I Took Piano Lessons As a Kid, But I

There are literally millions of adults today who took piano lessons when they were growing up, but at some point along the way gave them up. Some couldn’t care less, but many have an urge down deep to take up piano playing again someday.

Over the years I have never heard anyone say “I’m glad I never learned to play the piano”, but I have heard hundreds say something like “I sure wish I had paid attention when I was a kid”, or “My piano teacher was too strict (or too boring), but I would love to get back to the piano some day.”

And most people that feel that way have the “round-tuit” problem that we all have; they mean well, but the busyness of life distracts them from starting to play again. And they really don’t want to take lessons again from the little old lady down the street who can’t tell the Beatles from Beethoven. Plus it’s hard to work regular lessons into their already-packed schedule.

So what’s the solution?

There are two inter-related factors that when combined create an opportunity for adults such as this unlike any in history.

1. For the first time ever there is the world-wide web and all its endless and growing sources of information. Up to nearly 2000 AD an individual was limited to the piano teachers of the region in which he or she lived. But it’s not so anymore. Many piano teachers have moved their teaching into the cyber world of the internet in the form of online lessons. Others have DVDs and CDs available in all aspects of piano playing, from the basics of a beginner to the improvisations of an advanced player. And they are easy to find, too. Simply type in phrases such as “piano lessons for adults” or “how to play the piano” or “I want to learn piano chords” into any search engine such as Google, and up pops a vast array of intriguing possibilities. (Try it — you’ll see!)

2. The second factor is one that has always existed, but until recent times has not been articulated well so that the average person could understand the concept. And that is simply that there are 3 different ways to learn to play the piano, and adults can pick one of the three, two of the three, or all three in any combination, and come out with a synergy far better than any one method alone.

The 3 methods are:

1. Reading music from the printed score. Well over 95% of all piano lessons revolve around the ability to read a piece of sheet music, and the technical facility to make your fingers do what your mind tells them to do. This is the traditional method of piano lessons; scales, drills, finger exercises, and practice reading endless pieces from the very first “Left thumb, right thumb” piece to the most advanced classical piece such as Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” or Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude in C# minor”. And there are teachers online who can teach music reading. Search for them by typing in such phrases as “learn to read music” or “classical piano lessons online”.

2. Playing by ear. There are a very few individuals who can really play by ear, but they don’t need our help — they can play what they want any way they want. Playing by ear can be taught to some degree, but anyone who thinks they can end up playing like Ray Charles is kidding himself or herself. Still, normal individuals can learn to pick out a tune by ear and then match a chord to that melody, and eventually entertain themselves and others while having a ball.

3. Playing from chord symbols. Many professional pianists — especially jazz pianists — use fake books. Fake books are collections of songs in a lead sheet format, which means the melody of the song plus the chord symbols that go with the melody. To learn this form of playing you will need to learn chords — at least enough to play the songs you want to play — and you will need to learn to read the tune of the song in the treble clef — a skill much easier than learning to read masses of notes in both the treble and bass clefs.

Most people don’t even know that this form of playing exists, or if they do, they thing it is limited to pros. Not so. It is a straightforward process and produces good results after a relatively short period of time. In other words, you’ll be playing enough to enjoy yourself and maybe amaze your friends in a matter of weeks instead of years.

All of these methods are viable, and all can be learned from piano teachers online. But probably the best way of all is a synergy of the 3 ways: learn to read sheet music, develop your ear, and learn chords and how to use chord symbols to create your own styles of music.

Which ever method you pick is fine — just pick one and get going. A world of fun and satisfaction await!

For more information on the 3 methods adults can learn how to play the piano, watch my free short 5-minute video titled “I want to get back to piano playing!” Please go to the Play Piano Catalog of Piano Courses.

Why Employee Satisfaction questionnaires and Employee Exit questionnaires Make Good Sense

With the need for many businesses to be more streamlined and productive a company can sometimes find itself with many of their employees working under pressure that can then lead to low moral and possible result in a high staff turnover. The benefits of a company having a highly motivated workforce can be considerable and having a workforce that is both motivated and productive should not be regarded as being mutually exclusive to one another.

When problems are left unresolved then there is a risk of companies alienating their employees leading to employee frustrations growing to a point where managers find that they are on the back foot with problems that just cannot be ignored.

In an ideal world employers would take time to understand the needs of their employees and learn from their experiences of working on the front line, but employers are often themselves tied up day to day fighting their own fires.

Online surveys can automate the intelligence gathering process allowing the collated data to be instantly analysed thereby providing the management with a low cost and effective method to help towards achieving a pleasant working environment with the aim of promoting employee satisfaction while still ensuring that productivity is high.

Dissatisfied & unproductive

There are a plethora of reasons why employees may become dissatisfied with their job that can result in them channelling their frustrations into demands for higher salaries and reduced hours. Managers who tackle problems thinking it is all about salary and hours, will often find later that they have been dealing with the symptoms and not the root cause.

Not just about the money

The following are some common barriers to achieving productivity, none of which are likely to be resolved by increasing salaries or reducing hours:-

• Insufficient training
• Out of touch management
• Out of date working methods
• Lack of proper tools and equipment

Paying higher salaries is not always a solution to an employee’s problems nor as many studies have revealed is it the most important motivator for employees.

Take the case of a single mother who is juggling a full time job with the need to look after two children. Out of frustration she may demand more money so that she feels that she is able to cope where a better solution, for both her and the company, may be more flexible working hours.

Good communications is what it is about

It is in the interests of all organizations to encourage good communication. A company that makes communication between personnel and management difficult, or that takes the view that if personnel have a problem they will say something, can often delude themselves into thinking their workforce is content when it is not. It can very easily start with a small problem and one aggrieved employee for the problem to escalate to involve an entire workforce and generate a ‘them and us’ attitude.

Improving communication

Ideally employer and employee would meet one on one but in practice this would seem practical only for very small organizations.

Regular meetings between management and worker representatives are good in theory but they often become talking shops and can begin to lose their edge as the participants become familiar with one another and the forum runs the risk of being hijacked by the more extrovert personalities.

Suggestion boxes can have their value but they can be viewed as token efforts by management as they wait for personnel to highlight a problem.

Newsletters can provide a positive contribution, but their primary function is to inform and not discuss employee issues.

Maintaining the initiative

Conducting employee satisfaction surveys regularly you are able to ask each employee specific questions and presents a pro-active management initiative where the whole workforce can be consulted on various issues. Surveys are able to provide a level playing field between the quieter and more vocal employees.

Consultation should not be seen as a sign of weakness, a confident manager will take counsel from all quarters before making a decision. By issuing a survey and keeping the initiative the employer is able to tackle problems from a position of strength as opposed to waiting for problems to fester and then develop out of proportion.

Small problems left unresolved can lead to a minor problem breaking the camel’s back and the workforce mood change from positive to negative over night.

It’s easy and quick

For the majority of organizations online surveys represent a proactive and low cost solution. They can be created very quickly and for the majority of organizations, where most of the personnel have desktop computers, they are also quick to deploy direct to the individual.

Where not all of the personal have access to a computer there are various options available that will allow you to accommodate their responses such as providing a shared computer, conducting telephone surveys or as a last resort, a hardcopy survey where the hard-copy responses can be added to those who competed the survey online.

Job satisfaction

There are many elements that go towards providing an employee with job satisfaction, from the working environment, working methodology, working ethos, company ethics to having good and effective management. Job satisfaction brings benefits through improved productivity and motivation from a workforce that feels that they are treated as individuals and not a commodity item.

Educate and inform

An online survey can also be used to educate and pass on to the workforce important information, the ‘message’ is consistently delivered and does not suffer from the Chinese whisper phenomenon where a message can be distorted as it is handed down.

An online survey can explain to the employees a difficult situation and get valuable feedback as to the best solution. It is rare in this situation that the workforce would appear negative; it is more likely they will feel informed and empowered and that might be enough to turn a negative problem into a positive challenge that unites the workforce.

Exit surveys

Exit surveys are a method for management to confirm that when people leave the organisation they are leaving for valid reasons and not for reasons that if appreciated earlier could have been addressed and possibly resolved. If a problem has been identified it may be too late to prevent an individual from leaving but if addressed it could prevent other key personnel leaving for the same reasons.

For a Sample Employee Satisfaction Survey:- Employee Satisfaction Survey Template

For a sample Employee Exit survey:- Employee Exit Survey Template

1920’s Hairstyles

The long-hair styles of the nineteenth century began to give way to shorter hairstyles like “the bob” during the early 1920’s, a trend which continued to grow in popularity. Although early 1920’s bobbed hairstyles were very plain and straight and almost masculine in style, the bobbed hairstyles of the late 1920’s and early 1930’s were much more stylish and feminine. The stylish bobbed hairstyles of the late nineteen twenties continued their popularity well into the 1930’s. Some of the more popular and attractive shorter womens hair styles from the 1920’s and 1930’s are currently experiencing a revival as modern hair stylists look back in time for fresh ideas and inspiration from the innovative and beautiful short hairstyles of this trend setting era.

Popular hairstyles of the 1920’s included the bob, marcel wave, finger waves and shingling and their many different variations. Other hairstyles like the Eton Crop were only temporary phenomenons. As women of all ages sacrificed their long tresses on the altar of fashion, hairdressers and even barbers competed for this booming business.

As early adopters of the new shorter hair styles, 1920’s movie stars and other celebrities played a big part in popularizing the new hair fashions through appearances in movies and stage shows, the new hairstyles they sported being eagerly copied by their adoring fans. Despite the high cost involved initially there was a very high uptake of permanent waving when it became available to women everywhere.

Short hairstyles became increasingly popular as the 1920’s progressed, with long hair giving way to the new hair fashions. Although considered very radical by many in the early 1920’s, bobbed hair quickly became the desired standard for young girls and young women in their twenties, but was also very popular with middle-aged women in their thirties and forties. The initial plain bobs were eventually replaced by more stylish and sophisticated bobs that featured waves and curls to add style and interest. These later fashionable bobs continued in popularity well into the early 1930’s defying critics who had predicted the bob would be a short-lived fad that would only survive a year or two at most. The snowballing numbers of women adopting bobbed hairstyles meant that a major revolution in hairstyles ocurred during this period.

How to Choose the Perfect Vacuum for Your Home

With the advance of technology we see quite a different mix of products available to us on the market today. If you were to look at purchasing a vacuum there is almost hundreds of different brands and models you can choose from.

So how do you choose the perfect vacuum for your house, apartment or condo?

Probably the most important aspect you should ask yourself when purchasing the best bagless vacuum is how big your home is. If you have a very large home you do not want a heavy vacuum as you will be lugging the vacuum from room to room. You also want to make sure the vacuum has the proper mobility. You also want to make sure that the vacuum will be able to work on very thick carpet and also make sure that is can work on your smooth surfaces like your kitchen or garage.

If you are concerned about the environment you can also look for the best upright bagless vacuum. There will be some maintenance as you will be required to clean the HEPA filters as they are reusable and washable. In a way this is great as you will not need to spend money on vacuum bags.

If you have kids and pets you will also want to make sure that the vacuum is durable and can pick up a golf ball at 100 yards away, this might be a little bit of exaggeration but the worst thing for a vacuum is one that will not pick up anything. Pets are especially bad as their hair can be very fine or coarse so you want to make sure that the vacuum will be able to pick up your hair and your pets.

The next thing you should look at is the warranty and accessories. If you are going to be spending quite a bit of money on a built in vacuum system for your home then you better make sure there is a warranty is case it breaks down. You should remember too that many vacuums come with great accessories for cleaning other areas of your home that you may forget about. If you have places that are hard to reach you will want to make sure you have the proper attachments to do the job.

The last item on your vacuum list will be the price. Today you are looking at spending at least $100 to $1,500 for a vacuum. If you want the best bagless vacuums that do everything then you might as well go big or go home. Remember properly investing in a good vacuum is a good thing so do your homework before you buy.

Today you can purchase vacuums almost anywhere. You do not even need to go to the department store anymore to purchase one. Amazon has several hundreds of different brands or you can also go to manufacturer’s website to pick out the perfect model and have them deliver it to you.

Physician Job Search Tips

1) Defining purpose. What you are looking for in a position? Some items to consider are: environment (rural, suburban or urban), practice set-up (group, partnership, employee, etc.), compensation plan for physician employment and rotation.

2) Preparation. Practice! Practice! Practice! Do your homework before interviewing. Anticipate possible questions concerning physician practice opportunities and write answers for each.

3) Punctuality. Not just on time, but a little early for each site and telephone interview.

4) Appearance. Arrive at the interview with a neat and clean appearance. Avoid being overly made-up. Dress conservatively and comfortably.

5) Body language. Eye contact is essential. If shaking hands, offer a firm handshake. Erect posture shows confidence. Sit down only after being offered a chair.

6) Portfolio. Plan ahead. Bring copies of necessary information (CV and references). A legal notebook for taking notes is always recommended. Formulate a list of questions to help you evaluate the opportunity.

7) Enthusiasm. Bring an absolutely positive attitude without being too familiar. Negativism is not allowed. Sell yourself. The difference between bragging and self confidence is enthusiasm.

Smile. A genuine heart warming smile can win over anyone…whether you interview for physician jobs or not.

9) Thank you. At the end of each interview, thank the interviewer for their time. Follow up with a thank you note highlighting various points discussed during the visit.

10) Use a professional recruiter. Have a professional recruiter handle the search process for you. The task can be overwhelming to organize and maintain.

How to Deal With Pesky Unwanted Calls

To avoid unwanted calls you can use many services offered by your phone company.

Call screen (*60):
Your phone can be programmed to reject calls from selected numbers with a service called call screen (Phone companies might use different names). Instead of ringing on your line, these calls are routed to a recording that tells the caller you will not take the call.

With Call Screen, you can also program your telephone to reject calls from the number of last person who called. This allows you to block calls even if you do not know the phone number. Most phone companies charge a monthly fee for this service.

However, Call Screen is not a foolproof way to stop unwelcome calls. A determined caller can move to a different phone number to bypass the block. Also, Call Screen does not work on long distance calls from outside your service area.

You can also use Priority Ringing:
You can assign a special ring to calls from up to 10 numbers – calls you are most likely to want to answer. The rest can be routed to voice mail. There are ways callers can get around Priority Ringing when it is used as a screening tool. Harasser can switch phone lines and avoid the distinctive ring.

You can try Call Return (*69):
This service allows you to call back the number of last person who called, even if you are unable to answer the phone. Some people suggest that call return can be used to stop harassing callers by allowing you to call the harasser back without knowing their phone number. Use caution with this method of discouraging harassing callers, however, as it could actually aggravate the problem. This service is paid on a per-use basis.

You can use caller id to identify the caller if they are not blocking their number or use a service offered by most phone companies called Privacy Manager. It works with Caller ID to identify incoming calls that have no telephone numbers. Calls identified as “anonymous,” unavailable,” out of area” or “private” must identify themselves in order to complete the call.

Before your phone rings, a recorded message instructs the caller to unblock the call, enter a code number (like inbound call blocking devices mentioned above), or record their name. When your phone rings, you can choose to accept or reject the call, send it to voice mail, or send a special message to telemarketers instructing them to put you on their “do not call” list.

What does it mean when sometimes my phone rings and there is no one on the line?
Oftentimes, when you receive frequent hang ups on your phone line it could be that someone is checking to see if you are home or its simply harassment. It could also be calls from telemarketers who use computers for “predictive dialing” to call consumers where the computer dials many phone numbers in a short period of time. When anyone answers, the computer finds a sales representative who is not occupied at that time and connects the call.

If all sales reps are busy then consumer may hear only silence. These type of calls are called “abandoned calls.” If you are receiving many abandoned calls in a day, you can call the annoyance department of your local phone company. If these repeated calls are from a malicious individual who is harassing you rather than a telemarketer, the phone company will generally report the number to law enforcement.

Information on Shotokan Karate

Shotokan karate is both a new and an ancient martial art. It is ancient because its roots are deeply entrenched in the past and new because, as it is expressed today, it is an art that is less than one hundred years old. Shotokan is characterized by its long, low stances, its strong techniques and its dynamic forms.

The “founder” of shotokan, Gichin Funakoshi, was from Okinawa. He studied the most ancient of the Okinawan te (”hand”) systems as a young man and in the early twentieth century brought what he had discovered on the island of Okinawa to mainland Japan, where he demonstrated his art before the Emperor. He intended to return to Okinawa but was convinced to stay and continue instructing in Japan. Funakoshi’s nom de plume was Shoto (which means “waving pines”), and kan means “hall”, so shotokan karate can be translated as, “Shoto’s hall of the way of the empty hand”.

While Funakoshi was the conceiver of shotokan, it was really his son, Yoshitaka Funakoshi who evolved it into the form we know today. It rapidly grew in popularity, endorsed, encouraged and regulated by the powerful Japan Karate Association, and before long circulated across the planet.

Shotokan has, produced some of the worlds greatest karate advocates, including Hirokazu Kanazawa. It is believed by many karateka (karate practitioners) that Hirokazu has come closest to having, the most perfect technique. He studied karate at Takushokyu University and won the Japan Championships in 1962, even with a broken hand. Shotokan Carries on and is practiced by thousands of adults and children, throughout the world.

Triads

Shotokan karate is built on the Triads which represent something deep in the human psyche. There exists the Physical Triad - Kihon (basics), Kumite (sparring) and Kata (forms), which require dedicated training and the constant perfecting of technique. This is followed by the Moral triad of justice, mercy and compassion and finally the Ethical Triad of duty, honor and loyalty. If you put all of the nine triad principles together (nine symbolizes perfection) you achieve the whole, rounded person. When these principles are practiced in a martial art they exemplify one of the fundamental concepts of Shotokan karate- focusing on the development of the human character as a whole being, instead of concentrating on only one aspect of development.

Clothing and Equipment

Shotokan karatekas train in a white cotton top and drawstring trousers, and by nature, karate is translated as “empty hand” so the practice of Shotokan Karate does not involve a lot of martial arts equipment for training.

Rank

At 3rd-dan a karateka may be called “sensei”. At 4th-dan it is understood that the karateka is well acquainted with the style and has a deep understanding of the technical requisites. A 5th-dan is awarded after the writing of a technical thesis on karate. All dan grade awards after 5th are for advancement within shotokan, with emphasis on style, devotion, loyalty and dedication to the art.

With the award of 6th-dan comes the title “shihan’ which freely translated means “master” or literally “a teacher of teachers”. At this stage the karateka is considered a master of his/her style and is given the right to wear the red and white belt or may continue to wear the black belt. Although it may take 30 years of hard, disciplined training and study to achieve 6th-dan, this is reputed to be only the starting point to the pursuit of excellence and true knowledge.

What A Trip: Buying A Classic Mustang

Well, I have not had time to post on my site nearly as often as I would’ve liked, owing to how much I’ve been dealing with my Dad with his wild & crazy midlife crisis. True, I guess it’s not as far gone as it could possibly be. How it went, I mean how he showed up was he dressed up like the Fonz or something, and drop by to my crib and tell me, in his hippest possible vocal tone: “Get in, bro, we are going to be cruising for some classic Ford Mustang Sales. No joke, youngster, I’m totally set to get myself a real cruiser.”

Next thing I know my Dad and I were off to some of those wild vintage car sales lots that I’m pretty much convinced are mob-run, and I watch this wild old guy made out a check on the spot, for an unnaturally gleaming classic car. It really is an intense machine. It sounded really nice as well.

I want to point out that I phrased that last sentence in the past tense. It sounded perfect right until it totally broke down. My Dad tells me that it’s a simple fix and he just needs the right part. I’m thinking, it’s not as painless to pick up classic Ford Mustang parts as it was some three decades years ago, but he informs me there’s a pretty nice-sized market for them to this day. As far as my Dad tells me the the easiest way to find parts for 1965 Mustangs is actually internet auctions, since you can get them refurbbed and often even brand new. They’re only sometimes cheap, though… I mean, these are thirty year old automotive parts.

Not as bad as some midlife crises, I suppose. He could’ve decided to buy a harley.

NextG EFTPOS

Hawaii Resorts: Relaxation and Luxury

Are you tired of working all the time, wishing you could just sit back and bask in the sun? Want to escape the noises and the bothers of everyday life in the city? And what about taking the family to enjoy a surprise holiday to some exotic place?

Thinking of taking a holiday to a paradise island? If you are looking for a holiday destination or you actually have one already and are just searching for a very good vacation package that gives you a quality experience for your money, then we highly suggest going to a Hawaii resort. Seventy-five percent of Americans choose to go there and each enjoys a wonderful, memorable experience.

If you desire your holiday vacation to be in a sleepy, peaceful and exotic location, then Hawaii is the place for you. Hawaii vacations are an experience that provides a lifetime of memories. To enjoy all these Pacific islands offer, you’ll need more than one visit. Whatever be your interest - hiking, nature photography, water sports, snorkeling - Hawaii is ideal.

For persons wanting to escape long hours and a busy life for a restful and relaxing vacation, Hawaii is perfect. Hawaii is sleepy, quiet and provides an exotic holiday that one will remember for a lifetime. Persons interested in adventure, photography, water sports and sun bathing will enjoy Hawaii. Kauai resorts are famous for their garden-like settings convenient to island adventures and activities, Maui resorts for gorgeous beaches, dining and shopping while Big Island resorts offer traditional Hawaiian luaus, hula as well as a more diverse geography. Which ever island you choose for your stay, when you arrive your heart will be warmed by the friendly locals with their graciousness and Aloha spirit.

Review of the Canon EOS 40D

The Canon EOS 40D is a 10 megapixel SLR digital camera that saw a lot of hype prior to its release. According to users who have bought this camera, it lives up to the hype – and then some. Its DIGIC III image processor and large 3 inch LCD make it a favorite among casual photographers and professionals alike.

Users have nothing but lavish praise for this camera. The Canon EOS 40D consistently gets 5-star ratings and plenty of glowing reviews from owners. Some laud the camera’s impressive light sensitivity and its hefty size. The camera feels substantial, not like something fragile that might break with rough treatment. With the EFS 17-85 IS in place, the camera weighs in at two and a half pounds! But it does fit into the photographer’s hands naturally, and handles very well.

Professional action photographers use this camera for outdoor work and enjoy its sharpness and color identity. The camera even cleans itself every time it is turned off, thanks to an automatic sensor cleaning feature.

Some users feel that the Canon EOS 40D is more suited to advanced camera users. The sheer number of features can be intimidating. Customers recommend a lot of patience and exploration, or even the purchase of special training DVDs to help new photographers learn the ins and outs of the 40D.

Here are just a few of the Canon EOS 40D’s many features:

* 10.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor
* DIGIC III Image Processor
* RAW, JPEG File Format
* Canon EF/EF-S Lens Mount
* Auto and Manual Focus
* Auto and Manual Exposure
* ISO 100-1600 (3200 Enhanced)
* 3.0-inch LCD
* Compact Flash Memory
* Lithium-ion Battery
* USB Cable
* Video Cable
* Neck Strap
* Battery Charger

The Canon EOS 40D is an SLR professional grade digital camera with image resolutions of 3888 x 2592,  2816 x 1880, and 1936 x 1288. It has a minimum shutter speed of 30 seconds, and a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 seconds. Pictures can be snapped rapid-fire for excellent action shots. The EOS 40D does up to 75 images in burst mode. Its exposure controls include Auto, Manual, Daylight / Sunny (Preset), Cloudy (Preset), Fluorescent (Preset), Tungsten (Preset), Shade (Preset), and Flash (Preset).

A few critics voice disappointment that the camera kit doesn’t come with a lens hood as would be expected from a camera of this caliber. But complaints are few and far between. The Canon EOS 40D would be a great gift for a photography student, journalist, or anyone who is ready to move away from point-and-shoots. This is a real camera for real photographers.

The Canon EOS 40D retails for about $1,200 US.