Instrumental Music

17 Grade 10 Religious Education (HRE) questions on Instrumental Music, with worked marking schemes. 17 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   3 marks

   (a) Describe two features of the dhol. (2 marks)

   (b) State one occasion in Sikh or Hindu community life when the dhol is commonly played. (1 mark)

   (3 marks)

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2. Question 2

   4 marks

   Explain two reasons why musical instruments are played during worship in the four faiths. (4 marks)

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any two well-explained reasons, 2 marks each (1 mark for the reason, 1 mark for explanation) (4 marks): - To accompany and support singing: instruments give pitch and rhythm so the congregation sings together in tune. - To create a devotional atmosphere: the sound calms the mind and draws worshippers into prayer or meditation. - To mark parts of a ritual: bells, conch or drums signal the start of aarti, the opening of the shrine or a change in the service. - To offer praise to the divine: playing well is itself an offering of devotion (e.g. music offered to the deity or in honour of the Gurus). - To follow tradition: deities and saints are linked with instruments (e.g. Krishna's flute, Saraswati's veena, Bhai Mardana's rabab), so their use keeps the faith's heritage alive. - To attract and involve worshippers, especially the young, in worship.

3. Question 3

   5 marks

   Your class plans to visit a mandir or a Gurdwara to learn about the musical instruments used there.

   (a) Outline three questions you would ask the resource person during the visit. (3 marks)

   (b) State two careers that a learner skilled in playing these instruments could pursue. (2 marks)

   (5 marks)

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4. Question 4

   3 marks

   Other than the tabla and the dhol, name three percussion instruments played during worship in any of the four faiths (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism). (3 marks)

   (3 marks)

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5. Question 5

   6 marks

   A ragi jatha (a group of kirtan musicians) leads worship in a Gurdwara.

   (a) Name two instruments commonly played by a ragi jatha today. (2 marks)

   (b) Explain two rules of conduct that ragis observe when playing and singing kirtan in the Gurdwara. (4 marks)

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Any two of the following, 1 mark each (2 marks): - Harmonium - Tabla / jori - Dilruba - Taus - Rabab / saranda (traditional string instruments) (b) Any two well-explained rules, 2 marks each (1 mark for the rule, 1 mark for explanation) (4 marks): - Only Gurbani (hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib) or approved compositions such as those of Bhai Gurdas and Bhai Nand Lal are sung, because kirtan is worship through the Guru's word, not entertainment. - Each shabad is sung and played in the raga under which it is written in the Guru Granth Sahib, so the music matches the mood the Gurus intended. - The instruments must support and never drown the words, so that the sangat can hear and understand the message of the hymns. - Ragis cover their heads, remove their shoes and wash their hands before playing, as a sign of respect in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. - Ragis sit on the floor below the level of the Guru Granth Sahib while playing, showing humility before the Guru. - Kirtan is performed with humility and devotion rather than to show off skill, since it is seva (service) to the Guru and the congregation.

6. Question 6

   1 mark

   The tabla is played as a pair of drums known as the dayan and the bayan. Which statement about the pair is correct?

   A. Both drums are normally struck with thin bamboo sticks

   B. The larger bayan is usually made from hollowed bamboo

   C. Both drums are tuned only by tightening metal neck pegs

   D. The smaller dayan is usually carved from wood

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   Sikh tradition records that Bhai Mardana accompanied Guru Nanak on his travels, playing an instrument while the Guru sang his hymns. Which instrument did Bhai Mardana play?

   A. Rabab

   B. Dhol

   C. Harmonium

   D. Sitar

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   6 marks

   Draw a table with three columns headed Stringed, Wind and Percussion. Place each of the following instruments in the correct column: sitar, tabla, bansuri, sarangi, dhol, violin. (6 marks)

   (6 marks)

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9. Question 9

   5 marks

   The harmonium is widely used to accompany devotional singing.

   (a) Explain how sound is produced on the harmonium. (3 marks)

   (b) Give two reasons why the harmonium is popular for accompanying devotional singing. (2 marks)

   (5 marks)

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10. Question 10

    4 marks

    State two differences between the sarod and the sitar. (4 marks)

    (4 marks)

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11. Question 11

    4 marks

    You have been chosen to play the tabla to accompany a devotional song during a school assembly. Outline four practices you would follow to play the instrument correctly and care for it. (4 marks)

    (4 marks)

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12. Question 12

    4 marks

    Explain two ways in which musical instruments are important in the cultural and social practices of Indian communities in Kenya. (4 marks)

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any two well-explained points, 2 marks each (1 mark for the point, 1 mark for explanation/example) (4 marks): - Celebrating festivals: instruments such as the dhol accompany Navratri garba and dandiya, Diwali and Vaisakhi celebrations, adding joy to the occasion. - Weddings and family events: the dhol and shehnai are played at the baraat and other wedding ceremonies to announce and celebrate the event. - Preserving cultural identity: learning and playing traditional instruments keeps the heritage alive among younger generations living in Kenya. - Promoting social bonding: playing and dancing together brings families and communities closer and builds unity. - Cultural exchange: performances at music festivals and national days share Indian culture with other Kenyan communities and promote cohesion. - Entertainment and recreation: instruments provide relaxation and enjoyment. - Livelihood: musicians, teachers and instrument makers earn an income.

13. Question 13

    1 mark

    During a classical vocal recital, one musician keeps plucking four open, unfretted strings in a fixed pattern to sustain a steady background drone for the singer. Which instrument is being played?

    A. Sarangi

    B. Tanpura

    C. Sarod

    D. Harmonium

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    1 mark

    In Hindu tradition, the bamboo flute (bansuri) is most closely associated with which deity, which is why it often features in devotional songs sung in his or her honour?

    A. Goddess Saraswati

    B. Lord Shiva

    C. Lord Krishna

    D. Lord Ganesha

    (1 mark)

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15. Question 15

    4 marks

    The violin and the sarangi are both bowed instruments used in Indian music. Give two similarities and two differences between them. (4 marks)

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Similarities: any two, 1 mark each (2 marks): - Both are played with a bow (usually of horsehair). - Both are often used to accompany vocal music, following the singer's melody. - Both have no frets, allowing smooth glides (meend) between notes. - Both are melody instruments with strings. Differences: any two, 1 mark each (2 marks): - The sarangi is carved from a single block of wood with a skin-covered resonator, while the violin is built from several thin wooden pieces with a wooden belly. - The sarangi has three main playing strings plus many sympathetic strings, while the violin has four strings and no sympathetic strings. - The sarangi player stops the strings with the cuticles/sides of the fingernails, while the violinist presses the strings onto the fingerboard with the fingertips. - The sarangi is held upright on the lap, while the violin is held at the shoulder (or, in Carnatic music, rested between the chest and the foot). - The sarangi is an Indian instrument, while the violin was introduced from Europe and adopted into Indian (especially Carnatic) music.

16. Question 16

    1 mark

    In many Theravada Buddhist viharas, monks chant the suttas in Pali without any instrumental accompaniment. Which reason best explains this practice?

    A. Instruments are kept only for funerals and royal ceremonies

    B. The Pali texts cannot be fitted to any melody or rhythm

    C. Monastic precepts restrain music played for entertainment

    D. Instruments are too costly for most monasteries to buy

    (1 mark)

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17. Question 17

    1 mark

    The ancient Indian text Natya Shastra groups musical instruments into four classes. To which class do the shehnai and the shankh (conch shell) blown in temples belong?

    A. Avanaddha vadya (membrane)

    B. Tata vadya (stringed)

    C. Sushira vadya (wind)

    D. Ghana vadya (solid)

    (1 mark)

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