托福听力加试拉格泰姆音乐RagtimeMusic.doc

托福机经听力加试拉格泰姆音乐Ragtime Music原文及试题 Now listen to part of a lecture in a music history class. P: Often times we talk about the popularity of music, but we dont always think about the role that the instruments play in their popularity. To give you an idea of what I mean, just take Ragtime music for instance. Without the piano, Ragtime music certainly wouldnt have evolved in the late 1800s the way that it did. I mean...characteristics like the keys, and the chords, made the piano suitable for playing the separate parts of the music: the melodies, rhythms, harmonies, at the same time. So, with one hand you could play the melody, while playing the harmony with the other. All the while maintaining the rhythm, all characteristic of Ragtime music. In other words, the piano allowed musicians to create the lively sound of Ragtime music unlike any other instruments of their time. And for about 20 years, Ragtime music was Americas most popular music, particularly the piano rag, although some people didnt exactly embrace ragtime, young people in general especially liked it. S: Kind of like Rock and Roll in the 50s? P: Without a doubt. I mean of course Ragtime in 1900 didnt sound at all like Rock and Roll did in 1950, but Id say thats a fair comparison. Ragtime generated the same kind of excitement that other kinds of music like Rock and eventually Rap did. S: Really? Well, with Rock and Rap, I get why they are popular, but when it comes to Ragtime, well...I dont get it. P: Ok, lets take a moment to look at what Ragtime music was about; it was fresh and new, it was the first kind of mainstream music that used African-American rhythms and that was exciting, and finally the music and even the lyrics reflected the restless energy and optimism of young people. Can you see how it could capture the spirit of American youth? Just like Rock would do 50 years later? So, getting back to the piano, of all instruments. As I said before, its unique design was part of the appeal, which was well