English, baby!

Starting a Band

Date: Jul 13 2009

Themes: Friend, Hobbies

Grammar: Verbs with "ing"

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Intro

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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Plenty of people who don’t even know how to play an instrument dream of starting a band. After all, belonging to a band seems to give you automatic cool points. And if your band is actually good, that’s even better. There’s just something sexy and intriguing about musicians, especially when they’re up on stage doing their thing.

But starting a band can take a lot of work. And once you have a band, you still have to find time to practice, come up with new material, find gigs, and keep the band from breaking up.

Devan plays guitar and is thinking about starting a band. Listen to her try to convince Marni to join her.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Devan

Marni

Devan: So Marni?

Marni: Yes?

Devan: I’m thinking about starting a band. Do you want to be in an all-girl riot punk band with me?

Marni: You know I do! Hello! It’s been a while since I’ve been in a band, but I can do it.

Devan: What instrument do you play?

Marni: I actually used to play the drums.

Devan: Nice! I can play guitar, you can play drums, we’ll get a singer. But we’ll have to practice at your house, ‘cause I’ve already gotten noise complaints at my apartment.

Marni: Oh man, practice space is always…that was always the issue. Nobody ever had a practice space. It’s like you know, “Let’s start a band,” this great idea, and then it’s like, “Well, where are we gonna practice?” Uh…

Devan: I know, we need someone with a garage so we can be a garage band.

Marni: That would be a real garage band. You know, though, I mean I hope you don’t have grand ideas about making it big.

Devan: I’m totally fine with just small venues. We can travel in the van.

Marni: Yes. Classic.

Devan: Where could we find a singer?

Marni: You know, we might want to think about placing a Craigslist ad.

Devan: That’s how my friend found a bass player for his band.

Marni: And it’s worked out?

Devan: Oh yeah, he’s amazing.

Marni: Perfect.

Grammar Point

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Discussion

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Devan asks Marni to start a band with her. Marni used to play drums and Devan plays guitar. So now all they need is a singer, a van to go on tour with, and a place to practice. Oh, and some songs.

When people want to find other musicians to play with, they often look at online classified sites. One of the most popular classified sites in the U.S. is Craigslist.

Not everyone who starts a band cares about getting rich and famous. Marni and Devan say they’d be happy just playing some small venues. They’re more interested in starting a band for fun than in making it big.

Have you ever been in a band, or do you think it would be fun to start one? If you started a band, what instrument would you play?

Comments

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eoskissX2

Philippines

Cool! I have a band. Check this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8Ud_K-3maQ or you can just Google Nuncyspungen. Being in a band is like being married to a couple of people. It's a matter of managing your ego well to match or be compatible with your band mates. Music is the glue that keeps you and your band mates. Like husbands and wives enduring the test of time and all its quirks. Whatever the genre, what's important are the basics discipline,creativity,tenacity, gregariousness, patience and the ability to communicate. After all music is the expression of your group's beliefs, culture, practice and if you will, political thought. As someone said the best way of living life is the ultimate goal of every political thought.And all of this my friends are just part of what you want people to talk about as they look down at you when you're in your coffin. :)

ciberd7

Brazil

I would be very happy if I´d be at a band. I don´t know how to play any instrument, but I learn fast, so I´d like to play guitar, because I love rock music.

It seems to be an issue when someone is thinking about starting a band. You can do it very well or your band can be a disaster and the only thing you´ll get to worry is about the debts you´ll have to pay and the shame you´ll be.

Dante54

France

I play the guitar for 3 years now and I'm looking for a heavy metal band but I don't succeed =/ It would be something so nice !

natalka8846

Poland

Playing in band (especially vocal) is one of my biggest dream. I love to sing, but i can't. I don't have a talent. I imagine me standing on the stage in front of thousands of people. unfortunately it's impossible, because i have the worst voice ever ;D. Maybe one day i'll begin playing any instrument, for example piano or violin, but i think it's too late for me ;(

Marcelolic

Brazil

I play drums and bass a bit…but If I had a band,I would play bass,I think pretty cool ;)

Marcelolic

Brazil

When I was a teenager,I wanted to form a band…I had a group of friends who were too excited…I started playing drums,I love drums,but after I thought,"to play drums we have to be pretty good and training a lot hehe"! so,I gave up hehe…After,I interested me for playing bass…So,I prefer until today :) I realize it was just a "teen dream"...I think cool to form a band and playing,but it was just a moment of my life :)

wing61go

China

I like band,but I have no time,I want to play drum,too.So,I hope they can success.

Palasta

Poland

It's nice to have own band but it results in lot of responsibility, time for practising and money that are necessary in each stage of carrier ;)

In Poland it is really hard to ''knock out''. But even if people don't want to play for fame it is still hard to keep the band together for longer.

I know from cousin's experience that playing for fun is a big challenge ;)

But I wish all the best to people who dare to make own band :)

nour_2

Syrian Arab Republic

it’s really an amazing idea to start a band although i don’t know how to play any instrument,
but i like singing , especially rock and pop…...

rachu77

India

I have never been a part of any band. But i would luv to be a part of some band. Well i can play drum as well as i can sing….so it would be a great fun to be a part of band in any point of my life time.

janezwx

China

I used to play guitar. but havent got a chance of playing in a band. while my instructor had been in a garage band for a while,which i think was fantastic, really cool !!

s id

Saudi Arabia

i havent been in the band but i like music verymuch i would like play piano .

joaco

Argentina

i have been in a band before, it was an andina-folk band, and it was a wonderful experience!

Ca_Brazil

Brazil

i havent been in a band before, it would be fun to star one, though, i cant play any instrument at all, i wish i could play guitar, it sounds good to me, i could play it and try to sing along, i wouldnt think to make it big, just for fun.

joel.escoto1427

Honduras

I´'will like to play the Piano

rosendo

Mexico

i havent been in a band bcs i dont know play any instruments , u know just i can "play the piano backwardss" hehehehe

ania_

Poland

I’d like to join a band and play drums:D I’d practise at home and my neighbours would go mad:D

kizzy4u

United Kingdom

I love taking walks along the beach, cycling, camping and skating. For indoors, I love cooking, cuddling and watching movies or listening to music on the couch with the woman of my dreams. For favourite colour, I think I go weak knees for yellow.

Moji_987

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

The last time I sang in a band goes back to my high school. There were 6 of us and most of us had no information and actualy no idea what and how to do it, and we were all concern about the audience 's reaction who were all our peers. but your know it turned out great . they love it and even shouted to sing it one more time. I recommend all of you try it. That's full of fun!