Types of music
Music can be described in terms of the instrument(s) playing it: piano music, guitar music, big band music, instrumental music [instruments only with no vocals (voices, singing)], electronic music [played by a synthesizer], orchestral music.
c
hamber
music
[written
for a small group of orchestral instruments] heavy
metal
b
lues
folk
[traditional]
j
azz
classical
pop soul
country and western [a style of US music based on western and southern folk music]
Music can be described in terms of its period or place of origin: contemporary / modern / 20th century / sixties / Irish / Indian music
Other adjectives used to describe music live recorded deafening loud rousing soft sweet innovative tuneless discordant tuneful soothing relaxing peaceful modern
Exercise1. Explain the difference between:
1 a track and an album 2 a CD and a cassette 3 a lead singer and a backing group 4 a hit and a single
5 orchestral music and chamber music 6 country music and folk music 7 muzak and disco music 8 soothing music and discordant music
Exercise2. Find the words above that fit in these sentences. 1. I started to learn the piano when I was a kid but I always made a fuss when I was told to … every day and eventually gave up. 2. If you don’t know the words of the song just … along as the others sing. 3. My brother is learning the guitar and he can already play a few basic … 4. A student opera singer lives in the flat next to mine and she spends hours practicing every day — not songs, just … I think I’ll have to move. 5. This music was originally written for the violin but it has been … quite successfully for the guitar. 6. Paul can play anything. He’s got a good … 7. I always know when the postman is there as I can hear him … very tunefully. 8. In primary school young children practice … music with all Sorts of different things — even, say, with tins containing buttons.
Exercise3. Answer these questions about music. 1. Can you remember the name of the first single you ever bought? Who was it by? 2. Which songs are currently big hits in your country? 3. Which of the kinds of music do you particularly enjoy? 4. Are there any other kinds of music that are not listed that you like? 5. Are there any kinds of music listed that you dislike? Why do you dislike them? 6. Do you like to have background music while you are working? If so, what kind of background music do you like? 7. Can you read music? Can you explain the basic system used for writing music? 8. Can you play any musical instruments and how well do you play them? 9. What musical instrument and what kind of music would you like to be able to play well and why?
Exercise4. Complete the sentences using the correct form of the words below.
Easel frame brush statue sculptor composer___________
Beethoven was one of the greatest …. who ever lived.
I bought myself a new poster yesterday and now I need to get … for it.
Henry Moore was a famous …., whose works of art can be seen all over the world.
Most towns put up ….of local people who everyone respects.
When painting with oils, it’s very important that you remember to clean your ….
I’ve got a small wooden ….that I can take with me when I want to do some painting outside
Follow-up: If possible, find a cassette or CD sleeve which has English on it. Note down any useful vocabulary that it contains.
Focus: Read the following article.