Unit 5 Rhythm
【单词】
Warm-up
folk /fəʊk/ adj. 民间的
jazz /dʒæz/ n. 爵士乐
rock 'n' roll摇滚乐
disco /'dɪskəʊ/ n. 迪斯科舞
ballet /ˈbæleɪ/ n. 芭蕾舞
Lesson 1
effect /ɪˈfekt/ n. 效果，作用
disappoint /dɪsəˈpɔɪnt/ vt. 使失望
extraordinary /ɪkˈstrɔːdɪnərɪ/ adj. 非凡的，特别的
unclear /ʌn'klɪə/ adj. 不清楚的
be used to 习惯于
album /ˈælbəm/ n. 唱片；相册，集邮册
performance /pəˈfɔːm(ə)ns/ n. 表演；演奏
perform /pəˈfɔːm/ vt.&vi. 表演，做
award /əˈwɔːd/ n. 奖，奖品
base /beɪs/ n. 基地，基础
extremely /ɪkˈstriːmlɪ/ adv. 极端地，非常地
creative /kri:'eɪtɪv/ adj. 有创造力的，创造性的
powerful /ˈpaʊəfʊl/ adj. 强大的，有力的
anger /ˈæŋɡə/ n. 气愤，愤怒
system /ˈsɪstəm/ n. 系统
audience /ˈɔːdɪəns/ n. 听众，观众
throughout /θruːˈaʊt/ prep. 遍及，贯穿
impress /ɪmˈpres/ vt. 使(人)印象深刻
performer /pəˈfɔːmə/ n. 表演者
Lesson 2
instrument /ˈɪnstrʊmənt/ n. 乐器；工具
male /meɪl/ adj. 男性的
female /ˈfiːmeɪl/ adj. 女性的
clown /klaun/ n. 小丑
carriage /ˈkærɪdʒ/ n. 马车
treasure /ˈtreʒə/ n. 财宝，财富
combine /kəmˈbaɪn/ vt. (使)联合，(使)结合
mask /mɑːsk/ n. 面具，面罩
acrobatics /ækrə'bætɪks/ n. 杂技
costume /'kɒstju:m/ n. 戏装；服装
represent /reprɪˈzent/ vt. 代表
general /ˈdʒenər(ə)l/ n. 将军
in other words 换句话说
Lesson 3
pianist /'pɪənɪst/ n. 钢琴家，钢琴演奏者
musician /mjuːˈzɪʃ(ə)n/ n. 音乐家
key /kiː/ n. 琴键；答案；钥匙
at times 有时，不时
quit /kwɪt/ vt.&vi. 停止；辞职
talent /ˈtælənt/ n. 天才，才干
worldwide /ˈwɜːldwaɪd/ adj. 全世界的
in some ways 在某些方面
identity /aɪˈdentɪtɪ/ n. 身份；特性
root /ruːt/ n. 根
rediscover /riːdɪ'skʌvə/ vt. 重新发现
beauty /ˈbjuːtɪ/ n. 美，美貌；美人
appearance /əˈpɪərəns/ n. 外貌，外观
shave /ʃeɪv/ vt. 剃，刮
hairstyle /'heəstaɪl/ n. 发型
transform /trænsˈfɔːm/ vt. 转换，转化
Lesson 4
waltz /wɔːl(t)s/ n. 华尔兹舞
breakdance n. 霹雳舞
encyclopedia /ɪnˌsaɪkləˈpiːdiə/ n. 百科全书
sword /sɔːd/ n. 剑
peacock /’pi:kɒk/ n. 孔雀
Swan Lake (芭蕾舞剧天鹅湖
ordinary /ˈɔːdɪnərɪ/ adj. 平常的，普通的
generation /dʒenəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/ n. 代，一代
type /ˈtaɪp/ n. 类型，种类
skip /skɪp/ vi. 跳，蹦
back and forth 往返，来回
unique /jʊˈniːk/ adj. 独特的，唯一的
noble /ˈnəʊb(ə)l/ adj. 贵族的；高尚的，高贵的 n. 贵族
ballroom /bɔːlru:m/ n. 舞厅，跳舞场
immigrant /’ɪmɪgr(ə)nt/ adj. 移民的，移居的
tap dancing 踢踏舞
tango /tæŋgəu/ n. 探戈舞
Communication Workshop
reaction /riˈækʃn/ n. 反应
responsible /rɪspɒnsɪˈb(ə)l/ adj. 有责任的，应负责任的
permission /pəˈmɪʃ(ə)n/ n. 允许，许可
realistic /ˌriːəˈlɪstɪk/ adj. 现实(主义)的
【课文】
Lesson 1 Performance
Alanis—A True Performer
Canadian singer and song writer, Alanis Morissette, is used to being in the public eye. Her most famous album Jagged Little Pill, came out in 1995 when she was only twenty-one years old. It sold 15 Million copies and made her world famous. Since then she has made several more albums and she has continued giving great performances on stage.
Last Thursday night, hundreds of fans went to the Corn Exchange in Cambridge, England to see Alanis Morissette performing in concert. It was Morissette's first performance in England since her song "Uninvited" won this year's Grammy Award for the best rock song. The 30-year-old singer has a strong fan base in England. There was not an empty seat anywhere in the concert hall at last Thursday's event, although it was an extremely cold night: "Sure it's cold outside, but I hope we'll warm it up in here for you, " Morissette said to the large crowd before she started to play.
During the 3-hour concert, Morissette used a lot of material from her award-winning album "Jagged Little Pill". She also played a few songs from her new album, such as "Everything But...", which tells the story of someone looking for love in the wrong places. Morissette gave a creative and powerful performance in another song "Utopia". Her singing was full of feeling; the first part of the song was filled with anger, while the last part expressed love and joy.
Although the concert hall was cold and the sound system caused a few problems, the audience could still enjoy the concert. Many people in the crowd were obviously long-time fans and they knew the words and sang along to nearly every song. Throughout the concert, the atmosphere inside the concert hall was extremely exciting. Everyone agreed that they were greatly impressed by Morissette's brilliant music and singing.
At the end of the three hours, Morissette showed that she was a true performer, singing a well-known song "Heartache". She finished the evening with a new song about the life of a superstar. While I watched and listened, I knew that I was seeing the performance of a real superstar.
Lesson 3 Experiment in folk
Kong goes for folk!
The famous classical pianist, Kong Xiangdong, surprised his fans last week by giving a concert combining classical music with Chinese folk music. Kong explained that he tried this because he wanted to create something new. "As a musician, playing the same music in different cities of the world is very boring," says Kong. He also feels that playing Chinese folk music on the piano can help bring it to the rest of the world.
Music has always been part of Kong's world. As his mother was a great music lover, he lived with music from birth. But it wasn't always easy for the young Kong Xingdong. His mother couldn't buy him a piano until he was seven. She had to draw piano keys on a piece of paper so that he could learn to play as early as possible. The 5-year-old Kong would practise on the paper piano as his mother clapped the rhythm. He was made to practise the piano so much that, at times, he thought about giving up. However, he didn't quit, and he became a great pianist. In 1986, at the age of 18, he became the youngest prize winner in Moscow's Tchaikovsky International Competition. He went on to win awards in competitions across the world.
Because of Kong's talent and hard work, he became famous worldwide. But after years of performing, he felt that in some ways he had lost his identity. This is why he went back to his roots and rediscovered the beauty in Chinese folk music. He began experimenting with different styles and his Dream Tour Concert is the result.
Kong's new experiment in Chinese folk music is so important to him that he even changed his appearance. When he arrived at his concert last week, he had shaved off all his hair! Since his music style was new, he decided his hairstyle had to be new too!
Whether Kong is changing his appearance or transforming his music, he is a pioneer in music today. The concert last week was such a success that Kong's Dream Tour Concert is expected to run for the next two years in Beijing, Shanghai, and other main cities before going to Paris and New York.
Lesson 4 Let's dance
Ballet
Ballet began in Italy and France during the 15th century and is still an important art form in Western culture. Ballet tells a story with music and actions but no words. One of the most famous ballets is called "Swan Lake". Another famous Russian ballet is called "Sleeping Beauty". Many countries have produced ballets, including China. One well-known Chinese ballet is called "The white-haired Girl".
Folk Dance
Folk dances are traditional styles of dancing that come from ordinary people. They are usually group dances that are taught from one generation to another. China is famous for many different types of folk dances, including the dragon dance and the lion dance, which are performed during the Spring Festival. Other kinds of folk dances are the sword dance and the colourful peacock dance.
Another well-known folk dance is the Yangge, which is often performed on special occasions. In many parts of the country, you can see people of all ages dancing in the street during festivals. They are dressed in beautiful costumes, skipping back and forth to the rhythm of loud drums. People like to watch performances of this unique folk dance.
Popular Dance
Popular or social dances often come from folk dances, although they are usually popular for only a short time. They are easy to learn and are usually danced in couples.
Until the eighteenth century, social dances were only held in palaces or the homes of noble families. However, in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, social dancing became more popular. Ballroom dancing, which was a formal dance in a large room, became popular in Europe and North America. Central European folk dances, such as the waltz, changed and became the most popular examples of ballroom dances.
In the United States, the mixing of immigrant cultures produced new forms of dance, such as tap dancing. Before the First World War, new ballroom dances came to Europe and America, for example, the Tango and the Cha-Cha. The Argentine Tango was made internationally popular by Carlos Gardel through his songs and films.
After the Second World War, African-American rhythm and movements became part of popular social dance. Rock 'n' roll dances were popular during the 1950s. In the 1960, people danced without touching their partner. Dancing in couples returned in the 1970s and 1980s with "disco" music. In the mid-1980s, break dancing became popular. This form of dancing is almost like acrobatics. It began in the poorer parts of large American cities.
Culture Corner
Styles of Music
Classical
Classical music was the music of European courts and big concert halls. Specifically, classical music refers to orchestral music of the 18th and early 19th century. Classical music is played with traditional European instruments, often in large orchestras. Beethoven and Mozart are two of the most famous classical composers. Classical music is enjoyed by many for its rich and beautiful melodies.
Blues
Blues started off as the music of African slaves brought to the United States. It is closely related to the music of West Africa. It became well-known throughout the world through such musicians as Muddy Waters and B.B. King. In many ways, blues music remains an important element in many of today's popular tunes.
Jazz
Jazz grew out of blues. As with blues, one of the important elements of jazz is improvisation. Improvisation happens when a musician plays unwritten music to fit the mood of the occasion. One of the most famous names in jazz is Miles Davis. He was famous for always finding new ways of playing jazz, and for many people this represented the spirit of jazz. Jazz has been called "the classical music of black America".
Rock 'n' Roll and Rock
Rock 'n' roll developed from fast blues. Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley were the big names in rock 'n' roll and the Beatles in England took the music and made their own sounds from it. When the guitars got louder and the guitar solos got longer, rock 'n' roll became just rock. Now rock is one of the most popular forms of music in the world and its fans can be seen from Beijing to Boston and all the places in between.
Creating new music
Today these names of music styles are less important to musicians. Radio, television and the Internet have made it easier for sounds to travel across cultures and styles have become more and more mixed. If there is one thing the history of popular music has shown, it is that good musicians will always create new music from the different styles they hear.