music topic vocabulary

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• Music Vocabulary

Whilst you need to have a broad music vocabulary so that you can answer questions on any aspect of the topic, it’s a good idea to pay particular attention to words and phrases related to your favourite genre of music. There are just so many different types and styles of music that it would be poor use of your study time to try and learn vocabulary for them all.

Most of us enjoy listening to music, or even performing ourselves, which makes music questions fairly easy to answer, especially if it’s about your favourite band, singer or song.

The subject of music could come up in any part of the IELTS exam and this list of music vocabulary is equally relevant for Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening questions.

This page contains over 130 common words and phrases , together with an explanation for each one and a sample sentence to show it in context. This will help you to learn how to use it correctly.

Don’t try to learn them all. Look at my suggestions below as to the best way to use the list.

To help you create the best possible answers, I’ve included four things here:

• IELTS-style questions on the topic of music
• Sample answers
• A list of common music vocabulary with definitions & sample sentences
• Links to online reading and listening resources

You’ll find PDF downloads of both the questions and sample answers and the vocabulary list at the bottom of the respective sections.

The questions relate to the Speaking test because this part of the exam offers the broadest range of possible questions on this topic. They give the best opportunity for me to demonstrate the vocabulary and for you to practise using it.

I’ve included IELTS-style questions and answers for all three parts of the Speaking test. I've highlighted keywords and phrases in  bold .

You'll find these words and phrases, and many others, in the vocabulary list beneath. There’s also an audio to listen to the pronunciation.

Finally, at the bottom of the page, I've added links to topical articles, short videos and podcasts that will help you to improve both your music vocabulary and your reading and listening skills.

IELTS-Style Speaking Test Questions and Answers

Common music vocabulary is highlighted in  bold .

1) What types of music do you like to listen to?

It depends on what mood I’m in but generally, I like easy listening although I am a massive fan of country music and play this genre more than any other.

2) Are there any kinds of music that you dislike?

I’m not really into jazz . It’s just not my taste in music , especially when the musicians improvise . It sounds like they are all playing different tunes and there’s no harmony .

3)   Do you ever go to music gigs?

I love listening to live music and go to local gigs at least once a month. I only go to concerts by top bands   once in a blue moon as I live a long way from the big music venues .

4) Have you ever been in a music group or a band?

I was a vocalist in my church music group for several years and also sang in the choir when I was in school.

5) Does your country have a traditional type of music or dance?

Folk music and Morris dancing are both traditional in the UK. The music for this type of dancing is often played on the fiddle and accordion , with a drum to give the dancers a good rhythm and beat .

Describe your favourite music group or band.

You should say:

• what group or band is it
• what type of music they play
• how long you have been listening to their songs

and explain why you like this music group or band.

I like many different groups but the one that comes top of my list has to be Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

I first heard their music way back in 1980. I had a boyfriend who had one of their albums and I was a fan from the first track I heard. I’ve been listening to them ever since. The song that really hooked me was “The River”. It’s still one of my favourite songs of all time. It has a slow, haunting melody and beautiful lyrics .

In those days, very few people in my country had heard of Bruce Springsteen but all these years later his band are often on tour here and they play sellout concerts around the world. His nickname is “The Boss” which shows how much people respect him and his great music.

Although the E Street Band are essentially a rock band , there are strong influences of folk , rock and roll, blues and country in their music which helps then appeal to a wide audience .

I was once given two tickets to one of the band’s concerts at Cardiff Arms Park rugby stadium; a great venue . They were a Christmas present and I took my sister along with me. It’s the only time I’ve seen them at a live gig but it’s an event I shall never forget. What a wonderful experience. We sang along to all the songs.

The highlight of the show was when they performed “The River. At the end, the band stopped playing and Bruce led the audience in singing the chorus over and over again. It was amazing and a very special moment. I actually found it quite moving as that was the song that had started me as a fan all those years ago and there I was singing it with him. There was silence when it finally ended and then the applause started and went on for what seemed like forever.

It’s hard to put in words why I like Bruce Springsteen and his band so much. I think it’s because their lyrics are so real while most of the songs have a strong melody that stirs your soul. That’s the best way I can put it.

1) Is it important to listen to music with other people?

I think that listening to music can be both a social experience and a personal one. Young people in particular like chilling out with friends while listening to their favourite tracks . There’s also something special about attending a live gig with your mates and singing along to the familiar tunes with all the other fans .

I’ve only ever been to a couple of music festivals but what I remember as much as the bands and the fantastic music was the atmosphere of the events and that was created by all the people who were there.

On the other hand, you can enjoy music just as much when listening on your own. The fact that everywhere you look there are people walking around wearing earphones or headphone seems to be proof of this. So, in conclusion, I would say that while it’s nice to share music with others, it’s not especially important.

2) Why do you think older and younger generations prefer different types of music?

That’s something I’ve never really thought about but I suppose it’s because they grew up listening to different types of music as styles change over time.

Speaking for myself, there are many talented new bands and singers that I enjoy listening to. I often buy their albums and download them onto my MP3 player , but there’s nothing quite like the music I loved when I was in my teens. Perhaps it’s as much to do with the memories it brings back as the music itself.

That’s how I see it and I guess that many other people probably feel the same.

3) Do you think that music should be a compulsory subject in schools?

I do believe that music should be taught in schools. This is for several reasons.

Firstly, it’s important to develop children’s creativity and music is a great way to do this. They should be encouraged to learn to play a musical instrument , but it’s valuable if they just enjoy learning and singing a few songs together.

Secondly, making music is an excellent way of teaching youngster how to work together in a fun way and most of them enjoy performing to their friends.

Finally, most schools put on concerts and other musical performances . Taking part in these gives children confidence and they are an important part of the curriculum.

While older children may drop the subject for exams, having school choirs and orchestras provides other opportunities for them to continue their interest in music.

Click this link to get a PDF download of these practise questions & sample answers.

Download PDF Now

* Important

• Do  not  try and learn this list of music vocabulary.
• Identify the vocabulary you find useful for answering practise questions about this topic.
• Record these in your vocabulary notebook and practise using them regularly.

I recommend that you create your own answers to the Speaking questions on this page. You will find many other IELTS-style practise questions by searching online. 

For help on how to learn vocabulary, what to learn and how to record it, visit these pages:

How to Learn Vocabulary for IELTS

Top 6 Types of IELTS Vocabulary & Topic Word Lists

Music Vocabulary – Common Words & Phrases

Music Vocabulary Set 1: Key definitions

Set 1: Music genres

There are many different styles of music around the world. These are some of the mainstream genres but do add others to your own music vocabulary list if there are particular styles you like that aren’t included here.

music genre – a distinct type or style of music

- My favourite music genre is rap.

pop – popular music; music liked by a broad range of the population

- Pop songs are enjoyed by lots of different types of people because they have a good rhythm, a catchy melody, and are easy to remember and sing along to.

rock music – music that is based on amplified instruments, especially the electric guitar and electric bass, and characterized by a strong bass line and strong rhythms

- The Rolling Stones play some of the best rock music ever written.

heavy metal – a type of highly amplified harsh-sounding rock music with a strong beat, characteristically using violent or fantasy imagery

- I like some rock music but find heavy metal a bit too loud.

rap – a type of  music  in which the words are not sung but are spoken in a rapid, rhythmic way

- Whilst I’m not a great fan of rap music, I do think it’s amazing how they speak so fast and remember the words.

country music – a form of popular music originating in the rural southern US. It is a mixture of ballads and dance tunes played characteristically on fiddle, banjo, guitar, and pedal steel guitar.

- There’s a great country music venue in my town where everyone dresses up as cowboys when they go to gigs.

jazz – a style of music that is generally loud and rhythmic, where the musicians often make the music up as they go along

- Louis Armstrong is still a popular jazz musician many decades after his death.

reggae – a form of music with a distinct beat that originated in Jamaica and is still associated with the Caribbean

- Bob Marley was the first internationally known  reggae  musician.

blues – African-American music that expresses grief or sorrow about injustice and a longing for a better life

- Did you know that the blues is named after the expression ‘to feel blue’ which means to be sad or depressed?

Music Vocabulary Pronunciation

traditional music  – songs and tunes particular to a country or region which have been performed over a long period of time, usually several generations

-   Traditional music   is part of our culture and should be preserved.

folk – traditional music which included songs written a long time ago and new songs written in the old style

- We have some talented young folk musicians in my country who love performing songs from the old days and writing new folk songs for our generation.

classical music – a  form of music developed in Europe mainly in the 18th and 19 th centuries by musicians highly skilled in musical composition

- I find that classical music really stirs up the emotions and I particularly enjoy listening to Beethoven and Bach.

opera – a musical play, often very dramatic, in which most of the words are sung

- I’m not a fan of opera as I really don’t like the style of singing.

musical – a play or film that uses singing and dancing in the story but also includes a lot of spoken dialogue

- Although there are lots of great new musicals being written, I still love West Side Story the best.

instrumental music – music where you just hear instruments playing and there is no singing

- I’m not happy when they play instrumental music on my favourite radio station as I like to be able to sing along the lyrics.

easy listening – a type of music that is not complicated, is pleasant to listen and doesn’t need much of your attention

- When I get home in the evening I put on some easy listening to help me relax after a busy day.

background music – music that is playing while something else is happening

- My friend likes to have background music on while she’s studying but I need a quiet place to work.

Music Vocabulary Set 2:  Musical instruments & playing music

If there are any traditional musical instruments popular in your country that you might want to talk about, add them to your own music vocabulary list.

instrument  – something you play to make music

Some common instruments:

traditional instruments – a type of instrument that  has been played for many generations or that was popular in the past, often unique to a country or region

- A  sitar  is a traditional Indian musical instrument .

to take up  (a musical instrument)   – to begin learning a musical instrument

- I’m going to take up the guitar.

to read music – to understand and follow written musical notes

- I’m so glad I learnt to read music when I had piano lessons as a child because it really helps me now that I sing in a choir.

to play by ear – to play without reading the musical notes

- Many talented musicians can’t even read music and only play by ear .

talented – to be naturally skilled at something

- I never got the hang of playing an instrument even though both my parents are talented musicians.

to be musical – have a skill in or a great liking for  music

- My friend Sally is very musical and can play several different instruments.

self-discipline – the ability to make yourself do things you know you should do even when you do not want to

- You need a lot of self-discipline to learn the piano as you have to practise every day and play boring scales.

sense of accomplishment – to feel like you've achieved something you can be proud of

- Bernie felt a real sense of accomplishment at passing his Grade 2 flute exam.

vocals – a part of a piece of music that is sung

- My parents met in a band. Dad was a guitarist and Mum sang vocals .

Music Vocabulary Set 3: Musicians

musician – a person who plays a musical instrument, especially as a profession, or is musically talented

- It was Jai’s ambition to be a professional musician and play in a famous orchestra.

bass player – someone who plays the bass

conductor – the person who leads the orchestra

guitarist – someone who plays the guitar

keyboard player – someone who plays the keyboard

pianist – someone who plays the piano

drummer – someone who plays the drums

cellist – someone who plays the cello

violinist – someone who plays the violin

vocalist – someone who sings

- Phil Collins was unusual in being both the drummer and lead vocalist in a band, the famous Genesis.

choir – a group of singers singing together

- Lulu really enjoyed singing in the choir , especially when they performed at concerts.

orchestra – a large group of musicians who play many different instruments together and are led by a conductor

- Jason was delighted when he was asked to play violin in the school orchestra .

band – a group of people who sing together and also play instruments

- I was so excited to be asked to play bass guitar in the new band .

group – a collection of people who sing together but do not necessarily play instruments

- All the groups performing in the contest were excellent and it was hard for the judges to pick the best.

composer – a person who writes music, especially as a professional occupation

- My favourite classical composer is Mozart.

Music Vocabulary Set 4: Live music

a performance – the act of entertaining other people by dancing, singing, acting or playing music

- The choir gave a wonderful performance at my sister’s wedding.

a gig – a performance of a band

- My new band is playing their first gig at the weekend.

a show – a performance, especially involving music

- I’m going to my kid’s school this evening to watch them perform in a show .

live music – music performed in front of an audience

- We have many clubs in my city and I often go along with friends to listen to live music .

Collocations:

• live performance

music festival – an organized event, typically lasting several days, featuring performances by various musicians, singers and groups

- I try to go to at least one music festival each summer.

concert – a performance of music by one or more musicians or singers

- My orchestra is going to perform at a concert organized to raise money for charity.

stage – a raised platform on which musicians, actors or entertainers perform

- I felt nervous when I walked out on stage and saw the large audience waiting to hear me sing.

venue – the place where a public event such as a concert happens

- The disused warehouse was the perfect venue for a rock concert.

Music Vocabulary Set 5: Recorded music

recording / recorded music – music that has been stored on a record, CD, computer, etc., so that it can be heard again

- I have recordings of many of my favourite bands stored on my computer.

MP3 player – an electronic  device  that can store and play digital audio files

- I always carry my MP3 player with me so that I can listen to music whenever I want to.

headphones / earphones – an electronic  device   that fits over or in the ears for listening to music

- I wear earphones to listen to music on my MP3 player while I’m out jogging.

album – a collection of recordings issued as a single item on CD, record or another medium.

- I can’t wait for my favourite band’s new album to come out.

to download tracks – to obtain music from the internet

- I heard a great band at the gig last night and I’m going to download some of their tracks .

speakers – a piece of electrical equipment for playing recorded sound, through which the sound is played

- The jazz album I got for my birthday sounds amazing through my new speakers .

Music Vocabulary Set 6:  Describing music & songs

a song – a usually short piece of music with words that are sung

- My favourite Ed Sheeran song is “Thinking Out Loud”.

lyrics – the words to a song

- Leonard Cohen wrote some of the best lyrics of all time and many artists still perform his songs today.

a melody  – the main tune in a piece of music that is often played or sung more than once

- I had trouble picking up the melody of the new piece we started learning at choir rehearsal today and will practise it at home.

a tune –  the musical part of a song, especially one that is pleasant and easy to remember

a catchy tune – a tune or a song that's easy to remember and stays in your mind so that you find yourself humming or singing it

- I heard a really catchy tune of on my kid’s TV programme this morning and I’ve been humming it all day.

piece of music – a musical composition, especially but not necessarily an instrumental one

- My piano teacher has given me a new piece of music to learn before my next lesson.

taste in music – the music someone likes

- My boyfriend and I have the same taste in music and go to live gigs whenever we can.

rhythm – a regular, repeated pattern of sounds

- I love the rhythm of reggae music.

beat – a characteristic rhythm in some types of music

- Rap music has such a distinctive beat .

harmony – a pleasant musical sound made by different notes being played or sung at the same time

- One of the reason I enjoy country music so much is because many songs have lovely harmonies .

to be out of tune  –  to play or sing slightly wrong notes

- My dad likes to sing along the radio but is so  out of tune  that it sounds terrible.

to be in tune  – to play or sing with the correct pitch

- Before the performance, the guitarist tightenend the strings of his guitar so that it was  in tune .

to have a great voice  –  to sing well

- I think my friend should enter the singing competition as she  has a great voice .

to be tone deaf  –  to be unable to distinguish the different notes in music

- I’d really like to able to sing but I'm  tone deaf  so I don’t think there’s much chance.

chorus  – a regularly repeated line or group of lines in a song

- The choir sang lots of well-known songs and encourages the audience to sing along to the  choruses .

upbeat  – cheerful or lively

- If I’m feeling sad I put on some  upbeat  music and feel better almost at once.

nursery rhyme  – a simple traditional song or poem for children

- I can still remember many of the  nursery rhymes  I learnt as a child.

lullaby  –  a quiet, gentle song sung to send a child to sleep

- If my baby wakes up in the night I just sing him a  lullaby  and he soon goes back to sleep.

sing to sleep  – to make someone feel sleepy by sing them a gentle song

- My mum used to  sing us to sleep  when we were young.

Music Vocabulary Set 7:  Music & the emotions

passionate – to feel strongly about something

- I’m passionate about playing the saxophone.

to cheer up – to cause to feel better

- Upbeat music always cheers me up if I’m feeling down.

relax / chill out – to become less tense or anxious

- After a stressful day at work, I lie in the bath listening to classical music as this helps me to chill out .

energise – to make someone feel energetic or eager

- Reggae music energises me so that’s what I Iisten to when I feel sluggish and need motivating.

Music Vocabulary Set 8: Other music vocabulary

rock band – a group of musicians that play rock music

- One of the great things about living in Manchester is that all the top rock bands perform here.

pop star – a famous singer or musician who performs pop music

- Many teenagers have the dream of being a pop star as they want to be rich and famous.

famous – known about and recognized by many people

- The Beatles are one of the most famous bands ever to have existed.

frontman – lead singer of a band

- Roger Daltrey has been the frontman of The Who for over 50 years.

fan – a person who admires, supports or follows a person, band or team

- I’ve always been an Elvis Presley fan even though he died before I was born.

huge following – to have a large number of fans

- Modern pop stars have a huge following which they communicate with on social media.

to go on tour – to go on a planned series of performances around a region or country

- I hope my favourite band go on tour again soon as they put on an amazing live show.

sellout – a performance or sports event for which no more tickets are available because it’s so popular

- The Bruno Mars concerts were a sellout at every venue on the tour.

record company – a business that makes and sells musical recordings

- Our band is getting well-known across the country and we’re hopeful of getting signed by a record company .

record label – a brand or trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos

- You know you’ve hit the big time if you get signed up with one of the big record labels such as Sony.

hit the big time – to become successful and/or famous

- After winning the TV talent show, Shelley hit the big time and was soon singing in huge venues around the world.

a hit – to be popular ; a record that sells lots of copies

- “Happy” was a massive hit for Pharrell Williams.

the charts   – a list of individual songs or musical performances ranked in order of number of sales or downloads over a specific period of time which indicates their popularity

- Ariana Grande’s new record is brilliant and I’m not surprised it’s made it to No.1 in  the charts .

to sing along to  –  to join in singing

- My favourite songs in the charts are always the ones you can  sing along to .

a sing-song  –  to sing informally, often with other people

- I have wonderful memories of my gran playing popular songs on the piano at family get-togethers and everyone joining in for  a sing-song .

music-lover  – someone who really enjoys listening to music

- I can’t say I’m a great  music-lover  although I do enjoy listening to the radio when I’m driving.

applause  – approval or praise expressed by clapping the hands together

- The  applause  continued even after the band had left the stage.

• a round of applause  – an outburst of clapping from an audience to show approval

     - The audience gave the choir an enthusiastic  round of applause  as they came on to perform.

to be into  /  not into  – to be  interested in or involved with / to not be interested in

- I’m really  into  folk music but  not into  jazz at all.

to improvise  – create and perform music, drama or verse spontaneously or without preparation

- I don’t enjoy listening to jazz when it’s  improvised  as it sounds like the musicians are all playing different tunes.

once in a blue moon  – hardly ever

- I’m definitely a music-lover but only go to live gigs  once in a blue moon .

Click this link to get a PDF download of this list of music vocabulary.

Ways to Improve Your Music Vocabulary

One of the best ways to improve your music vocabulary is through reading. Watching topic related YouTube videos and listening to podcasts is also hugely beneficial.

Here are some online resources I recommend.

Music Articles

These online publications contain music news and related articles. Most music genres have their own publications so search for those that particularly interest you, e.g. "Jazz magazines" or "Jazz articles".

BBC News - Music

The Guardian - Music

I love TED Talks. They are short videos with a powerful message and are generally very interesting. They’re ideal for improving your vocabulary and give valuable listening skills practise.

Search TED Talks - Music to help you improve your music vocabulary. It will take a bit more searching to find something relevant than with some other topics but it's worth seeing what you can find.

All Topic Vocabulary

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Talking About Music in English: 50 Helpful Terms and Phrases [with Audio]

Is a lack of knowledge in English stopping you from having deep conversations about music?

Don’t worry! This post has you covered.

Maybe you love learning English with songs , or maybe you just think English music is very catchy (catches attention easily).

Keep reading this post, and I’ll teach you the 50 most useful words and phrases you need to know to have a basic English conversation about music.

Soon, you’ll be talking about music just like native speakers!

Common English Terms for Talking About Music

17. orchestra, 18. a cappella, 19. ambient, 20. classic, 24. concert, 25. jamming, 26. rocking, english questions and phrases about music, 27. can you turn up the music, 28. dancing to the beat, 29. that’s a catchy song, 30. do you want to go to that gig, 31. it makes my ears bleed, 32. this cover is better than the original, 33. i love your playlist, 34. this is our song, 35. dancing ’til we drop, 36. i can’t get this song out of my head, 37. this song has topped the charts, 38. i am so excited about karaoke night, understanding music genres in english, 39. classical, 41. hip-hop / rap, 42. electronic, 46. pop music, 47. country, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

The beat of a song is the regularly repeating sound in it. This beat often defines the speed and the rhythm in which the song is played. If you ever find yourself tapping your finger or your foot while listening to music, you are most probably following its beat.

A song with a faster beat is often seen as more energetic, happy or even angry. A slower beat gives the feeling of being calm, sad or peaceful.

The beat of this song makes me feel so happy.

Tempo is the speed in which a particular piece of music should be played. It defines the beat and is usually measured in “beats per minute” or BPM.

As mentioned, higher BPM usually gives the feeling of more energy. Most pop songs have high BPM, for instance.

I like to listen to slow- tempo songs when I need to relax.

A song or piece of music is called “upbeat” when it sounds happy and cheerful. Mostly, upbeat music also has happy lyrics and is designed to create such feelings in its audience.

Listening to upbeat music in the morning helps me feel good throughout the day.

A musical note is a small bit of sound which has a certain pitch. A note is the building block of any song, with or without words. You can think of them like syllables for music.

She is a great singer because she always sings the right notes .

A chord is a collection of notes (usually three) in a song. It might help to watch this video to know what it sounds like.

A “chord” can also mean feeling or emotion in general English.

Sometimes these two meanings are combined in the phrase “to strike a chord.” It is used when someone is able to make their audience feel sympathy or a particular emotion about a subject.  

The chord progression in that song is totally out of this world. (The “chord” in this sentence is strictly musical.)

That song about love really struck a chord with me . (This “chord” is related to emotions.)

Harmony in music is when two or more notes are heard together. In a more general sense, it is about whether a set of notes sound good together or not.

In many classical traditions, there are strict rules regarding chords used to create musical harmony.

That singer’s sense of harmony is simply amazing.

In music, a tune is a series of musical notes which sound pleasing or harmonious. “To tune” can also mean fixing the pitch of a musical instrument so that it sounds right.

In informal English a “tune” is simply a piece of a song or music.

I simply cannot get that tune out of my head.

That musician took twenty minutes to tune his instrument before the concert.

A melody in music is a set of notes that form a tune. It is the main theme of a song, and usually the part of the song that people will remember best.

She is my favorite singer because I love all of her melodies —I always have to sing along!

Rhythm is a pattern of musical sounds. Usually it is created by using repetition and predictable change in the notes of the song and the beat.

The rhythm of disco music is perfect for dancing at parties.

In casual English, when we use the word groove in music we usually talk about the rhythm of a jazz or pop song. Groove can also mean other things, however.

It might refer to habits in our everyday lives. Or it can be used for a long, narrow cut in solid materials like rocks or wood. It is important to pay attention to the context so that you know the exact meaning of this word in a sentence.

This new pop song uses old jazz grooves .

Lyrics are the words of a song. Usually each paragraph of lyrics is said to be a “verse” and is accompanied by specific chords and rhythms.

I like to focus on the lyrics of a song since I care about what the song is trying to say.

This is the part of a song that is repeated over and over again.

A chorus can also mean a large group of singers who perform with other instruments. This video is a good example of both!

The chorus of this song is unforgettable.

The chorus of that school is famous for making covers of pop songs.

A “track” is one of several songs on a device. In the days when CDs and cassettes were still used to listen to music, a track referred to a specific song on that device.

Now, since digital files usually do not have any individual tracks, people use it as another word for “song.”

There is a great Madonna track on that CD.

An album is a collection of songs usually sold as a CD or as digital files.

Generally, an album is made by one singer and has a theme that connects all the songs. Sometimes, one album can have many artists, and then it is called a “collaboration.”

Michael Jackson’s first album was my favorite one.

A musical single is a track released by itself. Often, a single is used as a preview of a new album, in order to gain attention and listeners.

Did you hear Taylor Swift’s new single ? I can’t wait to listen to the full album now!

In music, a band is a small group of musicians who play songs together in a certain genre of music.

Typically, a band has one or two main vocalists who use their voice to sing, and the other members play a specific type of instrument, such as guitars, drums or piano. A band should have at least two members to really be called a band.

All the new rock bands sound the same to me.

An orchestra is a group of musicians who only play instruments. Generally, an orchestra has groups of musicians who play different types of instruments, like string instruments (violin, cello, etc.) or brass instruments (trumpet, trombone, etc.).

The musicians in an orchestra are generally guided by a conductor. The conductor knows the whole musical piece and makes sure that everyone is playing correctly and on time. Typically, orchestras play classical music.

I love how orchestras can make you feel something by just using their instruments.

This is a word with Italian roots. To sing “a cappella” is to sing without any instruments.

The word literally means “in chapel style,” because people in old churches sang without any instruments.

The chorus sounds best a cappella .

A piece of music is called “ambient” when it creates a certain mood in people without distracting them. Usually ambient music has no lyrics (or very few lyrics). It is usually slow and not very noisy.

I always need some ambient music to help me study for exams.

A classic is usually an old song that is still regarded as good music of the highest quality. Generally, a “classic” is a piece of art which has survived the test of time.

The word “classic” can also mean “typical” in certain contexts.

Classic jazz reminds me of the good old days of music.

This is classic Beatles.

This is a type of song that typically makes you feel proud or praises something. For instance, all national anthems praise their own nation. An anthem symbolizes certain values that every member of a group identifies with.

This song is an anthem of our times.

In music, a “genre” refers to a specific category or type of music. Songs in a certain genre share characteristics, styles and themes.

Knowing different genres helps listeners identify and connect with music they like—so we’ll go over genres later in the list!

My brother likes a lot of genres , but his favorite is rock music.

The full term for DJ is “disc jockey.” A jockey is a person who handles something in a skillful way. And “disc” refers to circular vinyl records that were used to record music in the past.

The work of a DJ is to select, mix and play music ideal for dancing. A DJ can either work in a club or in radio stations. Often, you will also see a DJ at a wedding.

Joe is the best DJ in the city.

Having a good DJ is necessary for a good party.

A “concert” is when musicians play music live for people. Concerts are fun gatherings where everyone enjoys the music together.

I got tickets to Beyoncé’s concert ! You have to go with me to see her perform!

When a few musicians informally meet together and play music, it is called “jamming.” Usually, the musicians experiment and improvise (modify, change) the songs they play to come up with something new.

The word became popular when jazz music became famous in the early 20th century.

I used to jam with the best musicians back when I was young.

The verb “rock” means to move gently from side to side, or to shake. Rock music used this verb to define itself, and it is characterized by heavy beats and rhythms.

Now, “rocking” can mean that someone is doing something extremely well, especially in music.

That musician is rocking that guitar!

To “turn up the music” means to increase the volume of the song that is currently being played. This phrase is a part of informal English and is mostly used in parties or other casual events.

Can you turn up the music? This song is my favorite.

The cars outside are so loud that I can’t hear the song. Can you turn up the music? 

The act of dancing according to the rhythm of a song is called “dancing to the beat.” It is usually used when a person matches the beats of the tune almost perfectly.

Joe always impresses everyone when he starts dancing to the beat of a hip-hop song.

When something is described as “catchy,” it means that it is very attractive. Generally, a catchy song is a piece of music that instantly catches your attention and you cannot get it out of your mind once you hear it.

I hate its lyrics, but even I have to accept that it’s a catchy song .

A “gig” is a musical event, usually featuring songs by a local musician. Asking whether someone wants to go to a gig is either inviting them or confirming that they are coming for the musical show.

You may also hear the word “show” used instead of “gig.” A “concert” can mean the same thing, but it’s also used for the show of a famous artist or band.

I can’t go for that gig today since I’m not feeling very well.

Do you want to go to that show? I heard they’ll play songs they’ve never played before.

When someone dislikes a particular song too much, they say that it “makes their ears bleed.” It is a way of expressing that you hate the song so much that you feel your ears are being damaged.

Please do not play rock music, it makes my ears bleed !

When someone records a song made by another person in their own voice it is called a “cover.” Instead of perfectly copying the original artists, many singers change the song according to their own style.

To say that a cover is better than the original is to say that you like this modified version better.

I love the Beatles, but this cover is even better than the original song .

When someone groups certain songs from various places according to a theme or purpose, that is called a playlist. Generally people share these lists with each other digitally.

This phrase is used when you really like the selection of songs someone has grouped in a playlist.

I love the playlist you use for jogging. Can you please share it with me?

Sometimes friends or lovers feel that both of them connect to a certain song. When a song symbolizes their relationship, they may say that the song is their song.

I feel that this is our song because it summarizes all the memories we have with each other.

When someone says they are going to dance ’til (until) they drop, they are going to dance with all the energy they have. Usually this phrase is used in parties and night clubs where everyone is supposed to enjoy the music.

Last night we danced ’til we dropped , and now I can’t even get out of bed!

When you keep repeating a song to yourself, you use this phrase to describe that experience. It is also used when you want to forget a particular song but simply cannot.

I hate this singer but I can’t get this song out of my head .

“Topping the charts” is used to describe a song that has sold really well and is extremely popular.

In the English music industry, there are regular charts that show how many times a song has been bought or played . The songs which are given the first rank in these charts are said to be “chart toppers.”

Even though this musician’s last album didn’t do so well, her latest song has topped the charts .

“Karaoke” is a Japanese word used to describe a favorite music-related pastime. A person sings along to a song by themselves, without the original singer, often while at a club or bar.

A karaoke night is typically when a group of friends go out together and sing karaoke .

I never thought karaoke could be so much fun. I am so excited about the next karaoke night!

Classical music has been around for centuries. It generally refers to music created in Europe in the 18th and 19th century or earlier.

Most classical music does not have vocals. It is always written in musical notation , which tells all of the different instrument players when and what to play.

Example: “5th Symphony”  by Beethoven

This category of music was created in the beginning of the 20th century. Its most striking feature is the use of brass instruments like the saxophone, and improvisation (changing the music while playing it).

Example:   “Sunday” by Wild Bill Davison & Classic Jazz Collegium

This sort of music came out of New York City in the 1970s. Its main features include fast, rhyming lyrics (rapping) and repetitive, rhythmic music played along with the rap.

Example: “It Was a Good Day” by Ice Cube or  “Mockingbird”  by Eminem

Electronic music uses digital tools and electronic instruments to create songs and music. It is quite popular in our age and it has a distinct artificial (not natural) sound to it. This genre is sometimes called EDM, which stands for “electronic dance music.”

Example: “Just Dance”  by Lady Gaga

Rock music started in the 1950s in the USA. Its most distinct features include the use of electric guitar and the “rock band” culture, where the band as a whole is more important than individual singers (unlike in pop music).

Example: “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses

Disco began in 1970s urban America and became world famous for its dance culture. Its characteristic reverb vocals and electric synthesizers are still used in many songs today.

Example: “I Feel Love”  by Donna Summer

Fusion music is the mixing of two or more genres together to make a new style of music. Generally it involves “Western” music and the musical characteristics of other traditions like Chinese instruments or Indian classical music (like in the example).

Example: “Norwegian Wood”  by The Beatles

The full version of this is “popular music.” As the name suggests, it is the category of music that produces the most sales. Pop music is usually simple both lyrically and musically, so it is easy to sing and has some repetitive, catchy elements.

Example: “Shape of You”  by Ed Sheeran

This music genre typically uses a normal guitar. The lyrics are important, because country songs usually aim to convey a message or tell a story.

The most distinctive features are the twang and the yodel —ways of singing influenced by accents you will find in the southern, rural regions of the USA.

Example:   “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks

“Feeling blue” means to feel sad and low, which is how this music tries to sound.

The blues genre arose in late 19th century America in the African-American community. It is best known for its repetitive lines and brass instruments. It had a huge impact on both the jazz and country genres.

Example:   “The Thrill is Gone” by B.B. King

This genre was created in Jamaica by combining blues and calypso (a Jamaican style of music). It is known for its offbeat sound, and its lyrics focus on social issues.

Example:   “One Love” by Bob Marley

Like pop music, “indie” does not really mean one style of music. Instead, indie music is any music that is not produced by the big companies that normally produce popular and profitable songs. This allows indie bands to experiment a lot and create their own unique styles of music.

Example:   “I Love You Baby, I Love You Doll” by Parekh and Singh

If you want to find more songs to listen to, the FluentU program has a variety of music videos with interactive captions.

FluentU also has videos of people talking about music, so you can hear how these words and phrases are used in English conversations.

So go on, get out there and rock your English conversation skills with your fellow music lovers using your new words!

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.

For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:

FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more.

The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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Here are some English words related to music, including the names of different musical genres.

Musical terminology

Music equipment, musical genres, musical groups, other useful words.

Sound is available for all the English vocabulary on this page — simply click on any word to hear it.

Our award-winning English phrase guide app for Android devices contains over 6000 useful phrases and words with sound.

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• Bahasa Indonesia
• Bahasa Melayu

Let's Talk about Music

Listen as Jonathan Taylor explains the basic words we use to talk about music, melody and rhythm. With subtitles. There is also a transcript below.

Transcript: Let's Talk About Music

Hello everybody! Let’s talk about music, melody and rhythm. Music is a series of musical notes that agree with each other and "sound nice". If the notes are random, without musical structure, and do not make sense, we call this noise. Melody is often called the tune. We make a tune using the notes of a scale. This is a note—middle C. These are the notes we can use—A, B, C, D, E, F and G. In European music a scale has eight notes. This is the scale of C. We start with C, and end with C. We start with bottom C, and end with top C. If we play notes from a scale together, at the same time, we call this a chord. This is the chord of C played on the piano. We can play the same chord on the guitar. The rhythm is the speed to which we play the melody, and the time we take in between each note. We often call this the beat. Listen to the beat of this bass drum. Now hear how it changes when I change the rhythm. When we add words to the music it becomes a song. The words are called the lyrics. Shall we put all of this together now and make a new song, using the new words we have learnt today?

I've got rhythm, I've got beat That's why I tap my feet I've got a chord and some notes And lyrics in my throat I've got a melody and a tune I'm dancing in my room I've got a scale that I play On my piano every day - I've got rhythm, I've got beat That's why I tap my feet I've got a chord and some notes And lyrics in my throat I've got a melody and a tune I'm dancing in my room I've got a scale that I play On my piano every day - I've got rhythm, I've got beat That's why I tap my feet I've got a chord and some notes And lyrics in my throat I've got a melody and a tune I'm dancing in my room I've got a scale that I play On my piano every day

IELTS Speaking

Face the IELTS Speaking exam with confidence!

IELTS Music Vocabulary

September 13, 2013 By PeterT

Topic Vocabulary >> Lesson 16: Music

In the IELTS Speaking exam you may be asked questions about the music you listen to or instruments you play. Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold . Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.

Part 1-style questions

Examiner: What kind of music do you listen to? Katherine: I’m a big fan of classical music … it doesn’t make me very popular with my children … their taste in music is completely different … they always want to listen to their favourite rock bands …

Examiner: Do you play any instruments? Jamie: No I don’t … I’ve always wished I’d taken up a musical instrument … I’d love to be able to play the guitar … but I think I’m a bit tone deaf so perhaps I’d find it hard …

Examiner: Have you got any hobbies or interests? Marco: I’m really into live music … I go to a lot of music festivals … I think a live performance always sounds more exciting than a recorded version … as long as the performers can sing and play well of course …

Part 2-style task

Describe a song you like to listen to. You should say

• what the piece of music is called
• how long you have liked it
• when you like to listen to it

and say why you like it so much.

Millie:  Well … I’m a little older than most students and when I was young Abba the Swedish pop group were very famous … I don’t think it was cool to like them even though they had a huge following but I think now people have realised what wonderful songs they wrote … one piece of music in particular  is called ‘Slipping through my fingers’ … it wasn’t a massive hit but I love it … it’s a song for parents and it’s all about how quickly our children grow up … it’s a slow number and like a lot of their songs it’s a very catchy tune … the two women in Abba had great voices and it’s the kind of music you can also sing along to easily … even if you don’t have a great voice … I listen to Abba when I feel like a sing-song … and I especially like to listen when I’m doing the housework … it stops me thinking about the hard work …

Part 3-style questions

Examiner:  Is the Internet a good or bad thing for the music industry? Thomas: On the one hand it’s good for marketing new musical talent or particular bands but it’s so easy to share and download tracks for free I think it is costing the industry a lot of money …

Examiner: Should music be treated as seriously as subjects like maths or sciences at school? Carla: I think it should … I don’t think it should be taught in a boring way … I mean making children read music … but I do think they should be encouraged to play instruments and to play things by ear perhaps … to keep the lessons fun …

Examiner: Where do people usually enjoy listening to music? Sally: In lots of ways or places … as background music when they are doing something else … at concerts when a band goes on tour … or in clubs or discos …

Definitions

• adoring fans : people who love a particular band or singer
• background music : music that is played while something else is happening
• a catchy tune : a song that is easy to remember and makes you want to sing it
• classical music : music that is regarded as part of a long, formal tradition
• to download tracks : to obtain music from the Internet
• to have a great voice : to sing well
• to go on tour : to go on a planned series of performances around a region or country
• a huge following : a large number of fans
• live music : music that is listened to while it is performed (not recorded)
• live performance : (see live music)
• a massive hit : a record that sells lots of copies
• a music festival : music performances at a venue often over several days
• musical talent : skilled at music
• to be/sing out of tune : to not be in harmony/to sing the wrong notes
• a piece of music : an item of music
• to play by ear : to play without reading the musical notes
• a pop group : a small group of people who play or sing pop music together
• to read music : to understand and follow written musical notes
• a rock band : a group of musicians that play rock music
• to sing along to : to join in singing
• a sing-song : to sing informally, often with other people
• a slow number : a song with a slow tempo
• to take up a musical instrument : to begin learning a musical instrument
• taste in music : the music someone likes
• to be tone deaf : to be unable to distinguish the different notes in music

Next Step? Test yourself on topic vocabulary. Sign up to IELTS Speaking: Advanced for vocabulary tests and whole lot more!

November 14, 2016 at 3:07 am

hii everybody I will do now ielts classes and my exam is coming nowadays so plz send me important and recently cue cards. , it is very useful to me.

February 1, 2016 at 10:42 am

If anyone wants to talk to me for improving our English Language just leave message in Skype to this ID: ITman68

November 1, 2015 at 6:44 pm

October 24, 2015 at 6:20 pm

If anyone have any sorts of suggestion that how to improve fluently speaking in English as well as writting.Whenever I speak in English with someone I am stuck in middle edge.I strongly feel that problem might be word organising as I could not place right word at right time.for that reason while talking it is taking time to speak and also sometimes getting mistake to make appropiate sentance whenever I need.Place share your knowledge as well as experience in this regard.I will be grateful to you.

September 28, 2015 at 6:53 pm

Hello IETLS TAKERS. Greetings From Sudan to all of you without any discrimination. Well,,,,,,how’s the Things ? My name’s Mohammed Navigation! I’m preparing For the IETLS I’m obviously looking for Some oF IETLS takers just like me . I ve already composed a group on whatsapp concerning English here’s my cellular phone No 00249900501016. Just inbox me Everyone is welcome.

August 10, 2015 at 10:47 am

I am preparing for IELTS to take exam on sept can u plz help me.How to prepare? Bcz i amnot gud at english..

May 19, 2015 at 6:44 am

What kind of music do you like to listen to? I really a big fan of music especially country music. It’s really touch deep in your soul. Like you listen a story of their life, so emotional, so real… What was the first piece of music you ever bought? I a kind of bought guitar, i used to play it but i can’t do it right now, it flow somewhere out of my mind. Is the Internet a good or bad thing for the music industry? avery things have 2 side. Internet make marketing so easy but the same time it make money down cause rarely people pay for something when they can find it on the internet.

May 7, 2015 at 4:42 pm

Hi anybody like to study speaking for a beginner like me? Do add me on Skype jessica.gullermo7, im open to share anything i know and would love to learn more about this ielts

April 9, 2015 at 1:02 pm

Hi guys…

I’m going to present my IELTS General traning exam on June… if someone wants to study and practice please contact me [email protected]

I took the preparation course in Mexico City, but I feel is necessary for me practice a lot before the exam. If you are interested in practice don’t doubt to write me. I’m in Toluca, Mexico.

Best regards.

April 5, 2015 at 1:18 pm

I am much fervently interested getting good score in speaking. I know I am not well in speaking English so it is getting me ensured that the difficultly trapped. Hi friend, give a good suggestion how can I get 9 in speaking within two month practice.

March 31, 2015 at 4:01 pm

It’s a marvelous site for me to have in learning high level of english speaking, I am having problems in english speaking though I have satisfactory score, lots of thanks to the person who composed this type of languages using appropriate languages with suitable Idioms. I will certainly spread this message to all of my friends. Thanks again for the well collection to help for the people who interests in english learning. Perhaps if I be able to learn these I will certainly achieved the good band score. Thank you so much by my innerheart.

March 31, 2015 at 9:09 am

Native speakers always have plus point in case of their pronunciation, accent and fluency,but some good books and practice enables a person to build confidence in speaking. The most obvious way to speak better is to listen native speakers and try imbibe their attitude towards saying something differently. So if you want to speak better you have to be a good listener. Good luck.

March 18, 2015 at 8:32 am

i am a adoring fan of underground music. it has just appeared some year ago in my country, but it really has attracted a huge of young people like me. my idol is son tung mtp. his is the most famous singer now. i love all songs he sang. i rote them and i really like to listen them when i take a bath. this make me relax and forget all things after a day. one of piece of music i like is yesterday’s you. that is really a catchy tunes. i truth everyone can rote just the first time to listen it and love it so much. a part of underground style, i also love electric music, remix. but i just listen live performance. because music’s quality is high. and i can feel it completely.

March 15, 2015 at 12:00 pm

I love listening to sentimental song. Particularly from the album, in the lonely hour by, 3 grammy award winner SamSmith. One of my favourite song is”lay me down”. its a kind of song for your loved ones and its all about wish to be there when your beloved one is no more with you. it was a massive hit and i love it. it has got a catchy tune. This kind of music you can sing along to easily even if you do not have great voice. I listen to this song especially when i am far away from my husband.

February 28, 2015 at 7:02 pm

i have problem with content/idea.how o improve this section

February 25, 2015 at 3:26 pm

hope better improvement in your speaking ideas as well as for me so add me on whatsapp. 9501888705 I would like to receive speaking video and. recording and also I have some

February 25, 2015 at 3:17 pm

problem with idea ….

February 25, 2015 at 9:03 am

We LOVE these resources – and Flo-Joe too! Prepare for your IELTS with us on Skype with Brown Cow English! http://www.browncowenglish.com

February 24, 2015 at 8:45 am

i m not gud in speakingg..i have problms in ideas..plzzz suggest me wat i have to do

January 12, 2015 at 11:44 am

Hi everyone, if you struggle with speaking, we could meet on skype and practise individual lessons posted on this website. I suggest that we would agree on the topic in advance, learn the key words and discuss it together:o)

December 22, 2014 at 5:17 pm

i want to be perfect in IELTS

December 13, 2014 at 5:25 am

My english is good but some time i face many problems when i speak english i lack some words so plz suggest me what should i do.

November 23, 2014 at 1:58 pm

you loudly say i am a greatest english speaker, and english is very easy…you don’t translate your native language in to english.you always think you are a native speaker of english.

November 11, 2014 at 7:42 am

Thanks for this ielts. …soon to be…

November 11, 2014 at 7:41 am

I need to learn how to speak English fluently..is anyone can help me???

October 30, 2014 at 7:54 am

I am not good at english I had a problem with writing and reading skills can anyone please help me that would be great and appreciate d…

Regards Pavan

September 27, 2014 at 2:09 pm

I like it Send me more question and answer for ielts exam

September 11, 2014 at 3:54 pm

August 21, 2014 at 8:27 am

what kind of music? how do like melody music?

July 10, 2014 at 12:42 pm

Well. I am afraid that i am not a adoring fan of music. But if i have to say, i will choose countryside music. This kind of music has really catchy tune and i can sung along with those songs. I love their melodies, they make me relaxing after a long stress day.

May 23, 2014 at 10:41 am

i hve a problm about speaking ….so any buddy help me ?

May 12, 2014 at 5:10 am

now i still try to exercise with ielt exam.That why if you haven’t any problem,you send me ielt questions and answers please.

April 18, 2014 at 7:05 am

OVER TO YOU

What kind of music do you like to listen to? What was the first piece of music you ever bought? Is the Internet a good or bad thing for the music industry?

Use some of the vocabulary above to answer these or any of the other questions on this page.

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IELTS Topics: Music

Posted by David S. Wills | Sep 21, 2020 | IELTS Tips | 1

Music is one of those universal topics that affect almost all people. Whether you live in France or Zimbabwe, Brazil or China, you have almost certainly listened to music and maybe even played music. We all have opinions and ideas about it, so it makes music the perfect IELTS topic .

In today’s lesson, I am going to tell you how the topic of music could occur throughout the IELTS exam, as well as teach you some music vocabulary.

Music Vocabulary

First of all, let’s look at some language we can use to talk about music. I would like to break this into two categories: musical genres and musical instruments.

Music Genres

It can be useful to talk about the type (genre) of music that you like. This will certainly help you in part one of the IELTS speaking test.

Some genres include:

The list could go on. What’s most important is that you can talk about the type of music that matters to you. Let’s say you are into rock music. Well, you probably don’t just like “rock,” do you? It’s going to be more specific than that:

• alternative rock
• heavy metal
• death metal
• speed metal

Here is a PPT that teaches you some kinds of music:

You might also enjoy this lesson that I designed around the topic of music. It is not specifically for IELTS and it is geared more towards teachers than students, but it still could be interesting.

Musical Instruments

It’s also worth knowing the names of some musical instruments. In fact, that’s an integral part of music vocabulary. Here are some common ones:

This PPT has even more instruments and is divided into useful chapters to make learning easy:

Here is some more music vocabulary that could be useful for you:

• play a song
• go to a concert
• band practice

You can learn more music vocabulary by listening to podcasts, watching videos, or reading articles.

IELTS Speaking Topics: Music

It is most likely that you will encounter the topic of music in the IELTS speaking test. This could occur in any part, but I suppose part one is probably where it occurs the most.

For part one, the questions are going to be pretty general. They will revolve around your personal views and could be as simple as:

• Do you like listening to music?
• What sort of music do you listen to?
• Can you play any musical instruments?

Remember that for this part of the test you should give full answers but you don’t need to say very much. For example, to the first question I might respond:

Yes, I quite like listening to music. To be honest, I don’t listen to it that much, but when I go to the gym or when I am cooking I will put on a Spotify playlist.

You can see that this is just two sentences with relatively little information, but for part one you aren’t required to speak at length. Just try to answer the question honestly and then maybe say one more thing – such as a justification for your statement.

I’ll answer the other two questions so that you can see what I mean:

Q: What sort of music do you listen to? A: I have a fairly eclectic taste in music, but I suppose I lean towards rock more than anything. I like bands from the sixties and seventies, like Bob Dylan and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Q: Can you play any musical instruments? A: I got a guitar when I was about fourteen or fifteen and technically I’ve been playing it since then… but really I have no musical talent whatsoever. I can play a few songs but I don’t have a sense of rhythm or tone, so I’m not very good.

You might also be asked about concerts, so it is helpful to have a range of ideas and language. Music is more than just instruments and songs.

IELTS Cue Cards About Music

It is also possible that you could be asked to describe something musical for part two of the speaking test. Here are two possibilities:

• Describe a musical instrument you want to learn
• Describe a musician that you admire
• Describe your favourite singer

Of course, these would require totally different approaches and have their own challenges.

If you encountered a question about music in part three of the speaking test, it would likely ask you about music and age, culture, or gender. I suspect the question might ask you about generational differences in music – ie whether you and your grandparents could enjoy the same songs.

IELTS Writing Questions about Music

Music comes up less frequently in IELTS writing because it is hard to put it into an IELTS framework without making it really specific. I mean to say that turning the topic of music into an IELTS question might require some specialist knowledge, which is not possible with IELTS questions. You would not be asked about the fine details of the music industry, for example.

Still, I have found two IELTS essay questions about music, which I will share with you belong alongside my sample answers.

Sample Essay #1

Here is one possible question, although you can see that it is not 100% focused on the topic of music:

Some people believe that playing a musical instrument can be beneficial in many different ways. Others think it is a waste of time to play a musical instrument. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

This question is about musical instruments but you do not have to know the name of many. Instead, you just have to be able to talk about them in general. Think of the benefits of playing an instrument – it is relaxing, it is fun, it is creative, etc.

Sample Band 9 Answer

Throughout human history, playing musical instruments has generally been viewed as an important pastime that can have various benefits for the players and the listeners. However, some people believe that it is just a waste of time. This essay will look at both sides of this argument but strongly agree that playing music is beneficial.

There are various benefits to playing musical instruments. For one thing, music is a major cultural element and so playing it can help bring a person into a group, as well as uniting that group. When people hear music, they feel many different emotions and this can create bonds between them, so playing a musical instrument is highly important in such societies. It has also been demonstrated that playing a musical instrument can be relaxing, so it is useful for people to decompress after a difficult day by playing a song on their piano or guitar. In addition to this, music is a form of creativity, and so playing a musical instrument helps people to exercise their artistic side. This can have countless benefits for both the player and the listeners.

Some people believe that it is a waste of time to play an instrument. They tend to view it in the same way that people view computer games or other frivolous pastimes. Their argument simply says that this is little more than a hobby and thus there are other things to do in life that are more worthy of attention. For example, some strict parents believe that their child should not spend time learning the guitar because they will be unlikely to become professional in future; therefore, the child should concentrate his energies on more fruitful endeavours. However, this is a limited and unhelpful perspective that ignores the aforementioned benefits.

In conclusion, there is a split between people who think playing musical instruments is a waste of time and those who recognise that it has various benefits. Certainly, it seems that the relaxing, social, and creative rewards of music vastly outweigh any perceived negative attributes.

Sample Essay #2

Here is another question. This one is a bit more general than the first, and it relates to the issue we discussed before: music and age.

Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Music has been a part of human culture for many thousands of years. Some people say that it can bring different cultures and generations together, and this essay will agree with that view.

Music differs from culture to culture and it has changed a lot over the course of history, but it has always been a part of human identity. If a person from Japan travelled to the Amazon to meet an uncontacted tribe, or an aboriginal Australian went to visit an Inuit in Alaska, they would recognise the local music as music, even though they have never heard it before. Although they could not talk to each other, they would certainly recognise that the other one is playing music, and they could theoretically contribute to that. In this sense, music can act as an international language.

The shared passion for music is also something that brings people of different ages together. Although it is almost a cliché that generations have different musical tastes, there are certainly many cases of artists transcending those generational divides. People like Bob Dylan or the Rolling Stones have been beloved by several generations, and it is not uncommon to find parents and children listening to this music together. They can find some degree of common ground in music that perhaps they don’t find in other parts of the culture.

In conclusion, music is something that unites humanity, and although we all have different musical tastes, music is still recognised as a form of human expression, and people from different backgrounds and ages can still enjoy it together.

In neither of these essays did I need specialist music vocabulary. Instead, I used more general language and then applied it to music. I said things like “international language” and “transcending the generational divide,” which are specific to the topic but not exactly to music. However, they still relate closely to music.

Reading and Listening

It is possible that you could encounter the topic of music in either the listening or reading test, but it is hard to predict just how that could occur. In order to prepare, I recommend reading and listening to various news articles. This will help you learn new vocabulary and become familiar with the topic.

In the meantime, here is a short passage from an article about a band. Read it and then try to answer the following question.

As it has for most bands, 2020 has been a tough year for Elkins and band co-founder Vanessa Olivarez. In March, they survived the devastating Nashville tornado that struck near their homes. Then, the coronavirus pandemic shut down most live music. “It’s the first time in my life that I haven’t been able to do music for people,” Olivarez said. “But there still is the ability to create. I try to remember that, and that I still have the ability to record and make music. And we still have the opportunity to write these books and tell people’s stories. That’s a blessing in and of itself.”

How does Vanessa Olivarez sound?

• Pessimistic

Although this is not a true IELTS-style question, it is asking you to infer meaning from her language, which is definitely an IELTS reading skill.

Did you figure it out? I’ll put the answer in the comment section below.

If you want some listening practice, I have a short lesson from a few years ago. You can check it out here .

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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The answer is #2. We can tell this because of her repetition of “still” and also the reference to “blessing” at the end.

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Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking – Topic: Music

ielts speaking topics

Vocabulary   

music genre : a distinc type of music. Famous music genres include:

    classical music : music that is thought to be a part of a long, formal tradition.       | My dad is fond of classical music. He listens to Mozart and Beethoven every day.

   pop music : a genre of popular music.       | One of the most famous pop-singers in the history are Michael Jackson and Madonna.

    rock music : music that is based around amplified instruments, especially the electric guitar and electric bass, and is characterized by driving rhythms.       | My favourite music genre is rock. I adore such rock bands as Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Beatles.

catchy tune : a tune or a song that’s easy to remember and that you enjoy singing.    | I heard a catchy song the other day and now it’s stuck in my head.

elevator music : music that is played in places like supermaket or family restaurant. Almost always is very repetitive and annoying.    | Yesterday I heard a very annoying elevetor music in the local supermarket.

live music : music performance in front of an audience.    | I prefer listening to a live music than to a recording. It’s much more emotional  and energetic.

music to one’s ears : something (often information) very pleasant and enjoyable to someone.    | When my teacher told me that I got the highest mark in the class for the assignment, it was like music to my ears.

opera : a kind of performance in which actors sing during their play with music performed by an orchestra.    | I often listen to classical music and go to opera.

ringtone : sound that a cell phone makes when someone is calling.    | I set my favourite song as a ringtone on my cell phone.

rock band : musicians that play rock music.    | Last week I was on my favourite rock band’s concert.

tone deaf : not able to discern the notes properly.    | Alhough I’m tone deaf, I’d like to learn to sing properly in the furture.

tuneful : pleasant and melodious music or sound.    | I heard a tuneful choir of birds yesterday morning.

Useful idioms:

to face the music : to have to accept the unpleasant consequences of your actions.    | If you commit a crime, eventually, you’ll have to face the music.

to ring a bell : to sound familiar.    | I think I heard this song somewhere. It definitely rings a bell.

to sound like a broken record : to repeat yourself again and again.    | Little children often sound like a broken record and it annoys most people.

to strike (hit) a false note : to do something wrong.    | I realised that I hit a false note on the exam when I received a 0 mark afterwards.

IELTS Speaking sample about Music

Part 1        

Do you like listening to the music on a regular basis?

Yes, without a doubt . I like different music genres and I listen to various tunes almost every day… I do not like elevator music , though … It makes me bored and annoyed.

Have you ever been interested in singing?

No, not really … I took singing classes when I was younger, but, unfortunately, I am  tone deaf , so I can’t sing very well…

Can you say that music is a very important part of your life?

No, I can’t… Although I enjoy music and listen to classical music every now and then, I’m not obsessed with it…

Part 2        

Now, have a look at the card and prepare a monologue.

Describe a band you enjoy listening to. You should say: • How did you find them • What kind of music do they play • When do you listen to them And say why you like them so much

I really enjoy listening to Maroon 5… I found this music band a few years ago, when I was looking for some pop music on the Internet… And, immediately after listening to the few of their songs, I fell in love with this awesome band… Their music is very catchy and tuneful at the same time. I especially like this band for their driving rhythms … As of today , I have gone to a few of their concerts and have their posters all over my wall. I listen to their songs when I’m upset or stressed out… They always  cheer me up … Also, one of their songs, namely “Payphone”, is set as a ringtone on my phone.

Part 3      

Do you think music is getting better as time goes on?

No, quite the opposite . In my opinion , music was a lot better back in the day … I love music from 60s and 70s… There are myriads of famous rock bands of that time that I really like… And nowadays almost every pop-song sounds boring and dull to me…

Where do you think people enjoy listening to music the most?

I my point of view , it all depends on a person… As for me , I enjoy listening to the music in my room, where nobody can bother me… But a lot of my friends would  prefer listening to the music while travelling in public transport… This way their  journey becomes more pleasant.

Is it better to go to a live concert or to listen to a CD?

I think that nothing compares to a live concert ! It’s just magical to be on a concert  in a large group of people like you, listening to the songs you know being played  right in front of you… It’s empowering, and completely unlike listening to recorded music.

Do you like the same music as your parents?

Um… When I was a child I used to listen to the same music as my parents did…  Probably , that was because we were often driving in the same car … and my  parents always turned on some jazz on the radio. So I thought I was fond of jazz…  But eventually I discovered other music genres and understood that I like rock music and techno much more…

IELTS Music Vocabulary

Part 1-style questions          

Examiner: What kind of music do you listen to?

Katherine: I’m a big fan of classical music … it doesn’t make me very popular with my children … their taste in music is completely different … they always want to listen to their favourite rock bands …

Examiner: Do you play any instruments?

Jamie: No I don’t … I’ve always wished I’d taken up a musical instrument … I’d love to be able to play the guitar … but I think I’m a bit tone deaf so perhaps I’d find it hard …

Examiner: Have you got any hobbies or interests?

Marco: I’m really into live music … I go to a lot of music festivals … I think a live performance always sounds more exciting than a recorded version … as long as the performers can sing and play well of course …    

Part 2 -style task        

Describe a song you like to listen to. You should say    –  what the piece of music is called    –  how long you have liked it    –  when you like to listen to it and say why you like it so much .

Millie: Well … I’m a little older than most students and when I was young Abba the Swedish pop group were very famous … I don’t think it was cool to like them even though they had a huge following but I think now people have realised what wonderful songs they wrote … one piece of music in particular is called ‘Slipping through my fingers’ … it wasn’t a massive hit but I love it … it’s a song for parents and it’s all about how quickly our children grow up … it’s a slow number and like a lot of their songs it’s a very catchy tune … the two women in Abba had great voices and it’s the kind of music you can also sing along to easily … even if you don’t have a great voice … I listen to Abba when I feel like a sing-song … and I especially like to listen when I’m doing the housework … it stops me thinking about the hard work …   

Part 3 -style questions    

Examiner: Is the Internet a good or bad thing for the music industry?

Thomas: On the one hand it’s good for marketing new musical talent or particular bands but it’s so easy to share and download tracks for free I think it is costing the industry a lot of money …

Examiner: Should music be treated as seriously as subjects like maths or sciences at school?

Carla: I think it should … I don’t think it should be taught in a boring way … I mean making children read music … but I do think they should be encouraged to play instruments and to play things by ear perhaps … to keep the lessons fun …

Examiner: Where do people usually enjoy listening to music?

Sally: In lots of ways or places … as background music when they are doing something else … at concerts when a band goes on tour … or in clubs or discos …    

Definitions   

adoring fans : people who love a particular band or singer

background music : music that is played while something else is happening

a catchy tune : a song that is easy to remember and makes you want to sing it

classical music : music that is regarded as part of a long, formal tradition

to download tracks : to obtain music from the Internet

to have a great voice : to sing well

to go on tour : to go on a planned series of performances around a region or country

a huge following : a large number of fans

live music : music that is listened to while it is performed (not recorded)

live performance : (see live music)

a massive hit : a record that sells lots of copies

a music festival : music performances at a venue often over several days

musical talent : skilled at music

to be/sing out of tune : to not be in harmony/to sing the wrong notes

a piece of music : an item of music

to play by ear : to play without reading the musical notes

a pop group : a small group of people who play or sing pop music together

to read music : to understand and follow written musical notes

a rock band : a group of musicians that play rock music

to sing along to : to join in singing

a sing-song : to sing informally, often with other people

a slow number : a song with a slow tempo

to take up a musical instrument : to begin learning a musical instrument

taste in music : the music someone likes

to be tone deaf : to be unable to distinguish the different notes in music   

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Vocabulary for IELTS: Music

Improve your IELTS by developing vocabulary for topics. This page is for the topic of Music which is a topic that can come in part 1, part 2 and part 3 of the IELTS test.

Types of Music

• Traditional
• Soundtracks
• Instrumental music

Musical Instruments

• electronic keyboard
• electric guitar

Other vocabulary

• to be in tune
• to be out of tune
• strum the guitar
• guitar strings

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Learn the VOCABULARY of MUSIC

Test your understanding of this English lesson

18 comments.

Thanks, Gill, that was interesting! I like the cute British names for the notes. In German they are just as “mathematical” as the American terms.

Great lesson!!!!! I didn’t know anything about that subject although I love music….Thank you very much, once again, Gill.

Thanks a lot Gill!!! I hope I can talk properly about music to Mark Knopfler after this interesting lesson ;)

Thanks Gill, you’re an extraordinary talented teacher. Carry on that!.

thanks Gill

this is so amzing techer gill thnk u so mach

Got 09/10. Superb, brilliant lesson Gill. I <3 you! :)

It’s interesting to know little bit more about this musical method

Thank you Gill

Great lesson! Thank you so much, Gill! :-)

yes very successful

This brilliant. I have a lot in a short lesson than I have learnt in years. Thank you Gill

Nice lesson. I haven’t been here for years. Time to relearn and improve some skills. Thank you so much

I like you Gill, I’m glad to hear your voice. thx.

I liked your video so much. I’m a musician and there’s no much material about music vocabulary. May you make other videos about instrument vocabulary? For Example: Flute parts (lip plate, head-joint, etc.), Articulations, embouchure, etc.

Thank you! I am researching the sound of ocean waves and found a possible relation to music. When explaining it to some colleagues I wanted to show a random data example and it just happened to correspond to a flat note. Now I could have said A, B, C, etc. fine, but had no clue how to express this one. It was so embarrassing, because I knew exactly what it was, but could not get the information across. I wish I had watched this video earlier. Also the differences between British and American can be confusing. After watching this I realise that some things could easily be misunderstood by different nationality groups in an audience. For example, I have often seen references online calling A, B, C, etc. notes and the flats and sharps half notes. An American listener would be interpreting those completely different.

Great lesson. I got 9/10. Thank you ❤️

Thank you, Gill. We love you so much :) Oh, and I got 9/10 in quiz by the way

9/10 thanks a lot,Gill,hugs (Kazakhstan 13 Dec2o21:)

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Music Vocabulary

Music is a universal language that speaks to the soul and ignites emotions within us. Whether you're an aspiring musician, a music enthusiast, or simply curious about the world of music, understanding the basic music vocabulary is key to unraveling its mysteries. 

Musical Notation Words

Music notation is the written representation of musical sounds. It allows musicians to communicate and reproduce music accurately. Familiarize yourself with these essential musical notation terms:

• Accidentals : Symbols such as sharps (#), flats (♭), and naturals (♮) used to alter the pitch of a note.  
• Barline : Vertical lines that divide the staff into measures.  
• Clef : A symbol placed at the beginning of a staff to indicate the pitch range of the notes.  
• Dynamics : Indicators that denote the volume or intensity of the music, such as pianissimo (pp) or fortissimo (ff).  
• Key signature : A set of sharps or flats placed at the beginning of a staff, indicating the key of the music.  
• Rest : A symbol that represents a period of silence or pause in the music.  
• Staff : A set of horizontal lines and spaces where musical notes are written.  
• Time signature : A symbol placed at the beginning of a piece of music to indicate the number of beats per measure.  
• Treble clef : The symbol used to indicate higher-pitched notes.  
• Whole note : A note with a duration equal to four beats.

Definitions of Instruments

The world of music is filled with various instruments , each contributing its unique timbre and character. Here are some common words associated with musical instruments:

• Accordion : A portable wind instrument with a keyboard and bellows, played by compressing and expanding the bellows while pressing the keys.  
• Bass guitar : A stringed instrument similar to a guitar but with a longer scale length and lower pitch range.  
• Clarinet : A woodwind instrument with a single-reed mouthpiece, producing a rich and mellow sound.  
• Drums : Percussion instruments that produce sound when struck with sticks or hands.  
• Electric guitar : A guitar that uses electromagnetic pickups to convert string vibrations into electrical signals.  
• Flute : A woodwind instrument played by blowing air across a hole, producing a clear and melodious tone.  
• Harp : A stringed instrument with a triangular frame and multiple strings, played by plucking the strings with fingers.  
• Keyboard : A set of keys that produce sound when pressed, including pianos, organs, and electronic keyboards.  
• Oboe : A woodwind instrument with a double reed mouthpiece, known for its distinctive sound.  
• Violin : A string instrument played with a bow, producing a wide range of expressive tones.

Names of Musical Terms and Symbols

Within the realm of music, certain terms and symbols are used to convey specific instructions and nuances. Here is the list of essential musical terms and symbols:

• Allegro : A tempo marking indicating a fast and lively pace.  
• Coda : A concluding section of a musical composition.  
• Fermata : A symbol placed above a note to indicate that it should be held longer than its written value.  
• Harmony : The combination of notes played simultaneously, creating chords and supporting the melody.  
• Legato : A directive to perform the music smoothly, connecting each note without breaks.  
• Octave : The interval between two pitches where the higher pitch has a frequency twice that of the lower pitch.  
• Pizzicato : A technique used on string instruments where the strings are plucked with the fingers instead of using a bow.  
• Syncopation : The accentuation of weak beats or off-beats in a musical rhythm.  
• Tremolo : A rapid repetition of a single note or alternating between two notes.  
• Vibrato : A slight variation of pitch in a sustained note, adding expressiveness to the sound.

Names of Music Genres and Styles

Music encompasses a vast array of genres and styles, each with its distinctive characteristics and influences. Here is the list of some popular genres that have shaped the musical landscape:

• Blues : A genre characterized by heartfelt expression, typically using a twelve-bar chord progression.  
• Classical : Music from the traditional Western art music tradition, spanning periods such as Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary.  
• Funk : A rhythmic and dance-oriented genre, often featuring strong basslines, syncopated rhythms, and catchy melodies.  
• Jazz : A genre that emerged from African American communities, known for its improvisation, swing feel, and complex harmonies.  
• Pop : Short for popular music, this genre is characterized by catchy melodies, repetitive lyrics, and a focus on mass appeal.  
• Reggae : A genre originating from Jamaica, known for its off-beat rhythms, prominent basslines, and socially conscious lyrics.  
• Rock : A genre with roots in 1950s rock and roll, characterized by electric guitars, strong rhythms, and often powerful vocals.  
• Salsa : A Latin American dance music genre, featuring energetic rhythms, Afro-Cuban influences, and vibrant horn sections.  
• Techno : A genre of electronic dance music characterized by repetitive beats, synthesized sounds, and a strong emphasis on rhythm.  
• World : A genre that encompasses music from diverse cultures and regions around the world, celebrating global musical traditions.

Basic Music Theory

Understanding basic music theory provides a foundation for musicians to analyze, compose, and communicate effectively. Here are some fundamental music theory terms:

• Chord : A group of three or more notes played simultaneously, forming the harmonic basis of a piece of music.  
• Diatonic : Pertaining to the notes within a particular key or scale.  
• Interval : The distance in pitch between two notes.  
• Step : In music, a step refers to the interval between two adjacent pitches in a scale. It is the smallest distance between two consecutive notes, encompassing both whole steps and half steps.
• Half-step : Also known as a semitone, a half-step is the smallest interval commonly. It represents the distance between two adjacent notes, such as moving from one key to the very next key on a piano or shifting up or down by one fret on a guitar.
• Whole-step : A whole-step, also known as a whole tone, is an interval in music equal to two half-steps or two semitones.
• Scale : A series of ascending or descending notes within an octave, often forming the basis of melodies and harmonies.  
• Major scale : A seven-note scale that has the following pattern of steps: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half.
• Minor scale : A seven-note scale with a a following pattern of steps: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole.
• Melody : A sequence of single notes that form a musical line or theme.  
• Modulation : The process of changing from one key to another within a piece of music.  
• Pitch : The perceived frequency of a musical sound, determining its highness or lowness.  
• Rhythm : The organization of time in music, including the duration and accentuation of notes and rests.  

Types of Musicians

Within the realm of music, there are various roles and types of musicians, each contributing to the creation and performance of music. Here are some types of musicians:

• Composer : An individual who writes and creates music, often in the form of musical scores.  
• Conductor : A musician who leads and directs an ensemble or orchestra, guiding the performers through the music.  
• Backing vocalist : A singer who provides vocal support and harmonies to the lead vocalist or main performer.  
• Session musician : A professional musician hired to record or perform with a band or artist on a temporary basis.  
• Music producer : An individual responsible for overseeing and guiding the artistic and technical aspects of music production.  
• Songwriter : A person who writes lyrics or melodies for songs, often collaborating with other musicians.  
• Orchestra musician : A musician who performs as part of an orchestra, playing a specific instrument within the ensemble.  
• Soloist : A musician who performs as a solo artist, showcasing their skills and musicality.  
• Band member : A musician who is part of a band, contributing to the group's sound and performance.  

Band Terms Vocabulary

When it comes to bands, there are specific terms and jargon used to describe various elements and dynamics within a group. Here is a list of band terms vocabulary:  

• Arrangement : The adaptation or reworking of a piece of music to fit a band's specific instrumentation and style.  
• Break : A musical interlude or solo section where all instruments except one pause momentarily.  
• Bridge : A section of music that provides contrast and connects different parts of a song.  
• Chorus : The main section of a song that is repeated, featuring the song's title or main theme.  
• Gig : A performance by a band or musician at a venue or event.  
• Hook : A catchy musical or lyrical phrase that grabs the listener's attention and remains memorable.  
• Lead vocalist : The primary singer in a band, responsible for delivering the main vocal melodies.  
• Rehearsal : A practice session where band members prepare and refine their performance.  
• Rhythm section : The group of instruments, typically drums, bass, and rhythm guitar, that provide the foundation and groove of a band's sound.  
• Solo : A musical passage performed by a single instrument or vocalist, showcasing their skills and improvisation.

Popular Idioms Related to Music

Music has also made its way into our language through idioms and expressions. Here are seven popular idioms related to music:  

• Face the music : To accept the consequences or deal with a difficult situation.  
• Hit the right note : To do or say something that is well-received or successful.  
• March to the beat of your own drum : To act independently and follow your own path.  
• In harmony : In agreement or working well together.  
• Strike a chord: To resonate or create an emotional response.  
• Off-key : Out of tune or not in accordance with expectations.  
• Play it by ear: To improvise or make decisions as you go along, without a set plan.

By familiarizing yourself with these music vocabulary words, you'll not only enhance your understanding of music but also deepen your appreciation for its diverse elements and nuances. So go ahead and explore the world of music with confidence, armed with the language that brings it to life. Whether you're playing an instrument, attending a concert, or simply enjoying your favorite tunes, let the music vocabulary guide you on a remarkable journey of sonic discovery.

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1. Do you like listening to music?

Yes, of course, I’ve always been a big fan of music since I was a little girl. Sometimes I alsolisten to music before sleeping at night for one hour and when I am riding my motorbike, which will both help me relax and feel more energetic when I hear the tune.

2. What kinds of music do you like to listen to?

For me, I am interested in the traditional instrumental music, like pianos and guitars. It is an impressive combination that can give you a both nostalgic and modern feelings. Normally on rainy days, opening acoustics songs and sing along to my favorite Vũ hits, have a cuppa and let my hair down, music will do the rest.

3. Do you play any kinds of musical instruments?

Due to my total lack of rhythm and the fact that I am tone deaf, I would not even consider embarrassing myself with any attempt to play a musical instrument. On a related subject, on the rare occasion that I attempt to sing a hymn in church, along with everyone else.

4. How do you feel when you listen to this music?

Everything depends on the type of music I’m listening to. For example when you’re happy and listen to some happy music. It will boost your happiness. On the other hand if you’re sad, sad music might get you even more sad. But most of the time, listening to some music helps me pick up my energy and chill a bit.

5. What kinds of music do you like to listen to?

My music taste varies widely from West to East and from the 90s to modern EDM. But if Korean pop is considered as a kind of music, then yeah, that’s my favorite of all time. More than half of my playlists are Korean songs and I always keep myself updated with the news related to Korean showbiz.

6. Have you ever been to a concert before?

As much as I love music, I haven’t had a chance to attend a concert because the tickets to my favorite singer’s concert usually cost a fortune . Since I am a student and always on a tight budget , I certainly cannot afford a ticket.

7. How much time do you spend listening to music every day?

As I’ve mentioned I prefer working in silence. To put it simply, no music is allowed during my working hours. After a long day at school, I probably want to pump myself up for like half an hour with music to help me stay energetic so I can get back to work later.

8. Do you like any foreign celebrities?

Absolutely. The person that I have had a soft spot for is Miley Cyrus. I guess most people at the same age as me grew up with Disney Channel and among its successful series, Hannah Montanah starring Miley Cyrus would always be on top of my list. Although now she’s grown up, I’m still a big fan of her amazing voice and highly inspiring songs.

9. Would you like to become a widely-known celebrity? Why?

Well though I’ve never thought about it, I’m pretty sure that rising to stardom would never be one of my life goals. I appreciate all the efforts that celebrities, no matter which field they’re working on, are making every single day. However, I find myself not belong to that world, I mean, you never know what’s going on when the curtains close, right? So yeah, I don’t think I want to become a global superstar, to be honest.

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IELTS Speaking practice: Music

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Here you can find full IELTS Speaking sample with questions related to Music topic .

See IELTS Speaking vocabulary for Music topic >

Have you ever been interested in singing ? Do you think music is getting better as time goes on ? These are the questions you may be asked on IELTS Speaking test. To prepare well for answering such questions read IELTS speaking sample for Music Topic below. It has part 1-3 questions with model answers and advanced vocabulary to help you succeed in IELTS.

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Useful linking phrases are in blue IELTS speaking vocabulary is in bold (put your mouse over such text to see explanations).

Do you like listening to the music on a regular basis?

Yes, without a doubt . I like different music genres Different types of music (such as pop music, rock, classical music etc.) and I listen to various tunes almost every day... I do not like elevator music Music that is played in places like supermaket or family restaurant. Almost always is very repetitive and boring. , though ... It makes me bored and annoyed.

Have you ever been interested in singing?

No, not really ... I took singing classes when I was younger, but, unfortunately, I am tone deaf Not able to discern the notes properly. , so I can't sing very well...

Can you say that music is a very important part of your life?

No, I can't... Although I enjoy music and listen to classical music Music that is thought to be a part of a long, formal tradition. every now and then, I'm not obsessed with it...

Now, have a look at the card and prepare a monologue.

• How did you find them
• What kind of music do they play
• When do you listen to them

I really enjoy listening to Maroon 5... I found this music band A group of people who play music. a few years ago, when I was looking for some pop music Popular music. on the Internet... And, immediately after listening to the few of their songs, I fell in love with this awesome band... Their music is very catchy and tuneful Full of pleasant, melodious sounds. at the same time. I especially like this band for their driving rhythms Melody that makes you feel active. ... As of today , I have gone to a few of their concerts and have their posters all over my wall. I listen to their songs when I'm upset or stressed out... They always cheer me up Make my mood better. ... Also , one of their songs, namely "Payphone", is set as a ringtone Sound that a cell phone makes when someone is calling. on my phone.

Do you think music is getting better as time goes on?

No, quite the opposite . In my opinion , music was a lot better back in the day ... I love music from 60s and 70s... There are myriads of A lot of. famous rock bands Musicians that play rock music. of that time that I really like... And nowadays almost every pop-song Popular song. sounds boring and dull to me...

Where do you think people enjoy listening to music the most?

I my point of view , it all depends on a person... As for me , I enjoy listening to the music in my room, where nobody can bother me... But a lot of my friends would prefer listening to the music while travelling in public transport... This way their journey becomes more pleasant.

Is it better to go to a live concert or to listen to a CD?

I think that nothing compares to a live concert Concert that is played right in front of you. ! It's just magical to be on a concert in a large group of people like you, listening to the songs you know being played right in front of you… It's empowering, and completely unlike listening to recorded music.

Do you like the same music as your parents?

Um... When I was a child I used to listen to the same music as my parents did… Probably , that was because we were often driving in the same car … and my parents always turned on some jazz Music with intricate, propulsive rhythms and melodical freedom. on the radio. So I thought I was fond of jazz… But eventually I discovered other music genres and understood that I like rock music Music with driving rhythms that involves guitars. and techno A style of disco music characterized by very fast synthesizer rhythms, heavy use of samples, and a lack of melody. much more…

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Music is Great

This lesson plan for teachers of teenagers and adults at CEFR level B1 explores the theme of music and music festivals. Students will develop their reading and speaking skills.

Introduction

This lesson is about music and, in particular, music festivals. Students begin by discussing their music preferences and the role of music festivals in their culture. They read a text about a music festival in the UK and develop the skills of reading for gist and for detail. They discuss a dream festival in groups, and prepare to give a presentation. The students’ own experiences and opinions form the basis of much of the work in this lesson. 

Music and music festivals

Learning outcomes:

• Identify the meaning of vocabulary in the context of music festivals
• Find out information about a UK festival while practising reading skills
• Participate in a discussion about what makes a dream festival
• Give a presentation about a dream festival

Age and level:

13-17, Adults (B1+)

Approximately 65-75 minutes

The materials can be downloaded below.

• Lesson plan
• Student worksheet
• Presentation

Plus chart paper and markers (optional)

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OK TASK 6 IN ON WORKSHEET 2 Thanks!

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Thank you so much for this lesson-plan! Very useful 

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Music To Your Ears

Music is another popular topic that could come up in any part of the speaking exam. Practice your vocabulary and speaking skills for part 2 of the speaking paper with the sample question below.

The examiner will ask candidates to speak for 60 seconds answering a question about 2 pictures. Candidates should practice speaking for this length of time so they’re comfortable and confident on the day of the exam.

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