Free Bachelor of Music MCQ Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which of the following is referenced by the word "Matu"?

Murki
Matra
Mukam
Textual part of a song (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Textual part of a song

In Indian classical music, particularly within the structure of a composition, 'Matu' refers specifically to the textual or lyrical part of a song. It encompasses the words, poetry, or prose that are set to a musical melody and rhythm. The Matu provides the narrative, emotional content, or thematic essence of the musical piece.

Question 2: Which of the following was the term "vipanchi," according to ancient scholars?

Three string veena
Twelve string veena
Seven string veena
Nine string veena (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Nine string veena

According to ancient Indian musicological texts and scholars, the term 'vipanchi' was used to describe a specific type of veena. This ancient stringed instrument was characterized by having nine strings. This classification highlights the diverse array of string instruments and their distinct features in historical Indian music.

Question 3: What is the location of "shudha-madhyam" according to Pt. Ahobal's method of placing "swaras" on the 36" wire of the veena?

18″
20″
32″
27″ (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 27″

Pt. Ahobal's method is a foundational system in Indian music theory for precisely locating 'swaras' (notes) on the veena based on mathematical ratios. According to his calculations, on a 36-inch wire, the 'shudha-madhyam' (pure fourth) note is positioned at the 27-inch mark from the bridge. This precise measurement reflects the harmonic intervals crucial to the raga system.

Question 4: In the "Rigveda," the terms "Geer," "Gatu," "Gatha," and "Gayatra" are used as synonyms for

Geet (Correct answer)
Gayatri
Girdhari
Ganesha

Correct answer: Geet

In the Rigveda, terms like 'Geer,' 'Gatu,' 'Gatha,' and 'Gayatra' all refer to various forms of vocal expression, hymns, or songs. 'Geet' is the Sanskrit word for song or melody, making it the most appropriate overarching synonym. These terms highlight the ancient Indian tradition of using poetic and musical forms for religious and cultural expression.

Question 5: What are the "Sam Veda's" two main pillars?

Avahan – Avgahan
Archik – Gan (Correct answer)
Sanyukta – Niryukta
Dhankshree – Geetangi

Correct answer: Archik – Gan

The Sam Veda is primarily a collection of hymns set to music. Its two main components are 'Archik,' which refers to the collection of Riks (hymns) themselves, and 'Gan,' which refers to the musical settings or melodies to which these Riks are sung. These two pillars represent the textual and musical aspects, forming the core of Samavedic chanting.

Question 6: Which of the following, in sequence, applies to "Uddata," "Anuddata," and "Swarita"?

Middle, upper, lower
Upper, lower, middle (Correct answer)
Upper, middle, lower
Lower, middle, upper

Correct answer: Upper, lower, middle

In ancient Vedic chanting, Uddata, Anuddata, and Swarita are the three primary accents or pitches. Uddata signifies a raised or upper pitch, Anuddata indicates a lowered or lower pitch, and Swarita represents a combined or middle pitch. This system was crucial for the precise intonation and meaning of Vedic mantras.

Question 7: The well-known Rabindra Sangeet in Purvi Raga is

Amar man mane na
Kar Milan chao birohi (Correct answer)
Joto tara tabo aakashe
Jago mangalo loke

Correct answer: Kar Milan chao birohi

"Kar Milan chao birohi" is a renowned Rabindra Sangeet composition by Rabindranath Tagore. This particular song is famously set in the Hindustani classical raga Purvi. Purvi raga is characterized by its specific melodic structure and emotional quality, which Tagore masterfully utilized in this composition.

Question 8: Which Nritya Natya was founded by Rabindranath to assist the "Harijan Unmulan Andolan" of Mahatma Gandhi?

Natir puja
Shap Mochan
Chandalika (Correct answer)
Shyama

Correct answer: Chandalika

Rabindranath Tagore wrote the dance-drama (Nritya Natya) "Chandalika" with a strong social message. It addresses the issue of untouchability and discrimination, aligning with Mahatma Gandhi's Harijan Unmulan Andolan. The play tells the story of an 'untouchable' girl and highlights themes of dignity and equality.

Question 9: Which prabanda is still active today like the last one?

Geetgovindam (Correct answer)
Nowka Charitram
Krishnalila Tarangani
Nandanar Charitam

Correct answer: Geetgovindam

The "Geet Govindam" by Jayadeva is a twelfth-century Sanskrit poem that describes the relationship between Krishna and the Gopis. It is a highly influential work in Indian classical music and dance, and its compositions (prabandhas) are still widely performed and revered in various classical traditions, making it a continuously active and celebrated work.

Question 10: Mark the items in the proper chronological order:

Natyashastra, Sangeet Ratnakar, Geet Govind
Natyashastra, Geet Govind, Sangeet Ratnakar (Correct answer)
Sangeet Ratnakar, Natyashastra, Geet Govind
Geet Govind, Natyashastra, Sangeet Ratnakar

Correct answer: Natyashastra, Geet Govind, Sangeet Ratnakar

The Natyashastra, attributed to Bharata Muni, is an ancient Sanskrit treatise dating back to between 200 BCE and 200 CE. The Geet Govind by Jayadeva was composed in the 12th century CE. Sangeet Ratnakar, authored by Sarangadeva, is a comprehensive text on Indian music and dance from the 13th century CE, placing them in this correct chronological order.

Question 11: How long is the gap between Tar Shadaj and Madhyam?

4: 5
8: 9
3: 4
2: 3 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 2: 3

In Indian classical music, the relationship between notes is often described by frequency ratios. The interval between Tar Shadaj (the tonic of the upper octave) and Madhyam (the perfect fourth of the lower octave) is a perfect fifth. The frequency ratio for a perfect fifth is 3:2, or 2:3 when expressing the ratio of the lower frequency to the higher frequency, which is represented here.

Question 12: Who is "Music of Hindustan's" author?

E. Clementz
William Jones
Fox Strangeways (Correct answer)
N. Augustus Williard

Correct answer: Fox Strangeways

Arthur Henry Fox Strangways was a British musicologist who wrote "The Music of Hindustan" (1914). This seminal work is considered one of the earliest and most comprehensive scholarly studies of Indian classical music by a Western author. It provided detailed insights into ragas, talas, and the theoretical foundations of Hindustani music.

Question 13: Who is the famous musicologist?

B.C. Deva (Correct answer)
Pt. Jasraj
Prabha Atre
Kishori Amonkar

Correct answer: B.C. Deva

B.C. Deva (Brahma Chandra Deva) was a renowned Indian musicologist, acoustician, and ethnomusicologist. He made significant contributions to the scientific study of Indian music, particularly in the fields of psychoacoustics and the analysis of musical instruments. The other options are celebrated classical vocalists, not primarily musicologists.

Question 14: In western music, what is the name of the Odav Scale?

Pentatonic scale (Correct answer)
Natural Scale
Hexatonic Scale
Heptatonic Scale

Correct answer: Pentatonic scale

In Indian classical music, an "Odav" (or Audav) scale is a pentatonic scale, meaning it consists of five notes per octave. Similarly, in Western music, a pentatonic scale is a musical scale with five notes per octave. Both terms describe scales with a characteristic five-note structure, often found in folk music worldwide.

Question 15: Comparing the time between two "Shruties" to the time between two "Swaras,"

Equal
Less (Correct answer)
More
None of the above

Correct answer: Less

In Indian music theory, a "Shruti" is the smallest perceivable interval of pitch, a microtonal division. A "Swara" (musical note) is a larger, distinct musical pitch that is formed by a combination of shrutis. Therefore, the interval or pitch distance between two shrutis is inherently smaller or "less" than the interval between two swaras.

Question 16: How many shruties are there in a musical scale, according to the ancient scholars?

21
20
24
22 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 22

Ancient Indian musicologists, particularly Bharata Muni in the Natyashastra, established the concept of 22 Shrutis within an octave. These 22 microtonal intervals are the foundational building blocks from which the 7 main Swaras (notes) and their variations are derived. This system provides a very fine-grained understanding of pitch in Indian classical music.

Free Bachelor of Music MCQ Questions and Answers

Which of the following is referenced by the word "Matu"?