NCERT Textbook: Musical Instruments | Arts for Class 6 (Kriti - 1) PDF Download

 Page 1


Chapter 7
Musical Instruments
Objective: Understanding the relevance 
of instruments in a musical piece and 
exploring instrument families. 
Instruments are used to create 
a  layered and rich sound of notes 
and rhythm.
Activity 1: Role of 
Instruments in a  
Musical Piece
Listen to the song ‘Shyamale 
Meenakshi’. Now, try singing it by 
yourself.
Lyrics: Shyamale Meenakshi
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar
Shyamale Meenakshi
Sundareshvara Sakshi
Shankari Guruguha
Samudbhave Shiveva
Paamara Mochani
Pankaja Lochani
Padmaasana Vaani Hari
Lakshmi Vinute Shaambhavi
Shyamale Meenakshi
“Every musician is 
a storyteller , using 
melodies and rhythms  
to narrate the tales  
of the heart.”
— Pandit Ravishankar ,  
Bharat Ratna,  
Sitar exponent
Activity Discuss with 
the class
Sing this song 
with any musical 
instrument that is 
available in your 
classroom. 
Or, use body parts 
to clap, stamp, 
etc., to sing 
the song with 
rhythm.
How has using body 
parts helped you to 
sing the song? Did 
you enjoy it?
Now, sing with an 
audio track. The 
accompanying 
instruments are 
a violin and a 
mridangam.
How does an 
instrument a??ect 
the experience of a 
musical piece?
Now, sing with 
an audio track 
on a new set of 
instruments?—?a 
piano and drums.
What was your 
experience singing 
with a di??erent set 
of instruments? 
Did you have a 
preference and why?
2 Music.indd   47 7/19/2024   11:35:40 AM
Reprint 2025-26
Page 2


Chapter 7
Musical Instruments
Objective: Understanding the relevance 
of instruments in a musical piece and 
exploring instrument families. 
Instruments are used to create 
a  layered and rich sound of notes 
and rhythm.
Activity 1: Role of 
Instruments in a  
Musical Piece
Listen to the song ‘Shyamale 
Meenakshi’. Now, try singing it by 
yourself.
Lyrics: Shyamale Meenakshi
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar
Shyamale Meenakshi
Sundareshvara Sakshi
Shankari Guruguha
Samudbhave Shiveva
Paamara Mochani
Pankaja Lochani
Padmaasana Vaani Hari
Lakshmi Vinute Shaambhavi
Shyamale Meenakshi
“Every musician is 
a storyteller , using 
melodies and rhythms  
to narrate the tales  
of the heart.”
— Pandit Ravishankar ,  
Bharat Ratna,  
Sitar exponent
Activity Discuss with 
the class
Sing this song 
with any musical 
instrument that is 
available in your 
classroom. 
Or, use body parts 
to clap, stamp, 
etc., to sing 
the song with 
rhythm.
How has using body 
parts helped you to 
sing the song? Did 
you enjoy it?
Now, sing with an 
audio track. The 
accompanying 
instruments are 
a violin and a 
mridangam.
How does an 
instrument a??ect 
the experience of a 
musical piece?
Now, sing with 
an audio track 
on a new set of 
instruments?—?a 
piano and drums.
What was your 
experience singing 
with a di??erent set 
of instruments? 
Did you have a 
preference and why?
2 Music.indd   47 7/19/2024   11:35:40 AM
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Kriti–I | Grade 6 48
Activity 2: Listening and  
Responding
Listen to a story being told  
accompanied by an instrument. 
Explain how the instrument  
enhances the depth of the 
storytelling.
Try to listen to a story while 
playing this instrument and record 
your emotions.
Activity 3: Instrument 
Families
The two important components  
of music are melody and tempo. 
Based on these, instruments are 
classi??ed as: 
• Melody instruments
• Rhythm instruments
Saraswati veena
DO YOU KNOW
Ustad Bismillah Khan 
is one of the greatest 
shehnai players of 
India who is a recepient 
of Bharat Ratna. The 
woodwind instrument, 
shehnai, which was used 
mostly in folk music 
earlier , became popular 
in Hindustani classical 
music due to the e??orts 
of this great musician. He 
was considered a symbol 
of religious harmony. 
He was invited to 
perform at the 
Red Fort on 15 
August 1947, the 
day India got 
independence.
 Instruments are further classi??ed 
based on how they are played. Refer 
to the picture given in the next page 
to understand the classi??cation of 
musical instruments.
Apart from the ones mentioned in 
the table, name two instruments that 
are used for rhythm?
1. 
2. 
Can you name two instruments that 
are used for melody?
1. 
2. 
Can you name two melody 
instruments  that are played by 
plucking strings?
1. 
2. 
Can you name two rhythm instruments 
that are made with metal?
1. 
2. 
2 Music.indd   48 7/19/2024   11:35:41 AM
Reprint 2025-26
Page 3


Chapter 7
Musical Instruments
Objective: Understanding the relevance 
of instruments in a musical piece and 
exploring instrument families. 
Instruments are used to create 
a  layered and rich sound of notes 
and rhythm.
Activity 1: Role of 
Instruments in a  
Musical Piece
Listen to the song ‘Shyamale 
Meenakshi’. Now, try singing it by 
yourself.
Lyrics: Shyamale Meenakshi
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar
Shyamale Meenakshi
Sundareshvara Sakshi
Shankari Guruguha
Samudbhave Shiveva
Paamara Mochani
Pankaja Lochani
Padmaasana Vaani Hari
Lakshmi Vinute Shaambhavi
Shyamale Meenakshi
“Every musician is 
a storyteller , using 
melodies and rhythms  
to narrate the tales  
of the heart.”
— Pandit Ravishankar ,  
Bharat Ratna,  
Sitar exponent
Activity Discuss with 
the class
Sing this song 
with any musical 
instrument that is 
available in your 
classroom. 
Or, use body parts 
to clap, stamp, 
etc., to sing 
the song with 
rhythm.
How has using body 
parts helped you to 
sing the song? Did 
you enjoy it?
Now, sing with an 
audio track. The 
accompanying 
instruments are 
a violin and a 
mridangam.
How does an 
instrument a??ect 
the experience of a 
musical piece?
Now, sing with 
an audio track 
on a new set of 
instruments?—?a 
piano and drums.
What was your 
experience singing 
with a di??erent set 
of instruments? 
Did you have a 
preference and why?
2 Music.indd   47 7/19/2024   11:35:40 AM
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Kriti–I | Grade 6 48
Activity 2: Listening and  
Responding
Listen to a story being told  
accompanied by an instrument. 
Explain how the instrument  
enhances the depth of the 
storytelling.
Try to listen to a story while 
playing this instrument and record 
your emotions.
Activity 3: Instrument 
Families
The two important components  
of music are melody and tempo. 
Based on these, instruments are 
classi??ed as: 
• Melody instruments
• Rhythm instruments
Saraswati veena
DO YOU KNOW
Ustad Bismillah Khan 
is one of the greatest 
shehnai players of 
India who is a recepient 
of Bharat Ratna. The 
woodwind instrument, 
shehnai, which was used 
mostly in folk music 
earlier , became popular 
in Hindustani classical 
music due to the e??orts 
of this great musician. He 
was considered a symbol 
of religious harmony. 
He was invited to 
perform at the 
Red Fort on 15 
August 1947, the 
day India got 
independence.
 Instruments are further classi??ed 
based on how they are played. Refer 
to the picture given in the next page 
to understand the classi??cation of 
musical instruments.
Apart from the ones mentioned in 
the table, name two instruments that 
are used for rhythm?
1. 
2. 
Can you name two instruments that 
are used for melody?
1. 
2. 
Can you name two melody 
instruments  that are played by 
plucking strings?
1. 
2. 
Can you name two rhythm instruments 
that are made with metal?
1. 
2. 
2 Music.indd   48 7/19/2024   11:35:41 AM
Reprint 2025-26
Music 49
RHYTHM MELODY
DHOL
MORSING
GHATAM
KHARTAL
Wood
Clay
Metal
TABLA
VEENA
VIOLIN
SANTOOR
HARMONIUM
SHANKH
With reeds
SHEHNAI
Played with 
palms and
fingers 
Played with
finger nails 
Played with a 
bow
Played by 
being struck
Without reeds
Flute
Mouth-blown
Bellow-operated
Natural
Played with 
sticks and
hammers 
SOLID
(Ghana)
PERCUSSION
(Avanaddha)
SOME
MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS
STRING
(Tata)
WIND
(Sushira)
RHYTHM MELODY
DHOL
MORSING
GHATAM
KHARTAL
Wood
Clay
Metal
TABLA
VEENA
VIOLIN
SANTOOR
HARMONIUM
SHANKH
With reeds
SHEHNAI
Played with 
palms and
fingers 
Played with
finger nails 
Played with a 
bow
Played by 
being struck
Without reeds
Flute
Mouth-blown
Bellow-operated
Natural
Played with 
sticks and
hammers 
SOLID
(Ghana)
PERCUSSION
(Avanaddha)
SOME
MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS
STRING
(Tata)
WIND
(Sushira)
2 Music.indd   49 7/19/2024   11:36:12 AM
Reprint 2025-26
Page 4


Chapter 7
Musical Instruments
Objective: Understanding the relevance 
of instruments in a musical piece and 
exploring instrument families. 
Instruments are used to create 
a  layered and rich sound of notes 
and rhythm.
Activity 1: Role of 
Instruments in a  
Musical Piece
Listen to the song ‘Shyamale 
Meenakshi’. Now, try singing it by 
yourself.
Lyrics: Shyamale Meenakshi
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar
Shyamale Meenakshi
Sundareshvara Sakshi
Shankari Guruguha
Samudbhave Shiveva
Paamara Mochani
Pankaja Lochani
Padmaasana Vaani Hari
Lakshmi Vinute Shaambhavi
Shyamale Meenakshi
“Every musician is 
a storyteller , using 
melodies and rhythms  
to narrate the tales  
of the heart.”
— Pandit Ravishankar ,  
Bharat Ratna,  
Sitar exponent
Activity Discuss with 
the class
Sing this song 
with any musical 
instrument that is 
available in your 
classroom. 
Or, use body parts 
to clap, stamp, 
etc., to sing 
the song with 
rhythm.
How has using body 
parts helped you to 
sing the song? Did 
you enjoy it?
Now, sing with an 
audio track. The 
accompanying 
instruments are 
a violin and a 
mridangam.
How does an 
instrument a??ect 
the experience of a 
musical piece?
Now, sing with 
an audio track 
on a new set of 
instruments?—?a 
piano and drums.
What was your 
experience singing 
with a di??erent set 
of instruments? 
Did you have a 
preference and why?
2 Music.indd   47 7/19/2024   11:35:40 AM
Reprint 2025-26
Kriti–I | Grade 6 48
Activity 2: Listening and  
Responding
Listen to a story being told  
accompanied by an instrument. 
Explain how the instrument  
enhances the depth of the 
storytelling.
Try to listen to a story while 
playing this instrument and record 
your emotions.
Activity 3: Instrument 
Families
The two important components  
of music are melody and tempo. 
Based on these, instruments are 
classi??ed as: 
• Melody instruments
• Rhythm instruments
Saraswati veena
DO YOU KNOW
Ustad Bismillah Khan 
is one of the greatest 
shehnai players of 
India who is a recepient 
of Bharat Ratna. The 
woodwind instrument, 
shehnai, which was used 
mostly in folk music 
earlier , became popular 
in Hindustani classical 
music due to the e??orts 
of this great musician. He 
was considered a symbol 
of religious harmony. 
He was invited to 
perform at the 
Red Fort on 15 
August 1947, the 
day India got 
independence.
 Instruments are further classi??ed 
based on how they are played. Refer 
to the picture given in the next page 
to understand the classi??cation of 
musical instruments.
Apart from the ones mentioned in 
the table, name two instruments that 
are used for rhythm?
1. 
2. 
Can you name two instruments that 
are used for melody?
1. 
2. 
Can you name two melody 
instruments  that are played by 
plucking strings?
1. 
2. 
Can you name two rhythm instruments 
that are made with metal?
1. 
2. 
2 Music.indd   48 7/19/2024   11:35:41 AM
Reprint 2025-26
Music 49
RHYTHM MELODY
DHOL
MORSING
GHATAM
KHARTAL
Wood
Clay
Metal
TABLA
VEENA
VIOLIN
SANTOOR
HARMONIUM
SHANKH
With reeds
SHEHNAI
Played with 
palms and
fingers 
Played with
finger nails 
Played with a 
bow
Played by 
being struck
Without reeds
Flute
Mouth-blown
Bellow-operated
Natural
Played with 
sticks and
hammers 
SOLID
(Ghana)
PERCUSSION
(Avanaddha)
SOME
MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS
STRING
(Tata)
WIND
(Sushira)
RHYTHM MELODY
DHOL
MORSING
GHATAM
KHARTAL
Wood
Clay
Metal
TABLA
VEENA
VIOLIN
SANTOOR
HARMONIUM
SHANKH
With reeds
SHEHNAI
Played with 
palms and
fingers 
Played with
finger nails 
Played with a 
bow
Played by 
being struck
Without reeds
Flute
Mouth-blown
Bellow-operated
Natural
Played with 
sticks and
hammers 
SOLID
(Ghana)
PERCUSSION
(Avanaddha)
SOME
MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS
STRING
(Tata)
WIND
(Sushira)
2 Music.indd   49 7/19/2024   11:36:12 AM
Reprint 2025-26
Kriti–I | Grade 6 50
Scan the QR Code and Match it with the Instrument Name
QR Code Instrument QR Code Instrument
1. a. 
 Sitar
2. b. 
 Santoor
3. c. 
 Harmonium
4. d. 
 Tanpura
5. e. 
 Violin
6. f. 
 Shehnai
7. g. 
 Tabla
8. h. 
 Sarod
9. i. 
 Flute
10. j. 
 Pakhawaj
Answers: 1-e, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b, 5-c, 6-h, 7-j, 8-i, 9-g, 10-f
2 Music.indd   50 7/19/2024   11:36:16 AM
Reprint 2025-26
Page 5


Chapter 7
Musical Instruments
Objective: Understanding the relevance 
of instruments in a musical piece and 
exploring instrument families. 
Instruments are used to create 
a  layered and rich sound of notes 
and rhythm.
Activity 1: Role of 
Instruments in a  
Musical Piece
Listen to the song ‘Shyamale 
Meenakshi’. Now, try singing it by 
yourself.
Lyrics: Shyamale Meenakshi
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar
Shyamale Meenakshi
Sundareshvara Sakshi
Shankari Guruguha
Samudbhave Shiveva
Paamara Mochani
Pankaja Lochani
Padmaasana Vaani Hari
Lakshmi Vinute Shaambhavi
Shyamale Meenakshi
“Every musician is 
a storyteller , using 
melodies and rhythms  
to narrate the tales  
of the heart.”
— Pandit Ravishankar ,  
Bharat Ratna,  
Sitar exponent
Activity Discuss with 
the class
Sing this song 
with any musical 
instrument that is 
available in your 
classroom. 
Or, use body parts 
to clap, stamp, 
etc., to sing 
the song with 
rhythm.
How has using body 
parts helped you to 
sing the song? Did 
you enjoy it?
Now, sing with an 
audio track. The 
accompanying 
instruments are 
a violin and a 
mridangam.
How does an 
instrument a??ect 
the experience of a 
musical piece?
Now, sing with 
an audio track 
on a new set of 
instruments?—?a 
piano and drums.
What was your 
experience singing 
with a di??erent set 
of instruments? 
Did you have a 
preference and why?
2 Music.indd   47 7/19/2024   11:35:40 AM
Reprint 2025-26
Kriti–I | Grade 6 48
Activity 2: Listening and  
Responding
Listen to a story being told  
accompanied by an instrument. 
Explain how the instrument  
enhances the depth of the 
storytelling.
Try to listen to a story while 
playing this instrument and record 
your emotions.
Activity 3: Instrument 
Families
The two important components  
of music are melody and tempo. 
Based on these, instruments are 
classi??ed as: 
• Melody instruments
• Rhythm instruments
Saraswati veena
DO YOU KNOW
Ustad Bismillah Khan 
is one of the greatest 
shehnai players of 
India who is a recepient 
of Bharat Ratna. The 
woodwind instrument, 
shehnai, which was used 
mostly in folk music 
earlier , became popular 
in Hindustani classical 
music due to the e??orts 
of this great musician. He 
was considered a symbol 
of religious harmony. 
He was invited to 
perform at the 
Red Fort on 15 
August 1947, the 
day India got 
independence.
 Instruments are further classi??ed 
based on how they are played. Refer 
to the picture given in the next page 
to understand the classi??cation of 
musical instruments.
Apart from the ones mentioned in 
the table, name two instruments that 
are used for rhythm?
1. 
2. 
Can you name two instruments that 
are used for melody?
1. 
2. 
Can you name two melody 
instruments  that are played by 
plucking strings?
1. 
2. 
Can you name two rhythm instruments 
that are made with metal?
1. 
2. 
2 Music.indd   48 7/19/2024   11:35:41 AM
Reprint 2025-26
Music 49
RHYTHM MELODY
DHOL
MORSING
GHATAM
KHARTAL
Wood
Clay
Metal
TABLA
VEENA
VIOLIN
SANTOOR
HARMONIUM
SHANKH
With reeds
SHEHNAI
Played with 
palms and
fingers 
Played with
finger nails 
Played with a 
bow
Played by 
being struck
Without reeds
Flute
Mouth-blown
Bellow-operated
Natural
Played with 
sticks and
hammers 
SOLID
(Ghana)
PERCUSSION
(Avanaddha)
SOME
MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS
STRING
(Tata)
WIND
(Sushira)
RHYTHM MELODY
DHOL
MORSING
GHATAM
KHARTAL
Wood
Clay
Metal
TABLA
VEENA
VIOLIN
SANTOOR
HARMONIUM
SHANKH
With reeds
SHEHNAI
Played with 
palms and
fingers 
Played with
finger nails 
Played with a 
bow
Played by 
being struck
Without reeds
Flute
Mouth-blown
Bellow-operated
Natural
Played with 
sticks and
hammers 
SOLID
(Ghana)
PERCUSSION
(Avanaddha)
SOME
MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS
STRING
(Tata)
WIND
(Sushira)
2 Music.indd   49 7/19/2024   11:36:12 AM
Reprint 2025-26
Kriti–I | Grade 6 50
Scan the QR Code and Match it with the Instrument Name
QR Code Instrument QR Code Instrument
1. a. 
 Sitar
2. b. 
 Santoor
3. c. 
 Harmonium
4. d. 
 Tanpura
5. e. 
 Violin
6. f. 
 Shehnai
7. g. 
 Tabla
8. h. 
 Sarod
9. i. 
 Flute
10. j. 
 Pakhawaj
Answers: 1-e, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b, 5-c, 6-h, 7-j, 8-i, 9-g, 10-f
2 Music.indd   50 7/19/2024   11:36:16 AM
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Music 51
Activity 4: Make your 
own Instrument
Jaltarang is an interesting instrument 
that consists of a set of glass, metal 
or clay bowls each having varying 
levels of water. The artist strikes the 
rim of each bowl with a wooden stick 
and produces music. It is a melody 
and a rhythm instrument. We can 
categorise it as a wind instrument 
because the air present above the 
water level in each bowl vibrates 
to produce sound. This is also a 
percussive instrument because the 
sound is produced by striking a 
membrane or a surface, which is the 
rim of the bowls.
Let us make a jaltarang with the 
bowls that are available in your 
kitchen.
You will need
Five sturdy bowls, a can of water, 
and two pencils or wooden sticks. 
Now, let us?—
• Arrange the bowls on a table in a 
single row.
•  Fill the bowls with varying 
amounts of water. You could 
??ll the  ??rst bowl with one cup 
of water, the second one with 
three-fourths cup, the third 
bowl with one-half cup, and the 
fourth bowl with one-fourth cup 
of water. 
•  Your very own jaltarang is ready 
for use.
•  Gently strike the rim of every 
bowl with the pencil or stick, and 
make your own music. Observe 
how the pitch is di??erent when 
you strike di??erent bowls.
2 Music.indd   51 7/19/2024   11:36:16 AM
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