III. Answer each of the questions.

1. Which of these is not normally religious?

a) a hymn b) а рsalm с) a carol d) ballad

2. Which of these is the odd one out?

a) a duet b) а triplet c) a quartet d) a quintet

3. Which order should these be in, starting from the top,

a) baritone b) bass с) tenor d) contralto (alto) e) soprano (treble)

IV. Learn the types of music.

CLASSICAL MUSIC. There is a tendency to use classical music with particular reference to the music of the past, up to and including the 19th century. However, the term also includes music being written now, and we may speak of modern classical music. Classical here refers to genre, not period.

LIGHT CLASSICAL is used of short classical works which are easy to listen to, either because the composer's aim was simply to entertain.

SERIOUS MUSIC. It is sometimes used as a synonym of classical music. Serious music

is a wider concept than classical music. It includes classical music, folk music and jazz.

LIGHT MUSIC. It includes light classical music, popular tunes and songs from different sources, both traditional and new, dance music, film music and so on.

JAZZ. Popular music first played by Afro-American groups in the Southern USA in the early 20th century characterized by improvisation and strong rhythms, called traditional jazz; similar music played by large bands for dancing, a later variation much influenced by the blues to produce an unhurried emotive style called modern jazz.

POP MUSIC is modern music of an uncomplicated character, played mainly on electric guitars and drums often with a singer.

DANCE MUSIC is music used for dancing including jazz and pop music.

BACKGROUND MUSIC is any music played softly as a background for conversation, etc. Some people put on records as background music when friends come to see them and such music is increasingly heard in public places in Britain: hotel foyers, airports, supermarkets, etc.

CHAMBER MUSIC is orchestral, written for a chamber orchestra, but the category also includes works for smaller groups of instrumentalists or vocalists or soloists.

V. Describe your favorite song according the following plan:

1. What is the title of the song?

2. Who wrote it's lyrics?

3. Who wrote its music?

4. When was it written?

5. Is it still being performed?

6. What singer performed this song?

7. What is it about?

8. Is it serious or light, lyrical or humorous?

9. Could the tune and the tone of the song be described as serious and philosophical or sentimental and emotional?

10. Does the song seem to be appealing to you or does it leave you indifferent?

12. Are you impressed by it's lyrics or by its music or both?

VI . Read the text, then say what title you would suggest for it.

The pop pantheon in the rock era has offered contrasts on good and evil. No one exemplifies the interdependency of pop-rock music and persona more vividly then Madonna. One of the most bankable¹ rock stars, Madonna belts out dance tunes in a high, haunting² voice. Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Janet Jackson (Michael’s younger sister) and their many imitators have popularized a pubescent style³ of singing that is more youthful-sounding than the style of rock’s older generation of female singers. Joan Baez, Linda Ronstandt, Jonni Mitchell, Carly Simon and Judy Collins brought to rock the sweetness of folk lullaby⁴ that is now out of fashion.

Whitney Houston, whose debut release album has sold a phenomenal 8 million copies, has emerged as the biggest pop star to bring a traditional gospel⁵ approach to contemporary material. She has also starred in some musical films, the most famous of them being “The Bodyguard”. The singer-songwriter movement of the early 1970s produced a number of singers. Paul Simon began his musical career more than 20 years ago in a folk-rock duo with Art Garfunkel. Since 1972, he released solo album “Graceland” which was named Best Album at the 1987 Grammy Awards.

The albums of Michael Jackson and Prince established their rhythm-oriented rock at the center of mainstream American music. Jackson showed his talent during his concert tours with his brothers. He hit national prominence at the age of 11, and his voice maintained its boyish character, often soaring⁶ in the falsetto range. His “Thriller” of which nearly 40 million copies were sold, is the best-selling album ever recorded. The music of Prince, on the other hand, is far from innocent. The sound track to the movie “Purple Rain”, in which he starred, sold 10 million copies. Billy Joel, one of the best songwriters in rock music, often relies on piano melodies. In 1987 he became the best-known American rock-singer.

Ageless Tina Turner makes music for good times as well. Beginning her career in the late 1950s as the lead singer with her husband’s band she staged a spectacular comeback in 1984 with the solo album “Private Dancer”. Her passionate delivery has a torchy⁷ quality that is the essence of the black singing style known as “soul”. Blind singer – songwriter Stevie Wonder made his hits when he was 12, crossing over to a wider audience from his rhythm – and blues roots. In recent years, his songs have often addressed political issues such as racial injustice. Perhaps, no other performer exemplifies current American pop-music as thoroughly as Bruce Springsteen, the author of his generation’s anthem ”Born in the U.S.A.”

1 . bankable – прибыльный

2. haunting – [ho:ntiŋ] - западающий в память, навязчивый

3. a pubescent style – подростковый стиль

4. lullaby – колыбельная;

5. gospel – стиль афро-американской музыки

6. soar – подъем вверх

7. a torchy – зажигательный.