Drexel University Tutoring Programs

Drexel University Tutoring ProgramsIt is no secret that Drexel University offers an excellent academic experience for students, but that doesn't mean that there isn't room for personal growth. In fact, the university encourages individual growth and development by offering numerous activities that keep students connected to their personal goals. Whether you are interested in a hobby or a career, there is a tutoring program for you at Drexel.When choosing tutoring programs, remember that quality and affordability go hand in hand. Good tutors are those who can provide not only the right attention and materials, but also who can be affordable for you. If you cannot afford to pay an experienced tutor for private tutoring, be sure to investigate your options before hiring. It will take more than just paying a fee to ensure that your education is quality tutoring.For some people, part of the fun in taking Drexel tutoring is the opportunity to interact with other students. If you are a matu re student who prefers to work independently, this may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you are new to the world of tutoring and want the experience of working with others, a tutoring program offered by the university may be the way to go.Before you decide to enroll in a tutoring program, make sure that you have the time to devote to learning new things. Many schools have a preferred length of time for tutoring sessions, and that's why it's important to know what you are getting into before agreeing to tutor. Also, make sure that the schedule you choose will fit into your schedule.One of the best parts of a Drexel tutoring program is the chance to learn from an expert. Just as with learning in a classroom, each student is given their own desk and time to work on projects of their own. The difference is that they don't have to stick around after class to talk to a teacher; they can work at their own pace. This aspect is one that many adults miss out on when taking classes from their own professor, so it's definitely worth the price to try this option.Drexel University also offers college credit. While these programs are not as popular as professional courses, they do give students a chance to put their work in front of an instructor and show them that they have learned something worthwhile. For example, students in this program can gain a degree in advertising, which is a great industry for those interested in furthering their career. With a strong knowledge of how the company works, they can apply this knowledge to the field and make great connections.With all the positives of taking classes from a professional tutor, it's easy to see why some people prefer the experience of having a tutor who has prior professional experience. Personal tutoring gives students the opportunity to hone their skills before putting them in front of the class. From classes such as intro to psychology to conversational English, there is a class for everyone at Drexel.Although many people think that they can't afford to pursue a professional, personal, or college degree while they are working, these programs offer financial benefits for you and your future. After all, it doesn't take much to earn a degree at Drexel University. When you consider the potential earnings for you, it becomes clear that the investment in your education is a worthwhile one.

The New SAT Its Never too Early to Know the Facts

The New SAT Its Never too Early to Know the Facts The New SAT: Tips From A Private Orange County Test Prep Tutor Some students in their junior and senior year of high school will be able to take the current SAT, soon to be known as the old SAT. However, younger students will be taking the new SAT starting in 2016. Its never too early to start prepping for this new SAT now that we are on the countdown to the major change (READ: 5 Awesome SAT Apps). 1. Take a practice exam The College Board is planning to release preliminary information and a guide for the new SAT in the summer of 2015. Apparently there will be five practice tests available and its recommended that any student who will be taking the new SAT take one of these tests ASAP. 2. Keep on reading, keep on writing Because the essay portion of the SAT will experience substantial changes, students should keep up with their reading and writing starting now. Current students often report that they struggle most with the essay, either due to writers block or lack of practice. If the current SAT essay seems difficult, just wait for the new SAT! The 2016 SAT will require students to comment on the author’s opinion rather than their own. Students should start practicing their critical reading skills so that they can make a summary of the author’s opinion of just about everything they read, from a pop-culture magazine to the newspaper to a school assigned novel. 3. Work with a tutor Although it’s true that tutors will be learning about the new SAT along with their students, the majority of SAT tutors will take their own practice test to understand the intricacies of this new exam before they ever work with students. This means that your private Orange County SAT tutors will have a six-month advance from when their students will take the real exam. It’s recommended that students taking the new SAT buy multiple test prep books to supplement their studies until their tutors can get a baseline of what the average student gets on the new SAT (READ: A Timeline Study Guide For The SAT). 4. A few basic differences -The new SAT will be five minutes longer than the current SAT, not a big difference. -The new SAT will have a reading and writing section that’s evidence-based, an updated and more difficult math section, and an entirely separate essay section. -The new SAT will have only four answer choices to choose from, as compared to the five answer choices on the current SAT. This will make process of elimination easier for 2016 students. -The new SAT will not have penalties for incorrect answers. This will be a major change in the test prep process as students will need to approach the practical applications of choosing an answer differently. (Students who have taken the ACT will already be familiar with this test prep procedure.) -The new SAT will be on a 1600 point scale, while the current SAT has a perfect score of 2400. Tutors and parents are probably more familiar with the 1600 point score, because this was used up until the turn of the 21st-century. In short There are still several months left until the start of the new SAT, but students who will be taking it are advised to start preparing as soon as possible. Since the College Board is releasing practice exams in the summer of 2015, its recommended that students start their SAT prep at that point. Students who fall within both the new and old SAT exams, are highly advised to consult a tutor as to whether not they should take the current exam or if they should simply start preparing for the new one. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about. The New SAT Its Never too Early to Know the Facts The New SAT: Tips From A Private Orange County Test Prep Tutor Some students in their junior and senior year of high school will be able to take the current SAT, soon to be known as the old SAT. However, younger students will be taking the new SAT starting in 2016. Its never too early to start prepping for this new SAT now that we are on the countdown to the major change (READ: 5 Awesome SAT Apps). 1. Take a practice exam The College Board is planning to release preliminary information and a guide for the new SAT in the summer of 2015. Apparently there will be five practice tests available and its recommended that any student who will be taking the new SAT take one of these tests ASAP. 2. Keep on reading, keep on writing Because the essay portion of the SAT will experience substantial changes, students should keep up with their reading and writing starting now. Current students often report that they struggle most with the essay, either due to writers block or lack of practice. If the current SAT essay seems difficult, just wait for the new SAT! The 2016 SAT will require students to comment on the author’s opinion rather than their own. Students should start practicing their critical reading skills so that they can make a summary of the author’s opinion of just about everything they read, from a pop-culture magazine to the newspaper to a school assigned novel. 3. Work with a tutor Although it’s true that tutors will be learning about the new SAT along with their students, the majority of SAT tutors will take their own practice test to understand the intricacies of this new exam before they ever work with students. This means that your private Orange County SAT tutors will have a six-month advance from when their students will take the real exam. It’s recommended that students taking the new SAT buy multiple test prep books to supplement their studies until their tutors can get a baseline of what the average student gets on the new SAT (READ: A Timeline Study Guide For The SAT). 4. A few basic differences -The new SAT will be five minutes longer than the current SAT, not a big difference. -The new SAT will have a reading and writing section that’s evidence-based, an updated and more difficult math section, and an entirely separate essay section. -The new SAT will have only four answer choices to choose from, as compared to the five answer choices on the current SAT. This will make process of elimination easier for 2016 students. -The new SAT will not have penalties for incorrect answers. This will be a major change in the test prep process as students will need to approach the practical applications of choosing an answer differently. (Students who have taken the ACT will already be familiar with this test prep procedure.) -The new SAT will be on a 1600 point scale, while the current SAT has a perfect score of 2400. Tutors and parents are probably more familiar with the 1600 point score, because this was used up until the turn of the 21st-century. In short There are still several months left until the start of the new SAT, but students who will be taking it are advised to start preparing as soon as possible. Since the College Board is releasing practice exams in the summer of 2015, its recommended that students start their SAT prep at that point. Students who fall within both the new and old SAT exams, are highly advised to consult a tutor as to whether not they should take the current exam or if they should simply start preparing for the new one. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about.

How To Organize Bill Payments

How To Organize Bill Payments pexels.com Make a bill paying day. Every time you run out of an ingredient or type of food in your house, you do not go running to the supermarket immediately only to buy that one item, right? You either wait until you are low on food and must go shopping or you have given yourself a specific day of the week that you always grocery shop on. And you usually do not do so pell-mell, grabbing whatever you feel like and putting it in your cart, only realizing once you have arrived home that you forgot to buy some staple ingredients. No! You are much more organized than that in fact you sometimes even have a grocery list. Why should paying your bills be any different? Instead of trying to remember the due date of each bill payment and maybe missing it, assign yourself a day or two that is devoted to bill-paying. It should be the same day(s) every month and stick to that pattern. Decide that the 15th of each month (or the 1st and the 15th of each month) is when you are going to pay your bills. Choosing days closer to the days when you get paid is ideal so that you can be sure you have the money to pay the bills at those times. Go down your checklist of bills that need to be paid and sit there and do them all at once. That way, you will not forget or miss any and everything will be paid right on time (if not early)! Write it down. Sometimes it can even be hard to remember what bills you need to pay, not even mentioning when you need to pay them. Some are not monthly, which can be harder to remember, or their due dates can be different each month. The best way to keep your bill payments organized is to write everything down. Start at the beginning. What bills do you need to pay? How often? By which dates? Then write it down somewhere that you are going to look and check often. Are you the kind of student that writes everything on a whiteboard in your room to keep track? Do you live by the dictates of your planner and write everything down in it? Do you keep a piece of paper tacked to your fridge so that you see it each time you open it? Whatever is best for you, write down and keep your list there in easy access so that you never miss another bill payment again. pexels.com Keep everything together. A lot of companies have been slowly transitioning to only providing you with electronic bills that you can pay online. But many companies still prefer and insist on sending printed bills and those can be the hardest to keep track of. You have a busy daily life and sometimes, you can just toss the mail to the side. However, that is how bills get lost. And lost bills become unpaid bills and it can all be a big mess. Avoid this by keeping all your bills together in a safe place. As soon as you receive it, put it in the pile to be addressed on your bill paying day. If you have a space on your bookshelf, keep them held up on your fridge with a magnet, or safeguard them in a little basket; do what you need to to keep them together and in a place that you will not later forget. There is nothing worse than knowing you have all the bills and that they are all together but you still cannot pay them because you cannot remember where you hid them! You can also keep all your online bills in the same place. Email inboxes can be messy places! Create two folders devoted to bill paying. One folder can be labeled Unpaid Bills and the second Paid Bills. Keep those online bills in the Unpaid folder until that one or two days a month you sit down to pay bills, and once they are paid, move them into the paid folder!

How Can I Become a Tutor? - Keep This Secret in Mind

How Can I Become a Tutor? - Keep This Secret in MindIf you want to earn a very good income with teaching, how can I become a tutor? This question has been on the minds of many learners around the world for quite some time now. Many tutors are out there who are willing to serve your tuition needs with confidence and sincerity. However, in order to become a qualified teacher, it is important that you know exactly what you are going to be teaching.Knowing what to teach is only half the battle. You also have to teach your students on a higher level than what they have already mastered. Teaching should not just be on an intellectual level, but on an emotional level as well.Just like other sports, studying is extremely important to increase the academic level of your students. When you are speaking to them, you have to let them know that you are an authority. In addition, you must use your language to help them understand.These are two key ways that you will be able to help your students l earn more easily. Once you have been taught by others, you will see that there are many other ways in which you can pass the knowledge on to your students.Even if you are not a student yourself, you can help your students develop their own learning experience. As you teach, you must help them find their own way in figuring out and analyzing problems. The more you help them with the process, the better they will do.The more you improve at this, the longer you will be able to stay ahead of your competitors. The main reason why many aspiring teachers fail is that they end up losing momentum. Once you start down the wrong path, you will lose out on potential earnings.It is easy to know how can I become a tutor. To do so, you first need to visit a comprehensive website that contains all of the details about becoming a tutor. Most of these websites can also help you with even more questions.

How to Compare Mathnasium Tutoring Prices

How to Compare Mathnasium Tutoring PricesMathnasium tutoring prices vary greatly depending on the tutoring center. There are math tutors available for almost any need or specialty in mathematics. It is best to have a tutor that has experience in the subject area. Tutors offer regular and one-on-one tutoring sessions at a fee.If you want a regular tutor, the costs of tuition can add up quickly. This is especially true if you want multiple tutors. Sometimes a child's academic success depends more on the personality of a math tutor than on the math that is being taught. In some cases, the ability of a math tutor to empathize with the children may be the most important factor in the success of the math classes. It is easy to overlook this factor because you are paying a monthly fee for tutoring sessions.If your child is having trouble in math class, you may choose to drop out early. A parent must carefully consider if this is what the child needs.To find out the costs of mathnasium tuiti on, you need to know the mathnasium tutoring center. Ask to see the cost of the tuition for one to two years and ask how many lessons they provide. Many centers offer discounts to those who teach more than one child.Once you know the mathnasium tuition rates for a math class, you can check for a good mathnasium in your area. Many online tutoring services will charge by the hour. Some others will charge a one-time fee.In order to find a math tutor, you need to make sure the center has a good reputation and is rated highly by the Better Business Bureau. Contact a tutor and take a few minutes to read the tutoring contract and find out how long the tutor has been tutoring.If you feel you need the extra help, the tutor can also tell you that math worksheets are needed by your child. Math worksheets are a good way to build and test the math skills of your child. A good math tutor will also give you valuable hints on which math worksheets your child should be practicing. If the math tutor can also help you develop effective math games, you will get a lot of help for your child while he or she is learning math.

Online ACT

Online ACT ACT is the standardized test taken by high school students who would like to continue their education in colleges and universities in the United States. ACT exam is taken not only by students residing in the United States but also by students living in other countries. The easiest and fastest method to apply for the test is by registering online on ACTs official website. Students can register online on this website for free and after registration is complete, they can pay the fee to attend the ACT exam. Students have the option of selecting the test centers according to their convenience; however they can check the status or availability of the particular test center. In the online website, students can check out the test dates nationally and internationally and since ACT test is conducted many times a year, students have the opportunity to select the test date suitable to them. The main purpose of ACT is to test students capability and academic knowledge in 4 main sections: English, Mathematics, Reading and Science reasoning. Students have the additional option of choosing the Writing section also, as some colleges and universities expect writing scores of the students along the general ACT score. To take ACT plus writing, students have to pay some extra fee to the general ACT fee, and if there is a change in the test date or students change their preference to another test center, then there will be additional service charges. Students can find all the additional information in their online account.

What is it Like to Attend Bates College

What is it Like to Attend Bates College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Jason graduated from Bates College in 2009. He currently is located in Boston and specializes in English tutoring, math tutoring, science tutoring, and a number of other areas. Read on for his review of his experience at Bates College: Describe the campus setting and transportation options at Bates College. Jason: Bates College is consistently ranked one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States. It sits in a quiet neighborhood of an old mill town in southern Maine and is filled with trees and brick buildings. Its small so theres no need for buses or even bikes (but some people use them) to get around. Every building is a short walk awayat most 20 minutes. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Jason: Given its small class sizes, Bates doesnt really have teaching assistants, so professors drive all the classes. In my experience, I never had an issue finding a professor outside of class. They all keep office hours, and if you email saying you cant make it to office hours for whatever reason, theyre usually more than willing to accommodate you. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Jason: Dorm life at Bates is very strong. Most students live on campus all four years. Part of this has to do with the cold winters and lack of off-campus housing options, but its never much of a huge complaint. Each dorm (especially the majority of freshmen dorms) seems to have its own personality each year. These personalities also shift depending on what floor youre on. At Bates, since its such a small school, there are no high-rise apartment-style dorms. You will get to know everyone on your hall and everyone in your dorm. There is also one dining hall. Where most schools have multiple dining halls, Bates single dining hall is sort of its hallmark. Today when schools feel they need to have multiple cafeteria-style food courts, Bates actually put it to a vote. Turns out, the students overwhelmingly wanted just one. There is one meal plan: you go in as often as you want, and eat as much as you want. All the food is made there by Dining Services, and although it can get old at times , it definitely does feel like someones making it for younot like it was thawed and microwaved in mass quantities. Commons, as its called, acts as a meeting place for meals among friends who have busy schedules and it also functions as a campus bottleneck. Since everyone eats there, you will see people there whom you rarely see anywhere else. For this reason, every Batesie has a commons crush. The other beloved dining option is the Den. Newly renovated, its favored as a late-night place to get a burger and relax. Its conveniently next to the library. They closed the Den for a few years and eventually brought it back by popular demand. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported at Bates College? Jason: Bates has quite strong departments in the humanities and arts. The faculty and staff also do a great job in supporting your education and in challenging you. One thing just about every Bates student learns is how to write. After working as a TA at other schools, it becomes pretty clear that that is not a skill fostered at all schools. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Jason: Bates is a great place to meet people. Since its founding, Bates has never had any fraternities or sororities. During my time there, I never met a student who did not appreciate that fact. People comingle to a great degree, and campus groups are widespread. Unlike larger universities, its not uncommon to form multiple groups of friends across wide disciplines at the college. How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Jason: The career center is definitely helpful and Bates does hold events for recruiters. Although, students tend to be more individualistic at Bates. Most students will use the career center to chart their own course. Its a place for people who are motivated to do something different and new, not necessarily to just slide into an industry. How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Jason: For the most part, the places to study are the Ladd Library (which increases in quietness level by each floor) and Pettengill Hall. But dont try to get too much work done in either the basement of Ladd or the Atrium of Pettengill. Those are places you go when you want to be social but also study a little. That said, students study everywhere across campus, and you can always find a place thats all your own. Things do get dicey when finals roll around. In that case, people will camp out in different places and sometimes reserve rooms in Pettengill. There is a real sense of comradery at this time, and despite being unbelievably overwhelmed from work, there is a particular energy in the air. Describe the surrounding town at Bates College. Jason: Bates College is in a quiet neighborhood of an old mill town in Southern Maine. The campus itself is gorgeous with brick buildings covered in ivy and a pond (The Puddle) at the northern end of campus. Students will either walk or bike into Lewiston, or toward St. Marys Hospital for Dairy Joy ice cream. However, once the winter hits, driving is the chosen mode of transportation for anything outside the extended radius of the campusincluding grocery stores. Since Bates is a small school, buses arent really required on or near campus. On campus, you can get anywhere you want on foot. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Jason: Class sizes are just under 500 people, with a total enrollment of just under 2,000. I personally liked the small class sizes, but it can get a little claustrophobic at times. Overall, its a great size if you do well in small school environments. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Jason: My most memorable experiences at Bates were in my music theory classes. As the small core of us progressed to the more advanced classes, we developed a close relationship and classes became increasingly more personable. I learned so much more in those classes as a result. Check out Jasons tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Columbia University A Student Perspective

Columbia University A Student Perspective The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Gabriella specializes in algebra tutoring, geometry tutoring, trigonometry tutoring, and a number of other areas. She is currently a junior at Columbia University majoring in biomedical engineering. See what she had to share about Columbia University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Gabriella: Columbia University is in uptown Manhattan in the Morningside Heights district. The undergraduate campus is fairly small, but very welcoming. Although it is in a very urban environment, Columbia University is gated, and there are a lot of public safety officers to create a very safe environment. Transportation is very easy. There is a subway stop, and there are bus stops right outside the gates. Columbia University also has a bike rental center right outside of the student life building. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants at Columbia University? Gabriella: Professors and teaching assistants all have scheduled office hours that are posted on the course page. If office hours do not work for a student, professors and teaching assistants respond quickly to emails, and they are usually open to scheduling appointments. Academic advisers also have scheduled walk-in hours but, again, if those hours do not work, students can always schedule appointments or email their advisers with their questions. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Gabriella: All undergraduate students are guaranteed housing for all four years. All rooms are either singles or doubles. Most of the dorms are currently being renovated or have been renovated in the past few years. There are a variety of dining plans that a student can choose from. They consist of dining hall swipes, dining dollars to use at cafes around campus, and flex dollars, which can be used at select restaurants and grocery stores near campus. There are three main dining halls which are all buffet-style. The other food options on campus are pay-per-item. Columbia University is located in-between the Upper West Side and Harlem. It is walking distance to Central Park, and if you want to go further, the subway is right off campus. There are so many opportunities to get involved on campus. There are hundreds of clubs ranging from cultural to academic to service. There is also Greek life, intramural sports, and D1 varsity sports. All the sources to socialize are out thereone just has to take initiative and get involved. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Gabriella: Columbia University is split into three different colleges. There is Columbia College, which is known for its humanities programs. There is the School of Engineering and Applied Science, which focuses on engineering and science. The last college is the College of General Studies, which is for undergraduate students who are completing college at an untraditional time. So depending on what major or program you are looking for, Columbia University is sure to have it. I am currently majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a pre-medical track. I chose to pursue this because I want to be involved in the medical field. I have gone through quite a lot of medical procedures as an athlete. I aspire to help others in the same way my doctors helped me. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Gabriella: I came to Columbia University already a member of the varsity diving team, so I automatically had a friend group to hang out with. Aside from teammates, I became great friends with the people I lived with, and with people from the clubs I am in. Greek life is present on campus, but it is not a big part of social life. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services at Columbia University? Gabriella: The career center is very helpful. I have gone to them to review my resume and to help with finding summer internships. They are very good at pointing you in the right direction and giving you helpful tips when dealing with employers. For career fairs, hundreds of reputable companies come to campus to recruit, some being Unilever and Johnson and Johnson. Although I personally have not used other student support services, the people who work at these places are very personable people, and they are always willing to help students with whatever they need. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Gabriella: There are so many libraries on campus that it is never hard to find a place in a library. Classrooms are also available to study in if there is not a class. The student union does not have a lot of places to study so you are not guaranteed a place. Studying in dorm lounges varies from dorm to dorm; some lounges have a lot of people studying, but others have no one. Describe the surrounding town. Gabriella: There is so much to do in Manhattan that you will probably not be able to finish everything you want to do in your four years at Columbia University. The staple places to visit for anyone visiting New York City are Times Square, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty. There are numerous places to eat at, visit, and shop at that I cannot even begin listing them. Downtown is where most of the hustle and bustle is. There is still a lot to do near campus, but it is definitely quieter near campus, which is good for an academic environment. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes at Columbia University? Gabriella: The undergraduate student body is quite small with a little over 6,000 students. I am very pleased with class sizes. I have classes that are big lectures with over 100 students, and I also have small discussion classes that are a maximum of 24 students. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Gabriella: The most memorable experience thus far has been in my electrical engineering class. Growing up, I never had the desire to take apart or build electronics, but while in the lab portion of the class, I found not only that I liked building circuits, but also that I was pretty good at it. It helped me realize that I was actually doing something that I was genuinely loved, and it motivated me to continue pursuing engineering. Check out Gabriellas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

One Trick to Make Your Guitar Solos Amazing

One Trick to Make Your Guitar Solos Amazing Megan L. It takes a lot of skill to stand out as a guitarist. Here, guitar teacher  Bernard M.  shows you exactly what it takes to pull off an amazing solo and how you should approach phrasing You may or may not be ready to play a guitar solo, but its good to know what elements go into one. What is it that makes a great guitar solo? While there are many ways to answer this  question, there is one crucial element that often goes overlooked by even the most experienced  players: phrasing. Phrasing is the way in which a musician or composer combines notes to create a musical  sentence, or phrase. Although it can be very subtle, it often makes the difference between a  memorable solo and “note soup.” What does this mean for you guitarists? Play less, leave space. Let your ears lead the way, not your fingers. Many musicians suffer from the misconception that faster, more technical playing is somehow better and more musical. This can be very discouraging to new players, who have trouble  competing with their more experienced peers. Never fear! Creativity and imagination are what  make great music, and this is what phrasing is all about. Check out these two samples to hear the difference between a busy solo and one that uses  creative phrasing. The Problem: A Run-On Not bad at all, but can you hum a bar or two of that solo? Does any part of it stick in your  memory? The problem with this solo is that it’s practically one long phrase. Like a run-on  sentence, it’s difficult to follow and needs to be broken up! In this next sample, I add space and punctuation to the previous solo, creating different  musical phrases. The Solution: Adding Space By simply adding space to create distinct phrases, I have made the solo much more  memorable and effective. Each phrase has room to breathe before moving on to the next. By  playing less, the notes that are played gain much more power, adding strength to the solo as a whole. Hopefully, by now I’ve convinced you to focus on your phrasing the next time you go to  take a solo. This, however, is easier said than done. Phrasing is very elusive and intangible. It  has a closer link to creativity than technique, and therefore, is difficult to learn or teach  methodically. Instead, it’s something that constantly develops as  you grow  more experienced and  more tasteful. Here are few suggestions to help you develop your phrasing and taste. Take your time. This is perhaps one of simplest yet most profound suggestions on how to improve your  soloing. Being comfortable and confident while playing allows you to sound your best. If you try  to fill your solo with every last lick you can conjure up, you will very likely end up feeling  rushed, nervous, and stumbling through the solo. Slow down! Savor the solo and don’t overthink it. When you relax and give yourself  plenty of time, it allows your creative instincts to take the wheel. Some great ways to leave  yourself this room to breathe include long, expressive bends, sustained notes with some tasty  vibrato, and even simple rests. Break it up. Even the most creative players can fall into the trap of putting their fingers on auto-pilot,  aimlessly playing up and down familiar scales in monotonous eight notes or triplet lines. One of  the best ways to combat this common ailment is to break up the patterns. Playing a long descending eighth note line? Throw a rest or two in there to punctuate  your phrase. This can be a very powerful move and make an otherwise boring lick fresh and  interesting. Think like a drummer. We guitar players spend a lot of time thinking about chords, scales, arpeggios, and  intervals. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, we sometimes forget about  something just as, if not more, important; rhythm. Thinking about what you are playing rhythmically is at the core of phrasing. What are  you doing on the third beat of the measure, or the “ of 2?” What beats do you want to highlight  or downplay? Do you want to play along with the beat, or use syncopation to emphasize  unexpected accents? This might seem overwhelming to players who are not used to thinking this  way, so I will refer to my advice above; take your time, play what you are comfortable playing  and above all, follow your creative instincts. Emulate the experts. My final piece of advice is to study the players that inspire you the most. How do they  use phrasing in their solos? Learn your favorite guitar solos, note for note, and study them  closely. This is a great way to pick up the playing habits of your heroes and start developing your  own individual sound. Studying the solos of players like David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, or Derek  Trucks, who have a keen sense of phrasing, will help you make even the simplest licks powerful,  expressive and inspiring. Some of my favorite songs  to play are  classic rock guitar solos. They feel good and they sound incredible. As always, make sure you set aside time for plenty of practice. Try to not go a day without playing for 15 minutes. You will start to see significant progress in just a couple of weeks! Post Author:  Bernard M. Bernard M. is a guitar and songwriting instructor in Philadelphia, PA. He teaches lessons online and will travel to his students.  Learn more about  Bernard here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher