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Singing in the Shower

Date: Mar 17 2008

Themes: Hobbies, Music

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Intro

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

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

They say it’s all that tile around you, that it makes your voice sound better. But there’s also the illusion that you’re alone. Even if you’re in a crowded apartment building, when you get in the shower you forget that people might hear you because no one can see you.

And, of course, there are all those microphone-shaped bottles of shampoo and maybe even a brush. And the running water is your white-noise backup band, or your thousands of fans clapping when you finish a song. The shower is a great place to sing, but does it make you a better singer once you dry off?

Jason hopes so, but Amanda thinks not.

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.

Jason

Amanda

Jason: So I’ve become a much better singer over the last five years.

Amanda: Really? I hadn’t noticed. Have you?

Jason: Well, you’re not in my shower. That’s where I get most of my practice in, I’d say.

Amanda: A lot of people do because of the acoustics. You probably don’t sound better anywhere other than the shower.

Jason: You think so?

Amanda: Yup, I do.

Jason: Oh, man. Way to burst my bubble.

Amanda: No offense. I’m sure you sound great. But what are you practicing for? American Idol for ‘09?

Jason: Yup.

Amanda: Are they coming here?

Jason: Uh-huh.

Amanda: Really?

Jason: Yeah.

Amanda: That’s like your ninth try or something?

Jason: Uh-huh.

Amanda: OK.

Jason: This is the one. I’ve been taking four showers a day. It’s driving my roomates crazy.

Amanda: What are you gonna sing?

Jason: Um, “You Are the Wind Beneath my Wings.”

Amanda: Well, here’s a question. So you’re practicing in the shower, but then the American Idol audition is sans shower. Are you worried it will sound a little different?

Jason: I’m a little worried. Maybe I’ll just do it in my bathrobe so it’s kind of half way…

Amanda: I see what you’re saying, because a lot of people are wearing those costumes and then it kind of guarantees your shot on TV…

Jason: Exactly.

Amanda: ...which is so lame.

Jason: I don’t know…gimmickry...

Amanda: Good luck! Break a leg!

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Discussion

Jason brags to Amanda that he’s become a better singer over the last few years. His secret? Singing in the shower.

Amanda tells Jason that he probably isn’t any better at singing outside of the shower. He gets a little hurt so she says she’s sure he’s a good singer.

But he can’t be all that good considering he’s tried out for American Idol and failed eight times. For his ninth try next year he’s going to wear his bathrobe so that he’ll be reminded of the shower. Plus it makes it more likely that he’ll be on TV! But Amanda thinks that’s lame and jokes about it a little bit.

What song do you sing in the shower?