SSC Static Gk Musical Instruments Notes for all SSC Exams

Musical instruments are fundamental to any piece of music, forming its core and soul. Understanding their types and the famous artists associated with them is crucial for competitive exams, as questions on this topic are frequently asked. Here, we explore the primary classifications of instruments and key Indian exponents.

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Classification of Musical Instruments

Musical instruments are broadly categorized based on their sound production mechanism. This classification helps in understanding their unique characteristics and traditional names.

Wind Instruments (Sushir Vadya):

• Description: Sound is produced by blowing air through the instrument. These instruments often create melodious sounds.

• Examples: Shehnai (oboe), Bansuri (flute), Trumpet.

String Instruments (Tat Vadya):

• Description: Sound is produced by vibrating a string.

• Examples: Veena, Guitar, Sarod, Sarangi.

Membrane Instruments (Avanaddh Vadya):

• Description: These instruments feature a stretched membrane, typically animal skin, which is struck to produce sound.

• Examples: Tabla, Dholak, Dhapli, Drum.

Plate / Solid Instruments (Ghan Vadya):

• Description: Sound is produced by striking a solid plate, which can be made of various materials like metal or clay.

• Examples: Jal Tarang, Ghatam (earthen pot), Bells.

Famous Artists of Tabla

The Tabla is a prominent membrane-type instrument. While Allah Rakha and Zakir Hussain are widely recognized, several other artists have made significant contributions. Allah Rakha belongs to the Patiala gharana, and Zakir Hussain is his son. To remember famous Tabla players, use the phrase: "Sun Allah Gulzar Fakir". This mnemonic helps recall:

• Su - Sukwinder Singh

• N - Narendra Sharma

• Allah - Allah Rakha

• Gu - Gudai Maharaj

• L - Latif Khan

• Za - Zakir Hussain

• R - Rudrakoi

• Fa - Faiyaz Khan

• Ki - Kishan Maharaj

Famous Artists of Sarod

The Sarod is a distinguished string-type instrument. Amjad Ali Khan is the name most closely associated with the Sarod. To remember famous Sarod players, use the phrase: "Baman Ali Aam Kha" (Baman Ali, eat a mango). This mnemonic helps recall:

• Ba - Buddhadev Das Gupta

• M - Mukesh Sharma

• N - Brij Narayan

• Ali - Ali Akbar Khan

• Aam - Amjad Ali Khan (the most frequently asked name)

• Kha - Alauddin Khan

Famous Artists of Sitar

The Sitar is a renowned string-type instrument, with Pandit Ravi Shankar being its most prominent artist globally.

To remember famous Sitar players, the mnemonic connects the instrument's name, Sitar, to the Hindi word for star, Sitara. The phrase is: "Ravi Shankar ke bande Nikhil aur Shahid ko Vilayat le gaye" (Ravi Shankar's men, Nikhil and Shahid, were taken abroad). This mnemonic helps recall:

• Ravi Shankar - Pandit Ravi Shankar

• Bande - Bande Hasan

• Nikhil - Nikhil Banerjee

• Shahid - Shahid Parvez

• Vilayat - Vilayat Khan

Famous Artists of Santoor

The Santoor is a unique string-type instrument. To remember famous Santoor players, the mnemonic uses an analogy: Santoor sounds like Santra (orange). Oranges are often distributed as offerings (prasad) during religious gatherings. The phrase is: "Shiv ke bhajan mein santre bate" (Oranges were distributed during Shiva's hymn). This mnemonic helps recall the two most important names:

• Shiv - Shiv Kumar Sharma

• Bhajan - Bhajan Sopori
  Other notable artists include Varsha Agrawal, Abhay Rustum Sopori, and Tarun Bhattacharya.

Famous Artists of Shehnai

The Shehnai is a wind instrument famously played at weddings and auspicious occasions. The most renowned exponent is Bismillah Khan. To remember Shehnai players, use the phrase: "Shehnai ke liye Hussain ne vish diya" (For the Shehnai, Hussain gave poison). This mnemonic helps recall:

• Shehnai - Refers to the instrument itself.

• Hussain - Hussain Ahmed Khan

• Vish - Bismillah Khan

• Diya - Dayashankar Jagannath

Famous Artists of Bansuri (Flute)

The Bansuri (flute) is a wind instrument deeply associated with Lord Krishna, an avatar of Hari. This connection helps in remembering the most famous artist, Hariprasad Chaurasia.

To remember prominent flute players, use the phrase: "Raja Hari ki kunji mein neela panna laga do" (Put a blue emerald in Raja Hari's key). This mnemonic helps recall:

• Raja - Rajendra Prasanna

• Hari - Hariprasad Chaurasia

• Kunji - Kunjamani

• Neela - N. Neela

• Panna - Pannalal Ghosh
  

All names decoded from this mnemonic are important for exams.

Famous Artists of Guitar

The Guitar is a widely popular string instrument. Its key Indian exponents include:

To remember these artists, use the phrase: "Mohan ne Braj mein Krishna ke saath bhajan gaye" (Mohan sang hymns with Krishna in Braj). This mnemonic helps recall:

• Mohan - Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

• Braj - Brij Bhushan Kabra

• Krishna - Krishna Nalini