# Sing and Play

## Overview
In the chapter “Sing and Play,” students begin a new musical journey by exploring their voice and understanding pitch, melody, and rhythm. The chapter emphasizes vocal warm-ups, pitch-matching, identifying vocal range, and introduces a joyful Kannada folk song called “Aadona Banni.” Students learn both theory and practice of basic Indian classical music (sargam), gain familiarity with vocal exercises, and participate in fun and creative singing activities.

## Key Topics Covered

### 1. Vocal Warm-Ups
- **Purpose**: Prepare the voice for singing by waking up the vocal cords and improving sound quality.
- **Exercises**:
- **Humming**: Make a steady “mmmmm” sound with lips closed, both at a single pitch and by sliding from low to high and high to low.
- **Lip Trills**: Purse lips and blow air to create a motorbike-like vibration sound; helps create a smooth vocal sound.
- **Whistling**: Practice creating a sound by blowing air through pursed lips. Singers can whistle in varying pitches to control airflow.

### 2. Sargam Patterns
- **Sargam**: The solfège (note) system in Indian music — Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni, Sa.
- **Practice Activities**:
- Repetition of the basic swara scale.
- Introduction to **Janti Varisai** — singing each note multiple times.
- Pattern-based exercises to recognize and sing sequential swara progressions.
- **Written Swara Practice**:
- Exercises include filling in blanks and matching swara patterns (like SRGM, RGMP, GMPD).

### 3. Pitch Matching
- **Activity**: Match pitch using an instrument like a tanpura, harmonium, or keyboard.
- **Objective**: Develop accuracy in reproducing notes by singing along with an instrument.
- **Sa to Sa**: Practice the complete octave (saptak/sthayi).

### 4. Finding Your Vocal Range
- **Activity**: Sing from the lowest to the highest comfortable note.
- **Goal**: Identify and expand one’s vocal range over time.
- **Famous Singers Highlighted**:
- Pandit Jasraj
- Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna
- Parveen Sultana — known for their wide vocal ranges.

### 5. Animal and Bird Sounds
- **Fun Exploration**:
- List birds/animals with high and low-pitched sounds.
- Connect natural sound awareness with musical learning.

### 6. Folk Song: Aadona Banni
- **Language**: Kannada
- **Theme**: Invitation to play, dance, and celebrate.
- **Style**: Traditional, joyful, and best enjoyed in group singing.
- **Lyrics Highlight**:
- Describes dancing, colors, birds, and nature’s rhythm.
- Promotes cultural appreciation and musical enjoyment.

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## New Terms and Simple Definitions

| Term | Simple Definition |
|------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Humming | Making a “mmmmm” sound with closed lips |
| Lip Trill | A buzzing sound made by blowing air through closed lips like a motorbike |
| Whistling | Blowing air through your lips to make a musical sound |
| Sargam | The Indian musical notes: Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni, Sa |
| Pitch | How high or low a musical note sounds |
| Range | The span from the lowest to the highest note you can sing |
| Tanpura | A musical instrument that gives a constant pitch |
| Janti Varisai | Repeating musical notes in sequence for practice |
| Octave (Saptak) | A full set of musical notes from Sa to high Sa |
| Folk Song | A traditional song passed through generations, usually in regional language |

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## Practice Questions

### Easy (3)
1. **What sound do we make while humming?**
**Answer**: A steady “mmmmm” sound.
**Explanation**: Humming warms up the vocal cords gently.

2. **What are the notes of Sargam?**
**Answer**: Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni, Sa.
**Explanation**: These are the basic swaras used in Indian classical music.

3. **What instrument helps match pitch in singing?**
**Answer**: Tanpura or harmonium.
**Explanation**: These instruments provide a steady pitch for reference.

### Medium (2)
4. **What is the purpose of lip trills?**
**Answer**: To smoothen and strengthen the voice.
**Explanation**: They help regulate airflow and make singing easier.

5. **How can you find your vocal range?**
**Answer**: By singing from the lowest to the highest note you can comfortably reach.
**Explanation**: This helps understand the notes you can sing well.

### Difficult (3)
6. **Write any two Janti Varisai patterns.**
**Answer**: SS RR GG MM PP DD NN SS; SRG SRG
**Explanation**: Janti Varisai are exercises with repeated notes for practice.

7. **What does the song 'Aadona Banni' talk about?**
**Answer**: It invites people to come, dance, and enjoy together.
**Explanation**: It is a joyful Kannada folk song encouraging group celebration.

8. **Why is pitch matching important in music?**
**Answer**: It helps singers stay in tune with the music.
**Explanation**: Singing in pitch ensures harmony and accurate musical expression.

### Very Difficult (2)
9. **Explain the concept of an octave using Sargam.**
**Answer**: An octave is a full set of notes from Sa to higher Sa (Saptak).
**Explanation**: It includes all 7 basic notes and is the base for many musical scales.

10. **List two artists known for their wide vocal range and one thing they are famous for.**
**Answer**: Pandit Jasraj (classical vocal), Dr. Balamuralikrishna (creative compositions)
**Explanation**: Both had exceptional singing range and contributed to Indian classical music.

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