The Sound of Music — Class 9 English Notes

Topics covered in The Sound of Music

1. 1.The Sound of Music

   Short Summary

   Part I: Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It

   This part of the chapter narrates the story of Evelyn Glennie, a deaf musician who has become one of the most sought-after percussionists in the world. Despite losing her hearing, Evelyn pursued her passion for music with determination and hard work, learning to sense vibrations and sounds through different parts of her body. Her journey to success is marked by her admission to the Royal Academy of Music, her numerous awards, and her inspirational performances worldwide.
   
   

   Part II: The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan
   
   

   This part details the life and achievements of Ustad Bismillah Khan, a legendary shehnai player. Born into a family of musicians, Bismillah Khan was deeply influenced by his uncle and began learning the shehnai at an early age. His dedication and talent brought him national and international acclaim, including the prestigious Bharat Ratna. He is remembered for his memorable performances, especially his rendition of Raag Kafi on India's Independence Day in 1947.

   
   Long Summary

   Part I: Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It

   
   Evelyn Glennie’s journey began with her gradual loss of hearing, which was discovered when she was eight years old. Despite the challenges, she refused to give up on her passion for music. With the help of her percussion teacher, Ron Forbes, she learned to sense music through vibrations felt in different parts of her body. Her talent and determination led her to the Royal Academy of Music, where she excelled and eventually became a celebrated solo percussionist. Evelyn's story is one of resilience and dedication, showing that physical limitations can be overcome with hard work and a positive attitude.

   
   Part II: The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan
   
   

   Bismillah Khan was born into a family of musicians in Bihar. He was fascinated by the shehnai from a young age and began learning under the guidance of his uncle, Ali Bux. His devotion to music and rigorous practice led him to master the instrument and innovate new ragas. Bismillah Khan's fame spread beyond India, and he performed at prestigious venues worldwide. He played the shehnai on the historic occasion of India’s Independence Day in 1947, marking a significant moment in the nation's history. Despite his global fame, he remained deeply connected to his roots in Benaras and Bihar.

   
   Key Events

   Part I: Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It

   1. Evelyn's gradual loss of hearing and its discovery.
   2. Her determination to pursue music despite her disability.
   3. Learning to sense music through vibrations.
   4. Admission to the Royal Academy of Music and achieving top awards.
   5. Becoming a renowned solo percussionist and performing globally.

   
   Part II: The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

   1. Bismillah Khan’s early fascination with the shehnai.
   2. His rigorous practice and innovative contributions to the instrument.
   3. His significant performance on India's Independence Day.
   4. International recognition and numerous awards, including the Bharat Ratna.
   5. His deep connection to his roots despite global fame.

   
   Lessons to Learn

   1. Perseverance and Determination: Both Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan's stories teach us that with determination and hard work, one can overcome physical limitations and achieve great success.
      
      
   2. Innovation and Creativity: Bismillah Khan's ability to innovate new ragas on the shehnai highlights the importance of creativity in one's craft.
      
      
   3. Passion and Dedication: Evelyn’s passion for music and Bismillah Khan’s dedication to the shehnai are inspiring examples of how a deep love for one's art can lead to extraordinary accomplishments.

   
   Solve Find Out Section This Chapter
   
   

   Part I

   I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

   1. How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?

      • She was seventeen years old.

   2. When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?

      • It was first noticed when she was eight years old and confirmed by the time she was eleven.
        
        

   II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (30–40 words).

   1. Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?

      • Percussionist Ron Forbes helped Evelyn by teaching her to sense music through vibrations, saying, “Don’t listen through your ears, try to sense it some other way.”

   2. Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.

      • Evelyn performs in concert halls around the world, as well as in prisons and hospitals. She also gives high priority to classes for young musicians.
        
        

   III. Answer the question in two or three paragraphs (100–150 words).

   1. How does Evelyn hear music?
      • Evelyn hears music through vibrations felt in different parts of her body. By tuning into these vibrations, she can distinguish between different sounds and notes. For example, she feels higher drum notes from the waist up and lower drum notes from the waist down. When playing instruments like the xylophone, she senses the sound passing through the stick into her fingertips. She also removes her shoes to feel the vibrations through her feet while playing on wooden platforms. This unique way of experiencing music allows her to perform beautifully and connect deeply with her art.

   
   Part II

   I. Tick the right answer.

   1. The (shehnai, pungi) was a ‘reeded noisemaker.’

      • pungi

   2. (Bismillah Khan, A barber, Ali Bux) transformed the pungi into a shehnai.

      • A barber

   3. Bismillah Khan’s paternal ancestors were (barbers, professional musicians).

      • professional musicians

   4. Bismillah Khan learnt to play the shehnai from (Ali Bux, Paigambar Bux, Ustad Faiyaaz Khan).

      • Ali Bux

   5. Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to (Afghanistan, U.S.A., Canada).

      • Afghanistan

   III. Answer these questions in 30–40 words.

   1. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?

      • Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi because it had a shrill and unpleasant sound.
        
        

   2. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?

      • The shehnai is made from a pipe with a natural hollow stem, longer and broader than the pungi, and has seven holes that produce soft and melodious sounds.
        
        

   3. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?

      • The shehnai was traditionally played in temples and weddings. Bismillah Khan brought it onto the classical stage, making it a prominent part of Indian classical music.
        
        

   4. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?

      • Bismillah Khan got his big break with the opening of All India Radio in Lucknow in 1938, where he became a well-known shehnai player.
        
        

   5. Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event historic?

      • Bismillah Khan played the shehnai at the Red Fort on 15 August 1947 to celebrate India's independence, marking a historic moment for the nation.
        
        

   6. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?

      • Bismillah Khan refused to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he could not bear to leave Benaras and the Ganga, which were deeply connected to his music and identity.
        
        

   7. Find at least two instances in the text which tell you that Bismillah Khan loves India and Benaras.

      • Bismillah Khan's refusal to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he could not live without the Ganga, and his statement that he misses Benaras and the Ganga while he is abroad.
        
        

   Character Analysis

   Evelyn Glennie

   • Role: Deaf percussionist
   • Development: Overcomes her disability to become a world-renowned musician.
   • Insights: Demonstrates resilience, hard work, and innovation in her approach to music, sensing vibrations through her body.

   
   Bismillah Khan

   • Role: Shehnai maestro
   • Development: From a young boy fascinated with the shehnai to a globally acclaimed musician.
   • Insights: Embodies dedication, cultural heritage, and humility, staying true to his roots despite his fame.
     
     

   Important Quotes

   1. Evelyn Glennie: "If you work hard and know where you are going, you’ll get there."

      • Meaning: Emphasizes the importance of hard work and clear goals in achieving success.
        
        

   2. Bismillah Khan: "Teach your children music, this is Hindustan’s richest tradition; even the West is now coming to learn our music."

      • Meaning: Highlights the value of Indian musical traditions and the importance of passing them on to future generations.

   
   Example of an Essay

   Title: The Importance of Environmental Conservation

   Introduction: The environment is the foundation of all life on Earth. Unfortunately, human activities have significantly degraded it. Environmental conservation is essential to protect natural resources and ensure a healthy planet for future generations. This essay discusses the importance of environmental conservation and the steps individuals and communities can take to contribute to this cause.
   
   

   Body Paragraph 1: One of the primary reasons for environmental conservation is to protect biodiversity. The Earth's ecosystems are home to a vast array of species that play crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance. For example, bees are essential pollinators that contribute to the growth of many crops. Protecting habitats and preventing deforestation are critical to preserving biodiversity.
   
   

   Body Paragraph 2: Environmental conservation also helps combat climate change. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have led to increased greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global warming. By adopting renewable energy sources and reducing carbon footprints, we can mitigate the effects of climate change.