Part 1 about music

1. Do you often (like to) listen to music? Or do you like listening to music?
So far I haven’t met anyone who dislikes music. However, when the workload is too heavy
that requires me to stay highly focused, music is a huge distraction. Unlike many people
who listen to instrumental music because it helps them focus,  music makes me feel sleepy.
2. When do you listen to music?
Well, the whole world likes it, so I’m no exception. I usually listen to cheerful music when I
need motivation and prefer sad ones, when I’m in a bad mood.
3. How much time do you spend listening to music every day?
As I’ve mentioned I prefer working in silence. To put it simply, I don’t listen to music
during my working hours. After a long day at school, I probably want to chill out for like half
an hour and music helps me to stay energetic.
4. What kinds of music do you like to listen to? Or What’s your favourite kind of
music?
I prefer a range of music from Western to Eastern, and from the 90s to modern EDM. But if
Korean pop is considered as a kind of music, then yeah, that’s my favourite. More than half
of my playlists are Korean songs and I always keep myself updated with news related to
Korean showbiz.
5. Have you ever been to a concert before? Or Have you ever been to a musical
performance?
I attend concerts, once in a blue moon, since the ticket price for foreign artists’ concerts
is out of my reach.  So I can only stay home and watch online. It was in 2014 that I finally
did go to a concert on my own and it was an international music concert. It was
absolutely mind-blowing and an unforgettable experience.
6. Do you like to listen to live music?
Unless it’s live at a coffee shop, where literally there is only music and me, then yeah I would
love to. But I would change my mind if it’s a concert. The crowd is too crazy. It’s
completely a mess most of the time and I end up with a severe headache.
7. When did you start listening to this type of music?
From the day a friend of mine introduced her favourite group to me. She couldn’t help
herself talking on and on about them that I thought I somehow needed to catch up with her.
And the more I got to know about Korean pop, the more passionate I became.
8. Where do you listen to it?
Almost everywhere, except for the classroom. It’s the golden era of mobile devices.
Everyone carries earphone and phones with them all the time, music, therefore, is on their
fingertips.
 9. How do you feel when you listen to this music?
Well, I’m the type of person whose mood is easily affected by what I’m listening to. Thus as
the music changes, my mood also fluctuates. But most of the time, listening to some music
helps me pick up my energy and chill a bit.
10. Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?
I learned to play the organ when I was in kindergarten. It was quite funny because I started
out as one of the performers. Then my teacher told my mom that I had better play the organ
instead of performing. So I became her trainee and it continued for around 4 to 5 years until I
was 10.
11. Is music an important subject at school in your country?
Music is one of the compulsory subjects for primary and secondary students in my country.
However, the main focus was on singing. We could also add some movements to make the
songs more lively. Only those who were selected for the large performances were allowed to
use musical instruments.
12. Did you often listen to music when you were a child? (If yes give details.)
Since my parents are music-lovers and also have very good tastes, I was exposed to music at
a very young age. Sometimes my mom sang me to sleep with her lullabies. Although I could
not get the message at that time, my mom said that I buoyed up when listening to them.
13. What kinds of music are (most) popular in your country?
Besides pop music, the younger generation nowadays is exposed to different types of music.
It is indeed difficult to tell which is in-demand since I feel each type has roughly the same
popularity. But I guess pop music is the most sought-after now. I’ve never met someone
who doesn’t know pop songs.
14. Do you like traditional songs?
Well, it’s easy for me to name some traditional songs, some of which I’m very familiar with.
But to be honest, I think I’m not that into this kind of music.
Vocabulary

 Workload : the amount of work that person has to do

Eg: The workload was huge.
 Distraction : something that gets your attention and prevents you from concentrating on
something else
Eg: The loud music is a distraction
 To be no exception :  if someone or something is no exception, they are the same as all
others so they can be included in a general statement
Eg: The main road is closed and everyone has to use the byroad. There is no exception 
 To be in a bad/good mood:  sad or happy
Eg: ,My father was in a bad mood.
 To put it simply : used for saying that you are explaining something in a clear and simple
wayMake your painting elegant to put it simply on the paint exhibition.
Eg: To put it simply, this is modern art.
 Chill out : to relax
Eg: they  are chilling out on the beach 
 To keep updated : to follow a celebrity by frequently reading news about them
Eg: He likes  to keep himself updated.
 Once in a blue moon : rarely
Eg: His father comes once in a blue moon
 Out of my reach : to be unable to afford
Eg: I wanted to buy that shirt. But it is out of my reach.
 On one’s own : Responsible for oneself, independent of outside help or control
Eg: I’m living on my own.
 Mind-blowing : Sth overwhelmingly impressive
Eg: they did a mind blowing performance on the stage
 Pick up my energy : to get better, stronger
Eg: he had picked up all his energy after drinking the juice
 Buoyed up ; feel cheerful
Eg: The siblings buoyed up in the car. 
 To start out : to begin
Eg: They are not ready  to start out the performance at this moment