Describe a Popular Musical Instrument in Your Country - IELTS Cue Card

An IELTS Cue Card is a category of task under the Speaking section in the IELTS exam. The examiner will simply hand you a card with a topic or a situation, and you will be given a minute to think or take notes before talking about it for 2 minutes. The cue card always has a brief prompt or question that you need to respond to.

Duration of IELTS Speaking Cue Card:

The Cue Card task is designed to assess the candidate's ability to speak spontaneously and coherently about a given topic while also demonstrating their vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation skills.

If you need any help in your IELTS cue card preparation, you can contact Yocket counsellors, who are always there for your help.

The IELTS Cue Card is of immense importance in the Speaking section, for it covers a significant part of the scoring. It is a test of the candidate’s ability to arrange ideas, coherent speaking and sound knowledge of the English language. This means that their performance can significantly boost their speaking scores, and their general language skills can be judged accordingly. The Speaking section is all about one’s communication skills in English, and it targets four things: fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The way one can handle questions and keep the conversation alive are crucial factors tested here, and the cue cards offer the best opportunity to prove fluency. Thus, mastering this part of the test can show one’s English proficiency, and there is an excellent opportunity from here to increase the IELTS score.

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What musical instrument is it?

The Sitar is one of the most popular and well-known musical instruments in India. The sitar is a plucked string instrument from India. The body of the sitar is made of wood and is in the shape of a large pear. A long neck with about 20 or more strings goes through the body. 

How is it played?

When the player plucks the strings with the right hand, their left-hand closes and presses the strings on the neck; this is how the soft notes or ornamentation are formed. At the same time, when plaquing the strings with the left hand with the help of a plectrum, mizrab produces a considerably resonant sound.

What sort of music can it play?

The music of the sitar is most famously played in classical Indian music styles, especially the North Indian Hindustani tradition. Under Indian classical music, sitars are played in Ragas, melodic structures that serve the same function as musical keys in Western classical music. The sitar has a vast tonal range and timbre and can be used in slow and meditative pieces as well as lively and quick compositions.

Why is it so popular in your country?

The sitar has lately become a significant aspect of Indian identity, developing the country’s musical tradition. Perceivably, the instrument has been made famous due to the legendary contributions of sitarists such as Ravi Shankar, who made the musical device accessible and synonymous with Western cultural influences. Aspectually, the sitar boasts of a distinct hip sound quality and timbre and has been traditionally associated with Indian classical music, according to Indian Americans.

What musical instrument is it?

The Tabla is a pair of hand drums used widely in Indian classical and folk music. It is comprised of two small, barrel-shaped drums played with the palms and fingers. 

How is it played?

The tabla is played using the fingers, palms, and fingertips to perform a diverse set of striking techniques. Specifically, the larger of the two drums, also known as the ‘Dayan’, is beaten with the right hand, whereas the left hand is used for the smaller ‘bayan’ drum. The player accomplishes a wide variety of rhythmic features and textures by dwelling on the drums with different parts of the hand more or less firmly and quickly.

What sort of music can it play?

The musical instrument, the tabla, is an essential component of Indian classical music, notably in the Hindustani tradition. It accompanies vocalists, instrumentalists, and dancers by providing a rhythmic base and strengthening the complexity of the music. Additionally, it is used in several folk educational groups like Qawwali and Bhangra and has been utilised to create countless fusion music styles.

Why is it so popular in your country?

Since the tabla is deeply entrenched within the Indian culture and spans a rich history of several centuries, it is one of the most critical and versatile percussion instruments in India. It is also one of the most respected instruments, considering that the people who handle it are deemed to be knowledgeable and versatile. Indian music enthusiasts will find this instrument to be their favourite and easy to recognise because it is adaptable for use in all available Indian music factions.

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What musical instrument is it?

A Harmonium is a reed-based keyboard instrument that is now a vast and in-demand part of Indian music. A harmonium has a set of metal reeds that are made to vibrate as air pressure is channelled into them. This air pressure is generated by a small set of bellows that are placed in the base of the instrument. The bellows are operated by pressing it up and down using the feet.

How is it played?

The harmonium is played by pressing the keys. Pressing the keys causes pads underneath to open a hole so that air is channelled over the reed. The player presses on the keys using their fingers while stepping on the pedal operated by the bellows to provide the right amount of air pressure needed. A harmonium has a decent range.

What sort of music can it play?

The harmonium is an integral part of Indian classical music, particularly in the Hindustani school. It plays a supportive role to vocalists and other instrumentalists while also harmonising and enlivening the music. In addition to classical music, the harmonium is frequently used in devotional and religious music, such as Bhajans and Kirtans, which are utilised in Bollywood films.

Why is it so popular in your country?

The harmonium has been a popular musical instrument in India due to several reasons. First, the instrument is versatile, portable, and affordable. Second, the harmonium is easy to learn and play, which means that anyone, from amateur musicians to professionals, can use it. Third, the harmonium instrument allows the production of sustained notes and harmony, which is fundamental to Indian music cultures, particularly religion and devotion.

What musical instrument is it?

The Veena is one of the oldest and most sung string instruments in India. It is a plucked string instrument with a distinctive long, lute-like body and a fretted neck. The instrument is generally played in the Carnatic music of South India.

How is it played?

The veena is played by plucking the strings with the user’s right hand and using his left to navigate the frets around the neck, producing several notes and ornamentations. The player makes use of a plectrum with the name “33k” to pluck the strings. It creates a rich and full sound that is both soothing and commanding.

What sort of music can it play?

The veena is mainly linked to Carnatic classical music, South India’s classical music culture. It is usually brought into action in a wide variety of ragas, complex and sophisticated, which are the melodic patterns that underlie Carnatic music. The veena can be easily put to use in an enormous selection of different music: slow, meditative pieces, contemplative sections that are faster and more energetic, and virtuoso displays of expertise.

Why is it so popular in your country?

The veena is one of the most sacred and noble instruments in India, especially in the southern parts of the country, which rank highest. It has been an inseparable part of Indian heritage for so many years, and it is widely known for all the musical ways in which the South Indian musical tradition places it. In this regard, it has become trendy among Indian citizens and has been a subject of pride and a sign of Indian culture so far.

1. What are the different types of stars that can be predominantly seen in India? 

In India, many stars can be seen, though three of them are common. The sitar is the predominant type that almost everyone would have seen played. Moreover, there are bass sitar and surbahar. The bass sitar offers excellent bass and is used in a traditional classic musical performance. In comparison to the standard one, surbahar is significant, and the tone is more profound. It is common in Hindustani classical music.

1. In which way does the playing technique of the tabla organiser differ from that of other percussion instruments? 

The playing technique of the tabla organiser differs significantly from that of other percussions. Drums, for example, are played with sticks or mallets, while the tabla is played with the fingers and palms of both hands. The player employs several striking techniques, such as the flat of the fingers, the whole palm, and the heel of the palm, to deliver a vast array of rhythmic and textural variations. The complexity of the tabla playing technique contributes to its popularity and status as a pre-eminent percussion instrument in India.

1. What are the key differences between the harmonium and the piano? 

Some of the key differences between the harmonium and the piano are:

1. The power source: The harmonium is powered by the air pressure that the player generates through the bellows, which they operate using the foot, whereas the piano is a percussion instrument that is played by having the strings struck. 
2. The production and respective instruments: Harmonium is based on the vibration of the reeds to generate sound, while producing piano sound is based on the strings being struck. 
3. Portability: Unlike the stationary piano, the harmonium is portable and can be used in any area suitable for it. 
4. Types of music associated with: The harmonium is related to Indian classical music and Indian devotional music; on the other hand, Western classical music and popular music are linked with the piano.

4. How is the technique of playing on the veena different from the method of playing on the sitar? 

• Hand position: In the first case, the master plucks the strings with his right hand and, using the left, shifts into the frets on the neck. In the second case, the individual plucks the strings with their right hand and, using the left, creates the sound of notes and ornament. 
• The tuning is different, implying that the instrument is tuned differently when playing on the veena, and the harmonic notes are used more during the sound screen. 
• The corresponding repertoire: Upon closer examination, both options are Indian classical music instruments. Still, the veena is more used in the south-Indian Carnatic tradition, and sitar is used in the north–Indian variation of the Hindustani tradition.

1. What are the unique features of the harmonium that prove to be its reasons for popularity in India? 

The harmonium is popular in India because of its key features: 

1) Portability — The harmonium is light and compact, which means it can be taken to different places and used in various religious and devotional environments 

2) Accessibility — The harmonium is relatively cheap and easy to learn, which opened doors to a broader range of musicians, from amateurs to professional performers 

3) Versatility — The harmonium can play a variety of music, from classical Indian music and Bollywood music to being used as an accompaniment to other singers and instrumental performances 

4) Religious and devotional music – These require the use of the harmonium because of its dependable, long notes and easily adjustable harmonies as used in bhajans and kirtans.

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• Understand the Prompt: Make sure you have read the Cue Card prompt and address all the things mentioned in the interrogation. It will thus help you give an answer that is comprehensive and appropriate according to the examiner’s expectations. Avoid assumptions that result in shifts from the focus of the prompt that may lead to an unrewarding response. 
• Organise Your Thoughts: Before you start speaking, take a tiny moment mentally to rearrange your words and make the structure. The structure of the response implies a reaction of an introduction, body and conclusion. Ensure a “one, two, three” structure like in the opening, body and closing, and your response will be logical and make sense. 
• Use Relevant Vocabulary: Look for the relevant vocabulary of the topic of the Cue Card for use in your answer. That demonstrates your language use and pleases the examiner. Refrain from using simple words. Avoid repetition. Your language should be more colourful and descriptive in usage. Use synonyms, purposive expressions, direct as well as conversational expressions and subject-specific terminology.
• Conclude Appropriately: Close your response with an impactful conclusion that summarises your key points and resonates with the examiner. A reasonable conclusion helps reinforce the critical information you have provided and depicts your ability to provide a neat and complete response. You can summarise your key ideas, repeat your main points raised or end on a thought-provoking note to ensure the examiner remembers your language skills. 
• Practice, Practice, Practice: Regular practice is critical to mastering the IELTS Cue Card task. Practice regularly, either alone or with a friend, to become familiar with the format, timing and content of the Cue Card. Record your speech and listen to it, or ask a friend to critique and note down areas you need to improve, such as fluency, diction, grammar or pronunciation.
• Request Feedback and Guidance: One last tip is to ask for feedback on your Cue Card answers from an experienced IELTS instructor, tutor or language expert. They will be able to offer constructive feedback and valuable observations on the source of your strengths and weaknesses. With their critical insights, they can provide helpful tips and examples on how to improve your weak areas and help you perform optimally on the actual exam.

Getting the IELTS Cue Card task right is crucial to scoring high in the Speaking section. Knowing how to format it, why it is essential, and how to handle this task appropriately could increase your chances of scoring high. Whether you like being guided and supported in what you do, especially when preparing to take an exam like IELTS, we suggest that you use Yocket, an IELTS preparation expert and official advisory platform. Yocket’s IELTS preparation packages, involving preparation materials, mock tests and expert personal feedback, have been designed to help you achieve your desired band score and fulfil your academic and career aspirations.