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Starting a Band

Starting a Band

Date: Jul 13 2009

Themes: Friend, Hobbies

Grammar: Verbs with "-ing"

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.

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

Devan

Devan

Marni

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.

 

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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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inezy

inezy

Germany

it would be very cool. i'm a kind of music-lover and i love playing the guitar too, so it would be fantastic to be in a band. of course in a rock band or in a 'riot punk' band as Devan said. anyway, i play the guitar, and it is the best thing. i think :D

12:51 PM Jul 13 2009 |

meteorareanimation

Egypt

I really wish I could be in a band just for fun. I could play electric guitar or drums. I love them both but I can't play anything—' I wish I have the time and money to get lessons.

11:41 AM Jul 13 2009 |

priiscilia

China

it’s really crazy and wonderful!if i can, i must do it.but now i have to study hard.maybe in the futher i will do what i really want to do(__)

09:20 AM Jul 13 2009 |

NIIS

NIIS

Germany

 Yeah playing in a band is awesome in case one has talent and enough time and space to practice.. :-/  

And: it's definitely a gerund :)

 

07:57 AM Jul 13 2009 |

MB Chou

MB Chou

Taiwan

Actually, I had ever thought about starting a band. But, I didn't try it for heavy studying. If I could be in a band, I'll like to play guitar.

07:22 AM Jul 13 2009 |

sofree

sofree

China

Never think about it. It should be fun, but I have no gift in any instrument or singing, so just forget it.

07:15 AM Jul 13 2009 |

zhzloverzy

zhzloverzy

China

I dream of  starting a band but I have not  more time and energy and I even can not play any instrument. so I wish I will play some instrument in the band at future .

05:11 AM Jul 13 2009 |

Miss·Daisy

Miss·Daisy

China

wow`starting a band,that's COOL.

i think a composer is also important,people prefer your music because the music resonate with them and attract them.

lately i get hooked on Azure Ray,i think they are amazing and  their music are so intoxicating.

04:02 AM Jul 13 2009 |

amany7

amany7

Saudi Arabia

I think it is gerund too :P 

02:02 AM Jul 13 2009 |

amany7

amany7

Saudi Arabia

well done, nice lesson :)

If you started a band, what instrument would you play?

I never played any instrument but I like piano :p ..

thanks..

01:59 AM Jul 13 2009 |

Lidia_partner

Brazil

Hey, guys, no need for an ad… the singer you need is right here! =P

01:33 AM Jul 13 2009 |

rabbit_rock

China

it's gerund

01:21 AM Jul 13 2009 |

rabbit_rock

China

it's gerund

01:21 AM Jul 13 2009 |

rabbit_rock

China

it's gerund

01:21 AM Jul 13 2009 |

rabbit_rock

China

My friend thought about starting a band ,but it's been one years ago,she didn't have grand ideas about making it big,just for fun.

01:18 AM Jul 13 2009 |

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