Page 203 - @ccess 3 Teacher´s Book

Track 58 (Practice 9, Activity 2) Track 60 (Practice 9, Activity 9)

Eric: What topic should we discuss in the debate? Can Paula: I think we have too many issues on our list and
you think of anything interesting? some of them should be deleted. What do you think?
David: I think we should talk about illegal downloading. María: Yes, I agree. I don’t think we should delete them
Paula: I don’t agree. There’s not much to say about it. It is completely, but they could be merged.
illegal. That’s it. What do you think, María? Eric: OK. Maybe we can cross off “Can computers
María: It sounds like a good idea because lots of people substitute traditional instruments to make music?”
do it and that’s why it might be interesting, but it’s because we can talk about it while we are discussing
not right. “Are computers musical instruments?”
Eric: OK, then what about the fact that record David: Yes, let’s do that. I think “Does computer music
companies are making too much money off the have the same quality as the music made with traditional
artists’ work? instruments?” should include “Which has more merit:
David: I don’t think that’s fair, but I can’t say much more. the skills required to make computer music or the ones
I don’t know how the industry works or what companies needed to play traditional instruments?” and “Are people
do to promote an album. It’s a relevant topic and I like less interested in playing traditional instruments?”
that you suggested it, but we don’t work in the industry, Paula: OK, so let’s cross those off the list, as well.
so we’ll find it difficult to discuss. María: What about the last one: “Does computer music
Paula: Yes, you’re right. Let’s talk about making music provoke the same feelings in people as music made
using a computer instead of traditional instruments. with traditional instruments?”
María: Oh, yes! That could be a heated discussion. Do Eric: I believe we should keep it. So, we have three main
you like that topic, Eric? issues to discuss: if computers are considered musical
Eric: I do! I agree that we could have an important instruments, the skills in play while making music, and
discussion about this, as some people don’t think that the effect it has on people.
computer-made music can have the same quality or David: Great! I think we’re covered.
merit as music made with instruments.
David: Yes, that’s a great idea! However, there are lots Track 61 (Practice 9, Activity 15)
of artists making good music with computers, robots,
and other stuff. Because good music is good music, Eric: How do you feel about the fact that it’s now very
regardless of where it came from, or how it came about. common for people to compose and perform music
Paula: OK, good! with a computer instead of using instruments?
David: Well, I don’t find it strange, since music has
Track 59 (Practice 9, Activity 7) evolved over time, and if technology is present in most
aspects of our lives, it’s obvious that it’s going to be
David: We now have these texts to use in our debate, present in music, as well.
and they all come from reliable sources. Paula: Yes, I agree, but I think that producers are
Paula: Yes, but not all of them will help us write overusing it. For example, the vocals in pop music are
our arguments. so computer-manipulated and altered that the voice
María: How come? loses its humanity.
Eric: Well, for example, these two are descriptive, so the María: I’m afraid that’s not true! I mean, yes, they are
reader has a general idea about the topic. exaggerating the fake quality of the sound, but it’s
David: Yes, but I don’t think this one will work, because because people like the computer kind of sound
it’s Beethoven’s biography. in music.
Paula: Exactly, it describes the main points in his life and Eric: That’s right! It happens with instruments, as well,
it also has a portrait of the musician, but we won’t need not just with the voice. Electronic musicians just don't
any of this information in our debate. care enough to mimic real instruments anymore and
María: Oh, I see. But the encyclopedia entry will work, they are making their own new sounds.
right? It describes what computer music is, the music David: As far as I’m concerned, I like the versatility
apps a computer has, and so on. of computer music, as it can produce as many subtle
Eric: Yes. I think this text will help us define our topic. nuances as a competent performer could want. It
We can start from here. depends on the skill of the person behind the computer.
David: What about the image at the bottom of Paula: Well, I guess you’re right.
the page?
Paula: Well, it’s a video about electronic music made Track 62 (Practice 9, Activity 16)
with a computer and there’s also an interview with
someone who specializes in that kind of music. David: What do you think about the texts we have and
María: So, we can say that the video provides more the ideas in favor of and against computer music?
information on the subject. I think we should watch it Paula: I think we have plenty of information about both
and see if it works for our research. points of view.
Eric: Good idea! María: Let’s check our three main issues to make sure
we’re not missing anything.

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