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Sound of Music

The document discusses Evelyn Lennie's unique ability to sense music through vibrations rather than hearing it, thanks to the guidance of percussionist Ron Forbes. It also highlights Bismillah Khan's contributions to the shehnai, transforming it from a traditional instrument used in temples and weddings to a prominent feature on the classical stage, including a historic performance during India's independence. Additionally, it contrasts the shehnai with the pungi, noting differences in structure and sound quality.

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4 views4 pages

Sound of Music

The document discusses Evelyn Lennie's unique ability to sense music through vibrations rather than hearing it, thanks to the guidance of percussionist Ron Forbes. It also highlights Bismillah Khan's contributions to the shehnai, transforming it from a traditional instrument used in temples and weddings to a prominent feature on the classical stage, including a historic performance during India's independence. Additionally, it contrasts the shehnai with the pungi, noting differences in structure and sound quality.

Uploaded by

Utra Pro Gaming
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SOUND OF MUSIC

Evelyn Lennie Listens to Sound without


Hearing it
Q1. Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?
Ans – Percussionist Ron Forbes helped Evelyn to continue with music. He began by tuning drums to
different notes. He asked her not to listen to them through her ears but to try and sense sound in some
other manners.
Q2. How does Evelyn hear music?
Ans – Evelyn does not hear music. She feels it. She senses the notes through different parts of her
body. Initially she was encouraged by percussionist Ron Forbes, who tuned two drums to different
notes and asked her to sense the sound without using her ear. She realized that she could feel the
higher drum from the waist up and the lower drum from the waist down. This exercise helped
Evelyn to open up her mind and body to sounds and vibrations. Evelyn explains that when she plays
the xylophone, she senses the sound flowing up the stick and into her fingertips. She leans against the
drum, stands barefoot on wooden platform so that she can feel the vibrations. She says how her
whole body including her hair is sensitive to music and its resonances.
Q. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan
change this?

• Ans - Traditionally, the shehnai was a part of the naubat or traditional ensemble
of nine instruments found at royal courts. Those days it was played only in temples
and weddings. Bismillah khan changed this by bringing it onto the classical stage.

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

Ans - Bismillah Khan got his big break in 1938 with the opening of All India
Radio in Lucknow. He was the regular player of Shehnai on radio and soon
became popular.
Q. Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event
historic?
Ans -On August 15, 1947, Bismillah Khan played Raag Kafi from the Red Fort. The event was
historical because it was on the occasion of India’s independence from the British rule.

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

Ans – Bismillah Khan refused one of his students request to start a shehnai school in USA
because he could not live away from Hindustan, especially from Benares, the river Ganga
and Dumraon for a long period of time.
Q. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?
Ans – Shehnai was made by a pipe with a natural hollow stem that was longer and broader
than pungi. It had seven holes on the body of pipe. It had very soft and melodious sound
whereas pungi produced shrill and unpleasant sounds.

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