The Sound of Music Class 9: Notes, Summary & Q&A (2026-27)

1. Chapter Introduction

Welcome students! Today we are going to explore Class 9 English Chapter 2: “The Sound of Music”. This inspiring chapter is divided into two parts, both focusing on the profound impact of music and the sheer determination required to achieve greatness. Part I tells the incredible story of Evelyn Glennie, a Scottish girl who became a world-renowned percussionist despite being profoundly deaf. Part II takes us on a historical journey with Ustad Bismillah Khan, the legendary maestro who elevated the Shehnai from a common folk instrument to a symbol of Indian classical music. Let’s dive into these beautiful stories of passion and hard work!

2. Characters Detail

• Evelyn Glennie (Part I): A profoundly deaf girl who never gave up. She learned to feel music through different parts of her body and became one of the most sought-after percussionists in the world.
• Ron Forbes (Part I): A percussionist who spotted Evelyn’s potential. He encouraged her to feel the music rather than listen to it, changing her life forever.
• Ustad Bismillah Khan (Part II): The legendary Shehnai player of India. He brought the Shehnai onto the classical stage and was the first Indian to greet the nation with his Shehnai on 15 August 1947.
• Ali Bux (Part II): Bismillah Khan’s maternal uncle, who played the Shehnai at the Vishnu temple in Benaras and became his first real teacher.

3. Full Summary

Part I: Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound Without Hearing It

Evelyn Glennie was eight years old when her mother first noticed something was wrong with her hearing. By the time she was eleven, her deafness was confirmed due to gradual nerve damage. Teachers advised her parents to send her to a school for the deaf, but Evelyn was determined to lead a normal life and pursue her interest in music.

While most teachers discouraged her, percussionist Ron Forbes saw her potential. He tuned two large drums to different notes and asked her to “feel” the sound instead of listening through her ears. Evelyn realized she could feel the higher drum from the waist up and the lower drum from the waist down. She joined the Royal Academy of Music in London, scored one of the highest marks in its history, and eventually became a solo performer playing thousands of instruments globally. She inspires millions by proving that physical disabilities cannot stop true determination.

Part II: The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

The story begins with Emperor Aurangzeb banning the musical instrument ‘pungi’ in the royal residence because of its shrill, unpleasant sound. A barber from a family of musicians decided to improve it. He chose a hollow stem, made seven holes in it, and played it. The sound was melodious. Since it was played in the Shah’s chamber by a Nai (barber), it was named the ‘Shehnai’.

Bismillah Khan was born in 1916 into a family of musicians in Bihar. He spent his childhood in Benaras, mesmerized by his uncle Ali Bux playing the Shehnai at the Vishnu temple. Bismillah Khan practiced for hours on the banks of the river Ganga, inventing new raagas. His biggest moment came on 15 August 1947, when he became the first Indian to greet the newly independent nation with his Shehnai at the Red Fort. His love for India and Benaras was so deep that he refused an offer to start a Shehnai school in the USA. In 2001, he was awarded India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.

4. Multiple Choice Questions (10 MCQs)

5. Short Answer Questions (30-40 Words)

6. Long Answer Questions (60-80 Words)