Unit – 2

Let’s Begin:

Take this quiz to check your knowledge of music and musicians.

Question 1.
What kind of music is Ravi Shankar famous for?
(a) Jazz
(b) Classical
(c) Pop

Answer:
(b) Classical

Question 2.
Which country was Justin Beiber born in?
(a) USA
(b) India
(c) Canada

Answer:
(c) Canada

Question 3.
How many strings does a guitar have?
(a) 6
(b) 7
(c) 8

Answer:
(a) 6

Question 4.
What is a group of three musicians called?
(a) a trio
(b) a duet
(c) a quartet
Answer:
(a) a trio

Question 5.
What is the next note after sa-re-ga-ma?
(a) dha
(b) ni
(c) pa

Answer:
(c) pa

Question 6.
What is the next note after do-re-mi?
(a) ti
(b) fa
(c) so

Answer:
(b) fa

Reading Comprehension:

In this section, you will read three texts on music in different perspectives. The first
one will enlighten you about the effective role of music in our lives, the second
reflects on the life of the famous music composer, Ludwig van Beethoven, and the
third is a poem by William Wordsworth where he appreciates the melody of a song.

Read the texts carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Text – I

Role of Music in Life:

Today, we are rushing through life and everyone seems to be pressurised and
stressed about one or the other thing. Stress has become an inescapable part of our
lives. Many of our illnesses are a result of stress, and to deal with it, we need certain
ways to relax our body and mind. Listening to music, particularly gentle, calming
and melodious music, relaxes people both physically and mentally. Music releases
endorphins, the natural painkillers in our brain, which relieve us from the sense of
pain. Music can normalise heart rate and blood pressure. The common occurrences
of fatigue and boredom decrease when we listen to music.
It diverts our attention from everyday anxieties, thereby reducing the stress caused
by such concerns. While meditating, listening to music helps us to connect with our
soul. Students can improve their concentration and boost their memory by listening
to soft music. Soothing music, when played at night, helps us to rest and relax for a
good night’s sleep. Listening to good music helps in overcoming negative/traits such
as anger or worry, thereby improving our personality. It creates positive energy and
happiness. Every cell in the body becomes energetic with increased peace of mind.

Music is a therapy for everyone – plants, birds, animals and human beings – to
flourish and rejuvenate. It certainly plays an important part in making the world
better for all living beings.
Complete the following statements by selecting the most appropriate options given
below.

Question 1.
_________ helps in relaxation of our body and mind.
(a) Pop music
(b) Soothing music
(c) Jazz music
(d) Rock music

Answer:
(b) Soothing music

Question 2.
The natural painkillers released in our brain are _________.
(a) Insulin
(b) Endorphins
(c) Endocrine
(d) Glycerin

Answer:
(b) Endorphins

Question 3.
Music is helpful in improving the _________ of students.
(a) concentration
(b) emotion
(c) relaxation
(d) anxiety
Answer:
(a) concentration

Question 4.
Which word from the passage means the same as ‘to renew’ _________?
(a) rejuvenate
(b) enhance
(c) release
(d) relieve

Answer:
(a) rejuvenate

Question 5.
List the benefits of music mentioned in the passage.

Answer:

• It relaxes people both physically and mentally.

• It releases endorphins, the natural painkillers in our brain, which
relieve us from the sense of pain.
• It thus normalises our heart rate and blood pressure, reduces anxiety
and stress.
• It helps in enhancement of concentration and memory of students.
• It helps in overcoming fatigue, boredom and negative traits of our
personality such as anger.
• It is a therapy which soothes, relaxes and rejuvenates one’s mind, body
and soul.

Text – II

Beating the Odds:

The musical accomplishments of composer Ludwig van Beethoven have been all the
more remarkable for the fact that he lost his hearing ability from an early age. He
developed the symptoms of tinnitus, a constant sound of ringing in his ears that
made it difficult for him to hear. He is compared to Mozart for his genius, and is
considered the most eminent musician after Mozart.

Although hip formal education never went beyond the elementary level, he trained
in music under Joseph Haydn. He has always been acclaimed as a brilliant piano
maestro. His father and grandfather were the court musicians of a German prince.
Young Ludwig was often made to perform for his father’s drinking companions in
the middle of the night, and was even beaten if he protested.

For the first thirty years of his life, Beethoven could listen to and play music
effortlessly. As a result, he understood sounds of musical instruments and the pitch
of the singing voices. He knew the harmony between music and singing before he
became completely deaf. His deafness was not sudden, but a gradual decline. This
slow process of losing his hearing activated his mind to imagine how his
compositions would sound like. When he became completely deaf, he started to
observe the vibrations of the piano. The observations helped him realise that he
could not hear the high notes of the piano. To be able to hear his own compositions,
he sawed off the legs of his piano. The piano touched the floor, and Beethoven would
press his ear to the floor, banging the piano keys to listen to the high notes in his
compositions.

The most significant aspect of Beethoven’s character was that he did not give up.
With a brave heart, he confronted the greatest challenge a musician can face, and
continued living his dream of composing music. Deafness could not deter him from
achieving the pinnacle of musical success. He fought against the greatest obstacle
and won.

His quality of‘ never giving up’ strengthened him. It made him come to terms with
his deafness in a dynamic and constructive way. These qualities led him to become a
famous composer.

Question 1.
Read the following statements and write true (T) or false (F).
(а) Although he composed a lot of music, Beethoven never learned to play music
himself. (T/F)
(b) His deafness was not a sudden loss of hearing. (T/F)
(c) He composed most of his music early in his. life, before he became deaf. (T/F)
(d) His musical skills were compared to Haydn. (T/F)
(e) Beethoven cut down the legs of his piano to hear the notes of the keys from the
floor. (T/F)

Answer:
(a) False (F)
(b) True (T)
(c) False (F)
(d) False (F)
(e) True (T)
Question 2.
How could Beethoven compose music despite his loss of hearing?

Answer:
Beethoven, a strong-willed person, lost his hearing ability over a period of time. So
for the first thirty years of his life he could listen to and play music effortlessly as a
result of which he became adept at the nuances of music. During his process of loss
of hearing too, he honed his skill of hearing to his compositions by sawing off the
legs of his piano and listening to the high notes of his compositions with the help of
vibrations on the floor. This, along with his determination and ‘never give up’
attitude enabled him to become a famous composer.

Question 3.
What realisation made Beethoven continue his passion for music with more
determination?

Answer:
The realisation of‘never giving up’ attitude of his character strengthened him. It
made him come to terms with his deafness in a dynamic and constructive way and
he continued his passion for music with more determination and became a famous
composer.

Question 4.
Which word in the following is similar in meaning to ‘skillful’ (para 1)?
(a) brilliant
(b) masterly
(c) talented
(d) genius

Answer:
(d) genius

Text – III

Read the poem carefully and answer the question that follows.
The Solitary Reaper
Behold her, single in the field,
Yon solitary Highland lass!
Reaping and singing by herself;
Stop here, or gently pass!
Alone she cuts and binds the grain,
And sings a melancholy strain;
O listen! for the Vale profound
Is overflowing with the sound.

No Nightingale did ever chaunt

More welcome notes to weary bands
Of travellers in some shady haunt,
Among Arabian sands:
A voice so thrilling ne’er was heard
In spring-time from the Cuckoo-bird,
Breaking the silence of the seas
Among the farthest Hebrides.

Will no one tell-me What she sings?

Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow
For old, unhappy, far-off things,
And battles long ago:
Or is it some more humble lay,
Familiar matter of to-day?
Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain,
That has been, and may be again?

Whate’er the theme, the Maiden sang

As if her song could have no ending;
I saw her singing at her work,
And o’er the sickle bending;
I listened, motionless and still;
And, as I mounted up the hill,
The music in my heart I bore,
Long after it was heard no more.
William Wordsworth

Question 1.
Complete the summary of the poem given below with a suitable word/phrase in
each blank.

The poet finds a young Highland girl who

(a) _________ alone and “sings to herself. The poet asks us to listen carefully, because
the whole (b) _________ is filled with the overflowing sound of her singing. He asks us
to either (c) _________ and listen to her sad song, or gently pass by so as not to disturb
her. He goes on to say that no nightingale ever sang a more (d) _________ song to
bands of tired (e) _________ in the Arabian Desert. The poet asserts that the beauty of
the girl’s singing exceeds that of the cuckoo’s in the (f) _________. Her singing is also
the only thing which (g) _________ the silence of the valley. The poet tries to (h)
_________ what the girl is singing about. He is unable to get the words of the song
clearly. He. thinks that perhaps she is singing about old sorrows or (i) _________
fought long ago, or more routine concerns of life or even some (j) _________ which she
has endured and may endure again. At the end, he quietly walks away with a feeling
that he may never be able to find out the (k) _________ of her never-ending song.
Nevertheless, he asserts that her singing has captured his imagination so much that
he will (l) _________ the music in his heart long after it is heard no more.

Answer:
(a) reaps
(b) valley
(c) stop
(d) welcoming
(e) wanderers
(f) spring-time
(g) breaks
(h) ask someone
(i) battles
(j) suffering
(k) theme
(l) bear

Vocabulary:

Question 1.
The following words and phrases occur in the given passages and poem. Given
below are the words and their meanings. Match each meaning with the word.

Text 1

1. relieves (a) substances produced by the brain that have pain-killing and
tranquillising effects on the body
2. endorphins (b) power to live or grow
3. exhaustion (c) to free from anxiety, fear, pain, etc.
4. rejuvenate (d) tiredness

5. vitality (e) to restore to a former state; make fresh or new again

 Text 2

6. prodigy (f) constantly repeated

7. persistent (g) to cut or divide
8. virtuoso (h) to make or become worse or inferior in character, quality, value,
etc.
9. deterioration (i) something that obstructs or hinders progress

10. sawed (j) a person, especially a child or young person, having extraordinary
talent or ability
11. obstacle (k) a person who excels in musical technique or execution
Text 3

12. behold (l) tired

13. yon (m) girl

14. lass (n) look, see

15. melancholy (o) climbed

16. vale (p) expressing sorrow
17. strain (q) causing sadness
18. weary (r) that
19. plaintive (s) melody
20. mounted (t) valley

Answer:
Text – 1
Q. 1 – c; 2 – a; 3 – d; 4 – e; 5 – b

Text – 2
Q. 6 – j; 7 – f; 8 – k; 9 – h; 10 – g; 11 — i

Text – 3
Q. 12 – n; 13 – r; 14 – m; 15 – q; 16 – t; 17 – s; 18 – Z; 19 – p; 20 – 0

Question 2.
Word search
Look at the grid given here.
A. Find the names of the musical instruments in the grid. They can be found in
different directions: up-down, down-up, left-right, right- left and diagonally.
Name the musical instruments.

Answer:
(1) Tabla
(2) Piano
(3) Xylophone
(4) Sitar
(5) Sarod
(6) Drum
(7) Flute
(8) Dholak
(9) Veena
(10) Shehnai

B. Use the pictures as clues. Write the appropriate name of the instrument in each
blank given below. One has been done as an example.
(а) Evelyn Glennie is a Xylophone plaver.
(b) Zakir Hussain plays the _________.
(c) Hariprasad Chaurasia plays the _________.
(d) V. Doraiswamy Iyenger plays the _________.
(e) Bismillah Khan plays the _________.
(f) Amjad Ali Khan plays the _________.

Answer:
(a) Xylophone player
(b) Tabla
(c) Flute
(d) Veena
(e) Shehnai
(f) Sarod.

Grammar:

Question 1.
In the lesson ‘The Sound of Music’ you have read that ‘adjectives’ ean be used before
a noun and after the verb 136’.

Example:
The book is interesting. The interesting book.
The table is round. The round table.
But ‘adjectives’ can have many forms.

Examples:
1. He chose a pipe with a natural hollow stem that was longer and broader.

2. Ustad Bismillah Khan was awarded India’s highest civilian award.

3. My mother is the most beautiful woman in the world.

Here the adjectives longer and broader refer to the comparative degree; and highest
and most beautiful refer to the superlative degree.
‘Er’ is used for the comparative degree for shorter words and ‘more’ is used for
longer words.

Example:
Let’s go to the local market. The vegetables are cheaper there. But in Supermarket
these are more expensive.

A. Now fill in the blanks with appropriate comparative adjectives.

(a) He was not audible. His voice was not loud.
Can you request him to be a bit _________ (loud)?
(b) There are many peaks in the Himalayas.
Everest is _________ (high) peak in India.
(c) With 9 degree Celsius it was colder yesterday,
and with 4 degree Celsius it is _________ (cold) today.
(d) Our police is the _________ (reliable) in the country.
(e) My sister is _________ (serious) than me.
(f) Your dance performance is not good. It can be _________ (good) with practice.
(g) Living in the countryside is _________ (peaceful) than living in a town.
(h) My father is _________ (important) person in my life.

Answer:
(a) louder
(b) the highest
(c) the coldest
(d) most reliable
(e) more serious
(f) better
(g) more peaceful
(h) the most important

B. Fill in the blanks with appropriate superlative degree ‘most’/‘est’.

(a) With so many vehicles, the roads of Delhi have _________ become (crowded) ones
in India.
(b) Yesterday was _________ (cold) day of the month.
(c) The book is interesting. It is _________ (interesting) book I have ever read.
(d) This hotel is cheaper. But that oile is _________ (cheap) in the town.
(e) _________(old) member of my family is my grandfather.
(f) Lata Mangeshkar has _________ (melodious) voice in the country.

Answer:
(a) the most crowded
(b) the coldest
(c) the most interesting
(d) the cheapest
(e) The oldest
(f) the most melodious

Question 2.
In the same lesson, use of ‘to-verb’ has been explained. Let’s do some more activities
on this. Join the two sets of sentences given below, and make one sentence. The first
one is done for you.

1. ‘May I help you?’

‘Okay’
He offered to help her.
2. ‘Let’s go to the Old Age Home in the evening.’ ‘That’s fine.’
She arranged _________ to the Old Age Home in the evening.

Answer:
a visit

3. ‘What would you like to eat?’, asked Shivani’s mother.

‘I don’t have an appetite’, replied Shivani.
Shivani refused _________.

Answer:
to eat as she didn’t have an appetite

4. ‘Post the letter. Don’t forget.’

Don’t forget _________.

Answer:
to post the letter

5. ‘Can you participate in the music concert?’

‘It’s fine with me.’
She agreed _________ in the music concert.

Answer:
to participate

Editing:

Some words have been omitted in the paragraph given below. Write the appropriate
words and rewrite the paragraph.

The following words were written/the tomb off Anglican Bishop of Westminster
Abbey: When I was young/free and my imagination had no limits, I
dreamed/changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered/world would
not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided/ change only my
country.

But it too seemed immovable. As I grew/my twilight years, in one last desperate
attempt, I settled/ changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, I couldn’t.
And now as I lay/ my deathbed, I suddenly realise: If I had only changed myself first,
then/ an example I could have changed my family.
From their inspiration and encouragement, I could then have been able/better my
country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.

Answer:
The following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop of
Westminster Abbey. When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I
dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world
would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only
my country.

But it too seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last
“desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but
alas, I couldn’t. And now as I lay on my deathbed, I suddenly realise: If I had only
changed myself first, then by an example I could have changed my family.

From their inspiration and encouragement, I could then have been able to better my
country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.

Listening:

A passage on the healing aspect of music is given below. You need to listen to the
passage read by your teacher/ classmate carefully and answer the question that
follows. You may listen to the passage twice, if required.
Music as a Therapy “Rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of
the soul”, rightly said by Plato. Music is often referred to as ‘food’ for the soul due to
the several benefits we can derive from experiencing it.

Music can be pleasure for some, and a way to relax for others. It also motivates and
energises listeners. ‘Music is, indeed, a universal language, which can bring nations
together and unite people with different faiths as it touches one’s soul. In the
mainstream, music is mainly known for its entertainment quotient, but the Indian
culture also talks about the healing effects of music through ‘Raga Chikitsa’. Raga
Chikitsa has helped in reviving an ancient healing practice known as Nada Yoga.

Nada is a musical sound, which is believed to have curative effects on the body i and
soul of all creatures. Consequently, its power is therapeutic and is used in curing
diseases. Medical research has found music therapy to aid patients in pain
management. It is not surprising, as music affects the body and mind significantly.

One experiences positive energy by listening to music. Music lifts one from clouds of
desolation. Rhythms, particularly upbeat music, helps one distract oneself from
situations that cause stress and brightens one’s mood. Music lowers anxiety levels,
relaxes mind and brings optimism. It is said that listening to soft, sedative music
once a day can help overcome depression.

Music therapy finds its traces in mythology. The story of Hippocrates, the Greek
father of medicine dates back to 400 B.C. He is known to have used music to cure his
patients. This therapy also aids stroke victims to heal at a faster rate, since it
increases the patient’s emotional comforts and motivates them to move towards the
path of recovery. On the other hand, adolescents, too, are benefitted by music in
terms of emotional, social and psychological well being. Music is a force that purifies
beings from within.

According to you, which FOUR of the following statements are true?

(a) Nada Yoga treats diseases through Raga Chikitsa.
(b) Music is a universal language that reaches souls.
(c) Music therapy dates back to 400 B.C.
(d) Hippocrates played music to treat the patients.
(e) Upbeat tunes help stroke victims recover faster.
(f) Music helps adolescents to discover their identity.

Answer:
(a); (b); (c); (d)

Speaking:

Two students need to come to the front of the class for a role play. One plays the role
of Thyagaraja, a famous singer, and the other the role of the interviewer, Rohit, a
Radio Jockey (RJ). The interview is about the singer’s initiatives in helping people
through music.
→ RJ Rohit : Do you think music has any effect on people’s lives?

→ Thyagaraja : Yes, I believe music surely has a positive effect on people’s lives. It
helps when you are stressed, or depressed about something. Apart from these,
music is a good way of relaxing and feeling good about life.

→ RJ Rohit : What, according to you, could be the influence of music on young

children?

→ Thyagaraja : Now-a-days, young children get distracted easily. Music helps them
in concentrating on what they are doing.
→ RJ Rohit : How does music help patients?

→ Thyagaraja : Listening to music relaxes patients. The process of healing becomes

faster when they are in a relaxed state of mind.

→ RJ Rohit : Thank you very much. You are doing a great job for the humankind.

Writing:

Question 1.
Listening to music has become a part of our lives for many reasons. We listen to
different types of music today.
Discuss in pairs the following question:
Is the traditional music of a country more important than its contemporary music?
Write your views in about 50 – 60 words.

Answer:
Nowadays, contemporary lifestyle and advancement in technology is responsible for
the popularity of International music. Traditional music, on the other hand, is the
symbol of tradition, values and history of a society. Although music in any form is
meditative but I believe that more emphasis should be given to the traditional music
as identity, unique tradition and culture of a nation can only be preserved by
promoting our traditional music.

Question 2.
The traits of a musician are given in the box overleaf. Use these and write a short
biography in about 100-150 words. You may collect more information from the
Internet, books in the library and other sources.

A. R. Rahman: Indian composer, singer, song¬writer, music producer, musician and

philanthropist; bom in Chennai on 6 January 1967; graduated from Trinity College,
Oxford University; famous in integrating Indian classical music with electronic
music, world music and traditional orchestral arrangements; recipient of the
Padmashri and the Padma Vibhushan awards; two Oscars and a Golden Globe; a
notable humanitarian and philanthropist; donates and raises money for a number of
causes and charities.
Biographical Sketch

Answer:
A.R. Rahman (Allah Rakha Rahman) was bom in Chennai on-6 January 1967 as A.S.
Dileep Kumar. When he was eleven years old, he joined the troupe of famous South
Indian composer Ilaiyaraaja. He later graduated from the Trinity College at Oxford
University, with a degree in western classical music. He got his first lucky break for
the composition of music for the movie Roja in 1991. He has worked with all the
leading directors and personalities in Bollywood as well in the South Indian film
Industry like Javed Akhtar, Mehboob, Gulzar, Vairamuthu, Anand Bakshi, Vaali and
P.K. Mishra.

He made his debut in Bollywood with the film Rangeela. He is famous for integrating
Indian classical music with electronic music, world music and traditional orchestral
arrangements. He is not just famous in India but is an internationally acclaimed
composer, singer, song writer, music producer, musician and philanthropist. He is
one of the best-selling recording artists with an estimated 200 million units sold. A
six-time National Film Award Winner, he has fifteen ‘Filmfare Awards’ and sixteen
‘Filmfare Awards South’ for his music. Besides this he is the proud recipient of the
Padmashri, the Padma Vibhushan, two Oscars and a Golden Globe Award.

Project:

Question 1.
Sit in groups of four. Each of you find information on the folk music of your state and
of one of the neighbouring states. You may seek information from the community,
library, Internet and other sources. Now, ask questions to each other in the group to
complete the table below.

Names of the folk music

States where they are performed
Any instrument/s used (you may illustrate the
instruments)
Performers

Answer:
The whole class may be divided in a group of four students each. For example if a
class has 52 students, make 13 groups and ask each group to collect relevant
information as per the question. Now ask each group to present a report on their
gathered information as follows :

Name of the folk music Lavani

States where they are performed Maharashtra
 Any instrument/s used (you may Dholki
illustrate the instruments)
Performers Female performers wearing nine-yard
long saris.

Question 2.
Prepare a report in your group and present it to the class. Then, share your
suggestions in the class to popularise the folk music in your community.

Answer:
Report
Lavani is a genre of music popular in Maharashtra. It is a combination of traditional
song and dance, which particularly is performed on the beats of Dholki, a percussion
instrument. It is noted for its powerful rhythm. It has contributed substantially to
the development of Marathi folk theatre. In Maharashtra, Southern Madya Pradesh
and North Karnataka, it is performed by female performers wearing nine-yard long
saris. The songs are sung in a quick tempo.

Lavani is very popular in Bollywood. To popularise it further in our community, it

should be widely sung in household functions like marriage, birth etc. Also, students
should be encouraged to learn it as a part of their extra curricular activity and
perform the same in school and community.

Question 3.
‘The Sound of Music’ is a biographical piece about Evelyn Glennie, a famous
percussionist, who listened to sound without hearing it. Collect information about
people/children who have overcome their physical barriers and have achieved
success in their lives.

Answer:
People/children who have overcome their physical barriers and have achieved
success in their lives like Evelyn Glennie, a famous percussionist, are as follows :

Name of the Famous for Disability

personality

(1) Michael J. Fox Actor Parkinson’s Disease

(2) Stephen British physicist Completely paralyzed by
Hawking amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(3) Helen Keller Noted speaker, author, Blind and deaf
and crusader for pacifism

(4) Albert Einstein Scientist Asperger’s syndrome, dyslexic

(5) Sudha Well known Bollywood Lost her leg in a car accident
Chandran dancer and actress

(6) John Milton The English author and He became blind at the age of
poet 43