Practice English Listening C1 Exercises – Musicians and music

A

They are listening to music on a website.

B

1    Type of music: reggae

      Lisa’s opinion: She’s not crazy about it.

      Adam’s opinion: He’s not crazy about it.

2    Type of music: bluegrass

      Lisa’s opinion: It’s sort of cool. She kind of likes it.

      Adam’s opinion: He thinks it’s kind of interesting but a little weird.

3    Type of music: hip-hop

      Lisa’s opinion: She thinks it’s amazing.

      Adam’s opinion: He loves it.

Lisa:   Hey, Adam! Check out this new music site I found!

Adam:   Let me see . . . Hey, there’s some cool stuff here. They have such a huge selection!

Lisa:   I know. Awesome, isn’t it? And you can listen to all of it before you buy . . .

Adam:   Yeah. Look, they’ve got 80s pop, 90s pop . . . Let’s check out the 80s pop.

Lisa:   No way. My father listens to that all the time, and I’m sick of it. The less I hear of that, the better.

Adam:   Oh, well, OK. Um, what about this reggae tune?

Lisa:   Go for it!

Adam:   What do you think?

Lisa:   I’m not crazy about it.

Adam:   Me, neither. I’m not into it at all. Why don’t you pick one now?

Lisa:   OK, let’s see. What’s this? Bluegrass?

Adam:   Oh, yeah, bluegrass. I think that’s some kind of country music.

Lisa:   Well, here goes . . . Wow, that’s sort of cool. I kind of like it.

Adam:   You do? I guess it’s kind of interesting, but it’s a little weird. Anyway, let’s move on. How about this one? It’s a new hip-hop single.

Lisa:   That sounds good.

Adam:   Here goes.

Lisa:   Oh, yeah! That’s amazing!

Adam:   I love it.

A

He’s been unable to break into the music business, and he seems to be losing his parents’ support and his confidence.

B

1   Tell them you need a little more time.

2   Don’t doubt yourself. You have to take yourself seriously.

3   Look confident.

4   Even if you fail sometimes, you’ve got to keep going and not give up.

Theresa:   Hi, Paul!

Paul:   Oh, hi, Theresa.

Theresa:   What’s wrong? I mean, is everything OK?

Paul:   Oh, well, since you asked . . . I’ve been getting pretty frustrated lately. You know, I took a year off from college to try to break into the music business, but I just, um, I can’t seem to get my foot in the door, you know?

Theresa:   Oh, don’t be frustrated, Paul!

Paul:   It’s hard not to be. You know, I’ve posted quite a few videos of my music online, but they’re definitely not creating enough buzz. And my parents are starting to bug me about going back to school.

Theresa:   I can understand your parents’ concerns, and I think you should respect that. But it’s your life, Paul, not your parents’. You should tell them that you need a little more time.

Paul:   It’s not that easy, especially when I’m feeling so down about myself – I’ve been even doubting my ability lately.

Theresa:   Don’t doubt yourself, Paul. You’re so talented! You have to take yourself seriously. If you don’t, nobody else will.

Paul:   I know you’re right, but I don’t know what else to do. Maybe I need a new image.

Theresa:   Oh, I don’t think so. My advice is just to look confident! The music world is very competitive, and you just can’t afford to look like you don’t have enough self-confidence. You have to project a confident image no matter how you feel inside.

Paul:   I know you’re right, but like you said, it’s so competitive. Maybe I should just –

Theresa:   But there are success stories! Take my cousin Ted, for example. He’s a successful musician now, but for years, he only had small gigs, hardly made any money, and simply felt like a failure.

Paul:   See, that’s what I mean . . .

Theresa:   But the thing is, he never gave up. He just kept at it, and then one night some people in the music business heard him play. They liked what they heard, and they stayed to talk to him after the show. And that was the beginning of his recording career!

Paul:   Hmm . . . really?

Theresa:   Yes, really! So you see, even if you fail sometimes, you’ve got to keep going. I mean, don’t give up, OK?

Paul:   Hey, you know, it’s good to hear stories like that. It makes me feel a little more hopeful. Thanks, Theresa.

Theresa:   Don’t mention it. Now, why don’t you play me your new song?

Paul:   Sure!

1 False   2 False   3 True   4 False   5 True

Interviewer:   We’re in our studio today with Vaughn O’Keefe, a musician who is on everybody’s radio these days. Thanks for being with us today, Vaughn.

Vaughn:   Thanks for having me, Maria.

Interviewer:   What is it like to be Vaughn O’Keefe? I mean, you’ve had such sudden success after being around for so many years.

Vaughn:   Yeah, that came as somewhat of a surprise. You know, I always had faith in what I was doing with my music. I knew people would love it. I just had to find my audience, and it took a few years!

Interviewer:   But they’re out there now! You’re the hottest sound on the radio. How has this sudden fame changed you?

Vaughn:   It’s really quite humbling. I never expected to be famous, though I always believed in my talents and knew I had what it takes to make it in the music business. The longer I performed, the more convinced I was that eventually people would notice.

Interviewer:   Now, your music is powerful because it encompasses many different genres. What are your influences?

Vaughn:   Well the biggest one is obviously traditional Irish music.

Interviewer:   Yes. There’s a big Irish sound in your music. Where did that come from?

Vaughn:   Well, my father was Irish. His father taught him to play the fiddle at a very early age, and my father taught me when I was four years old. The three of us used to play together before my grandfather died. He was an amazing fiddle player.

Interviewer:   What else?

Vaughn:   I borrow a lot from rap, as you can hear in my latest album. And there are some haunting melodies that I took from traditional Indian chants.

Interviewer:   And it’s all stirred together in a big pot along with, let’s see … jazz …

Vaughn:   Mmm-hmm.

Interviewer:   And I’ve heard a little punk rock in your music. Would you say that’s true?

Vaughn:   Yes, I guess you could say that. I listened to a lot of old 1970s punk when I was a kid.

Interviewer:   Who are your favorite musicians?

Vaughn:   Oh, my grandfather is my all-time favorite. He could play anything. After him, I’d say Dizzy Gillespie, Dr. Dre, and John Lennon.

Interviewer:   Wow, that’s quite a mix!

Vaughn:   That’s what my music is about. Let me play you one of my new songs. …