Exercise 9. Answer the questions in writing.

1. What kind of music do you like (dislike)? Who or what do you think influenced your music tastes?

2. Did you learn music at school? Can you play any musical instrument? If yes, which one? Do you enjoy doing it? If not, what instrument would you like to learn to play?

3. Do you have favourite musical instruments? Which ones? What do you like about them?

4. Do you have any special feelings when you hear a brass band play? Do you have any associations with this kind of music?

5. Can you say that you choose music according to your mood and the job that you are doing? If yes, what kind of music do you most like to listen to when you are:

a) with your friends?	c) dancing?	e) doing your homework?
b) relaxing alone?	d) in a bad mood?	f) working about the house?

6. Can you say that your parents, grandparents and you share the same musical tastes? Do you like to listen to the same music? Do you think music tastes have something to do with age? Do you agree that tastes in music change during a person's life? Why do you think it happens?

7. Have you ever experienced any healing influence of music? If yes, can you tell about it? Do you believe in the healing power of music?

8. Do you like classical music? If yes, do many of your friends share your love of classical music? If not, can you explain why?

9. Why do you think there is so little classical music on radio and TV?

10. Do you prefer to listen to live or recorded music? What is the difference?

11. Can you imagine the world without music? What would it be like?

Exercise 10. Read the information about rock and pop music. Study and memorize the new topical vocabulary.

Rock and pop music, e.g. U2, Madonna, Robbie Williams, Alicia Keys

There are many types of rock and pop music. Some are popular for long periods, others have a short history. Examples in the last 25 years are: punk, reggae, rap, garage and hip-hop.

Rock and pop music are usually performed (played to an audience) by a group/band, e.g. Bon Jovi or Travis. Most groups have a lead singer, a lead guitarist (guitar with six strings), a bass guitarist (four strings) and a drummer.

Solo artists (people who perform alone, e.g. Robbie Williams or Madonna) play with a backing group. Some of them are songwriters, they write their music / songs. Chris Martin is the lead singer and main songwriter in the band Coldplay.

A hit record is a song that is very popular and bought by many people, e.g. Bohemian Rhapsody was a hit single for Queen, and Angel was a hit single for Robbie Williams. Groups and solo artist also produce albums (= make a collection of songs, usually 8-12, on one CD). Sergeant Pepper by the Beatles is one of the most famous albums ever made.

These are also common phrases we use to talk about popular music:

Craig David’s new album is out next week. One can buy his new album next week.

They plan to release a new record for Christmas - put it in the shops for people to buy

Have you heard the latest album by Stereophonics? - the most recent / newest album

Kylie Minogue’s new single is number one - the most popular record in the shops this week

Which is your favourite track on the album, the song on the album you like the most?

Has your taste in music (the type of music you like) changed in the last ten years?

Glossary

musical instrument - a thing that is used for playing music

musician - a person who plays a musical instrument

composer - a person who writes music, compose v.

lead singer - the main singer in a band

solo artist - a singer or musician who is not part of a band

songwriter - a person who writes the words and music for a song

conductor - the person in an orchestra who directs the musicians

orchestra - a large group of musicians who play music together

record smth - put music, a film, etc. onto a CD or tape, recording n.

album - a collection of songs (often eight or ten)

release smth - put an album onto the market so people can buy it, release n.