1 . Two musicians from Germany are using robotic equipment to add sounds to their performances. The two-man band performs with a robot that can play several musical instruments at the same time. The robot can sound like a guitar, keyboard, drum or other instruments. When performing, members of the band provide many of the sounds, but others are controlled by a computer. Once connected to wires and set up, instruments can play on their own.
One of the instruments was created from a long, self-turning wooden stick that sits on top of a microphone stand（支架）.The stick contains long strings. They are tied on each end. The strings are connected to a small wooden ball. As the stick tums, the ball hits a block on the floor, creating a sound. The two-man band, called Joasihno, recently performed at the South by Southwest Conference and Music Festival in Austin, Texas. They describe their electronic sounds as “psychedelic（迷幻的）machine” music. “Actually, we call it a psychedelic robot group, ”said Cico Beck, one of the creators of the group.
The group’s other member, Nico Siereg, says playing in an experimental band with robots is not the same as playing in a traditional one. “It’s a little bit different because you also have in mind that there are machines playing around you, but there’s no reaction from them, ” he said. But Siereg said that in some ways, the robots actually help him improve his performance. Since the self-playing instruments are programmed, he sometimes feels freer to focus on what he is playing, and at times to even play without preparation.
The musician says he can imagine similar technology having a greater influence on many different kinds of music in the future. “Technology is like a very important tool and it’s very often a very important part of inspiration, ” he said. But he also expressed hope that "real music won’t die.
In addition to performing recently in Texas, Joashihno has been busy putting on shows in Europe and in Canada. The band hopes its high-tech music “experiment” will keep reaching new people and pleasing the ears of its fans.
1. According to the first paragraph, what can we know about the robotic equipment?| A．It is operated by a wooden stick. |
| B．It is controlled to make music. |
| C．It functions as musical instruments. |
| D．It is actually a set of wires connecting computers. |
| A．It is better than playing with human beings. |
| B．It is just a pity that the robots cannot respond to him. |
| C．It has a negative effect on his performance because robots distract him. |
| D．It is strange for him to have some machines playing around him. |
| A．Robots will replace musical instruments. |
| B．This new style of performance has become popular around the world. |
| C．One member of the band doesn’t think playing with robots is real music. |
| D．The machines are programmed to create many sounds. |
| A．Real Music Won’t Die | B．Adding New Blood |
| C．High Technology Is Applied to Music | D．Robots Will Wipe Out Human Beings |
2 . Recently, South Korean star PSY’s “Gangnam style” video has been popular on the Internet. It has become most people’s favorite music.
In fact, the song has set the Guinness World Record for the most popular video in the history of the Internet. More than two million people have said “like” since the song was on the Internet on July 15.
PSY’s special dance moves and funny horse riding style have attracted many people. Although many people do not understand the language, the video has become the talk of the Internet. The song has come to first place in the music charts in 31 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
“I just sang for my South Korean fans. I have never expected it to be popular in other countries,” PSY told the reporters on a concert. The song was so popular that a few of South Korean’s politicians showed PSY’s moves to attract supporters.
“The song came out in mid-July. It sings about the rich life of South Korea--especially Gangnam in Seoul, where a lot of rich people live.
Millions of people have watched the video. Many stars, such as Katy Perry, Robbie Williams and Nelly Furtado said that they love the song. These stars performed part of the song at a recent concert.
Riding high on the success of “Gangnam Style”, PSY was signed by Scooter Braun to Braun’s Schoolboy Records, a label distributed by Universal Republic.
PSY has written many hit songs of varying styles for different singers. Prior to “Gangnam Style” his most famous composition perhaps was Lee Seung Gi’s debut(首次亮相) song “Because You Are My Woman”.
1. What makes PSY’s “Gangnam Style” the famous music of millions of people?| A．The song has set the Guinness World Record |
| B．The song has come to first place in the music chart |
| C．They like the dance moves and the horse riding style |
| D．They don’t understand the words of the song |
| A．They wanted to tell people that they were also fond of music |
| B．They wanted people to support them |
| C．They were PSY’s fans |
| D．They liked PSY’s dancing style |
| A．The way of horse riding |
| B．The rich life of people of Gangnam in Seoul |
| C．The Guinness World Record |
| D．The love of stars |
| A．Life of the Music Star PSY |
| B．“Gangnam Styly”--Most people’s favorite Music |
| C．PSY’s Famous Compositions |
| D．Meaning of “Gangnam Style” |
