Complete Solutions and Summary of Musical Instruments – NCERT Class 8, Arts, Chapter 6 – Summary, Questions, Answers, Extra Questions

Detailed summary and explanation of Chapter 6 ‘Musical Instruments’ with all question answers, extra questions, and solutions from NCERT Class VIII, Arts (Kriti).

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Musical Instruments - Complete Study Guide

Chapter Overview

1927 Birth of Annapurna Devi

1911 Birth of Pannalal Ghosh

1920 Birth of Mysore Doraiswamy Iyengar

9 Pages in Chapter

What You'll Learn

Science of Sound

Understanding vibration, resonance, frequency, and timbre in music production.

Making Instruments

Process of crafting musical instruments using scientific principles.

Musicians and Instruments

Life and contributions of legendary musicians like Annapurna Devi, Pannalal Ghosh, and Mysore Doraiswamy Iyengar.

Activities and Assessment

Engaging activities like word search, mapping, crossword, and learning outcomes assessment.

Historical Context

This chapter explores the science behind sound in musical instruments, including concepts like vibration (sound produced by vibrations traveling through mediums) and resonance (amplifying sound in hollow bodies). It discusses timbre as the tone or color of sound varying by material and technique, and poses if music is both art and science.

Key Highlights

The chapter highlights instrument making as essential for traditional art forms, profiles musicians synonymous with their instruments (e.g., Annapurna Devi with Surbahar), and includes activities to find instrument names, map regional percussion, and solve crosswords.

Comprehensive Chapter Summary

1. The Science of Sound

The chapter introduces the science behind sound: Vibration creates sound waves that travel through mediums like air to reach ears. Resonance amplifies sound in hollow bodies, frequency determines pitch (higher vibrations mean higher pitch), and timbre refers to the tone or color varying by material, construction, and playing technique. It questions if music is both art and science.

2. Making Musical Instruments

Importance of Makers

Makers are essential for traditional art survival, using scientific principles. Example: Crafting a drum from wood log to cylindrical shape, fixing head, and tuning with straps.

Teacher Note

Invite an instrument maker for demonstration to show their societal importance.

Process Overview

Starts with shaping wood, creating drum head, fixing it, and tuning with straps.

3. Musicians and Their Instruments

Annapurna Devi - Surbahar

Born 1927, daughter of Baba Allauddin Khan, mastered surbahar (bass sitar) despite it being demanding for women. Taught acclaimed musicians like Hariprasad Chaurasia.

Pannalal Ghosh - Flute

Born 1911, popularized bansuri in Hindustani music, experimented with longer bamboo flute for better pitch, composed for films.

Mysore Doraiswamy Iyengar - Veena

Born 1920, developed Mysore Bani style, court musician, received awards like Padma Bhushan (1983).

4. Activities

Activity 6.1: Word Search

Find instrument names like Bansuri, Flute, Guitar, Sitar in a grid.

Activity 6.2: Map Instruments

Mark regional percussion like Udukkai (Tamil Nadu), Chenda (Kerala) on India map.

Activity 6.3: Crossword

Solve clues for instruments like Santoor, Pakhawaj, Tabla, Sitar.

5. Assessment

Learning outcomes: Awareness of instruments and origins, understanding sound principles, awareness of legendary musicians' lives and contributions.

Questions and Answers from Chapter

Short Questions

Q1. What is timbre?

Answer: Timbre refers to the tone or color of sound.

Q2. What produces sound?

Answer: Sound is produced because of vibrations.

Q3. What is resonance?

Answer: Resonance amplifies or makes sound louder.

Q4. What is frequency?

Answer: Frequency is the number of vibrations per second.

Q5. What instrument did Annapurna Devi play?

Answer: Surbahar.

Q6. When was Pannalal Ghosh born?

Answer: 1911.

Q7. What is surbahar also called?

Answer: Bass sitar.

Q8. What material is used for drum head?

Answer: Animal skin.

Q9. What style did Iyengar develop?

Answer: Mysore Bani.

Q10. What award did Iyengar receive in 1983?

Answer: Padma Bhushan.

Q11. What is Udukkai from?

Answer: Tamil Nadu.

Q12. What is a percussion instrument from Kerala?

Answer: Chenda.

Q13. What is the crossword clue for 1 across?

Answer: A string instrument made of hard wood having more than hundred strings.

Q14. What is the learning outcome 3.1?

Answer: Demonstrates awareness about musical instruments and their origin.

Q15. What flute length did Ghosh settle on?

Answer: 32 inches.

Medium Questions

Q1. Explain how timbre varies.

Answer: Timbre varies with the material used for the instrument, construction of the instrument, and its playing technique. Different instruments have varied timbre. (3 marks)

Q2. Describe resonance with an example.

Answer: Through resonance, sound is amplified or made louder. For example, in a percussion instrument, the hollow body or cavity resonates, amplifying the sound. (3 marks)

Q3. How does frequency affect pitch?

Answer: Frequency is the number of vibrations per second. A faster vibration produces higher frequency, resulting in a higher pitch. For example, tightening a Sitar peg increases pitch. (3 marks)

Q4. What is the role of instrument makers?

Answer: Makers are essential for the survival of traditional art forms. Scientific principles are used in making instruments. Invite them for demonstration. (3 marks)

Q5. Who was Annapurna Devi's father?

Answer: Baba Allauddin Khan. She was his finest student and mastered surbahar despite it being demanding. (3 marks)

Q6. What did Pannalal Ghosh experiment with?

Answer: He experimented with materials like metal and wood, settled on 32-inch bamboo flute for better pitch and sonority. (3 marks)

Q7. What awards did Iyengar receive?

Answer: Padma Bhushan (1983), Sangeetha Kalanidhi (1984), Honorary Doctorate (1975). (3 marks)

Q8. List three words from Activity 6.1.

Answer: Bansuri, Flute, Guitar. Words can go any direction and share letters. (3 marks)

Q9. Name three regional instruments from Activity 6.2.

Answer: Udukkai (Tamil Nadu), Chenda (Kerala), Pung (Manipur). (3 marks)

Q10. What is clue 3 across in crossword?

Answer: An instrument played by Ustad Zakir Hussain (Padma Vibhushan awardee) - Tabla. (3 marks)

Q11. What is clue 4 across?

Answer: The string instrument played by Pandit Ravi Shankar (Bharat Ratna awardee) - Sitar. (3 marks)

Q12. What is clue 11 down?

Answer: A wind instrument played by Ustad Bismillah Khan (Bharat Ratna awardee) - Shehnai. (3 marks)

Q13. What is learning outcome 4.1?

Answer: Is aware of the life and contributions of legendary musicians. (3 marks)

Q14. Describe surbahar.

Answer: Plucked string instrument, bass sitar, deeper tonal range for alaap sections. (3 marks)

Q15. What film did Ghosh debut in?

Answer: Sneh Bandhan (1940) as composer, with songs like “Aabroo Ke Kamaanon Mein”. (3 marks)

Long Questions

Q1. Discuss the science of sound in musical instruments.

Answer: Sound is produced by vibrations creating waves that travel through mediums like air to ears. Resonance amplifies sound, e.g., in hollow percussion bodies. Frequency is vibrations per second; faster vibrations give higher pitch, like tightening Sitar strings. Timbre is tone varying by material, construction, technique. Different instruments have varied timbre. Music is both art and science.

Q2. Explain the process of making a musical instrument like a drum.

Answer: The instrument maker works with a log of wood to create a cylindrical shape. The head of the drum is created using animal skin. It is then fixed onto the wooden drum. Straps are tied to help with tuning. Makers are essential for traditional art survival, using scientific principles.

Q3. Describe Annapurna Devi's life and contributions.

Answer: Born 1927 as Roshanara Khan, daughter of Baba Allauddin Khan of Maihar Gharana. Mastered surbahar, a bass sitar with deep tones, uncommon for women due to physical demands. Her father considered her finest student. Did not perform publicly but mastered ragas. Students like Hariprasad Chaurasia and Nikhil Banerjee became acclaimed. Surbahar has lower tonal range than sitar, suitable for alaap.

Q4. Discuss Pannalal Ghosh's contributions to flute.

Answer: Born 1911, synonymous with bansuri. Disciple of Baba Allauddin Khan, popularized flute in Hindustani music. As child, played small flute like cowherds. At 18, focused on flute, realized bigger flute better for classical/light music. Experimented with materials, settled on 32-inch bamboo. Debut film Sneh Bandhan (1940), scored Aandhiyan (1952) with others. Introduced seven-hole flute.

Q5. Explain Mysore Doraiswamy Iyengar's achievements.

Answer: Born 1920 in Carnatic musician family. Father Venkatesh Iyengar was court musician proficient in flute and veena. Started learning veena at 6 from father, later disciple of Veena Venkatagiriyappa. Developed Mysore Bani style. Nominated Asthana Vidwan young. Taught royal family, Music Director at All India Radio Bangalore. Awards: Honorary Doctorate (1975), Padma Bhushan (1983), Sangeetha Kalanidhi (1984), others.

Q6. Describe Activity 6.1 and its note.

Answer: Find names of musical instruments in grid: Bansuri, Clarinet, Dholak, Ektara, Flute, Ghatam, Guitar, Morsing, Sarod, Saxophone, Shehnai, Sitar. Words go any direction, share letters if crossing. Photo of Dhol, Kanshi being played.

Q7. Explain Activity 6.2 with examples.

Answer: Print India outline map, mark percussion instruments: Udukkai (Tamil Nadu), Pung (Manipur), Tumbaknaari (Jammu Kashmir), Panchmukh vadya (Haryana/Southern), Chenda (Kerala), Anand Lahiri/Gopi Jantra/Gapchu (Assam/West Bengal/Odisha), Halge (Gujarat/Karnataka), Nagara (Rajasthan), Madal/Mandar (Bihar/Jharkhand), Khol (East/North East).

Q8. Solve and explain the crossword clues.

Answer: Across: 1. Santoor (hard wood, >100 strings), 2. Pakhawaj (dhrupad percussion), 3. Tabla (Zakir Hussain), 4. Sitar (Ravi Shankar), 5. Sarangi (four strings, bow), 6. Ghatam (clay pot). Down: 7. Veena (long necked, four strings, fingers), 8. Bansuri (bamboo, 6-7 holes), 9. Harmonium (keyboard, air through reeds), 10. Jal Tarang (water-filled bowls), 11. Shehnai (Bismillah Khan), 12. Ravanhatta (Rajasthan/Sindh folk bow).

Q9. Discuss the assessment learning outcomes.

Answer: CG 3 C 3.1: Demonstrates awareness about musical instruments and origin. CG 3 C 3.1: Understands basic scientific principles of sound and music. CG 4 C 4.1: Aware of life and contributions of legendary musicians. Includes teacher/self evaluation, comments/observations.

Q10. How is music both art and science?

Answer: Music involves scientific principles like vibration, resonance, frequency for sound production, and artistic elements in timbre, playing technique, construction. Discuss in class as per chapter.

Q11. Describe the three maestros in the photo.

Answer: Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, Vikku Vinayakram performing in concert. Relates to musicians synonymous with instruments.

Q12. Explain Iyengar's early life.

Answer: Born into renowned Carnatic family, father court musician in flute/veena. Learned veena at 6 from father, later from Venkatagiriyappa. Spent early years in Gaddavalli, Hassan district, Karnataka.

Q13. What did Ghosh do in films?

Answer: Assisted in music production at New Theatres Ltd Calcutta. Debut as composer in Sneh Bandhan (1940) with songs by Khan Mastan/Bibbo. Scored Aandhiyan (1952) with Ali Akbar Khan/Ravi Shankar.

Q14. Describe surbahar's features.

Answer: Plucked string, called bass sitar, deeper/lower tonal range than sitar, suitable for elaborate alaap sections in Hindustani music.

Q15. How did Ghosh popularize flute?

Answer: As disciple of Allauddin Khan, credited with popularizing bansuri as concert instrument in Hindustani music. Introduced seven-hole flute, focused on bigger flute for pitch/sonority.

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