NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 2 The Sound of Music
NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 2 The Sound of Music are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 2 The Sound of Music.
NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 2 The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music Class 9 NCERT Textbook Questions
Part I
Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound
without Hearing It
Thinking about the Text
(Page 20)
I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.
Q. 1. How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?
Answer:-
Evelyn Glennie was not even seventeen years old when she joined the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Q. 2. When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?
Answer:-
Evelyn Glennie’s deafness was first noticed when she was eight years old, when her parents observed that she was not responding to sounds normally.
It was confirmed by the time she was eleven, after medical tests revealed that she had suffered gradual nerve damage leading to hearing loss.
II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (30–40 words).
Q. 1. Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?
Answer:-
Evelyn Glennie was encouraged by Ron Forbes, a percussionist, who recognized her potential. He advised her, “Don’t listen through your ears, try to sense it some other way.” He helped her by tuning two large drums to different notes, enabling her to feel vibrations through her body.
Q. 2. Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.
Answer:-
Evelyn Glennie performs at regular concerts worldwide and has a hectic international schedule. She also gives free concerts in prisons and hospitals to bring music to those in need. Additionally, she prioritizes classes for young musicians, inspiring them to pursue their passion
III. Answer the question in two or three paragraphs (100–150 words).
Q. 1. How does Evelyn hear music?
Answer:-
Evelyn Glennie, despite being profoundly deaf, hears music by feeling vibrations through different parts of her body. When Ron Forbes, a percussionist, encouraged her to sense sound in a new way, she discovered that she could feel higher notes from the waist up and lower notes from the waist down. She learned to open her body and mind to sounds and vibrations. When playing the xylophone, she senses the sound passing through her fingertips. By leaning against drums, she feels the resonances flowing into her body. On a wooden floor, she removes her shoes to let vibrations travel through her bare feet and up her legs. Evelyn describes music as something that pours in through every part of her body, tingling in her skin, cheekbones, and even hair. Her determination and unique ability made her a world-renowned percussionist.
Part II
The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan
Thinking about the Text
I. Tick the right answer.
Q. 1. The (shehnai, pungi) was a ‘reeded noisemaker.’
Answer:-
The correct answer is pungi.
The pungi was a reeded noisemaker, traditionally played in North India.
Q. 2. (Bismillah Khan, A barber, Ali Bux) transformed the pungi into a shehnai.
Answer:-
The correct answer is A barber.
A barber modified the pungi to create the shehnai, which produced a softer and more melodious sound.
This transformation led to the shehnai becoming an important instrument in Indian classical music.
Q. 3. Bismillah Khan’s paternal ancestors were (barbers, professional musicians).
Answer:-
The correct answer is professional musicians.
Bismillah Khan’s paternal ancestors were musicians who played the shehnai. He inherited their musical talent and went on to become one of India’s most celebrated shehnai players.
Q. 4. Bismillah Khan learnt to play the shehnai from (Ali Bux, Paigambar Bux, Ustad Faiyaaz Khan).
Answer:-
The correct answer is Ali Bux.
Ali Bux was Bismillah Khan’s maternal uncle and a renowned shehnai player. He mentored Bismillah Khan, teaching him the nuances of the instrument and helping him master its classical form.
Q. 5. Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to (Afghanistan, U.S.A., Canada).
Answer:-
The correct answer is Afghanistan.
Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to Afghanistan, where King Zahir Shah was so impressed by his music that he gifted him priceless Persian carpets and other souvenirs.
II. Find the words in the text which show Ustad Bismillah Khan’s feelings about the items listed below. Then mark a tick (✔) in the correct column. Discuss your answers in class.
| Bismillah Khan’s feelings about | Positive | Negative | Neutral |
| 1. teaching children music | |||
| 2. the film world | |||
| 3. migrating to the U.S.A | |||
| 4. playing at temples | |||
| 5. getting the Bharat Ratna | |||
| 6. the banks of the Ganga | |||
| 7.leaving Benaras and Dumraon |
Answer:-
| Bismillah Khan’s feelings about | Positive | Negative | Neutral |
| 1. teaching children music | ✅ | ||
| 2. the film world | ✅ | ||
| 3. migrating to the U.S.A | ✅ | ||
| 4. playing at temples | ✅ | ||
| 5. getting the Bharat Ratna | ✅ | ||
| 6. the banks of the Ganga | ✅ | ||
| 7.leaving Benaras and Dumraon | ✅ |
III. Answer these questions in 30–40 words.
Q. 1. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?
Answer:-
Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi because of its shrill and unpleasant sound. It was considered more of a noisemaker than a musical instrument. Later, a barber modified it to create the shehnai, which had a softer and more melodious tone.
Q. 2. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?
Answer:-
The shehnai is an improved version of the pungi, producing a soft and melodious sound, unlike the pungi’s shrill and unpleasant tone. The shehnai has a longer and broader tube with seven holes, making it suitable for auspicious occasions and classical music
Q. 3. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?
Answer:-
The shehnai was traditionally played in temples, royal courts, and weddings, as it was considered an auspicious instrument. Bismillah Khan elevated its status by bringing it onto the classical music stage, performing at prestigious events and gaining international recognition for the instrument.
Q. 4. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?
Answer:-
Bismillah Khan got his big break in 1938 when All India Radio was launched in Lucknow. His shehnai performances gained national recognition, making him a household name. Later, on 15 August 1947, he played the shehnai at the Red Fort, marking India’s independence.
Q. 5. Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event historic?
Answer:-
On 15 August 1947, Bismillah Khan played the Raag Kafi on his shehnai from the Red Fort. The event was historic because it marked India’s independence from British rule, and his performance became a symbol of the nation’s cultural heritage.
Q. 6. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?
Answer:-
Bismillah Khan refused to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he could not imagine living away from India, especially Benaras, the River Ganga, and Dumraon. He had a deep emotional connection with his homeland and felt that his music was inseparable from its cultural roots.
Q. 7. Find at least two instances in the text which tell you that Bismillah Khan loves India and Benaras.
Answer:-
Answer: Bismillah Khan’s deep love for India and Benaras is evident in several instances:
- He refused his student’s offer to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A., as he could not imagine living away from Benaras, the River Ganga, and Dumraon.
- Whenever he was in a foreign country, he yearned to see Hindustan, missing the spiritual and cultural essence of his homeland.
These instances highlight his strong emotional connection to India and its rich musical heritage.
Thinking about Language
I. Look at these sentences.
- Evelyn was determined to live a normal life.
- Evelyn managed to conceal her growing deafness from friends and teachers.
The italicised parts answer the questions: “What was Evelyn determined to do?” and “What did Evelyn manage to do?” They begin with a to-verb (to live, to conceal).
Complete the following sentences. Beginning with a to-verb, try to answer the questions in brackets.
Q. 1. The school sports team hopes (What does it hope to do?)
Answer:-
The school sports team hopes to win the championship.
Q. 2. We all want (What do we all want to do?)
Answer:-
We all want to succeed in life.
Q. 3. They advised the hearing-impaired child’s mother (What did they advise her to do?)
Answer:-
They advised the hearing-impaired child’s mother to ensure early intervention and specialized training for the child.
Q. 4. The authorities permitted us to (What did the authorities permit us to do?)
Answer:-
The authorities permitted us to use loudspeakers.
Q. 5. A musician decided to (What did the musician decide to do?)
Answer:-
A musician decided to dedicate his life to music.
II. From the text on Bismillah Khan, find the words and phrases that match these definitions and write them down. The number of the paragraph where you will find the words/phrases has been given for you in brackets.
Q. 1. the home of royal people (1) ______
Answer:- the royal residence
Q. 2. the state of being alone (5) _____
Answer:- solitude
Q. 3. a part which is absolutely necessary (2) _____
Answer:- indispensable
Q. 4. to do something not done before (5) ____
Answer:- invent
Q. 5. without much effort (13) _____
Answer:- effortlessly
Q. 6. quickly and in large quantities (9) ______ and ______
Answer:- thick and fast
III. Tick the right answer.
Q. 1. When something is revived, it (remains dead/lives again).
Answer:- When something is revived, it lives again.
Q. 2. When a government bans something, it wants it (stopped/started).
Answer:- When a government bans something, it wants it stopped.
Q. 3. When something is considered auspicious, (welcome it/avoid it).
Answer:- When something is considered auspicious, welcome it.
Q. 4. When we take to something, we find it (boring/interesting).
Answer:- When we talk about something, we find it interesting.
Q. 5. When you appreciate something, you (find it good and useful/find it of no use).
Answer:-
When you appreciate something, you find it good and useful.
Q. 6. When you replicate something, you do it (for the first time/for the second time).
Answer:-
When you replicate something, you do it for the second time.
Q. 7. When we come to terms with something, it is (still upsetting/no longer upsetting).
Answer:- When we come to terms with something, it is no longer upsetting.
IV. Consult Your dictionary and complete the following table. The first one has been done for you.
| Objective | Only Before Noun | Not Before Noun | Verb Be |
| Indispensable | ✅ | ||
| Impressed | |||
| Afraid | |||
| Outdoor | |||
| Paternal | |||
| Countless | |||
| Priceless |
Use these words in phrases or sentences of your own.
Ans:
| Objective | Only Before Noun | Not Before Noun | Verb Be |
| Indispensable | ✅ | ||
| Impressed | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Afraid | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Outdoor | ✅ | ||
| Paternal | ✅ | ||
| Countless | ✅ | ||
| Priceless | ✅ |
Some sentences using these adjectives are:
- She is indispensable for the successful completion of the project.
- Sunita was impressed by my singing.
- He is afraid of the dark.
- I enjoy the company of my paternal uncle.
- Gennie was showered with countless gifts.
- My grandmother gave me a priceless piece of advice.
Speaking
I. Imagine the famous singer Kishori Amonkar is going to visit your school. You have been asked to introduce her to the audience before her performance. How would you introduce her?
Here is some information about Kishori Amonkar you can find on the Internet. Read the passage and make notes of the main points about:
- her parentage
- the school of music she belongs to
- her achievements
- her inspiration
- awards
Padma Bhushan Kishori Amonkar, widely considered the finest female
vocalist of her generation, was born in 1931, daughter of another great artist, Smt. Mogubai Kurdikar. In her early years she absorbed the approach and repertoire of her distinguished mother’s teacher Ustad Alladiya Khan. As her own style developed, however, she moved away from Alladiya Khan’s ‘JaipurAtrauli gharana’ style in some respects, and as a mature artist her approach is usually regarded as an individual, if not unique, variant of the Jaipur model. Kishori Amonkar is a thinker, besotted by what she calls the mysterious world of her raagas. She dissects them with the precision of a perfectionist, almost like a scientist, until the most subtle of shades and emotions emerge and re-emerge. She is very much inspired by the teachings of the ancient Vedic sages, written at a time when vocal music was highly devotional in character. This soul searching quality of her music, coupled with a very intellectual approach to raaga performance has gained her quite a following in India and has helped to revive the study of khayal. Significant awards bestowed on this artist include the Sangeet Natak
Akademi Award (1985), the Padma Bhushan (1987), and the highly coveted
Sangeet Samradhini Award (considered one of the most prestigious awards in Indian Classical Music) in 1997.
II. Use your notes on Kishori Amonkar to introduce her to an imaginary audience. You may use one of the following phrases to introduce a guest:
I am honoured to introduce…/I feel privileged to introduce…/We welcome you…
Answer:-
Introduction for Kishori Amonkar:
I am honoured to introduce Padma Bhushan Kishori Amonkar, one of the finest female vocalists of her generation.
Born in 1931, she is the daughter of the legendary artist Smt. Mogubai Kurdikar. In her early years, she absorbed the teachings of Ustad Alladiya Khan, belonging to the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. However, as she matured, she developed a unique style, blending tradition with her own artistic innovations.
Kishori Amonkar is renowned for her intellectual approach to raaga performance, dissecting the subtle emotions and shades of music with scientific precision. Deeply inspired by the teachings of Vedic sages, she has revived the study of khayal with her soul-stirring renditions.
Her remarkable achievements include prestigious awards such as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1985), the Padma Bhushan (1987), and the Sangeet Samradhini Award (1997).
With her unparalleled devotion to music, Kishori Amonkar continues to inspire generations, leaving an indelible mark on Indian classical music. We welcome her with great admiration and respect!
Writing
“If you work hard and know where you’re going, you’ll get there,” says Evelyn Glennie.
You have now read about two musicians, Evelyn Glennie and Ustad Bismillah
Khan. Do you think that they both worked hard? Where did they want to ‘go’ ?
Answer these questions in two paragraphs, one on each of the two musicians.
Answer:-
Evelyn Glennie’s Hard Work and Determination
Evelyn Glennie, despite being profoundly deaf, worked tirelessly to pursue her passion for music. She overcame numerous challenges, learning to sense vibrations through different parts of her body. With the guidance of Ron Forbes, she developed a unique way of hearing music, mastering various percussion instruments. Her dedication led her to the Royal Academy of Music, where she excelled and became a world-renowned percussionist. Evelyn’s goal was to prove that disability is no barrier to success, and she achieved it by becoming an inspiration for aspiring musicians worldwide.
Ustad Bismillah Khan’s Dedication to Indian Classical Music
Ustad Bismillah Khan devoted his life to popularizing the shehnai and elevating its status in Indian classical music. Born into a family of musicians, he trained rigorously under Ali Bux, mastering the instrument with unmatched skill. His performances at All India Radio and the Red Fort on India’s Independence Day brought the shehnai into the limelight. Despite opportunities to settle abroad, he remained deeply connected to Benaras and the River Ganga, believing that his music belonged to India. His goal was to preserve and promote Indian classical music, and his dedication earned him prestigious awards like the Padma Bhushan and Bharat Ratna.
Both musicians exemplified hard work, perseverance, and passion, achieving greatness in their respective fields.