There are so many different kinds of music in America. Compared with others, jazz is much younger. Americans loved it, and soon, so did people all over the world. Jazz was a truly American creation (创造) some even say that it is the only truly American art form.
Even though jazz seemed brand new (崭新的) in the 1920s, it had actually been developing over many years. In the early 1900s, African-American blues along with music from other traditions combined (结合) with a New Orleans style of band music was played for processions (游行) . The result of that combination was a brand new sound—jazz. Jazz is seen by many as "America's classical music". Since the 1920s Jazz Age, jazz has become a major form of musical expression.
New Orleans was home to some of the original Jazz masters. Louis Armstrong, the famous jazz trumpet (小号) player; Jelly Roll Morton, the famous pianist; and Joe "King" Oliver, the famous cornet (短号) player, all called New Orleans home. Louis Armstrong was popular for his trumpet and cornet playing and for his famous gravelly (沙哑的) singing voice. In the 1920s, he played in "King" Oliver's Creole Jazz Band. Jelly Roll Morton was a great jazz composer (作曲家) , as well as a piano player.
Different countries have different greeting customs. Read this article to know more about the greeting customs in different cultures, and make sure you greet people in the right way next time.
|
France French people greet each other with a handshake, but close friends kiss each other on both cheeks when they meet. They do this gesture when meeting and before leaving. |
|
South Korea In South Korea, it is a sign of respect for people to bow when greeting each other, In South Korea, a bow is followed by a handshake. While shaking someone's hand, it is polite to support the right forearm with the left hand. However, South Korean women do not shake hands with Western men; instead, they bow slightly. |
|
Brazil Kissing women on the cheek is a common way of greeting. In a formal situation, a handshake is often done to show respect. Men should shake hands before and after meeting, and once they have become familiar with each other, a light hug is often given to each other. |
|
Ghana In a social situation, it's polite to greet everyone in the room. A handshake is used in greeting, and the palm must directly touch the palm of the other. It's considered disrespectful to touch the back of the hand. |
|
The Philippines There are several ways of greeting people in the Philippines. An elderly person places his or her right hand on the forehead of a child to "bless" the latter. This is called" mano". Relatives and family members greet each other with a kiss on the cheek. Friends greet each other with a polite nod or a handshake. |
Stonehenge means "hanging stones". They stood in a circle, with 30 more stones lying on top to form a ring of rocks. There was also an inner circle built with similar stones. The stones set up in a trilithon(巨石牌坊) pattern.
A trilithon is made of two stone pillars with a stab of rock laid across the top. The stones weigh up to 20 tons each. People wonder how the huge rocks were placed that way.
Historians agree that Stonehenge was built in three different stages. The first stage took place about 5, 000 years ago. At that time, a large circular earth wall was made. Historians believe the wall was dug and cut with tools made form anglers(鹿角) of red deer. The earth wall was about 98m in diameter(直径) a 5-meter-tall stone was placed near the center. Then, they had to transport the large blue stones (up to 4 tons) 384 kilometers to Stonehenge. Experts think they might be moved across ice and snow. The ground in winter in this area is usually full of ice and snow, making it easier to move the rocks. The next task was to stand the stones up. The most difficult task was putting the top stones in place. Each one of these tasks took a lot of planning and a lot of strength, but the workers of Stonehenge were excellent builders.
Why was the monument built? Some scientists think it's a burial ground. There are over 400 graves (burial sits) nearby. A man was buried with two gold earrings which are the oldest gold ever found in Britain (dated to 2470 BC). Others think Stonehenge was built by early astronomers. Scientists believe that when a person stands in the center of the monument, the changing of seasons can be seen. Certain stones mark the location of the rising and setting moon in midwinter. Other stones mark the rising and setting sun in midsummer. The ancient people held religious ceremonies on these days. These ceremonies probably asked the gods to bring good weather for crops and to protect the people from bad weather.
Stonehenge is an engineering success. Thousands of years later, it still stands. As a calendar, Stonehenge is very accurate. It shows that early people had a deep understanding of the movements to the sun and the moon. They didn't have machines or computers, but Stonehenge shows people could do many things using only their muscles and their brains.
There are many kinds of music in the world, pop music, classical music, folk music and so on. Do you know country music? It's a traditional kind of music from the southern states of America, I like it very much! It will take me away for a while after I am tired. The guitars and songs will take me to mountains and fields.
Country music usually talks of everyday life and feelings. It's like the spirit of America, easy to understand, slow and simple.
Country music developed in the Southern United States. It was the folk music of American countryside. Many of the songs tell about the lives of farmers. They talk about love, crops or death. The life in the countryside can be hard, so the words in country music are often sad. At first, people played the music only at family parties. But it became more popular later. In the 1920s, people played country songs on the radio, and they made them into records.
When people in the countryside moved to towns and cities to look for jobs, they took their music with them. Country music continued to change and became popular across America.
John Denver was one of America's most famous country singers in the 1970s. His song Take Me Home, Country Roads is well known and people still play it today.
France is one of the most popular tourist places for a holiday. With the modern capital Paris, the wonderful beaches and mountain scenery, France provides many chances.
There are different kinds of adventure activities to take part in, for people of all ages. Horse riding, mountain biking and hiking are all popular.
These holidays provide a chance for visitors to cycle their way into the countryside. The countryside there is quiet and beautiful.
The country has some of the best ski areas. The Alps offers some excellent places to ski.
France is an excellent choice for a golfing holiday. Playing golf with the beautiful scenery of mountains and the sea is a wonderful experience.
If you are interested in having a holiday in France, you can call us at 1214-6901. We can provide you with many other good ideas about holidays in France.
|
A. Cycling Holidays B. Adventure Holidays C. Golfing Holidays D. Skiing Holidays |
Xian Xinghai was a very famous musician in China. He wrote one of the greatest pieces of music of the 20th century. In his short life he wrote1300 songs and an opera.
Xian was born in Macao, China in 1905. Because his father died before he was born, Xian moved from place2place with his mother. He began learning to play the3when he was 13 years old. In the beginning, his violin was4cheap and badly made that he5not play it well. His friends laughed at him. Xian did not stop6and soon showed his talent. In 1934, he was one of the first Chinese students7studied in a special music school in Paris. Before he8, Xian became the school's best student9won several prizes for his talents.
In 1935, he returned to China and helped fight against the Japanese army. Later, he came to Yan'an to10music at a college.11there were no pianos in Yan' an at that time, Xian still wrote12of his most important music there, including The Yellow River, his most famous work.
In May 1940, Xian was13to the Soviet Union by the Chinese Communist Party to write music for movies. In the Soviet Union, life was very14. Xian got sick and later died of a lung illness15October 30, 1945, aged only 40. Xian's music, however, lives on in the people's hearts.
China is a ration of etiquette(礼仪). Chinese people are among (friendly) people in the world. If foreigners visit a Chinese family, they would be surprised at the warmth that they would receive as guests. you visit a Chinese family, the host usually (make) tea for you. Then he will serve you snacks biscuits or candy. Someone in the family will also chat with you, never (let) you feel lonely. At the same time, other family members will prepare a meal for you. Chinese people treat their guests with a big meal. They always present (much) food than the guests can eat. On the table, the guests must be first to eat. As you are eating, the host usually says, "It seems" that you didn't eat much, Please have more." you tell them you are full, they still put more food in your bowl. (be) warm and hospitable(好客的) has long been an important part of Chinese culture and tradition. As Confucius said (thousand) of years ago: To meet friends from a far, how happy we are!
