Find Your Voice as a Singer 4 Tips that Work

Find Your Voice as a Singer 4 Tips that Work Suzy S. If you look beyond the auto-tune and publicity stunts of todays top artists, youll notice there are actually a lot of strong, female role models for singers today think Adele, Florence Welch (as pictured here) and Leslie Feist, to name a few. One of the best parts of learning to sing is finding your own voice, much like these women have done.   Youll need to figure out what makes you unique and sets you apart from the crowd.   So before you start your journey, take a look at these tips for finding your voice: 1.   Take voice lessons with a classical voice teacher. Even if a contemporary or pop style is most appealing to you, dont neglect the study of classical voice training. You cant discount the important foundation of breathing techniques, vocal placement and resonance. The time spent in the voice teachers studio helps you become more keenly aware of the sensations of your natural singing voice. 2. Listen to many different vocalists and many different musical styles. A large part of vocal training is learning the delicate art of listening critically. Note whether a singer seems natural or affected and keep in mind the long-term effects a particular way of singing may have on vocal health. You will be amazed at the diversity of sounds you find, even among similar styles of music. 3.   Experiment with your own voice in the privacy of your teachers studio. Save these vulnerable times for the lesson and not the stage. Even when experimenting with different sounds and vocal placement, remember to practice good breathing and healthy technique. You dont have to compromise vocal health for style. 4.   Keep on learning. Read everything you can about singing, take in lots of diverse performances, talk with others in the field and dont be afraid to consult with voice teachers other than your own from time to time. Finding ones own singing voice is an ongoing process and as you learn more you will find that your thoughts about singing will change periodically. This is healthy and indicates a mature approach to singing. (View the full list of tips here.) Keep your ears (and mind!) open, and most of all, dont be afraid to try new things.   By experimenting with different styles, youll have a better idea of the singer youre destined to become, what makes you unique and why your fans are going to love you. 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

Choosing Violin Mutes

Choosing Violin Mutes Practice Mutes for Discreet Violinists ChaptersWhy Should You Get a Violin Mute?Why Install a Mute on a Violin?Choosing the Right Mute for Your ViolinHow Much do Mutes Cost?“Of course the most difficult thing on the violin is always intonation. The second one is rhythm. If you play in tune, in time with a good sound that's already high level. Those three are the main things.” - Ruggiero RicciIn 2018, a pawnshop in Massachusetts bought a stolen violin. It turned out the violin was from a collection ade by Fernando Gagliano in 1759 and valued at $250,000.While you won’t pay this much for your first violin, it just goes to show that violins aren’t necessarily cheap!In addition to all the practice you have to do, learning to play the violin also means that you’ll have to buy a number of accessories.After the bow, rosin, chinrest, shoulder rest, and replacement strings, the practice mute is one of the most important accessories.In this article, we’re going to have a look at mutes for violins. TomViolin Teacher £25 /h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StacyViolin Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtieViolin Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BenedictViolin Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaisiiaViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AmyViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuísViolin Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoViolin Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Should You Get a Violin Mute?A mute is a device that dampens the sound of an instrument. You can also get them for a violin as well as violas and cellos. It attaches to the strings by the bridge of string instruments.Sometimes, not everyone will want to hear your violin. (Source: philm1310)Why?By absorbing the vibration from the strings, it can reduce the sound produced by the instrument’s soundbox.  When a string instrument is p layed with a bow, the vibrations travel down the string to the bridge where they’re transferred into the sound box which amplifies the sound.  If you place a mute by the bridge, less of these vibrations will make it to the soundboard.The principle is simple: it reduces the vibrations from the strings to make the instrument quieter.  Even the greatest violin players can use mutes.Really?Yeah! There are two main types of mutes: those for reducing the volume of the instrument so it can be practised quietly and those for orchestral performances.  In fact, during concert performances, a violinist may be obliged to use a mute as the sheet music states con sordino (with a mute).This means that at this moment, the violin isn’t the soloist and other musicians may need to be heard more clearly. In some cases, you don’t want the violin to be playing over the other instruments.On the other hand, you may also see senza sordino which means play without a mute.  Different models of mute will have different effects on the violin.A mute designed for orchestral performances (which are often made of rubber or ebony) may absorb around 20% of the vibrations.Mutes for practising can absorb up to 80% of vibrations and can be made of metal. These types of mutes cover a large part of the bridge.Why Install a Mute on a Violin?So why should you install a violin mute?We’ve sort of already explained the answer: to allow other orchestral instruments and soloists to be heard more easily or to not bother your neighbours or flatmates.A mute is a good idea if you live in a block of flats. (Source: Pexels)Fitting an Orchestral MuteFitting a mute will increase the weight of the bridge. As a result, fewer vibrations will make it to the sound box.According to specialists, the less intense a violin sounds, the better its timbre is.This is one of the arguments for using a mute: you get a better timbre and therefore a better sound, something your listeners will greatly appreciate.It’s prote ction for both the musician and the audience.When a musician plays as part of an ensemble, the mute can be used so that the violin isn’t too prominent.Practice MutesThere are plenty of reasons to buy a practice mute, too.Firstly, for your neighbours when you’re practising with the help of a Superprof private tutor, for example.When you’re getting started with violin scales and trying to improve, it can be an absolute nightmare for anyone living in the same building as you. A practice mute will allow you to stay in everybody’s good books.You might just be lacking in confidence and not want anyone to hear you playing until you’re good. With a practice mute, you can play and practise quietly.Additionally, you mightn’t be able to practise at acceptable times of the day because of work. A practise mute means you can play late at night or early in the morning without bothering anyone. Additionally, you won’t have anyone calling the police on you!Finally, it’s great if you live with others as you won’t wake them up when they’re sleeping or having a nap.Choosing the Right Mute for Your ViolinYou can play an electric violin with headphones if you don’t want to bother your neighbours.If you don't have a mute, you can use a clothes peg in the meantime. (Source: jill111)But what if you can’t bring yourself to buy a modern version of the world’s most famous classical instrument?Here are some ways to help you choose your violin mute.Keep in mind that like with other violin accessories, there are plenty to choose from:Tourte shaped violin mutes: This is the most commonly used mute in orchestras. It’s made of rubber and has a magnet in the middle.Round tourte violin mutes: Just like the previous one, this can be used in chamber music and performances.Three-pronged practice mutes: These rubber mutes will drastically reduce the volume of a violin.Metal practice mutes: Similar to the previous mute but with a different tone.Wire practice mutes: This on ly slightly dampens the sound so it’s perfect for performances.There are also objects from everyday life, such as clothes pegs, that can act as makeshift mutes.If you peg one onto the second and third strings, you’ll get a similar effect to a metal mute.  Make sure you don’t get a mute that’s too high as you’ll not be able to see where you’re placing the bow.Finally, make sure you buy the appropriate mute in terms of how much you want to reduce the volume of your violin.A metal mute will reduce the volume by around 70%, a rubber mute by 50%, and an ebony mute by 40%.Some models (such as those from Otto) can reduce the volume by up to 80%!It all depends on how much you want to dampen the sound:Heavy mutingModerate mutingLight mutingYou can get mutes for different combinations of strings, too. You can even cut some in half to reduce the effect of them.Again, it all depends on what you’re looking for.If you are looking for violin lessons near me, consider Superprof!How Mu ch do Mutes Cost?So how much do they cost and where can I buy one?If it's too late to practise, you can always read a book on the violin. (Source: Gellinger)Generally, you can buy mutes in most brick-and-mortar music stores selling violins, rosin, cases, etc., as well as from online retailers.Thomann is Europe’s largest music retailer and they offer a number of different models.Here are a few other places you can get violin mutes from.ThomannAs you may have guessed, Europe’s largest music retailer sells violin mutes. They start at just under £2 and go all the way up to nearly £60.gear4music.comSimilarly, gear4music.com has violin mutes.Just like Thomann, they start at under £2.Keep in mind, that if you’re a beginner buying a mute, you probably want one that dampens a lot of the sound!Search for violin lessons now.Fair Deal MusicBirmingham’s largest independent music store also has a website where you can get a variety of violin mutes.Again, the cheapest is less than a cou ple of quid!Whether you play the violin or fiddle, viola, cello, mandolin, bass, guitar, piano, or drums, most of these stores have plenty of accessories for percussion and stringed instruments. You can get replacement violin strings, tuners, a metronome, violin bows, chin and shoulder rests, replacement parts like tuning pegs, a violin case for either an acoustic or electric violin, as well as resources for beginners.A chain is only as strong as its weakest link and a violin is only as good as the worst part on it. That means that in addition to being carved and made by a good luthier (a violin maker), your violin needs a good fingerboard, violin bow with horsehair, and violin rosin for your bow in order to improve the playability and tone of your musical instrument.Search for violin lessons London  now.It's always a good idea to have a replacement violin string since you'd hate to be practising and have a string break. A violin string, especially the e string (as the thinnest), ca n snap at the worst possible moment, so make sure the next time you're in your local violin shop, you pick up an extra pack of strings. Don't forget that the other members of your orchestra or string quartet might need cello strings or viola strings, so you can pick some up for them in these stores, too.Popular string manufacturers include D'addario and Thomastik Infeld, but you don't need to buy really expensive violin parts and accessories if you're just a beginner. After all, a good sounding violin still won't sound good in the hands of a complete beginner.  Right-handed musicians can learn the regular way, but left-handed musicians have different learning options. You can read more the violin in our other posts.

What to Know About Summer Business School Programs

What to Know About Summer Business School Programs A summer business program can provide students with a miniature version of business school, condensed for a short period instead of one, two, or three years. Its like an MBA in a box. These programs, which range from one week to four months, can occur in-person or online and offer a crash course on what to expect from a full-time MBA program. Should you sign up for the experience? Before you submit your application, here are a few questions and answers to help you learn more about summer business school programs. Who are these programs for? Summer business school programs are targeted at college students and recent college graduates. They provide a collaborative environment for project-based learning so that students can increase their understanding of business and explore careers in management. These programs are often held at top universities with elite business schools, such as the Tuck Business Bridge Program at Dartmouth, the Stern Advantage Program at NYU, and Business Edge at Columbia. The hands-on experience and connections available through these programs assist students who want to stand out to potential employers. Specifically, non-business majors, underrepresented students, and students who have not been exposed to the business world are often encouraged to participate in these programs. For example, the one-week Harvard Business School Summer Venture in Management welcomes applications from students who are the first in their family to attend college, or who come from communities that are underrepresented in business schools and corporate America. Similarly, the two-week Yale SOM Global Pre-MBA Leadership Program emphasizes exposure to global diversity and learning from students around the world, including those from cultural backgrounds underrepresented in graduate management programs. However, depending on the program, students who simply want broaden their intellectual perspective on business are often eligible to apply. What areas do these programs cover? Most summer business school programs cover business basics, including accounting, finance, communications, and marketing, as well as leadership and challenges in management. (Youll learn a great deal about these topics, but some students might feel theyd benefit from some online tutoring in one or more of them beforehand to better prepare.) Students in these programs often have the opportunity to make presentations for local businesses and to take field trips to their corporate campuses. For instance, in the Accelerator Summer Institute at Vanderbilt, students spend the four-week program immersed in a consulting project for a real company. They take the skills they learn in Vanderbilt classeslike Operations, Strategy, and Economicsand apply them to solutions for the project. These programs can help build your dexterity in the workplace. Why should I attend a summer business program? Primarily, a summer business program can enhance your marketability when applying for positions in the corporate world. The networking opportunities with peers, professors, and corporate recruiters, as well as career advice from counselors and alumni, can help you become more competitive in the job market. Additionally, at certain programs, you can use your summer to earn college credit. The Summer Business Institute at Emory carries six academic credit hours, the Summer Management Program at Wake Forest offers eight hours of course credit, and the BASE Summer Program at the Haas School of Business offers up to nine upper-division semester units from UC Berkeley. A summer business school program is not a substitute for a masters degree in management, but it can give you a glimpse into MBA life and the many options available to you. It will also provide a better idea of the structure of business. You can add professional skills to your resume, broaden your knowledge of how organizations operate, and boost your career possibilities. With a foundation of business fundamentals, you can use a summer business school program as a springboard to a wider variety of opportunities in the corporate world. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us atblog@varsitytutors.com.

10 Small Tweaks for Studying Spanish With a BIG Impact

10 Small Tweaks for Studying Spanish With a BIG Impact Suzy S. Learning a new language can be a time-consuming and demanding undertaking theres no way around that. No matter how much you study, you wont wake up the next day fluent. But dont let that stop you! While there are no quick-fixes when it comes to learning Spanish, there are  tricks and strategies for making sure youre not wasting any valuable time. And whether youre  studying Spanish in school, taking lessons after work as a hobby, or gearing up for a trip to a  Spanish-speaking country, theres no sense spending time studying if you end up forgetting the new material the next day. (Weve all been there, right?) Below, weve rounded up the best tips to help you study Spanish try them all and see what works for you! 1. Identify your learning style. The first question to ask yourself before you study Spanish is, “What is my learning style?” Decide whether you are a visual, auditory, kinesthetic, logical, or verbal learner, and then use that info to decide which tricks and techniques feel most comfortable to you. 2. Pay attention when you learn new material the first time around. As you study Spanish vocabulary and grammar rules, its important to make sure you pay attention the first time you learn new info! Consider the new idea and pretend that you will have to reteach the information immediately. Repeat the information back to yourself, and this will help to anchor the information in your brain. 3. Implement mnemonic devices. These are a system of rhymes, rules, phrases, diagrams, or acronyms that help you memorize dates, facts, figures, and so on. When you use a mnemonic device, you take original information and turn it into a more appealing version that your brain can more easily remember. A good example is ROYGBIV (colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet). 4. Use different forms of multi-media. You retain knowledge better when multiple parts of the brain are working together. Read about new info, write it down, listen to an audio version, and speak about it out loud. Try all of these modes of communication, and you will learn more info at a quicker pace. 5. Remember what you already learned. Connect new concepts with old concepts that you’ve already mastered. This helps to improve recall speed and comprehension of new material. For example, if you’re learning about elements of the culture, like Spanish holidays, go back and review your lessons on food and travel vocabulary. 6. Label your surroundings with post-it notes. One of the best ways to learn new Spanish vocabulary is to label all of the items that you see every day. You will start to connect the physical act of seeing, touching, or using this item with the new word that is attached to it, and it will stick in your mind. Tip: Check out FlashSticks for pre-made vocabulary sticky notes! 7. Use the chunking technique. Our brains are wired to remember seven pieces of info at a time. When you chunk information, you break it up into smaller blocks of info that your brain can process and remember. Remembering someone’s phone number is a perfect example of how this works. 8. Learn by osmosis. Repeat new concepts and vocabulary words out loud and record yourself saying this new information. Then, listen to it over and over again even while you’re sleeping. You’ll start to retain the information without even realizing it! 9. Make a mind map. This is a great way to burn new information into your brain. A mind map is a visual representation of new concepts. Use note cards, pictures, and paper to draw out facts, explanations, and organized concepts. Pin it up on the wall and look at every day. The links and connections will get visually stuck in your mind, and you will be able to draw upon those images when you need them later. 10. Immersion: Fully immerse yourself in all things Spanish. Watch Spanish TV, listen to Spanish music, read the newspaper in Spanish, and try to speak in Spanish whenever possible. The more you immerse yourself with the culture and the language, the more information will stick in your head. Bonus: Work with a Spanish Tutor! The tips above will help you as you spend time studying alone, but dont forget the power of working with a Spanish tutor! Reading books and listening to audio can only get you so far getting that conversational practice is truly key to mastering the language. As you practice with your tutor, youll learn how to understand cues, translate information quickly, and also learn about more informal ways of speaking. Plus, having a set time for lessons will hold you accountable and ensure  consistent practice. Combine your private lessons with the tips above, and youll be well on your way to learning the language quickly and efficiently. Good luck! 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 Photos by  Trish,  Julie Kertesz,  waynewhuang,  Spry,  Michael Summers,  Ignacio Palomo Duarte,  Wrote,  Lynn Friedman,  Wally Gobetz,  Larry Lamsa

5 GMAT Mistakes You Must Avoid

5 GMAT Mistakes You Must Avoid Youve studied long and hard for the GMAT. You know the test in and out. Youve scheduled a GMAT test date. So what could possibly trip you up on test day? Once youve prepared for the exam, most GMAT mistakes come down to timing. Lets examine five blunders to look out for before you take the GMAT. 1. Arriving late to the center The first step to avoiding GMAT mistakes is simply showing up on time. You should be at your GMAT testing center at least 30 minutes ahead of time. In fact, if you arrive more than 15 minutes after your scheduled exam time, you may not be admitted to take the test. Plan your travel route and visit the center beforehand to avoid any day-of transportation issues. Introduce yourself to the receptionist or center manager and let them know you will be taking your exam there. Identify the locations of the lockers and the restrooms. Bring water and snacks for the scheduled breaks. But most importantly, rest the day before so you have the energy necessary to get through the three-and-a-half-hour test. 2. Not taking the optional breaks You may wish to try and save time by working through your breaks, but this isnt always advisable; in fact, it is a common GMAT mistake. It will not necessarily help your performance because you run this risk of burning out before you reach the end of the exam. Take this time to relax, use the restroom, drink your water, and/or eat your snacks. Use your breaks as periods of reinvigoration to help you continue to perform your best on the following sections of the GMAT. 3. Solving questions solely in your head You dont get extra points for your thoughts, so make sure you use the noteboard provided to show your work when applicable. Organize your pages so that you can read your work and strategically eliminate incorrect answers. Even the simplest formulas can become stressful to work out mentally on test day. Jotting down notes, equations, keywords, and phrases can help you concentrate on the question at hand and lead you to the best answer choice. 4. Dwelling on previous or future questions The GMAT is a computer adaptive exam; you can only answer the question in front of you, and you cant continue until you provide an answer to that question. Therefore, you should focus solely on addressing the question currently on the screen. Dont worry about what came before or what will come next. Furthermore, dont try to determine the level of the question. This wont help you solve it. Instead, try to understand what this particular question is asking, select the best answer choice, and then move on to the next question. 5. Taking too long on any one question You should try to spend no more than a couple of minutes on each question. Use your time strategically. This means knowing your strengths and weaknesses on each section and on each question type. Not completing an entire section on time (i.e. leaving questions unanswered) will result in a penalty, so answering every question is a must. However, getting through a section too quickly is not necessarily advisable either. If you are flying through a portion of the exam but not answering all of the questions correctly, then slow down. Take the time to read each question carefully. There is no bonus for finishing the exam with extra minutes left over, so use all the time that you are given to reach your target GMAT score. To avoid these common GMAT mistakes, preparation is key. Take your GMAT practice tests in an environment that closely replicates the test centers environment on exam day, in the same time periodincluding the breaks. Jot down your thoughts as you move through the test. Focus on the question at hand and keep a steady pace in each section. By practicing for the GMAT in this methodical way, you will be able to not only answer the questions on the exam, but also prevent any slip-ups that could stand in the way of performing your best on the GMAT.

What You Need to Know About SAT Subject Tests

What You Need to Know About SAT Subject Tests Youve obviously heard about the SAT, but what about the SAT Subject Tests? These exams are college admission tests on specific subjects. Students can choose the tests that best showcase their strengths and weaknesses. The SAT Subject Tests measure students knowledge at the high school level. Here are a few things you and your teen need to know about these exams: There are 20 SAT Subject Tests available in five subject areas. Those areas are Mathematics (2), Science (3), English (1), History (2) and Languages (12). Each test is one hour long, multiple choice and scored on a 200-800-point scale. Exams are offered on the same days as the regular SAT. Thats six times a year, although not all 20 tests are offered on every date. The Language and Listening tests are only offered in November. Students cannot take the SAT on the same day they take an SAT Subject Test. However, students can take up to three SAT Subject Tests on a single test date. Students can use the SAT Subject Tests to prove they are ready for certain majors or programs. Colleges and universities sometimes require or recommend one or more SAT Subject Tests when they want to get a sense of students readiness for a particular subject or program. A student interested in majoring in math, for example, might choose to take both Mathematics Subject Tests as a way of highlighting this subject strength and interest on their application. The SAT Subject Tests offer the chance to highlight several subjects not tested on the SAT. There are Math and English Subject Tests (subjects covered on the SAT), but there are also Subject Tests on science, history and 12 different languages. For students interested in pursuing majors related to these subjects, SAT Subject Tests might be a good idea, especially if students already possess a high level of knowledge in those subjects. Preparation is different than it is for the SAT. Like the SAT, the SAT Subject Tests are based on what students learn in high school. However, these tests go deeper into a subject. Thus, it can be helpful to prepare individually for these tests, even though the best method (as with all standardized exams) is to work hard in high school classes. Want to find out if a school requires, recommends or considers SAT Subject Test scores? Call their admissions office or visit their website. Very few colleges/universities in the U.S. require SAT Subject Tests (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, certain colleges/schools within Cornell University and Harvey Mudd College are among them) but some schools recommend submitting such scores (e.g. Harvard, Georgetown, Brown). The best and most current source on this, of course, is the college/university itself. Huntington helps students perform their best on the SAT and the SAT Subject Tests. We know how to help students prepare effectively for these exams. Questions? Call us to learn more about our test prep programs. 1-800 CAN LEARN.

NO Question

GMAT Question of the Day #343 - YES/NO Question GMAT MBA Admissions Blog This week's GMAT Question of the Day relates to question #343 from the Official Guide for GMAT Review, 2017. It is a typical AD/BCE, YES/NO Question. A little content knowledge: Decimal expansions of (reduced) fractions depend on the denominator, not the numerator The decimal expansion of a (reduced) fraction will terminate if the prime factorization of the denominator contains only 2’s and 5’s. The first of these should be pretty common sense, but the second takes some thinking. When we convert a fraction to a decimal we’re dividing the numerator by the denominator. To make this work we add zeros to the dividend (the numerator) and continue dividing until the process terminates or we find a repeating pattern. Because we’re adding zeros, our dividend is a multiple of a power of ten. If an integer doesn’t divide any power of ten it won’t divide a multiple of a power of ten unless it is a factor of that multiple â€" in that case the fraction wasn’t reduced: That’s pretty abstract, but worth knowing because it will solve this problem for you right away. However, a totally common-sense straightforward approach will work: (1) SUFFICIENT: This is a lot easier to work with than it looks â€" there are a finite number of factors of 100 (9 in fact: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, and 100) and we know decimal equivalents for all of them. Multiplying those decimal equivalents by an integer r isn’t going to change the fact that they all terminate. AD/BCE (2) INSUFFICIENT: Pick a factor of 100, like 5. That’s r. If s = 2 the answer is YES. If s = 7 the answer is NO. AD/BCE The correct answer is A. Takeaways: In a YES/NO question, if you’re given a statement that results in a finite number of cases that you can produce quickly, just check them. John is a Senior MyGuru GMAT tutor based in Chicago, but is also the founder of Owl Test Prep . We encourage you to check out their web-site and YouTube channel.

Like It or Dislike It Facebook Working on Dislike Button

Like It or Dislike It Facebook Working on Dislike Button Photo Credit: abcnews.go.com The Like button, which first appeared on Facebook in 2007, is denoted by a thumbs up symbol, though the Dislike  button may not necessarily be a thumbs down. In fact, theres already discussion over whether the button is needed, what kind of impact it will have on the social media site, and even about whether it will really be a Dislike button at all. Facebook users have been clamoring for a Dislike button for years now, but it seems like now that they may get it, people are considering the ramifications of the feature. After the announcement, Facebook users went on Zuckerbergs Facebook page to talk about the idea, and many wrote they had no interest in seeing a Dislike button added to the site. Elsewhere on the internet, like YouTube and Reddit, you have the ability to immediately like and dislike or upvote and downvote a post, in addition to being able to comment on a video or posting. This isnt always a good thing, and people are worried that if Facebook adds a Dislike button, it will promote negativity and may even lead to cyberbullying. Those are some of the reasons that Facebook didnt originally offer a way to dislike something the social network didnt want to have a Reddit-style system since that wasnt the real purpose of the site â€" and also they didn’t want the ability to “Dislike” to lead to disrespecting or attacking others on the site. However, from what Zuckerberg has said about the development of this feature, the Dislike button may not really be that at all. Rather than showing your aversion to something, the tool Facebook is working on may be more of an Acknowledgement or Empathy button, for times when “Liking something isnt the appropriate response. Not every moment is a good moment, Zuckerberg said. Some people have asked for a dislike button because they want to be able to say that thing isnt good, and were not going to do that I dont think thats socially very valuable, or great for the community. Photo Credit: mashable.com For example, when someone posts about a death or a natural disaster, its not quite fitting to Like the post, and some may not want to comment on the matter. Right now, Facebook users dont have any other option but to Like something if they want to let someone know they saw their post and are thinking of them, even if they may not exactly Like whatever the person is sharing with the world. Facebook is focused on allowing people to interact and engage with each other, and its highly unlikely the site will just offer a Dislike right next to the Like button on posts and other actions on the social network. The reason for this so-called Dislike button isnt about negativity, its about offering users a way to connect with each other in a more sincere way. It will also give the content a higher probability of being seen as it competes with posts that get a lot of Likes since Facebooks News Feed algorithm is biased towards showing content thats received lots of thumbs up. Facebook has been working on the feature for a while now, and though it seems like an uncomplicated concept, the thought behind it and the exact idea of what it will be, the symbol that will denote it, and what its meant to do, have made the execution of the tool more complex. In fact, many have already been speculating about what the icon for this new feature will be and making suggestions. Some ideas that have been offered include an “Ear” button, which would allow users to tell others that they hear them and doesn’t hold negative or positive connotations, and two hands clasped in the shape of a heart or a hand holding a heart, which would convey empathy, among others. No specific date has been announced yet as far as when whatever this “Dislike” button ends up being will appear on Facebook, but it’s already got a lot of people talking, and users seem to be split about whether they “Like” this idea or would thumbs down it if they could.