Monday, March 30, 2020

Is Entropy in Chemistry Related to Dry Ice?

Is Entropy in Chemistry Related to Dry Ice?Is entropy in chemistry? I guess it depends on who you ask. If we look at what we know about science, then the answer would be yes.The first thing that you need to understand is what the term entropy means. This refers to the amount of disorder and disarray in a system. The term was used by the Greeks to describe different things. The Greeks referred to it as Tempo, and they also explained the effect of this term as the temperature of a liquid.The Greek word 'theta' which means eternity or theta which is what we call the philosopher's stone. The lower the temperature, the less order is present. There are several studies in physics that demonstrate the temperature of a substance can have a direct effect on the results of a certain experiment.One such study was conducted by scientists that were given a lot of dry ice. Dry ice has very low temperature, and it causes these scientists to make extremely poor scientific results. They actually did n ot create any useful results from this experiment. How does this relate to chemistry?A much better example would be when a person is about to jump off a three hundred foot building, and he thinks he has enough speed to reach the ground. He jumps, and he does not reach the ground. After he lands, the damage to his body is significantly higher than normal. This is caused by his lack of control over the motion of his body, which is caused by the motion of the dry ice.With the use of dry ice, the scientists were able to control the temperature of the dry ice. This caused them to keep the temperature of the material around the lowest amount possible. The dry ice would also fall into the container where the experiment was taking place, meaning that it was within the container's temperature range.When a scientist keeps the temperature of the dry ice at a level below room temperature, they were able to control the amount of energy it had. By controlling the amount of energy the dry ice had, they were able to form a controlled explosion. When they moved the container to a lower temperature range, they saw that the dry ice was still very reactive, and it was doing the same thing. They found that more heat was needed in order to take the dry ice to a higher temperature, but this meant more energy was being generated.The researchers noted that by using the dry ice, the amount of energy released from the material was proportional to the amount of heat it received. They took the dry ice back to their lab, and they took a sample of the material and exposed it to heat. They found that the molecules started to stick together and they became sticky, and this brought about the reaction that allowed them to split the molecule.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Fire Lessons From a Sonoma County Native Dealing With Disaster as a Student

Fire Lessons From a Sonoma County Native Dealing With Disaster as a Student Image via Pixabay Throughout the day and into the week, officials posted fire maps periodically with updated hot spots, but they were hard to interpret amidst the widespread panic pouring through social media. The severity of the fires increased faster than anyone could imagine. After just a few days, the federal government declared the Northern California fires to be a national emergency. The New York Times, NPR, LA Times and other renowned outlets were covering my town like I’d never seen before. Media-makers and newspapers used phrases like “apocalyptic” and “devastating” to describe the chaos taking place in Sonoma and Napa counties, and videos of my most frequented streets and locations in my little neighborhood resembled full-blown infernos. Historic landmarks were obliterated. The high winds that began these fires late Sunday night into Monday morning continued to exacerbate existing fires (and create new ones) by transporting embers through the air and setting them down in random places. For the past six days, I lived a scenario I called “Schrodinger’s house”: I had no idea at times whether my house was still standing or had already burned. I couldn’t believe that my best friend of 10+ years and I were having a text message conversation about whether our houses and streets (directly parallel to one another) would be there in the end. When my graduate school classmates at San Jose State University found out I was from Santa Rosa, they cringed and (understandably) offered confused condolences. No one was sure how to help. Not even I was sure how to help my town, my family or myself with a tragedy that nobody predicted to become so severe, much less happen at all. I began to think about how college students might respond to such a serious and unexpected natural disaster. While the phrase “appreciate what you have until it’s gone” always came across as cliche to me, I really understood it on October 9, 2017. Sonoma County, CAImage via Pixabay Over 10 of my former high school classmates, neighbors, and family friends lost their homes in the past six days, and 2.5-3 hours away from the scene, I watched my town crumble. But this was particularly shocking to deal with as a student. I want to share three takeaways for college students dealing with natural disaster or students across the country who want to support my town and my state in the midst of this devastation: 1. Do not underestimate the power of community For Northern Californians, the catastrophic fires that raged this past week have been perplexing, devastating, and awful at best but they certainly proved that “the love in the air is stronger than the smoke.” #sonomacountystrong and #wewillrebuild were just a few of the many hashtags that emerged out of this tragedy, uniting strangers across Facebook groups designed to connect residents with resources, donations, evacuation notices, and updates on the status of their homes. Community organizations and restaurants donated meals, entire stores full of product, and shelter to those displaced by the fires. Individuals worked tirelessly on the “Santa Rosa Firestorm Updates” group to quell people’s unrest and spread information as well as they could. Never had I been prouder of my hometown. It’s likely that students affected by other tragedies (Hurricane Harvey or Irma, for instance) may be able to relate to these sentiments in some way. College students should remember that the resilience of a community can lift individuals out of a dark place. Never question the potential for neighbors, friends, family, and strangers alike to help each other when disaster strikes. 2. Appreciate the people, not the products When I came across pictures of flame-engulfed houses just minutes away from my mother’s house, I began spiraling into questions: Which documents are in the house that I might need? Will I need to reorder my college diploma? What do I do if I lose the photo albums? All of this was concerning, of course. But the entity of highest value in the house my mother was safe. My message to students? If facing a natural disaster, it makes complete sense to worry about your belongings. As I said to my mother, who for the past week has tried to become okay with either outcome for the house, “even though you know you’d be okay if it was gone, it would be a lot more convenient for the house to still be there when you get back.” Nonetheless, all you really need is your people. Your friends or family are the most important, in the larger context. 3. Prepare for the unexpected, even if it seems distant or unlikely Sonoma County is accustomed to smaller fires popping up often in Northern California (usually, the further North you travel, the more often fires crop up, since the area is dense with trees). Despite this, my town did not think such a huge firestorm could erupt locally. My mother woke up Sunday night to a text from a friend letting her know there were fires in the area, but because we are so used to smelling smoke from the other fires further north, she went back to sleep. Hours later, as she awoke to the sounds of explosions and neighbors shouting at each other to flee, she realized that disaster was taking place. As college students, we preoccupy ourselves with courses, work, internships, professional development matters, and student organizations. These demands are immediate and routine for us. But we rarely think about what would happen if a fire, earthquake, hurricane, tornado or other storm were to run through our town. “Disaster doesn’t discriminate.” It can happen to anyone regardless of whether you believe you are a “good” person, whether you have the money to rebuild, or whether you live in the fanciest neighborhood in town. It happened to me, and it could happen to you; stay grateful, stay resourceful, and stay resilient if it does.

Advantages of Taking Computer Networking Tutor Courses

Advantages of Taking Computer Networking Tutor CoursesThere are many advantages of taking computer networking tutor courses. There are multiple and more numerous factors that make such classes interesting to those who would take up a program like this.The first advantage is that the cost is very low in comparison to what it can cost for any number of other courses. In other words, this type of course can be taken for a low price and still get good quality instruction. Besides, if the student is truly serious about his or her studies, he or she will not ignore anything else in their lives. For this reason, students will not get fooled by low quality courses which often sell their teaching material at low prices.A course on networking or computer science can be a great assistance in getting ahead in the job market and in getting a high-paying position in a company that you have dreams of working for. In short, the cost of this can certainly make your dreams come true. In fact, the inst ructor can train you on how to excel in a networked work environment. This will definitely help you create a winning career, with the right skill set.Another thing that people who are working in the information technology industry will say is that a person's networking skills are truly important in his or her job performance. In this regard, instructors can help you learn from someone who has already achieved success in their careers. In short, this will teach you the ropes of the networking field, something that no other course can do.In the age of the personal computer and networking technology, the training is available in a variety of different formats. However, one of the most ideal kinds of training is that which can be done through the use of video tutorials. These tutorials are available free online through the internet and through e-learning programs.In the age of the digital world, people will want to learn as much as they can about networking. So, these videos are the bes t way to teach the subject. By learning the things in such a manner, you also know exactly how to apply what you learn to your own life. A course that uses video tutorials has helped many people who wanted to get ahead in their careers.The major reason why you should consider enrolling in such a program is that you will learn something in a way that you can easily apply to your current job or future career. You will also learn something that can allow you to excel in your work experience.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Aerosoles Shoes Tutors For Women

Aerosoles Shoes Tutors For WomenIf you have ever taken a set of Aerosoles shoes as a gift for someone, chances are that you have either never worn them or will not be able to wear them again because they are not long enough. Aerosoles shoes are made to be worn on the foot with the toes bent up to the top of the foot. They are slip-on shoes that the feet are held up by Velcro so that the foot can be rolled over when needed. People who have worn Aerosoles shoes always have their feet very warm and have not experienced any blistering or soreness.Many people who wear them feel their toes are fully extended and have seen their eyes glazed over with their eyes closed. They really feel as if they are wearing the feet of a person about four inches higher than their own. They feel as if their feet are smaller and the result is an athletic type feeling. Aerosoles shoes have been called a 'foot care' product because of how well they relieve some of the aches and pains associated with having so much motion in the feet. There are many women that swear by them and find them comfortable and easy to wear.At this time there are a couple of Aerosoles shoes tutors that fit women, but the trainer mules are still a ways off from being released. The largest shoe that you can wear is a 5 inch size for the shoes tutor mules. If you want to buy one of the larger sizes, now is the time to do it because the trainers will be coming soon.You can select the colors you want with the trainers, as well as the length of the trainer mules. Some people have difficulty in putting on the shoes as well as in walking them off, but the tutors have a lock that you can use to secure them on your feet. The makers have actually made some that are very attractive with looks and you will find many women in all shapes and sizes that will want to wear them.They anticipate having the first ones available in the beginning of this year. They have put in a lot of research and testing in order to come up with some thing that they believe will be the best.The trainers will be for sale by the summer of 2020 and will become available at a lower price than the trainers. The trainers will be limited to those sizes as well as those prices until the end of this year. When they are available, there will be the opportunity to buy some of the tutors, if you would like.They should be available in the first half of 2020 and they should be able to be purchased through a store that they have partnered with. There is also the chance that they will be sold online and the stores will get them from their own stores. It will be a great thing for the women who wear the shoes to be able to buy them from their favorite store that they love and find some great deals.

Algebra Word Problems Worksheet

Algebra Word Problems Worksheet Algebra word problems worksheet is the combination of the algebra problems. This type of worksheet is a practice worksheet where one can understand the clear ideas about the algebra. This worksheet provides hints at the start and detailed explanation at the bottom. The following examples will show the word problems. Example 1:-Mathew went to the market and bought one dozen eggs at a cost of $2 each. How much did he pay for one dozen eggs? Solution :-Mathew went to the market and bought one dozen eggs at a cost of $2 each So the cost of one egg is $2 We know that in one dozen egg means 12 numbers of eggs. Therefore the cost of one dozen eggs that is twelve number of eggs are = 12 x $2= $24 Example 2:-Jacky went to the market and bought one dozen bananas at a cost of $5 each. How much did he pay for one dozen bananas? Solution :-Given, Jacky went to the market and bought one dozen bananas at a cost of $5 each So the cost of one banana is $5 We know that in one dozen banana means 12 numbers of the banana Therefore the cost of one dozen eggs that is twelve numbers of eggs are = 12 x $5= $60 Also the cost of one book is $5 Therefore the cost of two books = 2 x $5 = $10 Now we have to find the cost of two calendars and two books, Therefore the cost of two books and two pens = $10 + $10 = $20

What Tutors Need to Know About Differentiated Instruction

What Tutors Need to Know About Differentiated Instruction Tutors: You Need to Know This About Differentiated Instruction ChaptersDifferentiation of Instruction: What Does That Mean?Coming to a School Near You: Differentiation StrategiesIs Differentiation the Death Knell of Private Tutoring?If you’ve been tutoring for any amount of time; if you, in fact, earn your living as a tutor and especially if you are a teacher who spends evenings and weekends tutoring, you are most likely familiar with the strategies of differentiated learning.Perhaps you didn’t know that what you have been doing all this time actually has a formal name.Teachers in one-room schools have been differentiating learning for centuries but that teaching method did not have a name until Carol Ann Tomlinson, American educator and spearhead of the differentiation initiative so christened it.Now that the concept has been formalised; now that there are seminars and workshops and countless web pages, texts and books detailing the particulars of differentiation and how to differentiate, it is time for tutors to take a look at these techni ques.Together, we’ll examine facets of teaching and learning and differentiating instruction so you can measure what you’ve instinctively known as effective teaching against the learning activities carried out in a differentiated school classroom.Historically, children in the appropriate age range would attend classes in one room, no matter if they were four or 14 years old â€" especially in rural areas.Ireland still has several such schools!The teacher would spend time educating the older, more knowledgeable students, and then the younger and finally the youngest, constantly dividing her time, attention and intellect as equally as possible between all of the groups.No disrespect to male teachers intended; in those days, teachers were almost always female.This practice of addressing students’ learning needs at their levels is the foundation of the differentiated learning philosophy â€" even if, back then, the differentiation was because of age groups rather than ranges of inte llect and scholastic ability.In the early 1900s, education boards initiated standardised testing. That concept was predicated on two beliefs:that all students learn the same way, andthat all students of a given age should have acquired the same amount of knowledge.So, based on those two popular ideas and the practise of teaching to age groups, our public education system was built.Through the bureaucratising of education, another timeless practice flourished: private tutoring.Tutors have been educating on an individualized basis for millennia. Since the time before great scholars such as Plato founded their schools, tutors have been invited into households to educate.What Is most interesting is that, through the passage of thousands of years, teaching strategies have changed dramatically but the methodology of tutoring has not changed significantly.Tutors work with students one to one or in small groupsTutors modify their pedagogy to work with students’ learning styles and interes tsTutors help students develop their thinking skillsTutors help their students formulate learning strategiesTutors create a supportive and engaging learning environmentTutors conduct an ongoing assessment, what is now known as a formative assessment of each studentToday, while schools bear scathing criticism for teaching to the test, private tutors continue their student-centred instructional strategies â€" all while helping their charges gain mastery of subject material in the preparation of said exams.The dichotomy between these two educational practices could not be more pronounced: something has to give!With more and more students calling on private tutors for everything from reading instruction to homework help, the Department for Education can’t help but notice that a change in classroom strategies is far overdue.There may be teachers in your local schools already implementing differentiation techniques! Source: Pixabay Credit: Vector Free ImagesComing to a School Near You: Differentiation StrategiesSchools all across the UK have passionate, knowledgeable teachers on their rolls.In spite of tremendous pressure to show well through their students’ exam scores, they take the time to formulate exceptional lesson plans and maintain an active interest in their students’ lives, both in and out of school.They are mindful of their responsibility toward their professional development while still managing to meet or exceed all of the student achievement targets set forth by our Department for Education.To that end, everything from their lesson plan development to their classroom management is meant to provide their students with a superior learning experience, which invariably leads to student success.Those teachers’ efforts are getting noticed and more educators are emulating them.Could it be possible that a revolution in mainstream education, a license to differentiate instruction given to each educator that could ease the stress and burden our educators labour under today is forthcoming?We’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves...As of yet, there has been no mention of our schools implementing differentiated instruction strategies as a matter of policy. For now, it is up to individual teachers to employ a differentiation strategy in their classes.What that means is that teachers may assign their students group work based on their learning styles.They may assign their gifted students inquiry-based learning projects â€" a more complex exercise meant to challenge them on their intellectual level.Conversely, their kinesthetic learners â€" those who learn best through physical activity may be tasked with project-based learning; building or making something to illustrate the concept at hand.What about students with special learning needs?  For those students, learning activities would target their strengths as well.It’s long been the habit of educators to load their more advanced students with more work â€" not necessarily more challen ging work, just more of it.Meanwhile, those students with special education needs receive external help in various forms but are not necessarily absolved of the work that higher performing students are tasked with.One size does not fit all when it comes to education.Conscientious teachers have always known that this teaching model does not work well. It is these teachers who are changing their teaching methods. They are a shining example of what a teacher can accomplish.How are they doing it?They are clueing into the idea that multiple intelligences impact how a student learns and they are modifying their teaching strategies to address as many of them as they can.The net result is a more inclusive learning environment for every student.But if every student is suddenly able to keep up with his/her schoolwork and student achievement reaches levels before unseen in standardised education, what will be left for tutors to do?As advances are made in teaching methodology, so too must tutor s evolve Source: Pixabay Credit: GeraltIs Differentiation the Death Knell of Private Tutoring?It would be a good bet that you did not become a tutor (or teacher) because it is a particularly lucrative venture.Most likely, you yourself have a passion for learning and wish to impart it to as many other learners as possible. Logically, it follows that you will want to continue to tutor, come what may.However, if, as supposed above, all students have their educational needs met through differentiation, wouldn’t that negate the purpose of private tutoring?When it comes to working with students, individually or in a small group, the possibilities are endless.Far from being mere dispensers of knowledge, tutors wear many hats.Tutors are MentorsSeldom does it happen that a tutor arrives for a learning session and only talks about the lesson at hand.Usually, there is a conversation: about how the student has fared since the last tutoring session, if anything significant has happened to him/ her unrelated to the lesson at hand...Only after a few minutes of putting the student at ease does the tutor broach what new material s/he has been exposed to and his/her understanding of such. After that, the actual review and study begin with the tutor guiding his pupil to optimal learning strategies.Tutors know that external factors can impact a student’s ability to absorb and retain knowledge. That is the reason for these interviews.In the language of differentiation: tutors conduct formative assessments of their pupils.Tutors as ConfidantesStudents may not tell their parents or any of the authority figures at school that they’ve been bullied but there is a good chance they’d confide in their tutor.Conversely, whereas a teacher may not have time to delve into the interests of each student, a tutor makes time to discover what his/her students like and don’t like â€" and then applies that information to lesson planning.In the parlance of differentiated instruction, this is called pre-assessment.Tutors as Academic CoachesAs more teachers jump on the differentiation bandwagon, more tutors are turning toward their fulfiling their role as coaches rather than supplemental teachers.An academic coach focuses on helping students develop their own learning strategies as well as minimising stress. Their techniques range from showing students how to keep their study area and materials organised to planning a study schedule.They also help students develop higher order thinking skills and teach them to conceptualise.Academic coaching is another example of a tutor’s function that is enjoying new attention and focus. And, if differentiated instruction does become the norm in classrooms across the country, coaching may well become a tutor’s primary function!All things considered, you may rest assured that curriculum development tailored to students’ learning processes is not exactly around the corner.That means that your desire to pass on your love of learning will not soon be supplanted by any DfE policy - if it ever could be!On the other hand, as formal education strategies evolve, you too would have to examine your role in students’ learning and perhaps embrace one that, till now, you’ve considered incidental.Nevertheless, all of the roles that tutors play are vital to students’ success â€" so don’t count yourself out too quickly!Now discover Superprof's complete guide to differentiated instruction...

Choosing A Higher Education Fit For Your Personality - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Choosing A Higher Education Fit For Your Personality - Introvert Whisperer Choosing A Higher Education Fit For Your Personality Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Pop Musicals

Rock/Pop Musicals The Best-Loved Rock/Pop Musicals ChaptersThe Genesis of the Rock/Pop MusicalsThe Difference Between Rock Musicals and Rock OperaRenown Rock/Pop MusicalsAny Broadway producer could tell you that musical theater is not everyone’s cup of tea. So could any West End theatre show director.Too bad he likes musical theatre â€" Tallulah, from Dr Who, episode The Daleks in ManhattanBy that statement, ‘the showgirl’ presumes that one must be of a certain type to enjoy musicals; an idea that may have been quite prevalent in the 1930s, when that episode was set.Today, we know all types of people enjoy show tunes and entire shows… probably because of the sheer variety of theatre fare to be enjoyed.By the way, did you know that the Dr Who writers drew on Phantom of the Opera for inspiration while writing that episode? Did you also know that Phantom is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best-known and best-loved musicals?Back to the subject at hand, now…Let’s say you don’t like soaring vocals and sobbing violins and you a re really not down with anything that smacks of West Side Story or Lion King.We’ll take that postulate even further by saying that, as far as you’re concerned, there is no difference between an opera, an operetta, and a musical â€" in short, the entire spectrum of musical theatre is bunk to you.I get off on ‘57 Chevys / I get off on a screamin’ guitar â€" Eric Clapton, Rock’n’roll HeartIf yours is a heart like Slowhand’s, it’s no wonder you don’t queue to buy tickets for Cats or Fiddler on the Roof, but you should experience musical theatre â€" yes, it is an experience.The ambiance, the atmosphere, the intricate weaving of song, sight and deed, and how it speaks to its audience on a visceral level…You know how, just a few sentences ago, mentioned the extraordinary diversity of musical theatre?Your Superprof assures you there are playwrights, producers, directors and even the occasional choreographer putting shows together expressly for those with rock’n’roll hearts.Let’s go find them, shall we? CarlActing Teacher 5.00 (5) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaActing Teacher 5.00 (8) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ElifActing Teacher 5.00 (10) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CalumActing Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChristopherActing Teacher 5.00 (9) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriActing Teacher 5.00 (8) £85/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielActing Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CiaranActing Teacher 5.00 (5) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Genesis of the Rock/Pop Musicals By the mid-20th century, audiences wanted something more than standard Broadway shows Image by WikimediaImages from PixabayYou might intuit that music has been a part of theatre production since such productions entertained society, thousands of years ago.Likewise, you must certainly know that, over the last 200 years or so, such entertainment has changed dramatically.Musical theatre splintered into many different types of musicals, with the rock/pop musical gaining a foothold in the late 60s, in the US.Much like the incorrect assumption Tallulah (of Dr Who) made, writing teams like Rodgers and Hammerstein (one of Broadway’s premier composer duos, best known for The Sound of Music â€" among others) believed that theatre-goers were the type that wanted happy endings and uplifting melodies.In the UK, Noël Coward and Ivor Novello filled that role.No matter which side of the ocean, audiences appeared fed up with such fare; ticket sales on both sides of the ocean went on a gradual decl ine… until Hair.Hair was outrageous! Hair was new! Hair was a musical the likes of which had never been seen before. It came complete with drug usage, promiscuity, profanity and a racially integrated cast.It hit Broadway like an unstoppable force, running for a record 1,750 performances and then, it crossed the pond to shock and awe audiences in London during its nearly 2,000 shows.Hair was My Fair Lady on steroids; far from pining for something that might be ‘loverly’, Hair characters told ‘Enry ‘Iggins exactly where the bus stops and how to get on it.And then, they broke that hateful phonograph and used the pieces to light a fire.In short, Hair broke the mold of traditional musical theatre, flinging open the floodgates of style with such abandon and glee that show writers were tripping over themselves to come up with the next bawdy, raucous hit.Andrew Lloyd Webber soon followed up with Jesus Christ Superstar â€" although, because it incorporates no dialogue, it is more o f a rock opera than a musical.Still, Superstar’s success conclusively proved that rock music belongs on the London stage (and the Broadway stage, too!)Throughout the 70s, rock musicals continued to thrill audiences:The Wiz: Wizard of Oz revisited, this time with a lively dance scoreDreamgirls tells the story of the early days or Motown; this musical was later made into a film of the same name.Grease: the rollicking saga of life in a 1950s American high schoolPippin takes a stab at weaving history with fictionLittle Shop of Horrors â€" who wouldn’t thrill at a carnivorous plant?Little Shop sang us into the 80s, a time when rock and pop music was undergoing significant changes â€" the death of disco and the birth of synthesizers; at times it seemed that music itself didn’t know which way to turn.In all of that turmoil, rock musicals’ popularity waned. The jukebox musical rose up to take its place on centre stage. Pink Floyd's The Wall is music theatre, but it is a rock opera, not a rock musical Image by K-H. Leuders from PixabayThe Difference Between Rock Musicals and Rock OperaEvery opera is musical theatre but not every musical is opera â€" is that a case of splitting hairs?While the rollicking shows listed above wowed audiences and won Tony Awards, The Who were crafting Tommy, the fatalistic story about a boy who was born supposedly deaf, dumb and blind.Once every note was in place and every piece rehearsed, the band recorded it and took the show on tour. Neither critics nor bewildered audiences knew quite what to make of it, with some raving it was a masterpiece and others getting downright hostile about it.Nevertheless, the story took on a life of its own. In spite of the band proclaiming it would never be played again, it caught the attention of several show developers, who went on to adapt it to the musical stage.What makes Tommy an opera is the lack of dialogue.In a similar vein comes The Wall, another exploration of isolation and emotional trauma. Here again, the music tells the story; very little is said. By the end of the show, the audience has experienced everything from the trauma of war to the crushing guilt of failed relationships.Both Tommy and The Wall started out as concept albums, meaning that every song relates to an overarching theme â€" or, if you like, is another brick in the...Now find out how the concept musical differs from concept albums.Renown Rock/Pop MusicalsBesides the shows mentioned so far, the list of rock and pop musicals is fairly long and certainly well-populated.The Rocky Horror Show is a rock/pop sensation written by Richard O’Brien. Meant to be a tribute to the B-grade horror movies of the 30s with a bit of sci-fi thrown in, it has since developed a cult following.Chess, written by Lloyd Webber collaborator Tim Rice with ABBA’s Bjorn and Benny describes a chess face-off during the Cold War. It enjoyed a three-year run in Londo n but fizzled on Broadway.Admittedly, it had been largely altered to appeal to American musical audiences. Surely it didn’t lose much of its magic in the rewrite… maybe US audiences just didn’t like the concept?Starlight Express more than made up for the lukewarm reception Chess received. Andrew Lloyd Webber, creator of Starlight Express, is one of musical theatre's most prolific composers! Image by Erich Westendarp from PixabayThis Lloyd Webber/Stilgoe collaboration currently holds eighth place on the list of longest running musicals both in West End and on Broadway. Even more impressive: it is the most successful musical in Germany, having run continuously since 1986 in its own, purpose-built theatre.The story has been told a million times: a steam engine races against newer, sleeker models in the hopes of impressing Pearl, a first class carriage… no double entendre there!This show’s novelty is that, not only do the performers sing and act, but they do everything on roller skates!Imagine A Chorus Line or Mean Girls on roller skates… that might make for a pretty terrific musical comedy!Rent: if you haven’t at least heard about this theatrical sensation, we would sadly have to conclude that your name must be Tommy, or maybe Pink (from Tommy and The Wall, respe ctively).Inspiration came from La Bohème but show writer Jonathan Larson gave the story a modern day twist. The end result is a cast of struggling artists trying to make it in New York’s East Village, under the spectre of AIDS.It started on a small stage in Broadway’s theatre district, eventually moving to a larger stage and playing for 12 years. It took the Tony Award for best musical in 1996, and the Drama Desk Award for best director.It is unfortunate that Mr Larson died before he could collect his award; he was only 35 years old. Who knows what new musical he could have treated us to had he not been so tragically stricken?If you missed your chance to see a live performance of Rent, you may consider renting/streaming it. Far from being a film musical, it is a recording of the last time it played on Broadway.Are you still not convinced you too could become a fan of musicals? Do you need to have ‘rock’ in the title to believe the music and lyric will be rock-flavoured (or pop flavoured, as you wish)?Try these on, then:Rock of Ages: often considered more of a jukebox musical because none of its music was written expressly for the show, it features songs from the likes of Twisted Sister, Pat Benatar and Styx, among others.There is a story connecting all of the songs; in fact, it may also be considered a book musical because the songs are so well integrated into the story.We Will Rock You â€" need we even mention Queen?Bat Out of Hell: as an updated turn to the classic Peter Pan set in a post-apocalyptic New York, Jim Steinman definitely hit his mark. Although this show enjoyed a relatively short run, it nevertheless won several awards.School of Rock: following the famed film’s storyline, Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the music for the stage show; JoAnn Hunter choreographed it. Guess what? It’s still playing in the West End, at the Gillian Lynne Theatre!We don’t want to give too much of the story line away; maybe by now you’ve had a change of heart, decided musical theatre could indeed be your thing and you want to buy ticket for this show!Now that you’re keen to know more about the type of music and lyrics that go into making a smash Broadway musical, you should check our list of revue musicals…

13 Guitar Apps We Cant Live Without

13 Guitar Apps We Cant Live Without Megan L. The secret to improving your guitar skills  isnt much of a secret at all in fact, its right in your pocket! In this article, guitar teacher  Zachary W.  shows you 13 of his favorite apps for learning guitar and improving every step of the way As a guitar player, I find it important to keep my rudimentary skills sharp. That includes practicing with correct technique,  as well as being able to improvise, control tempo, and read music. Below,  Ive listed 13 guitar apps that I use regularly and that I know will help you improve each aforementioned skill. Each app serves a different purpose, but all of them are friendly to users of  all skill levels. A fair warning: these are addictive apps for musicians  of any kind. Lets go ahead and take a look at the apps that will undoubtedly improve your guitar playing! 1. TakeLessons Live (Free) There arent any other guitar apps out there quite like this one. TakeLessons Live offers online classes that are led by live guitar teachers. With the free membership option, you can join a variety of classes from anywhere in the world. Topics covered include guitar exercises, theory, scales, song tutorials, and more.  If youre looking for a fun way to practice your skills while getting feedback from a real instructor, this is the app for you! 2. 7 Minute Guitar ($2.99) 7 Minute Guitar is wonderful for those who have a super busy schedule. This guitar practice app has compiled a series of exercises that each take seven  minutes. Theres no longer  an  excuse to neglect that daily practice session. After using this app for a while, youll begin to develop a good practice routine; you start out practicing for seven minutes a day, then you extend to 30 minutes a day, and  eventually, youll reach a goal of practicing for more than an hour per day. 2. Time Guru ($1.99) Time Guru was developed by rhythm guitarist Avi Bortnick  for the John Scofield band. With this app, you get way more than just a simple metronome. This metronome app also  mutes the sound at random. This allows you to monitor your own playing by showing whether or not you tend to speed up or drag behind the metronome. This special feature essentially allows you to take off the training wheels given to you by the metronome, while still reaping the benefits of playing with a time-keeping device. 3. TabToolkit ($3.99) This app may cost money, but if you  tend to rely solely on tablature when you  learn or teach a new piece of music, TabToolkit  is completely worth the small fee of $3.99. With this app, you can  upload your own sheet music from other programs, such as Guitar Pro,  or browse their large library of guitar tabs. In addition to hosting guitar tabs,  this app also has a great multi-track playback, which gives you the ability to play along with some of your favorite bands and artists. This app also works with over 128 instruments its not solely for guitar players. For example, you can take a heavenly Charlie Parker saxophone solo and transpose it  to any instrument you please. 4. GarageBand ($4.99) If youve ever wanted  to get a group of people together and jam out in your garage till the early hours of the morning, then  youll be happy to know, theres really an app for that! When it comes down to it,  GarageBand is the best app for music creation on a touch screen. With real world instruments, true to life sounds, and tons of easy-to-use tools, there isn’t really another app on its level. 5. AmpKit (Free); AmpKit+($19.99) AmpKit  allows you to take your amp with you no matter how far you travel. Just plug in your guitar  with a digital interface and youll immediately have access to all the amp channels and sound effects of your wildest dreams. AmpKit+ may cost $19.99, but with this upgrade, you gain access to many more sound effects, amp channels, and pedal options. Its a must-have guitar app if you plan on playing professionally. 6. Anytune (FREE); Anytune Pro + ($14.99) If you have a relative that plays the guitar, Im sure youve heard the famous phrase, “You youngsters  have it so much easier than we did back in the day. Well, in this case, thats completely true! With Anytune,  you have the ability to slow down songs. Use this app  to dissect crazy, lightning fast licks or solos without losing the quality of the music. For example,  if youre having a hard time figuring out what notes Guthrie Govan is playing on the Aristocrats album, this app will help you out by slowing the song down at any section you choose. The app also has the ability to gradually increase speed as your confidence builds what plausible excuses to not practice do you have now? 7. Drumgenius (FREE) The name of this app pretty much sums up all that you need to know about it. Drumgenius  has over 300 different drum beats in a various time signatures, from boogaloo jazz in 21/8, to your typical big jazz band in 4/4. Its fun to pick a beat and play along with it on guitar! 8. MuseScore (FREE) Along with ear training, another key skill  that every musician should master  is the ability to read sheet music. This skill  opens up many more doors as a musician than you  thought possible. Musescore  lets you  listen to scores of music with the ability to adjust the tempo as you please. If you have the urge to hear the classic T-bone Walker song Stormy Monday played at 200 bpm, or perhaps that lightning fast Steve Vai solo on Zombie Wolf at half speed, this app is for you. 9. Shazam (Free upgrade cost $6.99) Just hold your phone up to the speaker and let Shazam detect what song is playing.  This app is extremely helpful for me. I don’t know how many times Ive been on the road listening to the radio and hear a rhythm I like or a solo that blows me away; instead of forgetting the lyrics or having no clue how the song goes, this app collects  the song data for me. 10. Soundcloud (Free) Soundcloud allows you to post original audio recordings on the web where they can be accessed by anyone. This gateway opens up so many doors that you wouldve never known existed. In addition, this app gives you the perfect place to get constructive criticism from other  musicians. 11. J4T Multitrack Recorder ($3.99) The  J4T Multitrack Recorder  helps with those spontaneous moments when a melody strikes me and Im miles away from my equipment this app acts as a sketch pad for my musical ideas. With the ability to record 4 tracks simultaneously, this app gives you the basics that are needed for the foundation of any great musical idea or thought. Sadly, this app is only for Android. To those who have an Android phone go out and download it for the rest of us who have iPhones! 12. Evernote (FREE) Evernote  may seem very basic  on paper, but in reality, the capabilities of this app are limitless. This app is perfect for both those who  receive and those who teach lessons. This app has saved my hide on more than one occasion. I use this app to write down a summary of my lessons; this helps me keep track of a multitude of students. I keep constant track of my students progress because I like to max out the full potential of what we can accomplish in our hour or half-hour lessons. For all those out there who are teaching themselves, this app is perfect for logging your progress. If you include some of these guitar apps in your practice routine, I guarantee youll make progress faster than you will without them. Be sure to check out the detailed descriptions of the apps on the store page to see which features work for your reaching goals. As always, be sure to practice every day and dont be discouraged by new concepts! Post Author:  Zachary W. Zachary A. is a guitar instructor in Katy, TX specializing in beginning and intermediate students. He is currently earning a degree in  music theory. Learn more about Zachary here! Photo by Dino Latoga 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