their daddy? Like father, like son. Right? Is it okay to skip school and join a gang like their daddy once did?

The truth of the matter is that kids who drop out of school will face hardship in their lives as they grow older. Lack of education on their part means lack of money to support a family. Lack of money translates into robbing a bank or convenience store.

We hear in the news every day a robbery that occurs in our city or elsewhere. Or perhaps a shooting on the part of the perpetrator that caused an innocent life come to an abrupt halt.

What are kids doing nowadays? How can we prevent our own kids from becoming troubled kids? For one, a parent must be a good role model and stress the importance of a good education. That means the parents must take an active role in their child's education by monitoring how much television the child is allowed to watch and taking charge of knowing the kinds of friends that his child associates with. Furthermore, this means maintaining communication with his teachers at school and looking over his report card regularly.

A child with poor academic performance may indicate something wrong at school. Perhaps he does not like school due to external influences; i.e. bullying, difficult teachers, taunting by other students, or peer pressure.

It is better to catch the child's problem as early as possible before it comes to the point that the child is truant from school, or worse, acts out his frustration that is reflected in another Virginia Tech-like massacre.

A child should like his studies and should show interest in his schoolwork. He should be taught that good grades will help him get a good education so that he can get a good paying job and be a productive member of society after he graduates.

Teach your child that involvement in gangs, violence, drugs, and/or extortion will not get him anywhere but prison. Once a person ends up doing life in prison, there IS no second chance. There is no freedom for him. There is no TV, no video games, no music, nothing! Not even a chance to get an education behind bars. If there is school in prison, the education is very limited.

If you are raising a child, question your child as to what is going on in school if he/she displays academic difficulty. Spend some quality time with him/her. Help them with their homework if possible. Remember, you are not just his/her friend, you are their parents. You are the first role model that a child looks toward from infancy. So be a good one and teach him/her what is right by staying in school.

There is a story in Austin, Texas a few years ago. It involved a troubled 17-year-old kid, Manuel Cortez, a high school dropout, who went out with his friends in a stolen car one sunny afternoon, and shot another student, Christopher Briseno, whom he did not even know because Briseno allegedly was teasing the sister of Manuel's friend. Manuel Cortez is now serving life in prison because he made a stupid decision. Now families of the victim and the perpetrator are suffering two losses from society. All for what? Because Mr. Cortez chose to drop out of school and associate with gangs and/or violence? He chose to give up the possibility of an education so that he can run around gang banging? Or did he not have the proper support and guidance from his parents?

Lack of Education Contributes to Crime

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Which is the Easiest Language to Learn? Rating the 14 Most Popular Course Offerings

Which is the best language to learn? Which is the easiest?

Two different questions, often uttered in the same breath. But that's okay, because there will be only one answer. Whichever language you wholeheartedly choose to study will be both the best and the easiest. However, here's some help choosing.

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The choices.

Which is the Easiest Language to Learn? Rating the 14 Most Popular Course Offerings

Here is the Modern Language Association's 2002 list of the most commonly studied languages at university level in the United States. I have not included ancient languages like Latin, Biblical Hebrew, or Sanskrit, special purposes languages like American Sign Language, or U.S. heritage languages, like Hawaiian or Navajo since the choice of those languages follows a different dynamic:

1. Spanish
2. French
3. German
4. Italian
5. Japanese
6. Chinese
7. Russian
8. Arabic
9. Modern Hebrew
10. Portuguese
11. Korean
12. Vietnamese
13. Hindi/Urdu
14. Swahili

Difficulty, according to Uncle Sam

First, consider some cold facts. The U.S. State Department groups languages for the diplomatic service according to learning difficulty:

Category 1. The "easiest" languages for speakers of English, requiring 600 hours of classwork for minimal proficiency: the Latin and Germanic languages. However, German itself requires a bit more time, 750 hours, because of its complex grammar.

Category 2. Medium, requiring 1100 hours of classwork: Slavic languages, Turkic languages, other Indo-Europeans such as Persian and Hindi, and some non-Indo-Europeans such as Georgian, Hebrew and many African languages. Swahili is ranked easier than the rest, at 900 hours.

Category 3. Difficult, requiring 2200 hours of study: Arabic, Japanese, Korean and the Chinese languages.

Will you get a chance to practice this language?

Now, consider another important factor: accessibility. To be a successful learner you need the chance to hear, read and speak the language in a natural environment. Language learning takes an enormous amount of concentration and repetition, which cannot be done entirely in the classroom. Will you have access to the language where you live, work and travel?

The 14 most popular courses according to a combination of linguistic ease and accessibility.

1. Spanish. Category One. The straightforward grammar is familiar and regular. It is also ubiquitous in the Americas, the only foreign language with a major presence in the insular linguistic environment of the U.S. Chances to speak and hear it abound. It is the overwhelming favorite, accounting for more than fifty percent of language study enrollment in the MLA study.

2. French. Category One. Grammatically complex but not difficult to learn because so many of it's words have entered English. For this vocabulary affinity, it is easy to attain an advanced level, especially in reading. It is a world language, and a motivated learner will find this language on the internet, in films and music.

3. German. Category One Plus. The syntax and grammar rules are complex with noun declensions a major problem. It is the easiest language to begin speaking, with a basic vocabulary akin to English. Abstract, advanced language differs markedly, though, where English opts for Latin terms. It values clear enunciation, so listening comprehension is not difficult.

4. Italian. Category One. It has the same simple grammar rules as Spanish, a familiar vocabulary and the clearest enunciation among Latin languages (along with Romanian). Italian skills are easily transferable to French or Spanish. You might need to go to Italy to practice it, but there are worse things that could happen to you. It is also encountered in the world of opera and classical music.

5. Russian. Category Two. This highly inflected language, with declensions, is fairly difficult to learn. The Cyrillic alphabet is not particularly difficult, however, and once you can read the language, the numerous borrowings from French and other western languages are a pleasant surprise. It is increasingly accessible.

6. Arabic. Category Three. Arabic is spoken in dozens of countries, but the many national dialects can be mutually incomprehensible. It has only three vowels, but includes some consonants that don't exist in English. The alphabet is a formidable obstacle, and good calligraphy is highly valued and difficult to perfect. Vowels are not normally written (except in children's books) and this can be an obstacle for reading. It is ubiquitous in the Muslim world and opportunities exist to practice it at every level of formality.

7. Portuguese. Category One. One of the most widely spoken languages in the world is often overlooked. It has a familiar Latin grammar and vocabulary, though the phonetics may take some getting used to.

8. Swahili. Category Two Minus. It includes many borrowings from Arabic, Persian, English and French. It is a Bantu language of Central Africa, but has lost the difficult Bantu "tones". The sound system is familiar, and it is written using the Latin alphabet. One major grammatical consideration is the division of nouns into sixteen classes, each with a different prefix. However, the classes are not arbitrary, and are predictable.

9. Hindi/Urdu. Category Two. The Hindustani language, an Indo-European language, includes both Hindi and Urdu. It has an enormous number of consonants and vowels, making distinctions between phonemes that an English speaker will have difficulty hearing. Words often have clipped endings, further complicating comprehension. Hindi uses many Sanskrit loans and Urdu uses many Persian/Arabic loans, meaning that a large vocabulary must be mastered. Hindi uses the phonetically precise Devanagari script, created specifically for the language. Predictably, Urdu's use of a borrowed Persian/Arabic script leads to some approximation in the writing system.

10. Modern Hebrew. Category Two. Revived as a living language during the nineteenth century, it has taken on characteristics of many languages of the Jewish diaspora. The resultant language has become regularized in grammar and syntax, and the vocabulary has absorbed many loan words, especially from Yiddish, English and Arabic. The alphabet has both print and script forms, with five vowels, not normally marked. Vowel marking, or pointing, is quite complex when it does occur. Sounds can be difficult to reproduce in their subtleties and a certain amount of liaison makes listening comprehension problematic. It is not very accessible outside of a religious or Israeli context.

11. Japanese. Category Three. Difficult to learn, as the vocabulary is unfamiliar, and the requirements of the sound system so strict that even the many words that have been borrowed from English, French and German will seem unrecognizable. With three different writing systems, it is forbiddingly difficult to read and write. Also, social constraints may impede useful interaction.

12. Chinese. Category Three. Whether your choice is Mandarin or Cantonese (the MLA survey does not make a distinction, oddly enough). It is the most difficult language on this list. It includes all of the most difficult aspects: unfamiliar phonemes, a large number of tones, an extremely complex writing system, and an equally unfamiliar vocabulary. Personal motivation is absolutely essential to keep the student on track. On the positive side, it is easy to find, since Chinese communities exist throughout the world, and Chinese language media, such as newspapers, films and TV, are present in all these communities.

13. Vietnamese. Category Three. This language belongs to an unfamiliar family of languages, but it does borrow much vocabulary from Chinese (helpful if you already speak Chinese!). It has six tones, and a grammar with an unfamiliar logic. It's not all bleak, however, Vietnamese uses a Latin derived alphabet. The chances of speaking this language are not high, though there are 3 million speakers in the USA.

14. Korean. Category Three. Korean uses an alphabet of 24 symbols, which accurately represent 14 consonants and 10 vowels. However, the language also includes 2000 commonly used Chinese characters for literary writing and formal documents. Speech levels and honorifics complicate the learning of vocabulary, and there is liaison between words, making them hard to distinguish. The grammar is not overly complicated and there are no tones. It borrows many Chinese words, but the language is unrelated to other languages of Asia.

The most important factor of all: personal motivation

The third, most important factor is up to you. The easiest language to learn is the one that you are most motivated to learn, the one you enjoy speaking, the one with the culture that inspires you and the history that touches you spiritually. It is useless to try to learn a language if you are not interested in the people who speak it, since learning a language involves participating in its behaviors and identifying with its people.

So, consider all three factors: motivation, accessibility and linguistic ease, in that order, and come up with the final list yourself. The bad news is that no language is really easy to learn, but the good news is that we humans are hard wired for a great amount of linguistic flexibility, as long as we know how to turn on the learning process. If the rewards and benefits of the language are clear to you, you will be able to get those rusty language synapses sparking in your head and start the words rolling. Bonne chance!

Which is the Easiest Language to Learn? Rating the 14 Most Popular Course Offerings

Dominic Ambrose has taught languages for over twenty years, from Middle School to Community College, from adult ed to ESL to TOEFL training. He has also traveled as a teacher educator to many Eastern European countries as well as South America, including three years with the Romanian Ministry of Education. Presently, he lives in Paris writing full time, mostly about film and fiction, but he is still fascinated by languages. To see his blog, click on the link: http://dominicambrose.wordpress.com

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Free Christmas Sheet Music For Piano

So you're looking for Christmas sheet music to play on the piano. And you want it for free.

Why not? You don't have to pay for everything and when it comes to sheet music you shouldn't have to.

Music Instruction

In addition to the classic pieces you normally get during the Christmas season, you might also be interested in something "New Age." What do I mean by New Age? Well, if you've ever listened to George Winston's landmark album "December," you'll know what I'm talking about.

Free Christmas Sheet Music For Piano

So lovely and poignant is this music that it literally created the genre know as New Age piano. If you're looking for this kind of music to play on your piano, you'll be hard pressed to find it.

The New Age genre does not sell as well as classical or jazz thus making it difficult to get sheet music for it ... let alone free sheet music.

It just so happens that there is a blog that features New Age piano sheet music for free. And if you want to sample this genre, it's a good place to start.

Yes, it's my blog I'm talking about. And I just added some free Christmas sheet music for piano you're going to love. It's titled "Christmas Peace" and lets you improvise your own melody to a lovely left-hand accompaniment written by yours truly.

Find this sheet music at

http://solosheets.blogspot.com

The cool thing about the New Age style is the improvisation element. Instead of just playing some old music note for note, you get to make up your own unique melodies. It's a lot of fun AND it teaches you how to "speak" the language of music.

"Christmas Peace" is in the Key of C major so it's all on the white keys making for easy improvisation. Your left hand plays a repeating pattern. All you have to do now is add in your own unique melodies!

Free Christmas Sheet Music For Piano

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Visit www.quiescencemusic.com now and get a FREE piano lesson!

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Music Affects Life

Have you considered how music affects you in your daily lives? The choices we make reflect they way we think and feel. It shows our personality and the way we feel about life. Music makes us laugh and lightens our mind. They many ways music is presented, from the old songs to the new, can be utilized to give us the best compiled list that will help enjoy life a little more.

No longer do we have to buy a full CD just to get the one song we like. IPods and the internet are allowing for a more mixed collection of the music most important to us. The many downloads on the internet and sites strictly dedicated to giving us a huge selection of music. We can pick and choose the songs that mean the most to us.

Music Instruction

Music can make us happier when w are happy and lift our mood when we are not. A true music lover understands the transformation that music does to us. Not all out there utilize the calming affects of music and should launch into the life changing effects that music can do. Inspiration, understanding and acceptance can all be pulled out of music hen we are open to the idea that music can change us. Music can be used to increase productivity, decrease anxiety and allow us a new outlook on life. People need to embrace this and pay more attention to the effects of the music they listen to in their lives.

Music Affects Life

Good music can change our outlook and affect our soul. It is said that a positive outlook on life can change the happiness you feel. Believing in the changes music can have on emotion and behavior can lead to a more productive positive outlook on life. Music is essential and everyone should reap the positive affects and desire it invokes.

Music Affects Life

Kimberly Hinkle You can learn more by visiting my blog, Music evolves http://musicevolves.blogspot.com/

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