20 Music Collocations in Context

20 Music Collocations in Context

Read carefully this text where you will find 20 music collocations in context and then complete the quiz.

My older brother Alex is very musically gifted (he has a natural talent for music). He can play any tune from memory, without looking at sheet music (musical notation written on paper). He spends all his free time strumming a guitar (playing a guitar), composing music (creating music), and writing song lyrics (the words to a song). 

Alex and his friends formed a band that has attracted a sizable following (a lot of fans) in our city. They started out playing gigs (giving small, informal performances) in bars and clubs, and they used the money they earned to record their debut album (record their first CD). 

A remixed track (a song that has been modified electronically) from that CD then became a massive hit (a very popular song) on the local radio station thanks to its catchy tune (memorable melody) and upbeat tempo (fast rhythm). 

Their second album will be released (it will be made available to the public) at the end of the year; they’ll record it live at their next show. Alex dreams of going on tour – he’s just waiting for his big break (big opportunity to become famous) to get his foot in the door of the music industry. 

As for me, I love singing along (singing together) to my brother’s music, but a career in music isn’t for me – I’m completely tone-deaf (unable to correctly identify different musical notes) and I always sing off-key (sing the incorrect melody)! 

Additional collocations: 

• contemporary music = modern music
• classical music
• orchestral/instrumental music = music with instruments only (no singing)
• rock music
• solo album = CD featuring one singer alone, not in a group of singers
• compilation album = a CD with a collection of songs from many different singers/bands
• cult following = a very dedicated/devoted group of fans

Do you know any other collocation or expression related to family? Share with us!… and keep on task learning more collocations in context or 25 more relationship collocations in context!

Quiz

Complete the following quiz with the right music collocation in context:

gifted / lyrics / remixed / debut / strumming / tune / gig / following / tour / off-key / hit / upbeat 

1. I can’t stand that song; I don’t know why it’s such a _____________. 

2. I like the song, but I don’t understand the _________________. 

3. I’m not really musically ______________, but I practice the violin every day. 

4. It’s such a catchy _____________, I can’t get it out of my head! 

5. My cousin’s band is going on ____________ next summer; they’ve lined up shows in eleven different states. 

6. Someone in the choir was singing _____________, and it sounded terrible. 

7. The band’s _____________ album was a huge success. 

8. The DJ played some _______________ tracks at the wedding reception. 

9. The singer has attracted quite a devoted _____________ in Korea – her concerts there are always sold out. 

10. The street musician sat on a park bench, _______________ his guitar. 

11. This music is so slow it’s putting me to sleep. Let’s listen to something with a more ___________ tempo. 

12. We’re going to play a ____________ at the Jazz Club on Friday night. 

To keep on improving your speaking skills, have a look at this post on savvy synonyms for overused words in speaking.

Answer Key

Complete the following quiz with the right music collocation in context:

1. I can’t stand that song; I don’t know why it’s such a hit. 

2. I like the song, but I don’t understand the lyrics. 

3. I’m not really musically gifted, but I practice the violin every day. 

4. It’s such a catchy tune, I can’t get it out of my head! 

5. My cousin’s band is going on tour next summer; they’ve lined up shows in eleven different states. 

6. Someone in the choir was singing off-key, and it sounded terrible. 

7. The band’s debut album was a huge success. 

8. The DJ played some remixed tracks at the wedding reception. 

9. The singer has attracted quite a devoted following in Korea – her concerts there are always sold out. 

10. The street musician sat on a park bench, strumming his guitar. 

11. This music is so slow it’s putting me to sleep. Let’s listen to something with a more upbeat tempo. 

12. We’re going to play a gig at the Jazz Club on Friday night.