#316 The Evolution of Music
Speak English Now Podcast: Learn English | Speak English without grammar.
Deep Dive
What role did music play in ancient times?
In ancient times, music was used during ceremonies and gatherings. People played simple instruments like drums, flutes, and strings to come together and enjoy each other's company.
Who were some notable composers of the classical era?
Composers like Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven were prominent during the classical era, creating symphonies and operas known for their harmony, precision, and enduring beauty.
What genres emerged in the 20th century as part of popular music?
In the 20th century, popular music genres like jazz, blues, and rock and roll emerged. Jazz legends like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington brought lively and fun energy, while blues focused on strong emotions and rock and roll celebrated youth and fun.
How did technology influence music in the late 20th century?
Technology revolutionized music in the late 20th century by introducing computers and electronic instruments, leading to new styles like techno, house, and hip-hop. It also made music creation and sharing more accessible.
What characterizes music in the 21st century?
Music in the 21st century is highly diverse, with musicians from around the world collaborating and blending styles thanks to the internet. This has resulted in new genres that reflect the beauty of various cultures.
How has the way people listen to music changed in recent years?
Today, people listen to music on their phones or computers using apps like Spotify or Apple Music, making a vast library of music easily accessible.
What happened when the five friends tried to form a band after a year of learning instruments?
After a year of practicing, the five friends discovered they had all learned to play the same instrument, the violin, which prevented them from forming the band they had planned. However, they gained creativity, self-discipline, patience, and focus from the experience.
- Music's historical use in ceremonies and gatherings.
- The emergence of classical music and its prominent composers.
- The rise of popular music genres like jazz, blues, and rock and roll.
- The impact of technology on music creation and distribution.
- The increasing diversity of music in the 21st century.
Shownotes Transcript
Hi everyone! Music has a special place in my heart, and today I'm excited to take you on a journey through its history. We'll talk about how music has changed over the years, and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do. Hi, I'm Georgiana, and I'm back with a new episode. I'm here to help you speak English fluently.
If you want to help me share the podcast with your friends and family, that would mean a lot. Thanks. On my website, you can find the 5 secrets to speaking English and my premium courses. Before we start, get the transcript. Visit speakenglishpodcast.com slash podcast.
Okay, let's start. Number 1. Music through the ages. Let's start by going back in time. In ancient times, people used music during ceremonies and gatherings. They played simple instruments like drums, flutes, and strings.
It was a way for them to come together and enjoy each other's company. Number 2. Classical music. A symphony of emotions. Next, we come to the classical era, from the 17th to the 19th centuries. I really love classical music.
Composers like Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven made beautiful music with harmony and precision. They created symphonies and operas that are still loved today for their beauty. Number three, popular music takes the stage. Now let's talk about popular music or pop music.
Like I said, I enjoy listening to all kinds of music, and in the 20th century, some of the most famous types of music were jazz, blues, and rock and roll. Jazz legends like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington made their music feel lively and fun.
Blue songs were more about strong emotions and difficult times, while rock and roll was all about fun and enjoying being young. Number 4. The Rock and Roll Revolution In the 1960s, there was a big change in music. It's when famous rock bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones became popular.
Musicians started to try new things and take risks. Folk music, with artists like Bob Dylan, also became popular, and the songs talked about important social issues. Number 5. Music meets technology. Later in the 20th century, technology changed how music was made and shared.
Computers and electronic instruments helped create new music styles like techno, house, and hip-hop. Technology made it easier for people to create and listen to music. Number 6. A world of musical diversity. In the 21st century, music is more diverse than ever.
Musicians from all over the world can now work together and combine different styles of music thanks to the internet. This creates new kinds of music that show the beauty of many different cultures. Number 7. Listening to music online.
Today we can listen to music on our phones or computers using apps like Spotify or Apple Music. It's great to have so much music available. So, what does the future hold for music? It's something we can all think about. One thing is certain.
Music will always be a powerful way to bring people together and inspire us. Whether it's old or new, music will always be a special part of our lives. Great! I hope you're enjoying this episode. And now, let's continue with a mini-story. I will tell you a short story by asking simple questions.
I use this method in my premium courses because it's highly effective. First, I say a short sentence with facts. Then, I ask you questions. After each question, you answer. Then, I tell you the right answer. That's how we make the story.
And if you want to improve your fluency much faster, check out my premium courses. Visit speakenglishpodcast.com slash courses. You will find several levels. Okay, let's start. A group of five friends decide to learn how to play a musical instrument.
Are they friends or family? Friends. They are friends. How many friends decide to learn to play an instrument? Five. All five friends decide to learn to play an instrument. What do all five friends decide to learn? They decide to learn how to play a musical instrument.
Do they decide to take dance lessons instead? No, no. They decide to learn to play a musical instrument, not take dance lessons. They set a challenge for themselves. Each friend will learn to play a different musical instrument within one year and then perform together in a concert.
Do they decide to relax for one year? No, no. They decide to learn to play a musical instrument. What will each friend learn? Each friend will learn to play a musical instrument. How long will it take them to learn? One year. It will take one year for them to learn to play a musical instrument.
What will they do at the end of the year? Perform in a concert. They will perform in a concert at the end of the year. They won't just perform solo. They will form a band. So each friend spends four hours a day practicing from scratch. Does each friend spend four hours a week practicing? No, no.
Each friend spends four hours a day practicing, not four hours a week. How much time do they spend practicing? Four hours a day. They spend four hours a day practicing. Are they learning from scratch? Yes, they are learning to play the instruments from scratch.
Do they already know how to play these instruments? No, no. They are learning from scratch. Are they beginners? Yes, they are all beginners. After a year, they finally meet. But they are all shocked. Do they meet after six months to check their progress? No, no. They meet after one year.
Are they happy or shocked? Shocked. They are shocked. What happened when they met? When they met after one year, they were all shocked. It turns out they all learned to play the same instrument, the violin. Did they all learn to play different instruments? No, no.
They all learned to play the same musical instrument. Which instrument did they learn to play? The guitar? No, no. They didn't learn to play the guitar. They learned to play the violin. Did they all intend to learn the same instrument? No, no. It wasn't their intention. It just happened that way.
So they couldn't form the band they had planned. But at least they improved their creativity, self-discipline, patience, and focus. Were they able to form a band? No, no. They weren't able to form the band they had planned. Why couldn't they form the band? Because they all learned to play the same instrument.
Did they gain anything else from this experience? Yes. They improved their creativity, self-discipline, patience, and focus. Did they develop self-discipline? Yes. They developed self-discipline. Did they become less patient? No, no. They became more patient.
What else did they improve? They improved their focus. They also improved their creativity, self-discipline, and patience. Well, we're finished with our short practice. Answering many simple questions can improve your speaking just like talking in real life.
Today you've tried a small part of this question and answer technique. Do you want to learn more? Get my premium courses. Visit speakenglishpodcast.com slash courses. I'll be back next week. Bye-bye.