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Musical Instruments

2,912 Questions

Musical instruments are categorized into strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion. This hub offers practice questions on instruments like the Santoor, gayageum, and bandoneon across various cultures. This topic is a regular feature in general awareness sections of competitive exams.

String instrumentsBrass instrumentsWoodwind techniquesTraditional folk instrumentsGlobal music traditions

Musical Instruments Questions

Multiple choice

Which string instrument is known for its distinctive sound produced by sympathetic strings resonating with the main strings?

  1. Violin

  2. Cello

  3. Sitar

  4. Harp
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The sitar, with its distinctive sound and intricate playing techniques, is a popular instrument in Indian classical music.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the bowed string instrument that is larger than the violin and is often used in orchestras?

  1. Violin

  2. Cello

  3. Viola

  4. Harp
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The cello, with its larger size and lower pitch, is a prominent instrument in orchestras and is known for its rich and resonant sound.

Multiple choice

Which of the following instruments was not commonly used in Baroque music?

  1. Violin

  2. Cello

  3. Piano

  4. Harpsichord
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The piano was not invented until the 18th century, after the Baroque period had ended.

Multiple choice

What was the first known musical instrument?

  1. Flute

  2. Drum

  3. Guitar

  4. Violin
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Drums are considered the oldest known musical instruments, with evidence of their existence dating back to prehistoric times.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of musical instrument?

  1. Violin

  2. Piano

  3. Guitar

  4. Voice
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Voice is not a musical instrument in the traditional sense, as it is not an object that is played.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of musical instrument family?

  1. Strings

  2. Woodwinds

  3. Brass

  4. Percussion
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Percussion is not a traditional musical instrument family.

Multiple choice

Which of the following instruments was invented first?

  1. Guitar

  2. Piano

  3. Violin

  4. Saxophone
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The guitar is one of the oldest musical instruments, with evidence of its existence dating back to ancient Egypt.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the instrument that is played by blowing air across a reed?

  1. Flute

  2. Clarinet

  3. Saxophone

  4. Oboe
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The clarinet is a woodwind instrument that is played by blowing air across a reed.

Multiple choice

Which of the following instruments is a percussion instrument?

  1. Violin

  2. Piano

  3. Drums

  4. Guitar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Drums are a percussion instrument that is played by striking a membrane with a stick or hand.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the instrument that is played by plucking strings?

  1. Guitar

  2. Violin

  3. Piano

  4. Drums
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The guitar is a string instrument that is played by plucking strings.

Multiple choice

Which of the following instruments is a brass instrument?

  1. Trumpet

  2. Violin

  3. Piano

  4. Drums
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The trumpet is a brass instrument that is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the instrument that is played by bowing strings?

  1. Violin

  2. Piano

  3. Guitar

  4. Drums
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The violin is a string instrument that is played by bowing strings.

Multiple choice

Which of the following instruments is a keyboard instrument?

  1. Piano

  2. Violin

  3. Guitar

  4. Drums
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The piano is a keyboard instrument that is played by pressing keys that cause hammers to strike strings.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the instrument that is played by striking keys?

  1. Piano

  2. Violin

  3. Guitar

  4. Drums
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The piano is a keyboard instrument that is played by pressing keys that cause hammers to strike strings.

Multiple choice

Which of the following instruments is a woodwind instrument?

  1. Flute

  2. Violin

  3. Guitar

  4. Drums
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The flute is a woodwind instrument that is played by blowing air across a hole in the side of the instrument.