Chapter 6: A Friend Found in Music (0903CH06)

Model: I prefer vocal music because the lyrics let me connect emotionally with the singer’s feelings and story, in addition to enjoying the melody.

Model: A. R. Rahman — his compositions blend Indian classical and modern styles beautifully.

Model: I admire the emotional depth and originality of the music, and how it stays with me long after I finish listening.

1. shore 2. rhythm 3. core 4. therapy 5. spirits 6. cheerful 7. needed 8. care

a metaphorical/figurative use of the verb ‘move’ — here it does not mean physical movement but suggests music stirring the poet’s deepest emotions.

Music is the ocean → Music is as vast and pulling as the ocean. Music is the rhythm → Music is like a rhythm that stirs my core. Music is the therapy → Music is as healing as therapy. Music is the needed friend → Music is as comforting and dependable as a needed friend.

ABCB in each stanza (e.g., shore/core; blue/through; there/care). This gentle, song-like rhyme gives the poem a soothing, musical flow that mirrors its subject.

The repetition emphasises how central and ever-present music is in the poet’s life, functioning almost like a refrain, reinforcing its comforting, constant presence.

That music is a source of comfort, healing and companionship, supporting us emotionally, especially in sad or lonely moments, like a true and dependable friend.

(ii) thoughtful — the poet reflects gratefully and sincerely on music’s comforting role in her life.

The poem is written in the first person (‘me’, ‘I’) expressing personal feelings, and is signed with the poet’s own name, Bryanna T. Perkins, suggesting these are her genuine reflections.

feeling sad or low.

"Music lifts my spirits / To make sure I pull through."

"To make sure I pull through" signifies that music gives her the strength and resilience to overcome difficult times.

True.

A. Music brings comfort during sadness.

Music resonates deeply with her innermost emotions, touching feelings that ordinary words cannot reach, creating a profound and personal emotional connection within her.

Like a true friend, music is always there for her — comforting her, lifting her spirits, and offering companionship, especially at times when no one else seems to care.

The poet is deeply appreciative and affectionate towards music, seeing it as an essential, dependable source of comfort, healing and emotional support in her life.

Everyone, across cultures and ages, experiences music’s comforting and uplifting power, so the poem’s message of finding solace in music feels relatable to readers everywhere, not just the poet.

Model: Like the poet, I find music comforting during stress — listening to songs calms my mind and lifts my mood, echoing the poem’s central idea of music as a needed friend.

Positive: lifts my spirits, most cheerful. Negative: feel blue. 1. nostalgia 2. anguish 3. melancholy 4. jubilant

1. move out → (v) leave a place where one has been living 2. move in → (ii) begin living in a new home/place 3. move on → (i) start doing/discussing something new 4. move over → (vi) shift position to make space for someone/something 5. move along → (iv) go to a new position, to make room for other people 6. move off → (iii) start moving; to leave

put off (postpone): We had to put off the picnic due to rain. get over (recover from): It took her a week to get over the flu. look after (take care of): She looks after her younger brother. break down (stop working / lose emotional control): The car broke down on the highway.

Model predictions before listening — to be checked against the actual conversation.

1. How are the speakers connected? → (i) parent–child. 2. Where is the conversation taking place? → (i) music centre. 3. Which instrument is the reason for the problem? → (ii) santoor. 4. What is the problem? → (ii) irregularity of the music class (the santoor teacher visits only twice a week). 5. Unsuccessful solution tried? → (iii) watching videos about playing the instrument. 6. Final decision? → (iii) purchase the musical instrument (meanwhile, borrowing one to practise at home).

Model: Student asks, "May I join the music class?" Teacher says classes are on Saturday. Parent asks about timings and fees. Student promises to balance studies. End with agreement and happy expressions.

Dear Dada-Dadi, Our school is organising a musical evening on 21 June (World Music Day) at 6 p.m. in the school auditorium. I am presenting a sitar recital and would be honoured if you could attend. Your presence will make this day special for me. Your loving grandson, Aryan.

Model: music therapy uses melodies and rhythms to reduce stress, pain and anxiety. In Raga Chikitsa, different ragas are linked to moods — e.g., raga Yaman for calmness. Hospitals and wellness centres use it for healing.

Model: the seven swaras (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni) are said to originate from sounds of birds and animals — e.g., peacock (Sa), bull (Re), goat (Ga). They form the basis of Indian classical music scales.

Model: collect songs praising music, e.g., lyrics about rain, lullabies, or devotional bhajans. For each, note the theme, the musical feeling it creates, and compile them into a small anthology.

Model: the poem celebrates how music transforms perception, making the earth’s beauty more vivid and summoning visions of water nymphs (Naiads). Note its imagery of enchantment and share which lines you found most musical.