English club: Music

Hello, dear participants of our weekly English club (https://lingvistov.ru/english-club/).

Our next session on February, 2^nd will be dedicated to the topic of “Music”. Here are some questions that we are going to tackle, as well as some useful links, words and expressions.

Can you think of a day without music? We can hear music everywhere: in the streets and at home, over the radio and on TV, in the shops and in the parks. People all over the world are fond of music. They listen to music, they dance to music, they learn to play musical instruments. But what is music? Specialists explain that music isn’t only a combination of pleasant sounds. It is an art which reflects life. 

Questions for discussion:

1. When was the last time you went to a concert or live show?
2. What kind of music do you like? Is there any kind of music that you can’t stand?
3. How much time do you spend listening to music? How often do you listen to music? Where do you usually listen to music?
4. What do you think the world would be like without music? Why do you think music is important and how does it affect different people? What do you think of when you listen to music?             
5. Do you play a musical instrument? What instrument? Did you take lessons
6. Do you listen to music on the radio? How often? Do you have a favorite station?
7. What musician would you most like to meet? Why?
8. Do you prefer music in English or in your own language? Why?
9. Do you like to sing? Have you ever sung karaoke?
10. Do you listen more to words or lyrics? How is this different in your native language and in other languages?
11. How has your opinion of good music changed over your lifetime? Is there anything you liked years ago that you would not like now?
12. Do you think it is wrong to download music for free?

Films about music and musicians:

8 mile (2002): to watch online go to http://watch32.com/movies-online/8-mile-1721

Ray (2004): to watch online go to http://watch32.com/movies-online/ray-1373

School of Rock (2003): to watch online go to http://watch32.com/movies-online/the-school-of-rock-178465/episode-1.html

The Doors (1991): to watch online go to http://www.tubeplus.me/movie/536759/The_Doors/

Fun facts about music and musicians:

1. Duran Duran was named after a mad scientist from the Jane Fonda movie Barbarella.
2. Marilyn Monroe got a white poodle named Mafia from Frank Sinatra.
3. The airplane that Buddy Holly died in was called American Pie. Don McLean wrote a song with the same name about the accident.
4. Before composing Beethoven dipped his head in cold water.
5. Like humans, birds can learn music while they are still in the egg stage.
6. Mozart was five years old when he wrote his first piece.
7. The first pop video was released in 1975. It was Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.
8. When Madonna was 15 years old, she got grounded for the whole summer, for sneaking out to see David Bowie in concert.

Learn English by Listening to Songs: Johnny Cash – One

Listen to the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGrR-7_OBpA

Do the exercises: http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=970

Words and expressions:

band – музыкальная группа

guitarist — гитарист

drummer — барабанщик

conductor — дирижер

choir — хор

orchestra — оркестр

rhythm — ритм

harmony — гармония

live concert – живой концерт

lyrics – текст песни

instrumental music – инструментальная музыка

single — сингл

to rehearse — репетировать

to keep the beat – держать ритм

gig – концерт, живое выступление группы, музыкальное мероприятие

And all that jazz – и все такое прочее (e.g. She told me I was selfish, hateful, rude, ugly, and all that jazz)

blow one’s own trumpet – нахваливать себя (e.g. Anyone will tell you she’s one of the best journalists we’ve got, although she’d never blow her own trumpet)

It takes two to tango – нужно участие и другой стороны (e.g. ‘She blames Tracy for stealing her husband.’ ‘Well, it takes two to tango‘)

Music to my ears – бальзам на душу (e.g. A: Here’s your paycheck for this month. B: Ah, that’s music to my ears!)

Adjectives to describe music:

upbeat – бодрый, жизнерадостный

catchy – легко запоминающийся

inspiring — вдохновляющая

depressing — депрессивная

uplifting -  поднимающая настроение

funereal — загробная

soothing – успокаивающая