The First American Music

Go to Text A

First Reading

Summary of Text B

Detailed Study of Text B

Second Reading

Text Reading

Time for Fun

1. Music in America has come from all over the world, beginning

with the arrival of Columbus.

2. Modern inventions have changed the way we listen to music

and made it a form of international communication, bringing

the people of the world together.

3. Singing songs may help people learn English and understand

American culture.

First Reading

Read the text and then decide whether the following statements are

True or False according to the text.

( )

( )

( )

F

T

T

1/2

4. The first Europeans arrived in America for religious reasons

and brought their music with them.

5. Some of the early music was church music and some was for

dancing and entertainment.

6. American farmers left the east coast for the west to spread

different kinds of church music.

7. The “camp meetings” were held because some people liked to

drink and dance together.

8. Many pop musicians achieved their first success at the “camp

meetings”.

T

F

F

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

First Reading

T

F

2/2

Read the text again and answer the following questions.

1. What has created American music?

2. According to the text, what do songs usually remind us of?

3. What is the title of the American National song?

People coming from all over the world have brought their music with them and the mixing of people and music has created American music.

Some songs remind us of our childhood or youth. Others remind us of the people we love.

“The Star-Spangled Banner”.

Second Reading

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5. What benefit can we have by understanding American music?

4. What role has modern science played in the development of American music?

It has changed music. Inventions like records, radio, movies, electric instruments, tape recorders, and videos have changed the way we play and listen to music.

Understanding American music can help us understandAmerican people, their history and culture.

2/3

8. Why did the preachers hold camp meetings?

7. Why did American farmers leave the East coast?

For religious freedom.

6. For what purpose did the first British people come to America?

To begin new farms further west.

To bring the country people together in a large group.

3/3

The First American Music

Detailed Study of Text B

1/6

The first Europeans came to America in 1492 with Christopher C

olumbus. Since that time people have come to America from all over t

he world, from Europe, Africa, and Asia, and they have brought their

music with them. This mixing of people and music has

created American music.

The First American Music

1/6

The first Europeans came to America in 1492 with Christopher

Columbus. Since that time people have come to America from all ove

r the world, from Europe, Africa, and Asia, and they have brought thei

r music with them. This mixing of people and music has

created American music. Close

There were bottles all over the place.

I looked all over the house to look for the book.

... have come to America from all over the world...

... have come to America from all parts of the world...

all over: everywhere; in every part

Detailed Study of Text B

The First American Music

1/6

The first Europeans came to America in 1492 with Christopher

Columbus. Since that time people have come to America from all

over the world, from Europe, Africa, and Asia, and they have brought

their music with them. This mixing of people and music has

created American music.

This mixing of people and music has created American music.

— The birth of American music has been the result of the mixture of

people and music from the different parts of the world.

Close

Detailed Study of Text B

Music is a very important part of our lives. Music is for dancing, d

rinking, eating, loving, and thinking. Some songs remind us of our chil

dhood or youth. Others remind us of the people we love. Many importa

nt occasions, like weddings and funerals, have special music. Every n

ation has a national song like the American song “The Star-Spangled

Banner”. In the U.S., high schools and colleges

have school songs too.

2pa_2

2/6

Music is a very important part of our lives. Music is for dancing, d

rinking, eating, loving, and thinking. Some songs remind us of our chil

dhood or youth. Others remind us of the people we love. Many importa

nt occasions, like weddings and funerals, have special music. Every n

ation has a national song like the American song “The Star-Spangled

Banner”. In the U.S., high schools and colleges

have school songs too.

2/6

Close

Some songs remind us of our childhood or youth.

— Some songs cause us to remember / to have a memory of

our childhood or youth.

remind someone of/that: to cause someone to remember The music reminded me of my old friends.

Please remind me of my promise if I forget it.

remind

Music is a very important part of our lives. Music is for dancing, d

rinking, eating, loving, and thinking. Some songs remind us of our chil

dhood or youth. Others remind us of the people we love. Many importa

nt occasions, like weddings and funerals, have special music. Every n

ation has a national song like the American song “The Star-Spangled

Banner”. In the U.S., high schools and colleges

have school songs too.

2/6

Many important occasions, like weddings and funerals, have

special music.

— People sing songs specially prepared for many special and

important events such as weddings and funerals.

Close

occasion: n. a particular time, especially when something

happens or has happened, or a special or formal event

I send you my best wishes on this happy occasion.

Many important

Music is a part of the history of America. It expresses the

problems and feelings of its people. As the years pass, the music

grows and changes. Modern science has also changed music.

Inventions like records, radio, movies, electric instruments, tape

recorders, and videos have changed the way we play and listen to

music. They have helped to make music an important form of

international communication.

American music, from the earliest folk songs to modern “pop”, is

known around the world. Music is one of America’s most important

exports. It brings the people of the world together. Even when

people cannot understand the same language, they can share the

same music. Many people learn and practice English by singing

songs. Understanding American music can help you understand

American people, their history and culture.

3/6

Music is a part of the history of America. It expresses the

problems and feelings of its people. As the years pass, the music

grows and changes. Modern science has also changed music.

Inventions like records, radio, movies, electric instruments, tape

recorders, and videos have changed the way we play and listen to

music. They have helped to make music an important form of

international communication.

American music, from the earliest folk songs to modern “pop”, is

known around the world. Music is one of America’s most important

exports. It brings the people of the world together. Even when

people cannot understand the same language, they can share the

same music. Many people learn and practice English by singing

songs. Understanding American music can help you understand

American people, their history and culture.

3/6

have changed the way we play and listen to music.

— have changed the way in which we play and listen to music In the

above sentence “in which” or “that” is omitted after “the way”.

I didn’t like the way (that/ in which) she spoke to me.

We need tools to help us change the way in which we work.

Close

Have changed the way

Music is a part of the history of America. It expresses the

problems and feelings of its people. As the years pass, the music

grows and changes. Modern science has also changed music.

Inventions like records, radio, movies, electric instruments, tape

recorders, and videos have changed the way we play and listen to

music. They have helped to make music an important form of

international communication.

American music, from the earliest folk songs to modern “pop”, is

known around the world. Music is one of America’s most important

exports. It brings the people of the world together. Even when

people cannot understand the same language, they can share the

same music. Many people learn and practice English by singing

songs. Understanding American music can help you understand

American people, their history and culture.

3/6

communication: n. giving successfully (thoughts, feelings, ideas or

information) to other people through speech, writing, bodily movements

or signals; understanding each other and having a good relationship

Television is an increasingly important means of communication.

Good communication is important in any relationship.Close

Music is a part of the history of America. It expresses the

problems and feelings of its people. As the years pass, the music

grows and changes. Modern science has also changed music.

Inventions like records, radio, movies, electric instruments, tape

recorders, and videos have changed the way we play and listen to

music. They have helped to make music an important form of

international communication.

American music, from the earliest folk songs to modern “pop”, is

known around the world. Music is one of America’s most important

exports. It brings the people of the world together. Even when

people cannot understand the same language, they can share the

same music. Many people learn and practice English by singing

songs. Understanding American music can help you understand

American people, their history and culture.

3/6

It brings the people of the world together.

— Music helps the people of the world to know each other better.

bring ... together: to cause people to be friendly with each other

The loss of their child brought the parents together.

The disaster brought the community together.Close

Music is a part of the history of America. It expresses the

problems and feelings of its people. As the years pass, the music

grows and changes. Modern science has also changed music.

Inventions like records, radio, movies, electric instruments, tape

recorders, and videos have changed the way we play and listen to

music. They have helped to make music an important form of

international communication.

American music, from the earliest folk songs to modern “pop”, is

known around the world. Music is one of America’s most important

exports. It brings the people of the world together. Even when

people cannot understand the same language, they can share the

same music. Many people learn and practice English by singing

songs. Understanding American music can help you understand

American people, their history and culture.

3/6

share: vt. to have in common

She and Reid shared the same tastes and interests.

Mike is the only person who shares my opinion.Close

So, as the song says, “Put a dime in the juke box, baby.” Let’s

listen to the music!

Native Americans lived in America before Columbus arrived. T

hey had songs for many occasions and they used drums and other

musical instruments. Dancing and music was an important part of the

ir life and their religion. You can still hear native American music

and see dancing at special festivals.

The first British people who came to America were very religiou

s. They came for religious freedom. Their songs were simple

and they did not use musical instruments in the church.

4/6

Soon other people with different forms of the Christian religion ar

rived in America. They brought different kinds of church music from

Europe and they used musical instruments, like the organ and

the piano, in the church.

Not all early music was church music. Some people liked to drin

k and dance. Many drinking places opened and fiddle (violin)

music and European songs entertained the people.

2Pa_5

5/6

Soon other people with different forms of the Christian religion ar

rived in America. They brought different kinds of church music from

Europe and they used musical instruments, like the organ and

the piano, in the church.

Not all early music was church music. Some people liked to drin

k and dance. Many drinking places opened and fiddle (violin)

music and European songs entertained the people.

5/6

entertain

entertain: v. to keep a group of people interested or amused

She entertained the children with stories, songs and drama.

A museum should aim to entertain as well as educate.

Close

American farmers soon left the east coast to begin new farms fu

rther west. The farms were big and far apart. There were not many to

wns or churches. Religious leaders, called preachers, rode horses

around the country and brought religion to the farm people.

To bring the country people together in a large group, these prea

chers held “camp meetings”. These religious meetings were held in bi

g tents. Sometimes thousands of people went to hear the preachers.

Camp meetings often went on for several days. Popular religious son

gs were sung and the music was very lively. People clapped their han

ds and tapped their feet to the music. The first camp meeting was hel

d in 1800 and they are still held today. Many pop stars, for example El

vis Presley, first learned to sing and to love

music at these meetings.

2Pa_6

6/6

American farmers soon left the east coast to begin new farms fu

rther west. The farms were big and far apart. There were not many to

wns or churches. Religious leaders, called preachers, rode horses

around the country and brought religion to the farm people.

To bring the country people together in a large group, these prea

chers held “camp meetings”. These religious meetings were held in bi

g tents. Sometimes thousands of people went to hear the preachers.

Camp meetings often went on for several days. Popular religious son

gs were sung and the music was very lively. People clapped their han

ds and tapped their feet to the music. The first camp meeting was hel

d in 1800 and they are still held today. Many pop stars, for example El

vis Presley, first learned to sing and to love

music at these meetings.

6/6

Close

coast: n. the land next to or close to the sea

We drove along the Pacific coast to Seattle.

a hotel on the coast

coast guard

coast line

海滨旅馆

海岸警卫队

海岸线

American farmers soon left the east coast to begin new farms fu

rther west. The farms were big and far apart. There were not many to

wns or churches. Religious leaders, called preachers, rode horses

around the country and brought religion to the farm people.

To bring the country people together in a large group, these prea

chers held “camp meetings”. These religious meetings were held in bi

g tents. Sometimes thousands of people went to hear the preachers.

Camp meetings often went on for several days. Popular religious son

gs were sung and the music was very lively. People clapped their han

ds and tapped their feet to the music. The first camp meeting was hel

d in 1800 and they are still held today. Many pop stars, for example El

vis Presley, first learned to sing and to love

music at these meetings.

6/6

apart: adv. if things or people are apart, they have an

amount of space between them

Joel stood apart from the group, frowning.

The two cities are less than 30 km apart.

Close

American farmers soon left the east coast to begin new farms fu

rther west. The farms were big and far apart. There were not many to

wns or churches. Religious leaders, called preachers, rode horses

around the country and brought religion to the farm people.

To bring the country people together in a large group, these prea

chers held “camp meetings”. These religious meetings were held in bi

g tents. Sometimes thousands of people went to hear the preachers.

Camp meetings often went on for several days. Popular religious son

gs were sung and the music was very lively. People clapped their han

ds and tapped their feet to the music. The first camp meeting was hel

d in 1800 and they are still held today. Many pop stars, for example El

vis Presley, first learned to sing and to love

music at these meetings.

6/6

go on: to continue without stopping or changing

The noise went on for at least two hours.

Close

The present state of affairs can not be allowed to go on.

Go on

American farmers soon left the east coast to begin new farms fu

rther west. The farms were big and far apart. There were not many to

wns or churches. Religious leaders, called preachers, rode horses

around the country and brought religion to the farm people.

To bring the country people together in a large group, these prea

chers held “camp meetings”. These religious meetings were held in bi

g tents. Sometimes thousands of people went to hear the preachers.

Camp meetings often went on for several days. Popular religious son

gs were sung and the music was very lively. People clapped their han

ds and tapped their feet to the music. The first camp meeting was hel

d in 1800 and they are still held today. Many pop stars, for example El

vis Presley, first learned to sing and to love

music at these meetings.

6/6

People clapped their hands and tapped their feet to the music.

— People hit their hands each other and hit their feet lightly against

the ground in time to the music.

Close人们随着音乐的节拍，拍手跺脚。

翻译：

Summary of Text B

Music in America has come from all over the world, beginning fo

rmally with the arrival of Columbus in 1492. American music has be

come a part of the history of America, though it has changed a lot b

ecause of modern inventions. It has even helped foreigners underst

and American culture. Its history goes back first to native Americans

before Columbus and then to people from Britain and people of othe

r countries, who mainly brought religious music. More recently, it go

es back to religious camp meetings held for farmers

who moved west in the nineteenth century.

Click the title to continue…

Time for FunLove me tender

Love me tender

Love me tender, love me sweet;

Never let me go.

You have made my life complete.

And I love you so.

Love me tender, love me true;

All my dreams fulfill,

For my darling, I love you.

And I always will.

Love me tender, love me long;

Take me to your heart,

For it's there that I belong,

And we'll never part.

Love me tender, love me true;

All my dream fulfill,

For my darling, I love you.

And I always will.

Love me tender, love me dear;

Tell me your are mine,

I'll be yours through all the years,

Till the end of time

Love me tender, love me true;

All my dreams fulfill,

For my darling, I love you.

And I always will.

Elvis Presley