Music is a language which speaks to everyone — from the day we are born we hear music of some kind of our lives. But there are as many different kinds of music as there are different languages, and it is impossible to describe them all. Here are just a few well-known types.
Classical music is serious Western European music from the Middle Ages to the present (1500 to today) and it was often written for a large orchestra, or for a small group of players. Many instruments can be used. A lot of music was also written to be sung — as opera. Classical music is very popular and schools often teach this type of music.
Jazz developed in the Southern United States at the beginning of last century. The black people of these states, who were originally slaves from Africa, had their own rhythms. Jazz brought classical music and African rhythms together.
Blues was originally black country music from the Southern United States at the beginning of last century. It is slow, usually sad music which is often sung by one person with a guitar.
Rhythm and Blues (R&B) developed from the blues in America in the 1940s. It became faster and more complex and used more instruments, eg. saxophones (萨克斯管), guitars, pianos, drums. The music was often about city life and white musicians started playing it as well.
Musicians in the 1950s developed rock ‘n’ roll from Rhythm and Blues and it became popular with young people. It spread to Europe in the 1960s and is now known in most countries. A lot of pop music comes from rock ‘n’ roll.
Pop music developed from rock ‘ n’ roll in America and Britain in the 1960s and is now in every country. The name is used for most commercial (商业的) music, which we can buy on records and hear on “pop radio”. It is usually played by groups who often use electronic instruments and make videos to go with their records.
【小题1】Which of the following started in the Southern United States?
| A．Rhythm and Blues. | B．Jazz. |
| C．Rock ‘n’ roll. | D．Pop music. |
【小题2】When did rock ‘n’ roll become popular with the young?
| A．In the 1950s. | B．In the 1940s. |
| C．In the 1960s. | D．In the 1970s. |
【小题3】How does the author develop the introduction?
| A．By time and people. | B．By time and explanations. |
| C．By questions and events. | D．By analysis and reasons. |
【小题4】What is the text mainly about?
| A．How music developed in America. |
| B．How music spread around the world. |
| C．Music — an international language. |
| D．Six types of music and their history. |
