IDIOM CONNECTION
Music Idioms and the School Band
Introduction
Do you know how to play a musical instrument?
Reading
I love music and I learned to play the violin by ear when I was a child. As long as there is music in my life, I am happy. That is why I joined the school band. The school band practices every morning in the school auditorium. Everybody tunes up his or her instrument soon after they arrive. After a few minutes everybody is usually in tune. Except for one person - the band leader’s son. He is a good singer and can carry a tune easily but he cannot play any instrument well. No matter how hard he tries, he is always out of tune with the rest of the orchestra. He never seems to improve and everybody thinks that he will have to leave the band for good soon.
Reading Questions
Answer the following questions. The answers can easily be found in the reading above.
1. When did this person learn to play the violin by ear?
2. As long as there is music in her life, is she happy?
3. Who tunes up their instruments?
4. When is everybody in tune?
5. Who can carry a tune easily?
6. Who is always out of tune with the orchestra?
7. Will the band leader's son probably have to leave the band for good soon?
Making Connections and Idiom Meanings
Some of the idioms have another meaning or are connected to another meaning. Use this information to help you choose the correct meaning for each of the following idioms:
Your score is: ___ out of 8
Multiple Choice
Your score is: ___ out of 8
Grammar Focus
Your score is: ___ out of 8
Discussion Questions
Answer the following questions using the idioms from this section:
1. Can you play music by ear?
2. Do you know anyone who can play music by ear?
3. As long as you have music in your life are you happy?
4. As long as the weather is good, do you like to walk outside?
5. Do you know how to tune up a piano?
6. How often do you think that a piano should be tuned up?
7. Was everybody in your school orchestra always in tune?
8. Have you ever heard an orchestra that was not in tune?
9. Can you carry a tune easily when you sing?
10. Do you know anyone who cannot carry a tune?
11. Have you ever done bad in a class no matter how much you studied?
12. Do you know anyone who, no matter how hard they try, can never do well at sports?
13. Do you know anyone who has played a musical instrument that was out of tune?
14. Have you ever played an instrument that was out of tune?
15. Would you like to move to a different country for good?
16. Do you know anyone who has stopped smoking for good?
Role Play
Student A: You are trying to convince your friend to join the school band. You think that he or she is quite good at playing their instrument.
Student B: You believe that you are not good at music and you will never be able to play well even if you become a member of the school band.