Learning to play the piano can be a challenging and rewarding experience, but it requires a significant amount of time and dedication to develop the skills necessary to play well. For many students, the challenge of practicing regularly can be overwhelming, making it difficult to progress and achieve their musical goals. Here are five tips […]
Art has been an integral part of human history for thousands of years, reflecting the values, beliefs, and cultural heritage of various societies. From ancient civilizations like Egypt and Greece to the Renaissance and beyond, art has undergone countless transformations, each with its own distinct style, techniques, and influences. Today, the rich art history of […]
March 14th is a special day for math enthusiasts around the world, as it marks Pi Day – a celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi). Pi is a fascinating number that represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter and has captured the imagination of mathematicians for thousands of years. In recent […]
Drop D tuning is a popular alternate tuning for the guitar that involves lowering the pitch of the sixth string (the low E string) by a whole step (two frets) to create a D note. This tuning is commonly used in various genres of music, including rock, metal, and folk, and is favored by guitarists […]
Early learning is an essential foundation for a child’s academic success. As a parent, you want to ensure that your child has the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their academic journey. Tutoring can be a valuable resource in helping your child develop these essential skills. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the […]
Looking for fun and easy art projects for your kids to do at home? Look no further! In this blog post, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions for 10 art projects that are perfect for children and can be done with materials commonly found around the house. So let’s get started! 1. Paper Plate Animals Materials: Paper […]
The Locrian mode is one of the seven main music modes in Western music and is characterized by its unique sound and distinct pattern of whole and half-steps. While it is the least used of all the modes, it has a unique and eerie quality that sets it apart and makes it an important mode […]
The Aeolian mode, also known as the natural minor scale, is a music mode that has been used in a wide range of music genres, from classical to rock and popular music. This mode is characterized by its melancholic and emotional sound, which is often described as being sad, introspective, and serious. Aeolian Mode Formula […]
The Mixolydian mode is one of the seven main modes in Western music, and it has a unique and bluesy sound that sets it apart from other modes. It’s characterized by a specific pattern of whole and half-steps and is associated with dominant chords, giving it a laid-back and bluesy feel. Mixolydian Mode Formula The […]
The Lydian mode is a music mode that has been used in a variety of music genres, from classical to jazz and popular music. This mode is characterized by its bright and happy sound, which is often described as being playful, joyful, and uplifting. Lydian Mode Formula The Lydian mode is defined by the pattern […]
The Phrygian mode is one of the seven main music modes in Western music, and it has a unique and exotic sound that sets it apart from other modes. It’s characterized by a specific pattern of whole and half-steps and is associated with minor keys, giving it a dark and haunting sound. Phrygian Mode Formula […]
The Dorian mode is a music mode that has been used for centuries in a variety of music genres, from classical to folk and jazz. This mode is characterized by its unique sound, which is often described as being melancholic, mysterious, and introspective. Dorian Mode Formula The Dorian mode is defined by a specific pattern […]
The Ionian mode, also known as the Major scale, is one of the most important and commonly used modes in Western music. This mode is characterized by its upbeat and cheerful sound, and is often used in a variety of music genres, including pop, rock, and classical music. Ionian Mode Formula The Ionian mode is […]
Music modes are a fundamental aspect of Western music, influencing the way musicians compose, perform, and discuss music. In essence, a mode is a scale, or a series of music notes arranged in a specific pattern, that gives a song a unique sound and character. The Seven Music Modes There are seven main modes in […]
Learning music theory can be daunting and frustrating. But learning music theory expands nearly every facet of a musician’s abilities. Here are only 5 of many reasons learning music theory is so crucial: Understand What You’re Playing Students become literate musicians when they understand the ins and outs of music. Having a deep understanding of […]
It’s almost January 1, and we all know what that means: New Year’s Resolutions are here. With 2023 around the corner, the possibilities are endless. Consider learning a new instrument, and we’ll tell you why music lessons are a great resolution. Bring Your Passion for Music to the Next Level If you’re reading this article, […]
Academic transitions cause disruptions that can be challenging for students, especially adolescents. During adolescence, many students already struggle with their self-esteem. Read this article by Hodis Learning & Music president, Drew M. Hodis, on the South Pasadenan News website. The article provides parents with skills to help their adolescent children boost their self-esteem in academic transitions.
The holiday season is here, and parents are scrambling to find the right gifts for their children. If your child loves music, then music lessons are the perfect present. Music lessons will help your child build lifelong skills and lasting memories. Below are just four of many reasons you should give the gift of music […]
Finals week is a stressful time for students, and it can be a challenging time for parents, too. With your child feeling stressed and possibly overwhelmed, it’s natural to feel it with them. While students can implement stress-reduction measures on their own, sometimes they need a little extra guidance at home. We have provided a few […]
In an age where ideas and concepts are reduced to soundbites and 10 second video clips, we thought we’d challenge ourselves to explain our craft in 140 characters or less. This is what we came up with: Tutoring is focused, individualized academic instruction that helps students become independent learners. Tutoring is like a cast […]
Some students find themselves struggling with a lack of organization skills, which can be a frustrating and overwhelming experience. But there’s hope! Organization, like any skill, can be learned. I used to be very disorganized with a chaotic room, a messy backpack, and a generally disorganized academic life. And my grades and wellbeing suffered because […]
SQRRR or SQ3R is an all-in-one reading comprehension/study skills system that stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. Many students fall into the trap of passively scanning their texts, which research has proven pitifully ineffective. SQ3R helps students actively read while also giving them a framework in which to study. Survey Read the introduction/summary. If there is no intro […]
Let’s face it – it’s 2022 and we are all very busy. Learning a new instrument is challenging amid our chaotic schedules. But it isn’t impossible! If you are serious about learning a new instrument and you are willing to budget some time for learning, then it’s just a matter of managing time and expectations. […]
If you’re wondering whether learning a new instrument is the right hobby for your child (or even for yourself), there’s a lot to consider. What are the benefits of their chosen instrument? What style of music will they learn? What musical concepts will they be studying? These are all great questions that I hear often […]
Sometimes students find themselves working really hard in all of their classes, studying at all hours, and aiming for straight A’s and perfect test scores. But after a few months, students often find themselves feeling tired all the time, irritable, disinterested in school, and unmotivated to do anything related to classes. In fact, these situations […]
Ah, homework. An inevitable, but often unenjoyable, part of school. While many students (and perhaps even parents) dread homework, it is an important part of your student’s education. Read on to learn strategies for tackling homework. If you’re a student, read this article instead. What’s the Point of Homework, Anyways? Homework should, ideally, reinforce concepts […]
Hodis Learning & Music brass instructor, Alex, shares insights on the music school admissions. Alex earned his B.M. in Trumpet Performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. What goes into preparing for music school auditions and applications? Preparing for music school auditions is a unique experience. Learning the music for the audition is not enough. […]
Hodis Learning & Music guitar instructor, Bruno, shares insights on the music school application and audition process. Bruno earned his B.M. from the Berklee College of Music in songwriting. What goes into preparing for music school admissions? The same that goes into becoming a professional musician. Making music an integral part of who you are. […]
Hodis Learning & Music bass teacher, Tim, shares insights on the music school admissions process. Tim earned his B.M. from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and M.M. from USC Thornton School of Music, both in jazz bass studies. What goes into preparing for the performance aspect of music school applications? Preparing for music school applications can […]
What Subject Areas Do You Tutor? Academic Tutoring: Reading comprehension, writing, elementary education, and Spanish Where did you receive your education? University of Oregon, B.A. in Public Relations What’s the most rewarding part of being a tutor? Seeing a student gain confidence in a subject or skill they didn’t think they were good at. Of course, […]
Note: This series details how to study smarter, not harder, to help students succeed in their academics. All information in this series draws upon principles from psychological research on learning and memory. Over the past 10 weeks, this series covered the most, moderately, and least effective study techniques, according to effect sizes in the literature. This series […]
Note: This series details how to study smarter, not harder, to help students succeed in their academics. All information in this series draws upon principles from psychological research on learning and memory. Students often ask me about how to take better notes. I often notice that these students use the outline method, where they write their notes […]
Note: This series details how to study smarter, not harder, to help students succeed in their academics. All information in this series draws upon principles from psychological research on learning and memory. Have you ever read a chapter in your textbook and later realized that you missed a lot of important points? If so, you’re not alone. […]
Note: This study skills series details how to study smarter, not harder, to help students succeed in their academics. All information in this series draws upon principles from psychological research on learning and memory. Flashcards were probably one of the first study skills you ever used. They’re relatively easy to make and easy to study from. […]
This week, Hodis Learning & Music is celebrating its one year anniversary of being in business! It has been an amazing year full of service, learning, and growth, and I could not be more proud of our team and students. A little over a year ago, I developed a great vision: an educational connections business […]
When I started up Hodis Learning & Music (HLM), I set out to create a business that embodied my philosophy of teaching which builds off of two basic but essential principles: expertise and kindness. Since our founding, every business decision has been made with these principles in mind. We handpick expert educators to provide students […]
Note: This series details how to study smarter, not harder, to help students succeed in their academics. All information in this series draws upon principles from psychological research on learning and memory. Throughout this series, we’ve covered a broad range of study skills. According to effect sizes in the literature, some of these skills are not very […]
Note: This series details how to study smarter, not harder, to help students succeed in their academics. All information in this series draws upon principles from psychological research on learning and memory. Have you ever put off studying for a test until the night before? How much caffeine did it take to get through the hours of […]
Note: This series details how to study smarter, not harder, to help students succeed in their academics. All information in this series draws upon principles from psychological research on learning and memory. The other day, one of my high school students asked, “Where does wind come from?” My student had taken chemistry and physics already, so I […]
Note: This series details how to study smarter, not harder, to help students succeed in their academics. All information in this series draws upon principles from psychological research on learning and memory. How often do you teach material to yourself as if you are the teacher? Have you ever explained a concept to yourself to check your […]
Note: This series details how to study smarter, not harder, to help students succeed in their academics. All information in this series draws upon principles from psychological research on learning and memory. How do you break up your studying when reviewing several different subjects? Do you study one subject for an hour and then switch to the […]
Note: This series details how to study smarter, not harder, to help students succeed in their academics. All information in this series draws upon principles from psychological research on learning and memory. Most school course curriculums do not teach students to develop study skills, which poses a great barrier to academic success. And in some cases, some […]
Note: This series details how to study smarter, not harder, to help students succeed in their academics. All information in this series draws upon principles from psychological research on learning and memory. Do you or your student study hard but still underperform on tests? Before you can begin studying smarter, you must first understand what you’re doing […]
Some issues we see often with our students is a lack of organization and smart studying. It’s challenging for a student who already struggles in a subject to do well if they aren’t keeping track of assignments or aren’t efficiently completing homework or studying. This is why our expert tutors teach our students to be more […]
Hello HLM community! As we approach 2022 in a matter of days, we can’t help but reflect on how wonderful and fulfilling this year has been, even amid so many challenges. We could not have accomplished all that we did without the help of so many people. Because of this, we want to acknowledge and […]