Q: If you're not familiar enough with the melody to play it by ear, start with a lead sheet (or fake sheet). A lead sheet consists of a simple melody with the accompanying chords written above the staff over the corresponding melodic notes. For instance, you might see "C" or "D7" written over the melody line. The lead sheet shows you what basic chords to use and where the chord changes happen, but the notes of the chords aren't written out for you. Experiment with playing different inversions, breaking up the chords into individual notes, or even changing the chords completely! If you're already familiar with the melody, try a chord chart. Much like a lead sheet, a chord chart lists the basic chords that make up a song or musical piece. If you're playing a song with lyrics, the chords may be written over the words to show where the chord changes happen. However, a chord chart doesn't usually contain any musical notation. As you're getting comfortable with the chord chart, try playing the chords along with the musical track or singing the lyrics while you play. This will help you figure out the feel of the piece and the best timing for the chord changes. You don't have to stick to playing basic block chords in the bassline when you're improvising. Try breaking the chords up into individual notes that "walk" up and down the keyboard along with the melody. For instance, if the first measure starts with a C chord, you could accompany the melodic notes in the right hand with a run of quarter notes in the left hand, such as C-E-G-C. Walking bass lines work especially well with jazz and blues melodies. Don't feel restricted to playing chords and harmonies only with your left hand. Once you feel comfortable enough with the melody and the accompaniment, you can also start building chords into the right-hand part. For example, if there's an F in the melody and you're in the key of D, you could add a D or A under the F in the right-hand melody line. Use your knowledge of scales, arpeggios, and chords to play with the melody even more. Experiment around to get a sense of what sounds or feels "right." For example, you might try going up at the end of a measure where the melody originally dips down, or incorporating a run of notes from a scale.
A: Choose a lead sheet if you need the melody written out. Work with a chord chart if you can play the melody by ear. Try adding a walking bass using individual chord tones. Add harmonies to the right hand once you've mastered the melody. Create variations on the melody.

Q: Read the care label on the inside of the hat to find out what materials it's composed of. Alternatively, you could look up the information on the Internet or through the manufacturer's website. If it's made of jersey mesh, cotton twill, or a polyester blend, you can clean it in the dishwasher. If it's made of wool, however, you shouldn't use this method as the hat may shrink. If the hat has a brim made out of plastic, you can use the dishwasher. But, if the brim is made out of cardboard, you should spot-clean the hat instead to prevent water from damaging the brim. It's important to place the hat on the top rack to keep it away from the heating element. If you put the hat on the bottom rack, it may become too hot and the fabric could shrink or the plastic brim could get warped. For best results, place a "cap washer" or "cap cage" underneath your baseball hat to help it keep its shape. You can find these online or at hat stores. Wash the hat or hats alone so the dirt and sweat doesn't seep out onto your dishes. Read the package that your dishwashing detergent comes in. If you see bleaching agents, like chlorine, avoid using the detergent as it could alter the color of the hat. Use a gentle, all-natural detergent instead. Avoid using a heavy cycle, such as one for pots and pans. Use the gentlest cycle available and make sure the "heated drying" option is off. Also, use cold water, rather than warm or hot, so as not to shrink the fabric or warp the plastic brim. After the cycle is complete, remove the hat from the dishwasher. Use your hands to carefully reshape the hat or brim, if necessary. Then, place it on a towel in front of a fan and let it air dry. This may take up to 24 hours, so plan to wear another hat in the meantime. Don't dry the hat in the clothes dryer or in direct sunlight, both of which could fade, warp, or otherwise ruin the hat.
A: Figure out what the hat is made from. Put the hat on the top rack. Use a dishwashing detergent without bleaching agents. Run the dishwasher using cold water on a cycle without heated drying. Reshape the hat, if necessary, and let it air dry.

Q: Most wants will be some shade of brown, but the Harry Potter movies also had wands that were white or black. You can even paint your want different shades of one color to make it look more like wood. Consider using watered-down acrylic paints if your chopsticks are made out of bamboo. This way, the original texture still shows through. Take the darker shade, and use it to fill in any nooks and crannies on your wand. You can use a q-tip or a pointy brush to get to those hard-to-reach areas. Then, take your lighter shade, and use it to highlight all of the raised areas. If your wand is black, you will only need the highlights. If your wand is white, you will only need the shadows. Bring the wand outside and set it down on a sheet of paper. Spray it with some clear, acrylic sealer, and wait for it to dry. When the wand dries, turn it over, and spray the other side. Repeat this step, if necessary. Sealing the wand is not absolutely necessary, but it can make the paint job last longer. You can use a matte, satin, or glossy finish.
A:
Paint the wand a base color using acrylic paint. Add some weathering using lighter and darker shades of your base color. Seal the wand with a clear, acrylic sealer to make the paint last longer.