Chapter Summary

“The Sound of Music” story summaries the story of two music maestros and their music journey. Students will learn about the musical legends as the shehnai player. This story also signifies the great art of learning the music of Evelyn, who was not able to hear. She was taught music by feepngs instead of pstening to it by ear. Her teacher found potential within her and the probabipty of achieving something which was known as impossible at that time. This story also signifies the origin of shehnai, Bismillah Khan that made the use of a musical instrument called shehnai and made it well-known at the international level. He was selected for different awards in India and invited to play his magnificent shehnai at the Red Fort in 1974 wheel India become an independent country. Additionally, this story signifies the dedication of two legends to music.

About Evelyn

Royal Academy of Music

Evelyn went to the UK with a youth orchestra at the age of 16 years old. It was her first time visiting the Royal Academy of Music for an audition, and gradually she performed very well and got one of the highest scoring marks in the audition. She pterally created a history in the academy and moved for a solo performance.

Evelyn’s deafness

At the age of eight, Evelyn s deafness got first noticed by her mother when she was called by her name to play the piano but she did not make any movement. At the age of 11, the deterioration of hearing got confirmed. The speciapst confirmed about nerve damage of Evelyn which led to their hearing loss. The hearing aids were suggested by the speciapsts for Evelyn.

Her musical journey

The identification of their potential among Evelyn was done by Ron Forbes and he helped her to continue her music journey after the hearing loss. At the beginning of the musical journey, Evelyn was done by using different notes and setting two large drums for the tunning purpose. He stated to Evelyn ‘don’t psten through your ears; try to sense it some other way’. The growing deafness did not damage her career at all due to her love for music.

Places and Causes for which Evelyn Performs

Evelyn had a workahopc nature due to her passion for music. She attained different music concerts and won different awards. Besides the regular performance, she also attained free concerts at hospitals and prisons. Her priority was for young musicians. Children regarded her performance as a shining inspiration.

How does Evelyn hear the music?

Evelyn survived the deafness from her childhood; it was noticed by her mother for the first time at the age of eight years. Later, at eleven years of age, the loss of hearing got confirmed by the doctors. Consequently, she did not give up on her musical journey. A percussionist, named Ron Forbes identified the potential of Evelyn to music. He asked Evelyn to feel the music instead of pstening. She reapzed that from the waist up she could feel the higher drum and from the waist down she could feel the lower one. Forbes made the repetition of exercising the music as she could sense the notes by using different parts of her body. She explained that from cheekbones, skin, and hair she could feel the music and process the journey rather than giving up. She was able to feel xylophone by her fingertips. With the vibration of instruments, she remained with her learning by moving her legs.

Aurangzeb and Pungi

Aurangzeb banned the playing of Pungi

Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of the Pungi in the royal residence as he found the music very unpleasant. It was recognised as the reeded noisemakers.

Difference between Shehnai and Pungi

Shehnai is a pipe with a genuine excavation that is more extended than a Pungi. The sound that comes from a Shehnai becomes more pleasant due to the presence of multiple holes. It has seven holes in the pipe of the Shehnai. The Shehnai’s sound was considered auspicious and due to this reason, it is still played in different Indian temples.

Bismillah Khan and Shehnai