Asking questions about music is a fun way to put your English speaking skills to the test. Music is a universal experience that everyone on the planet is deeply connected to in some way, so it’s an excellent ESL discussion topic for every classroom.
Whether you’re trying to make small talk with someone in the elevator, or you’re about to practice your speaking skills with an ESL conversation partner, use this list of music questions to spark some fun and engaging discussions!
List of music questions
- What is your favorite genre of music?
- What is your least favorite genre of music?
- How often do you listen to music?
- In what ways has music impacted your life?
- Who are some of your favorite artists or bands?
- What was the first concert you ever attended?
- Do you play any musical instruments?
- Do you wish you could play a musical instrument? If so, which one?
- Are you a good singer?
- Do you enjoy singing, regardless of your singing talent?
- What is your go-to karaoke song?
- Is there a song that always makes you happy when you hear it?
- Which song always makes you sad when you hear it?
- What kind of emotions does music evoke in you?
- Are there any songs that have special meaning to you?
- What is your favorite music-related memory?
- What is the best live performance you have seen?
- How has music impacted your life?
- Are there any songs that make you cry?
- Who are some of your musical influences?
- What type of music do you like to listen to when studying or working?
- What type of music do you enjoy when you go dancing?
- Are there any songs that you have to dance to when you hear them?
- How has technology changed the way we experience music?
- Do you prefer to listen to music alone or with others?
- How has your taste in music changed over the years?
- Is there a particular musical artist whose work you admire?
- Is there a certain artist or band that has been particularly inspiring for you?
- What is the best way to discover new music?
- Do you like to experiment with different musical styles?
- Do you think lyrics are important in a song or do they not matter much?
- Do you think music can be used as a form of therapy?
- What is the most creative use of music in a movie or television show?
- What is your favorite movie soundtrack?
- Do you think it is important to learn to play a musical instrument?
- How do you feel when listening to instrumental music versus vocal music?
- What type of music do you like to listen to when you are feeling down?
- What type of music do you like to listen to when exercising or working out?
- Are there any musical trends that you think are overrated?
- Are there any musical artists that you think are underrated?
- How has the internet changed the way we access and share music?
- How has the rise of social media changed the way music is shared and experienced?
- How has the rise of streaming services changed the way we listen to and appreciate music?
- Do you still buy record and CDs?
- How has technology impacted the production and recording of music?
- How will AI change the music industry?
- Do you prefer listening to albums or singles?
- Do you have a favorite music video?
- Is there an artist or band whose work you have followed for a long period of time?
- Are there any songs that bring back strong memories for you?
- What do you think makes a great song or album?
- What is your favorite album of all time?
- What kind of music do you like to listen to when relaxing or unwinding after a long day?
- Do you prefer to attend concerts or festivals?
- What do you think makes a great live performance?
- Do you prefer live performances or studio recordings of songs?
- Is there a particular artist or band that has influenced your life in a positive way?
- Do you have any favorite covers of songs by different artists?
- How has the evolution of digital music impacted the industry as a whole?
- What is the most popular genre of music in the world?
- Who is the best selling artist of all time?
- What are some common instruments used in classical music?
- How have musical instruments changed since they were first created?
- What do you think is the most difficult instrument to play?
- What is the most unique instrument you have ever heard?
- How do synthesizers work to create sound effects?
- How does tempo affect a song’s mood?
- What is the difference between rhythm and melody?
- What are some different types of scales used in music?
- How has technology changed the way we listen to music today?
- How do producers create unique sounds and effects?
- What kind of training is needed to become a professional musician?
- Do you think it is important to learn how to read music notation?
- What are the main components of a song structure?
- Do you think it is important to learn music history? Why or why not?
- What was the first song to ever be recorded in a studio?
- How does a songwriter come up with melodies and lyrics?
- What makes a song lyrically successful?
- What types of jobs are available in the music industry?
- Why do you think humanity enjoys music so much?
Would you like us to write about a specific ESL discussion topic or do you have suggestions for our ESL Conversation Questions series? Get in touch here.
