Archive for January, 2016

How to Live Stress Free and Musically: Music as the Ultimate Art Form

Tuesday, January 26th, 2016

Before I start, I’d like to give a quick shout out to the Campus Clipper. The Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC, from the Upper East Side to Greenwich Village. The company helps support students in so many ways, from their coupon booklet to their Official Student Guide. Now, on to the blog!

Music is the ultimate art form. There are other art forms that people use to express themselves and they’re all great, I have embraced many of them. But when you really think about it, how many people go to the Met and walk out saying, “I don’t get art.” How many people have two left feet on the dance floor? Rubbing up against each other in a nightclub is not considered an example of dance as an art form; I don’t care how sweet your moves are. I’m referring to the real stuff- ballet, tap, salsa, waltz- all the great dance styles they show on Dancing with the Stars (isn’t that how we non-dancers learn the names of these dances anyway?) How many of us really enjoy writing and consider it to be our art and how many actually like to read the works of others?

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Obviously the sap writing this eBook does but that’s another story for another eBook. But back to my point- music. Music is one of the most popular forms of entertainment- listening to it, making it, learning about it and buying it. There’s a reason why Pandora is so popular-  it’s because people love music. Music speaks for us, makes us move, inspires us, makes us fall in love, provides memory triggers if it’s playing during important moments in our lives and it makes us happier people. If that’s not enough for you, music has about 100 Facebook pages dedicated to it!

MUSIC AND THE COLLEGE STUDENT

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College can be a very difficult time in a person’s life. There’s worrying about keeping up with classes, worrying about being broke, worrying about relationships, and worrying about the fact that you worry so much. The average college student spends the majority of their time stressing out and the rest of their time doing everything they can to keep themselves sane. For any kind of chronic worrier, like college students for example, it is generally recommended that people take time to do activities that help clear the mind and alleviate stress. Music is one of those things that can temporarily alleviate stress by releasing endorphins, or the happy chemicals in your brain. It can create the same effect that a good jog can. It clears the mind, thus allowing you to think a lot clearer. Professor John Kizzie, and English professor and guitar instructor at the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, New Jersey has worked with many students over the years and has been a firsthand witness to the benefits that college students can gain from listening and learning to play music.

“In an immediate sense, a student gets exercises in focus and concentration.  To sit with music and an instrument, means, like reading, you are intellectually engaged in an activity.  You can concentrate more because it is a skill needed to focus on the music and guiding your fingers in a way that changes from song to song.

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Listening skills improve, too.  Hopefully, as a student practices she can listen with intent to what she is playing.  That skill can carry over into the classroom and in personal conversations,” Kizzie said.

Among the many positive effects that Kizzie discussed, one aspect sums truly reinforces what I have learned in my experience with learning music.

He said, “I believe students get a better understanding of what it takes to excel at skills like playing music; therefore, there, too, will be a greater appreciation of the concert artist. Students will see that even something that seems as fun and easy as “making music” actually takes a great deal of time. Then, hopefully, they can transfer that to whatever field in which they are striving. Every person who achieves greatness – in any field- is bolstered by years and years of hard work and training. The reward is getting to make a living doing work that looks like it is fun and easy to others.”

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He added, “Humility, too, comes with trying to play a musical instrument. In a time when every one has an opinion, and we have talk show hosts and politicians who are “never” wrong, learning to play an instrument is humbling. Sometimes we sound badly, and that means we need to work more at something. We can’t be perfect or right all the time as learners. Here lies the crux of all of this, too. In Buddhism, there is a concept known as the “beginner’s” or “learner’s” state of mind. Quickly, it means if we all stayed open minded in all that we do, we would continually learn and grow, without preconceptions. Learning to play a musical instrument can do this for us, too. We learn to learn, with the intent to understand the nature of the instrument and  to always get better at playing it.”

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By Janet Reyes

A few words from the Campus Clipper –

The Campus Clipper not only help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create these amazing E-Books, but we give them a platform to teach others. Follow each new blog post to read a chapter of our various books and to learn how the Campus Clipper can help you follow your dreams!

Craving student savings while you catch up on your reading? Click on the link to download the Official Campus Clipper Coupon Booklet! And check out our newest YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during this year’s Welcome Week!

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How to be a Comedian: Conclusion – And Check Out the Right College Student Discounts Below!

Tuesday, January 19th, 2016

Before I start, I’d like to give a quick shout out to the Campus Clipper. The Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC, from the Upper East Side to Greenwich Village. The company helps support students in so many ways, from their coupon booklet to their Official Student Guide. Now, on to the blog!

Very few people can say that they’ve dabbled in the comedy business. One of the most common fears I’m aware of is public speaking, which means standing up in front of a silent audience telling jokes must be a nightmare from hell for the mass majority.

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But, not for you. You’ve already taken the first step and explored your interest by reading this eBook. The desire to become a comedian has already latched on to your heart and you’re not going to let petty fears, like public speaking, hold you back. Give yourself a shot at becoming a comedian– you’ve earned it. Read through this book every couple months to remind you of what you need to do to be successful in the comedy business. Jump right in, meet people, put yourself out there, and enjoy all the laughs and bombs along the way.

You, my friend, are a comedian.

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A few words from the Campus Clipper –

The Campus Clipper not only helps our interns learn new skills, make money, and create amazing E-Book like this one, but we give them a platform to teach others. Follow each new blog post to read a chapter of our various books and to learn how the Campus Clipper can help you follow your dreams!

Craving student savings while you catch up on your reading? Click on the link to download the Official Campus Clipper Coupon Booklet to enjoy some great student discounts! And check out our newest YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during this year’s Welcome Week!

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How to be a Comedian: Week 7: Hear it from the Horse’s Mouth – And Check Out the Right College Student Discounts Below!

Tuesday, January 12th, 2016

Before I start, I’d like to give a quick shout out to the Campus Clipper. The Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC, from the Upper East Side to Greenwich Village. The company helps support students in so many ways, from their coupon booklet to their Official Student Guide. Now, on to the blog!

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Here’s some great insight from a few experts in the comedy game: Andy Engel (producer), Woode (former NYC comedian), and Erik (faculty at UCBT).

The best information I learned about entering the comedy world came from sitting down with people in the industry and listening to what they had to say. Then I would go home and write down their advice and try to apply it to my own life.

Call, email, message comedy professionals and ask if they’ll talk with you about their experiences. Then, go home and write down everything they told you. Make a check list out of the information you’ve acquired and see if you can start making progress in your own life, based on the wisdom of those who have been in your shoes before.

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EXPERTS:

Andy Engel

Long time comedy producer, currently at Gotham Comedy Club. Friends with many celebrity comedians like Jim Gaffigan. Produces comedy shows and founded Manhattan Comedy School for stand up comedians.

What do you look for in new talent? Also, how do you go from new talent to big talent?

Get as much stage time as you can and get funny fast. I look for someone who’s found their voice and has confidence on stage along with really funny material.  Stage time, stage time, stage time– you have to get out there. A good comedian is getting a laugh at least every 10 seconds, and has material that people leave the club talking about. Stick to what you know and who you are, and that’s your best material. Take classes and go to open mics.

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Woode (Woody)

Performed standup comedy around New York City for several years. Knows what it takes to get into comedy and how to maintain a career.

What are the significant steps in making a successful career?

Go to open mics as often as you can, because you need to get comfortable in front of all different types of crowds, whether they’re warm or cold. Write every day. You have to constantly write material and stay fresh on new ideas. When you’re writing, you nurture your comedic perspective, which will help you continue to get better and formulate funnier jokes.

Erik and Will -UCB Faculty

Faculty at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Teach improv and sketch classes, as well as perform weekly improv shows.

How do you even begin to get into the comedy scene?

You have to make sure that you’re doing something, whether it’s going to open mic nights, or taking classes, or writing, or making videos. If you can do something and continue to be productive then you’re on the right track. You don’t have to try to figure out what direction you want to go (improv, sketch, or stand up) right away; try it all and see what you like best. It doesn’t all happen right away, you have to put your time in and get some experience under your belt before people are ready for your debut. There’s no really direct path in comedy; some people start in improv and then catch the stand up bug, or land an acting gig then switch to writing, or vice versa.

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A few words from the Campus Clipper –

The Campus Clipper not only helps our interns learn new skills, make money, and create amazing E-Book like this one, but we give them a platform to teach others. Follow each new blog post to read a chapter of our various books and to learn how the Campus Clipper can help you follow your dreams!

Craving student savings while you catch up on your reading? Click on the link to download the Official Campus Clipper Coupon Booklet to enjoy some great student discounts! And check out our newest YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during this year’s Welcome Week!

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