Ways to Help Students Learn Algebra - What You Need to Find

Ways to Help Students Learn Algebra - What You Need to FindWhen learning to read, one of the best methods for teaching students is to find methods to help them learn math problems. The best way to help students learn algebraic reasoning and problems solving is through the use of practice problems. I think it is pretty important that you find methods that you can do in your own home to help you with the student algebra problem that you are having.There are many different problems that you can choose from when you are trying to find methods to help with the student algebra problems that you are facing in your regular classroom problems. These methods are usually very simple but if you want to do this, you are going to have to figure out which ones will be effective for you.There are a lot of options out there that you can choose from when it comes to word problems. Many of these have a real-life application. If you are trying to help students with their algebra problems and solving the m on paper, then you need to consider those. This will help students learn the things that they need to know in order to solve any kind of algebraic problem.One word problem that is very important is a 3rd grader English problem. This problem is one that the teacher can choose to write out on the blackboard. Many of the students will not even remember what they learned and that will give you a chance to figure out a better approach.You also have the option of choosing from a variety of reading problems that will allow you to help students with the reading problem that they are having. For instance, if you are having a problem with students' vocabulary, you could use a vocabulary article. These words that you want to help with are things like; the someone, hello, and oh.As well as this, you can use the phonics that are commonly used in the reading section. This means that you need to get students to learn and use their reading skills to help with their algebraic problem solving.When choosing methods to help with the student algebra problems that you are having, there are a lot of other things that you will want to look into when you are trying to find options that are effective for you. You may want to consider using word problems that you get online.There are a lot of ways that you can use to help with the word problems that you are having when you are trying to teach algebra. You can choose from almost anything that you need to help with the problems that you are having.

Country Day School

Country Day School Country Day School Founded in 1963, Country Day School is an international school offering an American High School Diploma and a wide range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses for its 875 students. CDSs curriculum also prepares students for the Costa Rican Bachillerato examinations at the high school level. The CDS mission is complemented by the CDS Educational Development Association, the non-profit arm of the school which funds scholarships for local students, encourages student community service opportunities and supports continuing education for local teachers. The campus moved to its current site in July 2016 and is the first K-12 LEED-certified school in Costa Rica. It includes 81 well-equipped classrooms, seven science labs, robotics and maker spaces, a theater, fine arts center, library, athletic facilities and swimming pool. CDS offers a full sports program and a range of after-school activities for its students. Basketball, soccer and volleyball are the most popular competitive sports. Student council, National Honor Society, environmental and service learning programs, music and drama, a robust elective program in middle - high school and overnight class trips to Costa Ricas national parks provide a well-rounded extracurricular program. CDS is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in the United States and by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education.

8 Best Tablets For The Regular Student On A Budget

8 Best Tablets For The Regular Student On A Budget Image via Siddartha Thota on Flickr We’ve all been there: you spy someone in lecture whipping out their handy-dandy tablet in preparation for class, and you sorely wish you had one to bring to class too, instead of that massive 15-pound monstrosity of a laptop. Well, look no further (but really, please do), because I’ve done the research for you and found 8 tablets that I think strike the best balance between quality and frugality. So read on, spend on  and save on! 8.)  Dell Venue 8:  $109.90 Image via Amazon.com Like youll soon see with the others on this list, the Dell Venue 8 is what critics like to call a “bargain tablet,” but don’t think that means it’s a piece of junk. On the contrary, the Venue 8 appears to be a very average, solid tablet. That being said, nothing about it really stands out, but then again, what do you need something flashy for when you can receive stable instead? Cnet.com provides a review of the Dell Venue 8  here. 7.)  Acer Iconia A1-830: $149.99 Image via Amazon.com The Acer Iconia A1-830 might be a bit of a mouthful to say, but trust me, its functionality is simple and solid. Its design is also eye-catching (Cnet.com calls it “fetching”), while its responses are equally attractiveâ€"they earn the titles “swift” and “smooth.” Unfortunately, it seems that reading small text can be a bit of a chore on the Iconia, so one of the other tablets on this list might be a better choice if that’s your primary objective. Cnet.com’s review of the Acer Iconia A1-830 can be found  here. 6.)  Lenovo A10: $199 Image via Shop.Lenovo.com If you’re looking for a larger tablet, look no further than the Lenovo A10; this bad boy delivers 10 inches of screen for your viewing pleasure. However, the screen resolution is said to be poorer than some other similarly priced tablets, but if you’re willing to take the risk, the Lenovo A10 has a strong base to make up for that. What’s really got people raving about this tablet is its sound quality. Dual front-facing speakers apparently deliver crystal clear, rich depth, which is made even better by its handy Dolby app that lets you customize your music/sound settings. Cnet.com has a helpful review of the Lenovo A10  here. 5.)  Asus MeMo Pad 8: $180.49 Image via Amazon.com First of all, the Asus MeMo Pad 8 is impressive right off the bat due to its thin and light frame. On the other hand, here’s a word to the wary: this tablet does run on an Android operating system, so if you know that’s not for you, then you should skip this one. However, users have commented that Asus provides a number of easy, useful tutorials to get new users used to the tablet, so don’t let this scare you off. Cnet.com promoted this tablet as “approachable,” and I’d have to agree. You can check out Cnet.com’s review of the Asus MeMo Pad 8  here. 4.)  LG G Pad 7.0: $119 Image via Frys.com At just over $100, this tablet is definitely a steal. However, the relatively small 8 GB of internal storage may not be enough for more dedicated users. That being said, the LG G Pad 7.0 does have some cool features not often seen in tablets in this price range. For instance, you can multitask with dual windows, meaning that you can, for example, watch Youtube videos while reading your emails, if you’re so inclined. And while the dual window function is described as pretty limited, I still think that’s a really awesome feature to throw in. Overall, this tablet is ideally suited for a casual user. For a more detailed review, check out Cnet.com’s analysis of the LG G Pad 7.0  here. 3.)  Barnes and Noble Nook HD+: $169.99 Image via Amazon.com Like the Asus Memo Pad 8 (#5 on this list), this 9-inch tablet stuns with its light and thin body. The Nook HD+ then continues to shower you in good things by being one of the best tablets on the market for reading (if you’re anything like me, that just made your mouth water). In fact, Cnet.com notes that the Nook HD+ “implements magazines and catalogs” better than any other tablet out there. One main drawback is that the tablet doesn’t come equipped with a camera, but if you’re like me and don’t intend to use a tablet as your main camera anyway, then that doesn’t matter much. Cnet.com’s review of this great tablet is  here. 2.)  Google Nexus 7: $189 Image via http://ecx.images-amazon.com At $189, this tablet is one of the more expensive ones on this list, but I’d like to think that its performance more than makes up for its relatively steep price. For instance, aside from being the lightest tablet on the market, the Nexus 7 also has an impressively full and deep picture quality that appears to dominate other tablets even of higher price ranges. On top of that, the Nexus 7’s generous battery life (beaten only barely by the much more expensive iPad Mini) and its ultra-fast, super-sensitive responsiveness make this tablet hard to beat. The main drawback of this tablet is that it’s significantly more expensive than the #1 tablet on this list, the Amazon Fire HD 6, and everyone knows that any extra cash a student can hang onto is cash well saved. Cnet.com’s review of the Google Nexus 7 is  here. 1.)  Amazon Fire HD 6: $99 Image via Amazon.com If we’re looking solely at price, you sure can’t beat this tablet. Even better, Amazon delivers quality along with this monetary steal, so this tablet can go head to head with much more expensive ones, as well. The great screen resolution that you get with this undeniable bargain deal seems to be what’s impressing most buyers, along with its immediate responsiveness and decent battery life. And at a 6 inch screen size, everyone seems to agree that this tablet is the perfect sizeâ€"neither too big nor too small, just like Goldilocks. After all, not having to lug around a laptop-sized item is exactly the purpose of a tablet, right? Finally, a surprising yet reassuring fact about this tablet is that a great number of buyers have recommended this one over Amazon’s newer version, the Amazon Fire HD 7. While you can look up reviews yourself, the Fire HD 7’s poorer screen resolution and significantly higher price speak for themselves. My conclusion, you ask? The Amazon Fire HD 6 is exactly the tablet to snap up this year. If you don’t want to take my word for it, you can read Cnet.com’s review of the Amazon Fire HD 6  here. Note:  If you’re willing to shell out a little more dough (maybe because you’re saving so much with the Amazon Fire HD 6, perhaps?), the  Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7  ($179.99) is touted by Cnet.com as one of the top 3 best tablets for your bucks. It’s similar to the Fire HD 6, but has some extra bells and whistles. You can find out more from their review of the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7  here. Image via https://bizlaunchblogdotcom.files.wordpress.com Now that you know which tablet youre going to get, you also need accessories! Thats where my article, 8 Cheap Alternatives To Your Favorite Technology Accessories, comes in. Check it out and discover which tech accessories your life is missing (besides that tablet, of course).

Audiobook Solutions to 4 Common Language Learning Dilemmas

Audiobook Solutions to 4 Common Language Learning Dilemmas Audiobook Solutions to 4 Common Language Learning Dilemmas Learning a new language isnt all wine and roses.Like any other worthwhile endeavor, it has its challenges.Often, its a stop-and-go adventure. There are times when youre on a roll, just laying down words and phrases as if you were born into the language. Other days its a struggle to find the right verb tense. Three steps forward, two steps back.Weve all been there.We get it. Really, we do.Four major issues pose potential hazards on the road to successful language learning. They all present unique obstacles. Fortunately, audiobooks make it possible to blast through them in a way that’s individually tailored to your learning style. The Most Common Language Learning Hang-upsYoure probably already familiar with these sticky language learning situations.Time crunch. Let’s face it, we’re all stretched thin, time-wise. Work, school, family, health and social obligations claim most of our waking hours. Throw in a second job or even a travel opportunity, and were toast.Money pinch. Hey , who doesnt feel that? Even if youre doing well financially, you still may not want to spend  extra money when you dont have to.Lackluster learning materials. There are times when language learning stalls because we tire of flashcards, repetition and the same old, same old. We need to step away and freshen up our minds by playing around with new methods before we can come back to the repetitive tasks that stick languages in our memories.The dreaded, but almost-inevitable, plateau. Its commonâ€"and not just with language learning. When a certain level of proficiency is achieved, learning stalls, leaving the pupil stranded on the plateau. Not the place anyone wants to park, is it?What would you say if I were to tell you that foreign language audiobooks provide epic solutions for each of these issues? That’s rightâ€"each one!I’ve got your attention now, don’t I?Let me show you how to use them to your advantageâ€"and solve all four of these learning problems.Audiobook Solutions t o 4 Common Language Learning Dilemmas1. Never Be Pressed for TimeFeeling a big time squeeze?  You’re not alone. We all feel that! This is a portable, on-the-go solution that makes any time the right time  for language learning.Foreign language audiobooks solve the can’t-find-time-to-learn issue. Throw a few into your insanely packed schedule and customize your learning. You’re in chargeâ€"decide where, when and what you want to hear.Remember, you’re in charge. Got that?One of the perks of foreign language audiobooks is they make practicing a new language almost as easy as catching a plane to somewhere exotic. On a plane or train? No problem, your audiobook is there with you. Adjust the headphones, press play and pick up where you left off.Dont be afraid to interact with the audiobook. If you’re prompted to reply, answer away! Talk out loud whenever, wherever. Believe me, it’s no big deal if you’re the only one who’s in on the whole conversation. Chances are, people a round you are busy and won’t even notice. So talkâ€"and if you make mistakes, that’s fine too. Audiobooks give you a chance to say, “hey, I missed that the first time around!” Back it up, listen again and nail it the second time.No time to jet off to immerse yourself in a culture and surround yourself with native language speakers? No problem! Language audiobooks bring learning to you. Even China and the  Chinese  language aren’t far at all when you download, listen and learn.2. Study on the CheapLanguage learning audiobooks are often free. And if they’re not completely free, they’re cheap.Free and cheap? What’s not to love?Remember when you got your first library card? I still have mine. The library is closed now, moved into a big, modern building, but the thrill that little card brought is one memory that will never fade.Most places still have libraries, only now theyre filled with more than books. Thats rightâ€"your local library may be the foreign language audiob ook jackpot youre looking for. Grab your card and go browse the audio files, or request access to the librarys online resources. If you dont have a card, thats no biggie, either. It takes just a few minutes to get one. Chances are, youll find enough in the stacks to make your inquisitive foreign language seeking brain stand up and pay attention.The New York Public Library  has a virtual warehouse of foreign language learning audiobooks available to card holders. Even if your library isnt massive like the one in NYC, most library systems share resources. Your library has access to much more than what’s on its shelves, so if you don’t see what you want, ask to have it ordered for you.There’s no need to keep opening up your precious wallet when there are tons of freeâ€"absolutely free!â€"audiobooks up for grabs.Studying French? Try  Audiocité. Innovative  Language  can help learners of tons of different languages find great audiobook resources to start listening to.  Cant find w hat youre looking for in your target language? Browse  this list at Open Cultureâ€"Im sure something will pop out at you!3. DiversifyForeign language audiobooks are made for many interests so theres no reason to stay in a rut.If youre not excited by your current materials, prepare to be dazzled! There’s no end to the diversity of audiobook offerings.There really is something for everyone. Don’t believe me? Check out the  huge Spanish-language selection at AlbaLearning. Germans more your thing? Get your German on with Vorleser.Every interest and every personality has optionsâ€"and with a click or two of your mouse, you’ll find an array of foreign language audiobooks in your chosen language.The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is available in 253 languages. It has always been one of my favorite books, so every time I learn a new language I buy an audio copy in that language. The story is familiar and easy to follow, and even if I miss a word or two the first few times I hear the  German  Der kleine Prinz, Italian Il Piccolo Principe  or Spanish  El Principito, it’s still empowering to hear and learn with something dear to my heart.4. Make It PersonalNo matter where you are on your language learning journey, there are foreign language audiobooks to support your learning.Choose an audiobook thats perfectly suited to your current level so punching through the plateau is almost too easy.Beginners benefit most from short stories or  childrens favorites. Audiobooks.com  has a huge selection!Intermediate learners should choose audiobooks in foreign languages the way they choose books in their native tongue. Pick a book on Audible based on a hobby or fascinating topic, or learn something new while increasing your language skills!At the intermediate level, it’s not a bad idea to pause an audiobook to check a dictionary for unfamiliar words. Write these words down with their definitions and usage as go you. A journal of new words increases vocabulary a nd hearing the words in context makes it a breeze to use them in dialogue later. A plusâ€"the more foreign language audiobooks you listen to, the bigger your journal of new-to-you words becomes! Eventually these new words become part of your foreign language mindset and you’ll use them naturally.Anyone at an advanced skill level can benefit greatly from using foreign language audiobooks. At this level, the need for a dictionary is minimal so whatever your listening pleasure may beâ€"fiction, non-fiction, self-help or the current bestsellerâ€"it’s all comprehensible, and Amazon  has  you covered with a huge selection of audiobooks!The focus is less on deciphering what’s being said or learning sentence structure and other fundamentals. Without all these concerns, there’s room to actually enjoy the audiobook.  And we all know that liking what we’re learning makes for a less stressful learning experience, right?This is the same reason why language learners can also benefit fro m listening to  podcasts. Theyre similar to audiobooks, and the topics are so varied that there are subjects for every skill level.  At an advanced level there’s learning and listening for the sheer joy of it, because we’ve already done the hard work.Learning isn’t all wine and roses, but sometimes there are indeed roses.Foreign language audiobooks can be a language learner’s best friend. They can help banish time crunch, money pinch, lackluster materials and plateausâ€"four major language learning problems that most of us experience at one time or another.Who knows? By the time you listen your way through an assortment of intriguing, mind-expanding audiobooks, you might be ready to grab your passport and try out your excellent language skills somewhere warm and exotic!

How to Make a Chemistry Graph in MS Excel

How to Make a Chemistry Graph in MS ExcelI often see the term 'Chemistry Graph' on a course review site. For those of you who have no idea what that is, the question is simple, can you draw a Chemistry Graph in MS Excel? The answer is, Yes!This has become quite an Internet trend, where people are used to start making graphs using MS PowerPoint. And since the introduction of Microsoft PowerPoint, more users are producing graphs using this application to assist them in their own studies.As far as I am concerned, MS PowerPoint's ability to create graphs with shapes and labels is very good, because all you need to do is insert a script and click some buttons, without using any graphics. Of course, if you are not aware of how to write a script in MS PowerPoint, it might be difficult for you to find one that has all the features that Microsoft offer, plus the option to use a graphical style.However, if you are up to the challenge, you can always find a suitable and detailed program for you r system using a free online review site. A few useful tips I have learned is:When you first set up your MS PowerPoint, I suggest that you make some notes on how to create an Excel-like document in MS PowerPoint. I know that it sounds funny, but the real point is that you should take the time to write a script that will allow you to create a similar structure of an Excel file.You will find that you have more additional features than MS PowerPoint does. You can also customize it so that it is user friendly, if you know how to type and how to use a keyboard.I have found that most free online sites are good at providing advice on subjects like these. Try to use this when you are not sure about the course you are reading orthe product you are looking at. The tip above was probably the best information I have found on how to make a Chemistry Graph in MS Excel.

Advantages of Enrolling in a Tutoring Course

Advantages of Enrolling in a Tutoring CourseIf you have thought about enrolling in a tutoring program to help your child reach his or her potential, you should understand the benefits of such a program. As a parent, you can reap many rewards for getting your child to reach their full potential through a tutoring course.One of the biggest benefits of enrolling in a tutoring course is that it helps a student's development both physically and academically. Most tutors are able to pass their students' courses because they specialize in particular subject areas. This helps the student to excel in their specific area.An additional benefit of enrolling in a tutoring program is that it can be a great resource for parents. Many parents will use a tutoring course to help their child. These parents are extremely dedicated to helping their child achieve their full potential. Often, these parents do not have the time to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, but they can easily teach their child how to play with a sports ball, how to practice different kinds of techniques, etc.Another benefit of enrolling in a tutor is that it can be a wonderful resource for your children. Students can find out what tutors are doing in the area where they live. It will give them insight into local tutors and their abilities. The information will also be valuable to them, since it will let them know how the local schools in their area are and what they need to improve on.The best thing about enrolling in a tutoring course is that it does not cost anything. Because the student does not have to pay for the tuition and fees, he or she can be sure that they will be able to learn much more than the cost of the course. This is important since not all classes are the same and some require more expense for tuition and other things than others.Sometimes, when a student has more expensive tuition than others, he or she may not have the chance to see a tutor. This is often the case w hen a student doesn't have enough money to pay for his or her own tuition and fees. With a tutoring course, this can be avoided.Tutoring is a great way to help your child achieve his or her potential. For parents, it can be a wonderful resource to help your child reach their full potential.

Why is My Guitar Feeding Back A Guitar Feedback Guide

Why is My Guitar Feeding Back A Guitar Feedback Guide Megan L. Does your guitar make a shrieking noise when you sing and play? Do you want to harness its power for good? Here, guitar instructor Zachary A. explains the phenomena of guitar feedback and how it can be manipulated to enhance your music An Example of Feedback The first thing that comes to mind when I think of guitar feedback is Jerry Garcia, the guitarist for the Grateful Dead. Creating a paralyzing shriek, he manipulates guitar feedback  in a wizardly fashion, pushing the boundaries of the electric guitar and his amps. Below is an example of Garcia  playing around with feedback. When you  think of feedback, youll likely remember  sitting in a class assembly as the person at the podium conducts their  speech, a loud shriek comes over the auditorium. This screech, which is referred to as feedback, happens mainly due to a sound loop that occurs between an audio input device (a guitar or microphone, for example) and an audio output device (an amp or speaker). What Causes Feedback? All thats needed for feedback to occur is the components of a basic public address system; a public address system consists of a microphone, amp, and speaker. Feedback happens when sound is amplified out of the speakers, then travels back through the microphone, and is amplified again, and then sent back through the speakers for a second time. This loop happens so fast that it creates its own frequency, which results in the infamous shrieking noise. Its one of the many guitar tones that you can produce. When musicians talk on the subject of feedback, the comments are mostly negative due to this howling sound thats produced in the middle of the song theyre trying to play. In addition to the dreaded sound loop, feedback occurs when the gain is too high in the output of an amplified instrument. As well as ways to minimize and control feedback, there are many ways to increase the chances that feedback occurs. One main point that needs to be reiterated is that feedback occurs in a system thats at a point of high gain and resonance. This can make it particularly challenging to control, but it can be accomplished. How to Prevent Guitar Feedback First, well discuss ways that you can reduce the chances of feedback happening. Then, well dive deeper into the ways of working magic with feedback. One major change you can make  to keep feedback down is by monitoring the amplified volume of your instrument in relation to the space that youre playing in. Another quick and painless way to reduce feedback is to change the position of your microphone and or speaker so that the speaker output isnt feeding directly into the microphone. Keep the speakers further forward, closer to the audience, then the microphones further back. Other ways to avoid the dreadful shriek are to use a directional microphone. Also, speak or sing close to the microphone; practically kissing the microphone. Also, turn off the microphone when its not in use, thus equalizing the signal and lowering the frequency. Another way is to lower the speaker output. There are devices you can purchase that can be connected in between the monitor and the amp in order to reduce the amount of audio frequency that occurs. How to Manipulate Guitar Feedback Feedback can be used as a very interesting tool for a musician, as we heard in the Jerry Garcia video. There are a few ways to increase your chances of feedback happening  so that you may utilize this technique. For example, use a higher gauge string they vibrate for a longer period of time  and require less feedback from the output to hold a note. Its just another way to transform your guitar sound. Another simple cosmetic change you can make to increase the amount of sustain and feedback your instrument produces is by making the guitar as rigid as possible. If you have a bolt-on neck, make sure the screws are tight or this will reduce the sustain of the strings. The old method to increase feedback was to connect a treble boost before the amplifier to overdrive it. Another cosmetic feedback enhancer that can be done is lowering the pickups to increase the distance between the pole pieces in the pickups and the strings. Although some people choose to raise the pickups to produce maximum drive to the amplifier, this will decrease the amount of feedback that may occur. Unfortunately, pole pieces are magnetic and close proximity to strings will dampen the vibrations. Now go out and create some scary horror movie sounds using feedback and get creative with it. You can use feedback to convey a vast range of sounds and emotions! Happy playing! Post Author:  Zachary A. Zachary A. is a guitar instructor in Katy, TX specializing in beginning and intermediate students. Zachary has been playing for more than four years. He is currently earning a bachelors  degree in  music theory. Learn more about Zachary 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

Solve Linear Equations

Solve Linear Equations Let us take a mathematical problem to indicate the necessary steps to solve the linear equations: Example 1: - 3x 2y = 2 (1) 7x + 3y = 43 (2) Instruction Method of solution a) From equation (1), express x in terms of y. likewise, from equation (2), express x in terms of y. From equation (1): 3x=2y+2 So, x=(2y+2)/3 (3) From equation (2) 7x=-3y+43 x= (-3y+43)/7 (4) b) Evaluate the values of x in (3) and (4) forming the equation in y. From equation (3) and (4), we get, (2y+2)/3=(-3y+43)/7 (5) c) Solve the linear equation (5) in y Simplifying, we get 14y+14=-9y+129 23y=115 y=5 d) Putting the values of y in (3) or (4), find the value of x Putting the value of y in equation (3) we get x=(2*5 +2)/3=4 e) Required solution of the two equations Therefore x=4 And y =5 Example 2: -7x 3y =31 (1) 9x 5y = 41 (2) Solution: - From equation (1) we get 7x = 31+3y x= (31+3y)/7 (3) Similarly from equation (2) we get, 9x = 41 + 5y x = (41 + 5y) / 9 (4) From equations (3) and (4) (31 + 3y) / 7 = (41 + 5y) /9 9(31 + 3y) = 7(41+5y) 279 +27y = 287+35 y 8y = -8 y = -1 Putting the value of y = -1 in equation (3) we get, x=(31-3)/7=28/7=4 Therefore x =4 and y = -1

Guitar Hacks How to Jazz Up Scales Start Improvising [Videos]

Guitar Hacks How to Jazz Up Scales Start Improvising [Videos] Suzy S. Many beginner musicians want to learn to improvise on the guitar, but just don’t know how to start. In this guest post, Greg O’Rourke from fretdojo.com teaches you three easy tricks that will supercharge your guitar scales and bring more life to your solos. Have you ever tried to improvise on the guitar and it sounds like you’re just running scales up and down the fretboard? Look: Regardless of what style you want to improvise in, only knowing the scales isn’t enough. Here’s the deal: To sound like a convincing improviser, you need to learn the vocabulary of the style you want to play meaning the particular patterns and approaches that give a style of music its unique sound. Which is what this article is all about. By the end of this post, you’re going to learn three easy jazz tricks to transform any boring old guitar scale into a hip, jazzy-sounding pattern that will supercharge your soloing. Let’s get into it! The Basic Idea The approach I’m going to show you is to: Look at the finger patterns on each string of a guitar scale, then Substitute them with finger patterns commonly used in jazz. For this lesson were going to use the ol’ faithful C major scale. Lets use the well-known pattern commonly played in the 7th position on the fretboard (for those of you who know the CAGED system, this would be the E pattern of C Major): Listen Play: Guitar Improvisation Exercise 1 Audio: If you arent familiar with this guitar scale pattern yet, practice playing bits and pieces of it over the backing track to get familiar, as the video below demonstrates: Video Example: Backing Track: As you can see, if you improvise just by going up and down guitar scales it sounds like, well… just like scales going up and down. Boring! Let’s see what we can do to jazz this sucker up Step 1: Substitute the ‘134’ Pattern Look at the notes that sit on the 3rd string for this guitar scale: As you can see, this string uses fingers 1, 3, and 4, hence a ‘134’ pattern. Hmmm lets try something. Replace this finger pattern with a ‘4123’ pattern instead: To get used to the idea of replacing the finger pattern, play the simple exercise below. Listen Play: Guitar Improvisation Exercise 2 Audio: Heres the trick. Now, whenever you play the 3rd string as you improvise, replace the ‘134’ pattern with the new ‘4123’ pattern. Video Example: Go on try it! Here’s the backing track once again: Backing Track: Hang on: Notice how this can be used on other strings of this C major scale as well Eureka! The 4th string also has this ‘134’ pattern. Do the same finger pattern replacement on this string too. Listen Play: Guitar Improvisation Exercise  3 Audio: I want you to practice soloing over the backing track once again. This time, whenever you hit the 4th string or the 3rd string, play the pattern ‘4123’. Backing Track: Great you’re sounding a whole lot jazzier already! Lets have a look at how we can mess with the other strings to get more of that jazzy sound into our soloing. Step 2: Substitute the ‘124’ pattern Here’s the finger pattern on the 1st string in this C Major scale: As you can see, the 1st string has a ‘124’ finger pattern. It’s time to soup up this finger pattern too. Can we use the ‘4123’ pattern (the one you used on the 3rd and 4th string) here? No, you can’t the final note (the ‘3’)   will be a note that is not in C Major, which will sound bad. For this approach to work, we need a pattern that will finish on a scale note. So, we’ll need a different pattern. Let me think… How about this one: Looks good this new ‘43241’ pattern ends up on a scale note (the ‘1’). This ‘43241’ pattern is one of the most commonly used vocabulary ideas in jazz, and its easy to play too. To get familiar with this new pattern, play this exercise on the 1st string: Listen Play: Guitar Improvisation Exercise 4 Audio: Improvise with the backing track in a similar way to what you did on the 3rd and 4th string. This time, whenever you play the 1st string replace the ‘124’ pattern with the ‘43241’ pattern. Video Example: While youre at it, make it more interesting by experimenting with different rhythms and accents each time you play the pattern. Backing Track: This ‘43241’ pattern works really well on the 5th and 6th strings too, as they also have a ‘124’ pattern in this C Major guitar scale. Ill show you what I mean: Listen Play: Guitar Improvisation Exercise 5 Audio: Step 3: Enclosures Great, so we have now jazzed up every string of this guitar scale Or have we? Hang on it looks like one string hasn’t been covered yet: the 2nd string. The problem with the 2nd string in this C Major guitar scale pattern is that there are only two notes on the string. Doh! We cant play the other two patterns you’ve learned so far, as they were for three notes, not two. Don’t sweat! There is a solution. We’re going to use enclosures to surround (or ‘enclose’) each of these two-note scales. I know what you’re thinking: “What’s an enclosure??” I knew you were going to ask that. Let me explain. Enclosures are one of the most commonly used devices found in jazz solos. They give a great chromatic sound and are characteristic of jazz bebop in particular. Enclosures are useful as they can be added to any note in any guitar scale. Heres an example of an enclosure: Listen Play: Guitar Improvisation Exercise  6 Audio: In this next exercise, you’re going to apply an enclosure to each of the two notes found on the 2nd string of the C Major guitar scale pattern: Listen Play: Guitar Improvisation Exercise 7 Audio: Now try to improvise on the backing track with enclosures on these notes whenever you hit the 2nd string: Video Example: Backing Track: Note: You can do enclosures on any note of the scale, not just these two scale notes on the second string try it and see! Step 4: Combining it All Together Fantastic! We have now jazzified every string of C Major guitar scale. Your final challenge awaits… Have a go at playing the substituted finger pattern for each string one after the other, going from the 1st string to the 6th string: 1st string: 43241 2nd string: enclosures 3rd string: 4123 4th string: 4123 5th string: 43241 6th string: 43241 Listen Play: Guitar Improvisation Exercise  8 Audio: Now improvise on the backing track by adding the relevant pattern for each string here and there as you solo. Video Example: Backing Track: A couple of things to be aware of as you improvise on the guitar: If you do the new jazzy patterns too much, it will sound too “spicy.” Just add them here and there and it will sound totally hip. The challenge here is to remember what pattern goes with which string in the guitar scale. Be careful as you’ll find it won’t sound very good if you mix them up by mistake. Huzzah! Just by adding some simple finger patterns, you know have an interesting, jazzy foundation for your guitar solos. Summary You can apply this technique to any guitar scale: Whenever you have a ‘134’ pattern on a string, replace it with ‘4123’. Whenever you have a ‘124’ pattern on a string, replace it with ‘43241’. Whenever you have only 2 notes on a string, use enclosures around each note. So there you have it: three simple finger patterns that you can apply to any guitar scale, to instantly get that jazzy sound. The question is… What guitar scales do YOU have under your fingers to jazz up? Let me help you out. Download a free copy of my Essential Guitar Scale Patterns PDF eBook, and youll learn  the most important guitar scale shapes that you need to know for any style of music. I would also like to give a  shout-out to Matt Warnock at  mattwarnockguitar.com,  whom I credit first showing me these innovative ideas for scale patterns. He’s a great teacher and has a ton of resources about jazz guitar improvisation on his site. I wish you well in your guitar practice. Happy soloing! Ready to learn more? Find a local or online guitar teacher, or check out our live, online group classes for guitar! Post Author: Greg O’Rourke Greg O’Rourke is a professional Australian jazz guitarist and holds a Bachelor of Music (Hons) with the Australian National University. He’s also the owner of fretdojo.com, which offers detailed lessons and eBooks on how to master jazz guitar.