ESL Music lesson plans

This worksheet covers vocabulary related to music, including English words for musical instruments, adjectives and expressions for describing music as well as common idioms related to music. The lesson plan includes speaking activities as well as a listening exercise in which the students describe six music samples.

Target language
Musical instruments: a cello, a flute, a recorder, a saxophone, a tambourine, a trumpet, a violin, drums
Types of musical instruments: wind instruments, brass instruments, string instruments, percussion instruments
Adjectives for describing music: heavy, upbeat, melancholic, jazzy, funky, orchestral
Expressions for describing music: It has a catchy melody; It has a fast tempo; It's very cheesy; It's a timeless classic; It brings back memories; It was a smash hit.
Describing songs: It makes me feel relaxed/happy/excited/nostalgic/sad ...; I'd want to/ wouldn't want to listen to it if I was feeling/trying to..., etc.