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Music & instruments

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English Learning: Music & Instruments

Dialogue

Alice: Hi Bob, what are you listening to? Sounds… interesting.

Bob: Oh, hey Alice! It’s my new favorite band, ‘Screaming Squirrels’! They make avant-garde noise music.

Alice: Screaming Squirrels? Bob, are you serious? My ears are crying.

Bob: Come on, it’s genius! Very experimental. What about you? Still listening to pop?

Alice: Pop is great! And yes, I’m trying to learn the ukulele.

Bob: The ukulele? That tiny guitar? Are you planning a Hawaiian vacation?

Alice: No! It’s cute and easy to carry. But my fingers hurt. And I sound like a cat stepping on strings.

Bob: (laughs) I can imagine! I tried playing the drums once. My neighbors did not appreciate my rhythm.

Alice: I bet! Did you have a drum set?

Bob: Just a few pots and pans, a wooden spoon… and a very patient dog.

Alice: That explains the “noise” part. So, what’s your favorite instrument to listen to?

Bob: Definitely the electric guitar. It’s so cool. Like a rock star!

Alice: I like the piano. It sounds beautiful and elegant.

Bob: We have very different tastes, Alice. From screaming squirrels to elegant pianos!

Alice: That’s why we’re friends, Bob! We balance each other out. And maybe you can teach me to appreciate screaming squirrels one day.

Bob: (chuckles) Maybe. But first, let’s get you sounding less like a distressed feline on your ukulele!

Current Situation

Music is everywhere today! Most people listen to music using streaming services on their phones or computers. There are so many different kinds of music, from pop and rock to classical and hip-hop. Many people still love traditional instruments like the guitar, piano, and drums. But new digital instruments and music-making software are also very popular. It’s easy to discover new artists and different types of music from all over the world. Learning to play an instrument is still a fun hobby, and you can even find online lessons!

Key Phrases

  • Sounds interesting: Used when something is unique or a bit strange.

    Example: My friend bought a purple car. Sounds interesting!

  • Are you serious?: Used to ask if someone is telling the truth, often when surprised.

    Example: He ate five pizzas? Are you serious?

  • Come on: Used to encourage someone or express mild disbelief/impatience.

    Example: Come on, it’s not that difficult! Try again.

  • I can imagine!: Used to say you understand how someone feels or what something is like, without experiencing it yourself.

    Example: My vacation was very long. I can imagine! You must be tired.

  • Did not appreciate: To not like or value something.

    Example: My neighbors did not appreciate my loud party last night.

  • I bet!: A casual way to say you strongly agree or expect something to be true.

    Example: That movie was scary! I bet! I hate horror films.

  • Balance each other out: To make something even or harmonious by having different qualities or strengths.

    Example: My sister is very calm, and I am energetic. We balance each other out.

Grammar Points

1. Present Simple

We use the Present Simple for facts, habits, general truths, and opinions.

  • Structure: Subject + Base Verb (or Verb + -s/es for he/she/it)
  • Examples from dialogue:
    “Pop is great!”
    “My fingers hurt.”
    “I like the piano.”
    “We have very different tastes.”
  • More examples:
    She plays the guitar every day.
    They listen to music.

2. Present Continuous

We use the Present Continuous for actions happening right now or temporary actions.

  • Structure: Subject + am/is/are + Verb + -ing
  • Examples from dialogue:
    “What are you listening to?”
    “My ears are crying.”
    “I‘m trying to learn the ukulele.”
  • More examples:
    I am studying English right now.
    They are playing football in the park.

3. Can (for ability)

We use Can to express ability or possibility.

  • Structure: Subject + can + Base Verb
  • Example from dialogue:
    “you can teach me to appreciate screaming squirrels.”
  • More examples:
    I can play the piano.
    She can sing very well.

4. Past Simple Questions with “Did”

We use Did to ask about completed actions in the past.

  • Structure: Did + Subject + Base Verb?
  • Example from dialogue:
    “Did you have a drum set?”
  • More examples:
    Did you go to the concert last night?
    Did she buy a new guitar?

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks (Key Phrases)

Complete the sentences using a key phrase from the list above.

  1. A: I tried to cook a very strange dish. B: Really? __________.
  2. My brother plays the trumpet very loudly. Our dog __________ it.
  3. A: I worked all day! B: __________! You must be tired.
  4. He only listens to classical music. I only like rock. We really __________.
  5. A: I saw a talking cat! B: __________?

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Verb Form (Grammar)

Select the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

  1. She (play / plays) the violin beautifully.
  2. What (you listen / are you listening) to right now?
  3. I (can / am can) sing, but I (cannot / don’t can) play an instrument.
  4. (Did you watch / You watched) the music video yesterday?
  5. My mom (love / loves) old rock music.

Exercise 3: Match the Instrument to its Sound/Description

Draw a line or write the letter next to the correct instrument.

  • Piano: _______
  • Ukulele: _______
  • Drums: _______
  • Electric Guitar: _______

A. Often used in rock bands, played with sticks.

B. Has black and white keys, can sound beautiful and elegant.

C. A small, four-stringed instrument, often associated with Hawaiian music.

D. Plugged into an amplifier, makes loud rock sounds.

Exercise 4: Answer the Questions about the Dialogue

Read the dialogue again and answer the following questions in complete sentences.

  1. What kind of music does Bob like at the beginning of the dialogue?
  2. What instrument is Alice trying to learn?
  3. What did Bob use as “drums”?
  4. What is Alice’s favorite instrument to listen to?

Answers

Answers for Exercise 1:

  1. Sounds interesting.
  2. did not appreciate
  3. I bet!
  4. balance each other out
  5. Are you serious?

Answers for Exercise 2:

  1. plays
  2. are you listening
  3. can, cannot
  4. Did you watch
  5. loves

Answers for Exercise 3:

  • Piano: B
  • Ukulele: C
  • Drums: A
  • Electric Guitar: D

Answers for Exercise 4:

  1. Bob likes avant-garde noise music by ‘Screaming Squirrels’.
  2. Alice is trying to learn the ukulele.
  3. Bob used pots and pans and a wooden spoon as “drums”.
  4. Alice’s favorite instrument to listen to is the piano.

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