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Learning an Instrument

Learning an Instrument

Date: May 04 2009

Themes: Hobbies, How To

Grammar: Be Able To

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

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

OK, so Mozart started composing and performing symphonies at the age of five. But we can’t all be so gifted. For most people, learning how to play an instrument is a challenging process that can take a number of years. It’s especially difficult to teach yourself how to play, without the help of lessons.

Devan is trying to learn how to play guitar, but it isn’t going very well. Listen to her ask for advice from Beren, who plays drums in a band.

Dialog

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

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

Devan

Devan

Beren

Beren

Devan:  So, Beren, you play drums. How long did it take you to learn how to play them?

Beren:  Oh man, I am definitely not a natural. I know some people can just pick up an instrument and just play. But it took me a while to actually be able to play a full beat and feel comfortable. I’d say a couple years actually.

Devan:  Well, that’s reassuring because I’ve been trying to learn guitar for a couple years, and it’s just not coming naturally. My dad tried to teach me, but he’s one of those people that just plays by ear. And trying to learn from him is really frustrating ‘cause he doesn’t really know the names of chords or anything since he’s completely self-taught, by ear. But it’s really hard for me because I’m definitely not a natural. And I’m a little tone-deaf, too.

Beren:  Definitely, when I started, I was trying to teach myself and that actually worked out pretty well. But even like as recently as six months ago I’ve taken a drum lesson. And it really helps, ‘cause I can read a little music so, you know, I can get a book with drum notation and have a teacher show me what it’s supposed to sound like, and then I can take that home and work on it, and have something to work off of.

Devan:  Well, maybe there’s still hope for me yet. I guess I shouldn’t give up so quickly.

 

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Discussion

Devan asks Beren how long it took her to learn to play the drums. Even though Beren is good enough to play drums in a band now, it was hard for her to learn. It took her two years to teach herself how to play, and even now, she sometimes gets help from a teacher or a music book.

Devan’s father is a natural on the guitar. He learned to play without a teacher and without even knowing the different chords. He can just listen to a song a few times, pick up the guitar, and start playing it. Unfortunately for Devan, that doesn’t make him a very good teacher.

Have you ever learned to play an instrument? Are you a natural, or was it hard for you to learn? If you could play any instrument, what would it be?

 

Comments

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Mira_Memoir

Egypt

I really wanna learn to play guitar but I think I'll never pull it off, I think it's really complicated with all the chords and everything—'

12:03 AM May 07 2009 |

ciberd7

ciberd7

Brazil

I would like to learn how to play guitar. I watch my friends playing some songs I like the most, but I´ve never tried to attend lesson about that fantastic instrument. I think I´d be easy to learn. I´ve learnt English by ears and I´m still learning, but now I´m attending English lessons here in English Baby and by myself.

08:27 PM May 06 2009 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

I love music! and love play an instruments like drum,bass guitar and keyboards,I don’t play it very weel,but I try hehe

07:49 PM May 06 2009 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

I started to learning to play guitar…after I changed for drum…and after I changed for bass guitar…at least,I prefer bass guitar! for me this is natural,I can hear and play ;) I love music and instruments!

07:37 PM May 06 2009 |

akacsan

akacsan

United States

I love the guitar! Metal up your ass! : )

06:35 PM May 06 2009 |

natasha8965

China

i started learning electric piano at 4,lasted for nearly 8years and gave up,now i can't even remember one whole song to play,guess i'm not built for instrument~

01:29 PM May 06 2009 |

李乐微

李乐微

China

I don’t know

04:20 AM May 06 2009 |

sinam

sinam

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

i can play some iranian traditional instrument like daf and tombak.

i realy enjoy and interest at both instrument.

04:01 AM May 06 2009 |

time man

time man

China

support

03:42 PM May 05 2009 |

time man

time man

China

support

03:40 PM May 05 2009 |

zhzloverzy

zhzloverzy

China

Unfortunately, I am not able to play any instrument at all because I had never learned them,, But ,just the moment,I would like to learn guitar by self taught,,,that's must pretty cool~~haha

06:16 AM May 05 2009 |

ofish0208

ofish0208

China

i wanna to learn guitar ,but have no time ~~

05:10 AM May 05 2009 |

tiagon85

Brazil

I play guitar and i learned by myself without any teacher, but sometimes, when i´m trying to play a difficulty songs it is better get the correct chords on the internet.

02:54 AM May 05 2009 |

pizzachuwave

Thailand

“Everyone plays guitar”
‘Do you play guitar?’
“No”
hahaha
remember?
This is from “a lot like love”
—this lesson reminds me of my fav movie

01:42 AM May 05 2009 |

benhur_RS

Brazil

I've tried a lot to play guitar but I'm not natural so to play by ear it's impossible. I've not learned a thing with my friend helps. Then I realized, I'm terrible with instruments and don't have the gift. Nowadays I give up to play any instrument.

 

10:47 PM May 04 2009 |

daniel_cjs

Brazil

I play guitar, and it was hard at first, but now it is quite easy.

09:02 PM May 04 2009 |

Ca_Brazil

Ca_Brazil

Brazil

Unfortunately, i have never played any instrument, but i really like to listen them in the musics. Self-taught people, whatever they do, are really gifted, i mean, being natural isnt for everyone, im definetely tone-deaf but if i could play a intrument it propably would be a guitar, it sounds fun.

09:02 PM May 04 2009 |

arme

Turkey

 i think playing a musical enstrument is depend on person.  for example, my father is always used to say 'my son, u should learn how to play the guitar and u play it me.' but despite my training, i could never learn it. so it is depend on person's ability, i think .

08:45 PM May 04 2009 |

freewilly87

Germany

When I was between 12-15 I played keyboard and I had my own teacher. At first I also played without the knowledge of chords and notes just by ear but then my teacher recognized that and I had to learn it Tongue out

At the moment I am not playing any instruments but maybe I will start to play again.

08:38 PM May 04 2009 |

carlosbertholdi

Brazil

Be a natural learner, that's highly questionable. I'm not interested in musical instruments at all but I get to know at least three people who learn how to play the guitar and the piano all by themselves and they are able to just listen to a music and play by ear, but actually they did not spend just a couple of years to play the instrument right, but rather they passed their whole childhood and pre-adolescence time holding their instruments and trying to play music that they heard.   

 

06:33 PM May 04 2009 |

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