Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Ask questions. Take constructive criticism. Be friendly without being friends. Offer suggestions. Be self-motivated. Be a good team player. Communicate your feelings well.

Answer: One way to please your boss that can benefit both of you is by asking for his advice or opinion on an issue or with a particular client and then implementing his words of wisdom. This allows you to benefit from your boss' knowledge and experience and lets the boss know that you value what she thinks. This also shows that you’re always looking for ways to improve at your job and that you’re always trying to do the best job possible.  Asking questions also shows your boss that you’re comfortable admitting that you don’t know everything and that you’re self-aware enough to know when to ask for help. Just make sure to ask questions at the right time, so your boss has time to take them seriously. Asking a series of off-topic questions at a company meeting won’t give you the results you want. Take constructive criticism given during performance reviews or meetings to heart and strive to improve areas of your job that aren't your strongest. Making yourself better and improving areas of your job performance that need work will show your boss your dedication. You want your boss to see that you really care about your job and that you see that there’s room for you to grow. If you’re stubborn or rude, then your boss will think that you’re set in your ways and have no room for improvement.  Remember that feedback isn’t meant to hurt you or make you feel inadequate; it’s there to help you improve as a worker. Even if not all of the feedback you get is useful, make sure to be receptive, upbeat, and thankful for it. Don’t make your boss feel like you resent him for being honest with you. You don’t need to be BFF with your boss to please him or her. In fact, trying to get too buddy buddy can lead to complications or can make it feel like you’re trying a little too hard to make a good impression. Instead, you should smile at your boss, say hello, stop to make small talk, and get to know a few things about him that you can ask about, such as the names of his children or his favorite hobbies. Keep things light and friendly around your boss and avoid getting into disagreements or being curt or thoughtless at all costs.  If your boss is obviously busy or frazzled, then you don’t need to try to make small talk or be extra friendly. As you get to know your boss, you’ll become more aware of his or her moods. Try to be friendly but professional in your correspondence, such as emails, as well. Speak up if you have an idea about how something could be improved or done differently in the workplace. Present your idea to your boss in an organized way when he has time to listen and discuss it with you. Even if your idea is not implemented, your effort will show your boss your initiative and a desire to improve the workplace as a whole.  If you offer suggestions from time to time, then your boss will see that you’re thinking about the company at large and that you really have a stake in the success of the company. Just make sure that you offer your suggestions privately so your boss doesn’t feel as if he’s being attacked or chastised in front of other employees. To truly please your boss, you have to show that you’re self-motivated and that you’re the kind of employee who takes initiative in his work. You shouldn’t only go above and beyond when you’re asked to, but should take steps that will impress your boss and improve your company on your own. You want your boss to think that you can work well on your own without being supervised and that you’ll continue to succeed at your job even if he or she is out of the office.  At the end of the day, you should be motivated to do the best you can because you love the work you do and want to do your best, not just to impress your boss. If your boss is out for the day, he should trust you to continue to do your work and to even encourage other employees to do their best. You want to have a reputation for working well with others and to be able to collaborate effectively. Your boss should think that he can put you in any team and that you’ll be able to thrive no matter what. Learn to respectfully disagree, share your ideas without being pushy, and to truly listen to what your co-workers have to say and on taking their suggestions seriously. Make people feel comfortable sharing their ideas with you and make sure that everyone is contributing when you work on a team project.  Though you may feel like it’ll be better if you do all of the work yourself, this will make other team members feel left out and will give them the impression that you don’t trust them. Make sure to be open-minded and to consider all aspects of a situation before making a decision. You may think you have your mind made up when you begin a project, but you should be open to and considerate of whatever your co-workers think. If you want to have a strong relationship with your boss, then you have to know how to communicate your feelings well and how to tell your boss what you’re thinking in the most respectful way possible. If you disagree with something, you can’t act like you know the right thing to do; instead, kindly suggest or ask if things could be done a bit differently. Make sure you’re articulate, speak clearly, and make your main point crystal clear.  If you need to talk to your boss about something important, set up a meeting with him. If you try to tell him some important information in the halls or when he’s obviously busy, then he won’t be as receptive to what you have to say. You have to be able to not only communicate with your boss, but to also communicate with co-workers, customers, and anyone else in the office. Strong communication is a quality of a stellar employee.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Practice playing high notes. Learn the semitones. Work on vibrato. Use glissandos.

Answer:
These can become a bit tricky. To play notes above D', a technique known as "pinching the thumb hole" must be used. Cover 2/3 to 3/4 of the thumb hole using the tip of your thumb. Tighten your lips slightly and blow a little harder than usual. A semitone is a sound that's halfway between one note and the next, like the sound made by the black keys on a piano. You have already learned one of the most popular semitones - that is, F#. Two more semitones that you should learn are Bb and C#'.   The fingering chart for Bb is: 0 1 - 3  4 - - - The fingering chart for C#' is: - 12 -  - - - - You can practice these semitone notes by playing a little ditty called Baa Baa Black Sheep: D D A A B C#' D' B A, G G F# F# E E D Once you have mastered the notes, you can work on your vibrato technique. A vibrato allows long notes to resonate, creating a nice dynamic effect. There are several ways to accomplish this:  Use a diaphragmatic vibrato. Control the flow of air into the recorder by tightening and contracting your diaphragm. Say, "heh heh heh" but do not cut off the flow of air entirely. Use a tongued tremolo. Say, "yer yer yer yer yer yer" using your tongue to control the airflow. Use a finger vibrato. While not being a very practical choice for a sustained vibrato, this method is commonly referred  to as a trill. Alternately finger the note and the next higher note. Do not tongue each note, but rapidly play an A B A B A B A sequence. These are created by sliding the fingers off the recorder in quick succession to create a sliding sound.