Synapsis

What is the best way to learn a new language? I’m interested in any stories, hints, suggestions you may have on the best way to learn a new language. Do you have any hints, suggestions, stories about learning new languages? How can I learn a new language?

This may differ from person to person.
The best ways I have found is to start early.
Taking a class at school may be difficult but helpful since you are interacting with others learning the same language.
Immersing yourself in the culture, it really helps to learn a language when you like the music, TV shows, movies, etc. from the source of the language. Also those are helpful in that they keep you up to date on how the language may be changing, something most textbooks can’t do.
Books are also very helpful, but some are not. I’ve found it helpful to find some books you think look helpful, and write down the titles. Then google search these books and find maybe reviews or discussions on the book. Amazon often has customer reviews.
Remember that languages are changing, which is something very important so you don’t visit said country and sound like you’re from 10 years ago!
Also, do try visiting the country! Even if you have very little mastery over the language it may be helpful to just go, again, immersing yourself in it!
Use the internet to your advantage! Find sites dedicated to the language.
Also, computer programs can be a fun way to learn the language!

I gather that some instruments are easy to learn than others.Yet for people who can play several well, would possibly have noted the difference when learning. Of course everyone is different and yet for example the difference between string (guitar) and brass (tenor horn), which is easier to learn.
How much practice time ought one give to learning a musical instrument to see and hear that the chosen instrument is a good (right) choice and worth continuing with. I really like (love) the idea of playing a musical instrument well.

If you HIRE A TEACHER you should be playing simple songs in a month. To get really good at any instrument takes about 10,000 HOURS of practice and performance

Please if anyone has tips or know a website/ book from which I can learn simple, easy and commonly used adjectives/ adverbs. Please do not say read more, or practice. I have been already doing it. Instead of using difficult words and phrasal verbs , I feel for non-native English people, like me and my country mates, It is better to use adjectives and adverbs. I know and have learned numerous, but can not recall while writing or speaking those promptly. Any tips or source?

You have asked a really interesting question. (The words "really" & "interesting" are adjectives because they are describing a noun. Correct? Okay.)
I truly hope that you will fearlessly and promptly seek & find a church, school, or college that will let you study & learn this ability. (The word "truly" is an adverb because it is modifying/describing a verb. Correct? Okay. )
I think that you write very nicely already. I believe that the best I can do is to encourage you to "pat yourself on the back" to say you are speaking and writing in the English language remarkably good for not having heard it spoken since your birth. It just takes time. Try and understand and accept this as fact, please.
Here is a book recommendation that I trust will help you a lot, also. It
is called a thesaurus. It is better than a dictionary in many ways, I think; to suit your needs for more adjectives and adverbs. So, write down all the descriptive words for verbs. (Many adverbs end with the letters "LY". For example: quickly, slowly, kindly, gently, lightly, heavily, colorfully, honestly.)
Many adjectives {words that describe nouns_people, places, things} end in "ing". For example: The bubbling brook, the singing bird, the sparkling dew, the rolling waves of wheat.
I dare say you already know and use many of these words.
Now, when you take the time to look up each word in a thesaurus–You will see written "synonyms"–{words that mean the same thing as} the words you already are comfortable with.
I also want to ask you to "do yourself a favor" by enrolling in some free or affordable class for "English as a Second Language" (ESL). We have specially-trained teachers to help our "adopted" new citizens & visitors. Just think! You can help yourself & your fellow country-mates, as well. Good luck and God bless you, too.

Also, would I have to learn both block and cursive Russian? Also, do other languages with the latin alphabet write in cursive?

You need to learn Russian cursive if you want to be able to read handwritten Russian.
On the other hand, although cursive is the standard method of handwriting in Russia, consider that most communications are done electronically now-days, so learning to write in cursive is up to you. Everyone will still be able to understand if you write in block letters, and you can pick up on reading Russian cursive without much effort.

P.S. If you decide to take up Russian cursive and feel that starting out in English will be easier, go for it. The styles of cursive are identical.

P.s.s. Check this answer, the info may be useful for you: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AifC4H.kiuo9MEHW2lxV7Krsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090209140123AAzQA6l

I naturally have no artistic ability, but I would like to learn to draw basic sketches that look halfway decent. Is there a way I could learn to draw? If so, what resources will help me learn to draw better?

It is my experience that talent makes the learning process easier. Nobody is born with an innate ability to draw (or act, sing, or write for that matter), though talent expedites learning. The most important trait, however, is persistence. Anybody who is not developmentally disabled can learn anything, if you are willing to invest serious time and effort. I have no talent for drawing, but I have gotten to be pretty good by just working at it for a long time.

I have wanted to play the guitar all my life. My parents got me a guitar a couple years ago, and some books. I have tried maybe three different forms of lessons, all start off at different places. Where is the best place to start when learning to play? Also, got some money now, any advice on some good software or book (idiot proof) to teach me how to play? I really do want to learn this, I’m just kinda overwhelmed. Any other advice welcome please.

Thanks!

Everyone has given you great advice, but I’d like to add one very important aspect that often gets ignored…

Play well with others!

You will improve 10 times as fast playing and practicing with another, then you will sitting at home in your room alone.

Try to find someone who’s a better guitarist, if they can put up with you, and get together to sing songs, write music..etc..at least once a week.

It’s also very important that you FORCE yourself to sit down everyday with the express purpose of practicing.

Some days you may not feel up to it, but if you force yourself..if only for 15 minutes a day, you’ll find the time stretching into an hour or more.

Learn a minimum of 3-4 different ways to play each chord. This will involve partial or whole bar chords up and down the neck, but will give you a great understanding of the fret board.

For example, if someone is playing the standard G chord 3-2-0-0-0-3 realize that you can play a little 3 string G chord up at the 7th fret, that’s shaped like the normal D chord
x-x-x-7-8-7

I know this sounds boring, but learn the Pentatonic Blues scale, and finally…find someway to record yourself…this is an invaluable tool for hearing areas of your playing that need more work.

Best of luck..guitarist of over 40 years

Is there a song? I know that the first president is George Washington. I would like to learn these presidents in chronological order with something that will tell me a little about each and every one of them as well. Learning the ABCs was easy. Now I would like to learn my presidents.

Thanks

Just like the ABCs, repetition is probably the best way. Try making your own song – that is how I learned the 10 essential amino acids. Just keep repeating them over and over, eventually they will get stuck in your brain.
Here is a list of the presidents, in chronological order:
GEORGE WASHINGTON
JOHN ADAMS
THOMAS JEFFERSON
JAMES MADISON
JAMES MONROE
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
ANDREW JACKSON
MARTIN VAN BUREN
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON
JOHN TYLER
JAMES K. POLK
ZACHARY TAYLOR
MILLARD FILLMORE
FRANKLIN PIERCE
JAMES BUCHANAN
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
ANDREW JOHNSON
ULYSSES S. GRANT
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES
JAMES GARFIELD
CHESTER ARTHUR
GROVER CLEVELAND
BENJAMIN HARRISON
WILLIAM MCKINLEY
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT
WOODROW WILSON
WARREN HARDING
CALVIN COOLIDGE
HERBERT HOOVER
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
HARRY TRUMAN
DWIGHT EISENHOWER
JOHN F. KENNEDY
LYNDON JOHNSON
RICHARD NIXON
GERALD FORD
JIMMY CARTER
RONALD REAGAN
GEORGE BUSH
BILL CLINTON
GEORGE W. BUSH
BARACK OBAMA

Learned through repetition!

I’ve been playing piano since high school and played classical pieces. I’m wondering if my fingers get injured or dexterity loss on piano if I learn to play violin. I expect an advice from a classical pianist. You know, I wont risk my dexterity. If playing violin affects dexterity, then I wouldn’t mind learning it.
Please give me some advise as I’m planning to get a violin next week.
Thanks.

not at all!

I started playing piano a little before playing the violin, and I had trouble doing scales with my left hand, it was so weak. Of course, that was when I was in fourth grade. But after I started violin, my finger strength and speed has both increased in my left hand, and both my right hand and my left hand became more flexible (right hand because of bowing, left hand because of pressing, shifting, vibrato, etc). It has certainly improved my playing alot. You can find examples of me playing on Youtube, it’s improved alot! I’ve only been playing for 2 years and I wouldn’t be at half my level without violin!

http://www.youtube.com/user/Raymondbl

if it doesn’t work, just search raymondbl on youtube.

I have wanted to learn violin for a long time. My daughter (7) wants to learn also. I thought it would be fun for us to learn together. The only problem is there are no violin teachers around us. I think the closest one is in another state (around a 3 hr drive). I would love to find someone local who could give private lessons but unfortunately there are none. I am determined to learn and I want my daughter to have that opportunity also. Any ideas?

I think that if you try to learn without a teacher, you are just *begging* to pick up bad habits and bad technique. The violin is a very demanding instrument. There are some instruments you can teach yourself (to a point) but violin really isn’t one of them. I’ve taught myself a few instruments, but when it came time to learn violin, I went out of my way to get a teacher, and I think that was absolutely the right decision.

I think you should do two things:

1) Redouble your efforts to find a more local teacher. I can’t believe there’s *nobody* around you who plays violin. Even someone who has had proper training on the instrument but isn’t normally a professional teacher would be better than trying to go it alone. Maybe a high school student or something?

2) If there really isn’t anyone, I would drive the 3 hours to get to a real teacher. Even if you only did this, say, once a month, having *some* proper guidance will really help.

I’ve always been amazed by the street art you find across SF and other places. Some of it is really amazing and beautiful. I would like to try and learn how. Of course, I wouldn’t do it on public property. I’m only 16 and I don’t want to end up in trouble. I’m thinking I would probably use big paper or wood to spray on. Still, I cannot find where to learn how. I did a search, and all I really got was how to REMOVE the paint. Does anyone know where I can learn to do this? I promise, I won’t vandalize someone’s property.

Thanks!

The best way to learn is hands on. No one can really teach you how to paint, but people can give tips and techniques. To paint well and gain the control requires that you practice. I don’t recommend painting large paper. It will seep through. You a solid surface. I’m not insinuating that you paint a building.

When you’re 16, an under-aged minor. It’s really hard to persist in an activity that everyone will try to discourage you to do. Also it’s hard to obtain paint, and if you even hold paint it’s considered a crime. If you love art and creation, just try to stay involved with it as much as possible. There are plenty of non-profit organizations that will support you and nourish your skills.

When I was around that age. I painted wooden panels in my backyard. Later I ended up painting secluded spots far away, far from trouble. Some spots were risky. I then snuck out at night to be a little more safe and far from the risk of getting caught. At night I would paint visible spots because it was a lot different in the day time. I faced and embraced the fact that I was an addicted "bomber". You don’t even want to know how I obtained paint.

Anywhere in the area of graffiti art will invite trouble no matter how legal you’d like to keep it.