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Free Practice Questions for BSEH Secondary Music Vocal

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Key Facts: BSEH Secondary Music Vocal Exam

MHV 085

BSEH Secondary Hindustani Music (Vocal) subject code

Board of School Education Haryana Class 10 syllabus

20 + 60 + 20

Theory + Practical + Internal Assessment marks (total 100)

BSEH Music Vocal Code 085 examination pattern

2½ hours

Theory paper duration

BSEH Secondary Music Vocal question-paper design

33%

Minimum pass in aggregate and separately in external exam

BSEH examination regulations

3 ragas

Bhimpalasi, Vrindavani Sarang, and Khamaj in the Class 10 vocal syllabus

BSEH MHV Code 085 syllabus

MCQ study aid

This bank adapts theory to four-option MCQs; official assessment is mixed theory plus heavy practical

OpenExamPrep assessment-format policy for non-pure-MCQ boards

BSEH Secondary Music Vocal (MHV Code 085) is Haryana’s Class 10 Hindustani Vocal paper: Theory 20 + Practical 60 + IA 20 = 100 marks. Theory about 2½ hours. Pass at least 33% aggregate and 33% in external. Fee as per BSEH notification. This site offers free English MCQ theory practice with explanations—not a full mixed-paper or practical simulation.

Sample BSEH Secondary Music Vocal Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the BSEH Secondary Music Vocal exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In Hindustani vocal practice, the tanpura is primarily used to provide a continuous:
A.Drone of reference pitches (typically based on Sa and often Pa or Ma)
B.Only melodic solo improvisation replacing the singer
C.Only percussion theka instead of tabla
D.Only Western equal-tempered chord progressions
Explanation: The tanpura supplies a steady harmonic drone so the singer can keep pitch relative to Sa (and often Pa/Ma).
2Which statement best describes a common four-string tanpura tuning used with vocal music?
A.Only one string is ever used and the rest are mute decoration
B.Two middle strings on Sa with outer strings often on Pa (or Ma) and high Sa, adjusted to the singer’s pitch
C.All four strings always tuned only to komal Ni
D.Strings are never tuned to Sa in vocal music
Explanation: A frequent teaching pattern uses Sa–Sa–Pa–Sa (or Sa–Sa–Ma–Sa) relative to the singer’s chosen tonic.
3In BSEH Class 10 Music Vocal syllabus language, “mixing” the tanpura mainly refers to:
A.Mixing paint for the gourd decoration only
B.Mixing dance mudras with percussion only
C.Tuning and blending its strings so the drone locks cleanly to the singer’s Sa
D.Mixing audio tracks on a computer only
Explanation: School syllabi use “mixing” for the practical method of bringing tanpura strings into pure, blended tune with the voice.
4The resonating body of a traditional tanpura is commonly made from a:
A.Metal snare drum shell only
B.Plastic recorder tube only
C.Glass bottle without a neck
D.Dried gourd (tumba) attached to a long wooden neck
Explanation: A classic tanpura uses a gourd resonator and long wooden stem/neck that carries the strings and bridge.
5Why is the tanpura especially important for Hindustani vocal students?
A.It establishes a stable tonal centre so swaras of a raga stay correctly relative to Sa
B.It replaces the need to learn any raga rules
C.It keeps tala matras automatically without tabla or hand-counting
D.It writes bandish notation by itself
Explanation: Pitch accuracy in raga depends on hearing Sa continuously; the tanpura supplies that reference.
6Which part of the tanpura raises and supports the strings so they can buzz/resonate characteristically?
A.The harmonium bellows only
B.The bridge (ghodi/jawari area) on the soundboard path of the strings
C.The tabla syahi paste only
D.The flute embouchure hole only
Explanation: The bridge and jawari adjustment shape the tanpura’s rich overtone buzz essential to its drone sound.
7A student is asked to draw and label a tanpura in the theory paper. Which set of labels is most appropriate?
A.Only keys, bellows, and stops like a pipe organ
B.Only skin heads, lacing, and syahi like a tabla
C.Tumba (gourd), dand (neck/stem), strings, bridge, pegs
D.Only frets, bow, and sound-post like a violin
Explanation: A correct diagram shows the gourd body, long neck, strings, bridge, and tuning pegs of the tanpura.
8Compared with a fretted sitar, the tanpura used for vocal drone is typically:
A.A double-reed wind instrument
B.A membranophone with two heads
C.Fretless, meant for continuous open-string drone rather than fretted melodies
D.Heavily fretted for rapid gamak solos as its main role
Explanation: Tanpura strings are played open as drone; fretted melodic work is the domain of instruments like sitar.
9When a vocalist shifts the chosen tonic (Sa) for comfort, the tanpura should:
A.Stay on a fixed absolute pitch forever regardless of the singer
B.Be silenced because drone is optional in all ragas for exams
C.Be tuned only to the tabla’s bayan pitch always
D.Be re-tuned so its drone matches the new Sa (and related Pa/Ma)
Explanation: Sa is relative to the singer; tanpura mixing/tuning follows the selected tonic for that performance.
10The continuous “jivari/jawari” quality associated with a well-set tanpura refers mainly to:
A.A rich buzzing overtone texture from proper bridge/string setup
B.A type of tala with 16 matras only
C.A raga that uses only komal swaras
D.A folk dance of Haryana only
Explanation: Jawari describes the carefully adjusted bridge contact that produces the tanpura’s shimmering overtones.

About the BSEH Secondary Music Vocal Exam

The Haryana BSEH Secondary Hindustani Music (Vocal) examination is the Class 10 Music Vocal paper (MHV Code 085) conducted by the Board of School Education Haryana, Bhiwani. Full marks are 100: Theory 20 + Practical 60 + Internal Assessment 20. Theory (about 2½ hours) covers tanpura, music definitions (raga types, geet types, tala elements), biographies of Pandit Jasraj and Kishori Amonkar, Natyashastra (Bharata Muni), North Indian notation, and classical introduction to Raag Bhimpalasi, Vrindavani Sarang, and Khamaj plus Ektal, Chautaal, and Rupak. Practical weight is high (60 marks). The official theory paper is mixed written format, not pure multiple-choice. The 100 questions on this page are an English-language MCQ theory study adaptation for concept drills and self-assessment; they do not replace riyaaz or practical credit.

Exam sponsor: Board of School Education Haryana (BSEH). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Official: Theory 20 + Practical 60 + IA 20 = 100 marks, subject code MHV 085. Theory ~2½ hours with objective (about 5 marks), very short (4), short (6), and long (5) items per 2025-26 QPD style. Theory chapters: Tanpura (3), Definitions (5), Musicians & books (4), North Indian music/notation (2), Raga theory (6). Practical: booklet, oral raga/tala introduction, performance of raga and tala, welcome song/bhajan/folk, national anthem on harmonium. Local bank: English MCQ theory study adaptation with explanations.

Time Limit

2½ hours (theory paper)

Passing Score

At least 33% in the subject aggregate and at least 33% separately in the external examination (BSEH regulations)

Exam / Certification Fees

As per BSEH annual examination fee notification (school/private candidate forms on bseh.org.in)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Overall Secondary pass percentages are published with each BSEH result; no fixed standing subject-wise Music Vocal pass-rate figure is used here.. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

3 marks theory

Introduction to Tanpura

Meaning, construction/structure, tuning (mixing), and diagram of the tanpura — the continuous drone instrument used with Hindustani vocal music.

5 marks theory

Definitions of Music

Shuddha, Chhayalag, and Sankiran ragas; Geet, Lakshan Geet, Sargam Geet; tala terms (taali, khali, sam, matra, bol, vibhag, aavartan); Ektal, Chautaal, Rupak (one and two guna).

4 marks theory

Musicians & Books of Music

Life and contributions of Pandit Jasraj and Kishori Amonkar; analytical study of the Natyashastra treatise (Bharata Muni).

2 marks theory

North Indian Music / Notation

Hindustani swarlipi (notation) system and its importance for recording bandish, aalap, and taan.

6 marks theory

Theoretical Knowledge of Ragas

Classical introduction to Bhimpalasi, Vrindavani Sarang, and Khamaj: thaat, jaati, swar, nyas, vadi–samvadi, samay, aroha–avaroha, pakad, and chhota khayal bandish with aalap/taan notation concepts.

60 marks practical + 20 IA

Practical & Internal Assessment

Performance and viva on prescribed ragas/talas, welcome song, bhajan, folk song, national anthem on harmonium, practical booklet, plus school IA (tests, project, attendance, CRP). Not simulated by this MCQ bank.

Preparing for the BSEH Secondary Music Vocal Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: At least 33% in the subject aggregate and at least 33% separately in the external examination (BSEH regulations)
  • Assessment: Official: Theory 20 + Practical 60 + IA 20 = 100 marks, subject code MHV 085. Theory ~2½ hours with objective (about 5 marks), very short (4), short (6), and long (5) items per 2025-26 QPD style. Theory chapters: Tanpura (3), Definitions (5), Musicians & books (4), North Indian music/notation (2), Raga theory (6). Practical: booklet, oral raga/tala introduction, performance of raga and tala, welcome song/bhajan/folk, national anthem on harmonium. Local bank: English MCQ theory study adaptation with explanations.
  • Time limit: 2½ hours (theory paper)
  • Exam / certification fees: As per BSEH annual examination fee notification (school/private candidate forms on bseh.org.in) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

BSEH Secondary Music Vocal: Suggested Study Strategy

1Build one-page charts for Bhimpalasi, Vrindavani Sarang, and Khamaj with thaat, jaati, vadi–samvadi, samay, aroha–avaroha, and pakad before drilling MCQs.
2Clap and count Ektal (12), Chautaal (14), and Rupak (7) until sam, taali, and khali positions are automatic on hand.
3Draw the tanpura and label gourd, stem, strings, and bridge; practise explaining tuning (mixing) in two short paragraphs.
4Link each definition (shuddha/chhayalag/sankiran; lakshan geet vs sargam geet) to one concrete classroom example so long answers are ready.
5Pair every MCQ set with short riyaaz notes: two aalap and two taan ideas per raga, plus one bhajan or folk line — MCQs build recognition, not performance marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the official BSEH Secondary Music Vocal exam multiple-choice?

No. Official Hindustani Music (Vocal) Code 085 is Theory 20 + Practical 60 + Internal Assessment 20. The theory paper mixes objective, very short, short, and long answers (about 2½ hours). Practical performance and viva dominate the marks. The 100 questions on this page are an English-language MCQ theory study adaptation only — not a full simulation of the official mixed paper or practical exam.

What is the full marks split and theory duration for BSEH Music Vocal Code 085?

Full marks are 100: Theory 20 + Practical 60 + Internal Assessment 20. The theory paper duration is about 2½ hours. Confirm the exact timetable and any design updates on bseh.org.in for your examination year.

What is the passing score for BSEH Secondary Music Vocal?

Under BSEH regulations, candidates must secure at least 33% in the subject aggregate and at least 33% separately in the external examination. Verify the latest Board regulations and circulars for your session, including any separate practical minimums your school applies.

Which ragas and talas are prescribed for Class 10 Music Vocal?

Per the BSEH MHV Code 085 syllabus, prescribed ragas include Bhimpalasi (Bhimplasi), Vrindavani Sarang, and Khamaj. Prescribed talas include Ektal, Chautaal (Chotal), and Rupak, including one/two guna and presentation on hand in practical work.

How much does the BSEH Secondary Music Vocal exam cost?

Music Vocal is not separately priced as a standalone fee figure on this page. Pay as per the BSEH annual examination fee notification for school or private candidates through forms on bseh.org.in. Do not rely on unofficial fixed rupee amounts.

How should I use this free MCQ bank for a theory-plus-practical subject?

Use these MCQs for daily concept drills on definitions, raga charts, tala structure, tanpura, notation, and musician/text facts. Also complete full written answers from BSEH-style model items and sustain practical riyaaz (chhota khayal, tala on hand, bhajan/folk, national anthem on harmonium) for the 60-mark practical.

Where can I find the official syllabus and question-paper design?

Use the Board of School Education Haryana portal at https://bseh.org.in and the Class 10 syllabus/QPD materials (Hindustani Music Vocal MHV Code 085 PDFs linked from the Board site). Always prefer the current year’s PDF notifications over third-party summaries.