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

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 437.

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.