NCERT Class 9 Arts Madhurima: Chapter 7 — The Science of Music
This chapter, "The Science of Music," from NCERT's Madhurima for Class 9 Arts, explores the interdisciplinary nature of music. It highlights music as both an art form, appreciated for its emotional impact and entertainment value, and a science that can be studied in depth. The chapter connects music to physics, biology, and mathematics, demonstrating how these subjects underpin musical principles. It introduces fundamental concepts of sound, including pitch and loudness, and their relation to instrument construction and material properties. The text also features C.V. Raman's work on the acoustics of Indian percussion instruments like the mṛidaṅgam and tabla, emphasizing the scientific analysis of sound production. Practical activities encourage students to explore sound variations using simple materials like rubber bands and boxes, fostering an understanding of how tension, thickness, and material affect musical notes. This chapter aims to deepen students' appreciation and understanding of music through a scientific lens, enhancing their CBSE learning experience.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 9 |
| Subject | Arts |
| Book | Madhurima |
| Chapter | Chapter 7 — The Science of Music |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 388 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand music as both an art and a science.
- Identify the connections between music and physics, biology, and mathematics.
- Explore fundamental concepts of sound, including pitch and loudness.
- Learn about the scientific analysis of musical instruments and sound production.
- Conduct simple experiments to observe how material properties affect sound.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| tata-vādya | String instruments |
| suṣhira-vādya | Wind instruments |
| avanaddha-vādya | Percussion instruments |
| ghana-vādya | Solid instruments |
| mṛidaṅgam | A double-headed drum, a key percussion instrument in Carnatic music. |
| tabla | A pair of hand drums fundamental to Hindustani classical music. |
| pitch | The quality of a sound governed by the rate of vibrations producing it; the degree of highness or lowness of a tone. |
| vibrate | Move continuously and rapidly to and fro. |
| karaṇai | A black patch on the membrane of Indian percussion instruments like the mṛidaṅgam, used for tuning and tonal quality. |
| syāhī | Another term for the black patch (karaṇai) on Indian drums. |
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Practice questions
- How is music both an art and a science? Answer: Music is an art because it evokes emotions and provides entertainment and relaxation. It is a science because its principles can be studied in-depth, connecting to physics, biology, and maths.
- What did C.V. Raman discover about Indian percussion instruments? Answer: C.V. Raman discovered that instruments like the mṛidaṅgam and tabla produce sustained, rich sounds and can be tuned to different pitches. He studied how the preparation of their membranes causes complex vibrations.
- What materials are needed to make a model stringed instrument as described in Activity 7.1? Answer: The materials needed are rubber bands/threads and an empty tissue box/small cardboard box.
- How does stretching a rubber band affect the pitch of the sound it produces? Answer: Stretching a rubber band tighter increases its tension, which causes it to vibrate faster, resulting in a higher pitch.
- What is the function of the karaṇai or syāhī on instruments like the mṛidaṅgam? Answer: The karaṇai or syāhī is a black patch that helps the membranes vibrate in complex patterns, contributing to a sustained and rich sound and allowing the instrument to be tuned.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of NCERT Class 9 Arts Chapter 7, 'The Science of Music'?
The chapter explores music as both an art and a science, highlighting its connections to physics, biology, and mathematics, and explaining basic sound principles.
Who was C.V. Raman and what is his contribution mentioned in this chapter?
C.V. Raman was a renowned Indian physicist and Nobel laureate. The chapter mentions his study of the mṛidaṅgam and tabla, discovering how their membranes produce sustained sound and can be tuned.
What are the four categories of musical instruments mentioned?
The four categories are string (tata-vādya), wind (suṣhira-vādya), percussion (avanaddha-vādya), and solid (ghana-vādya).
How does tension affect the sound of a stringed instrument?
Increasing the tension (by stretching it tighter) makes the string vibrate faster, resulting in a higher pitch.
What is the purpose of the karaṇai or syāhī on instruments like the mṛidaṅgam?
The karaṇai or syāhī is a black patch that helps the membrane vibrate in complex patterns, contributing to the instrument's sustained sound and tunability.
What is the primary goal of Activity 7.1 in this chapter?
Activity 7.1 aims to help students understand how tension, material, and resonance affect the loudness and pitch of sound by making a simple model stringed instrument.
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NCERT Class 9 Arts — Madhurima — Chapter 7 — The Science of Music. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.