2012職稱英語考試《綜合類》完形填空訓(xùn)練題(8)　　

　　第八篇 An Early Form of Jazz Music

　　Music comes in many forms; most countries have a style of their own. At the turn of the last century, when jazz was born , America had no prominent music of its own. No one knows exactly when was invented or by whom. But it began to be heard in the early 1890s. Jazz is America's contribution to

　　Popular music. In contrast to classical music, which follows formal European traditions, jazz is spontaneous and free in form1. It bubbles with energy, expressing the moods, interests, and emotions of the people. In the' 1920s jazz sounded like America. And so it does today. The origins of the music are as interesting as the music itself. American Negroes, or blacks, as they are called today, were the jazz pioneers. They were brought to the Southern states as slaves. They were sold to plantation owners and forced to work long hours. When a Negro died his friends and relatives formed a procession to carry to body to the cemetery. In New Orleans, a band often accompanied the procession . On the way to the cemetery the band played slow, solemn music, suited to the occasion. But on the way home the mood changed. Spirits lifted. Death had removed one of their number2, but the living were glad to be alive. The band played happy music, improvising on both the harmony and the melody of the tunes played at the funeral. This music made everyone want to dance. It was an early form of jazz.