General Awareness ยท History

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

What is the most common instrument used to accompany lullabies?

  1. Guitar

  2. Piano

  3. Violin

  4. Flute

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The guitar is the most common instrument used to accompany lullabies because it is a portable and versatile instrument that can be easily played by parents and caregivers.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a new music instrument?

  1. Theremin

  2. Ondes Martenot

  3. Synthesizer

  4. Piano

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The piano is a traditional instrument that has been around for centuries, while the theremin, ondes Martenot, and synthesizer are all relatively new instruments.

Multiple choice

What is the ondes Martenot?

  1. An electronic keyboard instrument

  2. An electronic wind instrument

  3. An electronic percussion instrument

  4. An electronic string instrument

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The ondes Martenot is an electronic keyboard instrument that was invented in 1928 by Maurice Martenot.

Multiple choice

What is the synthesizer?

  1. An electronic instrument that can create a wide variety of sounds

  2. An electronic instrument that can only create one sound

  3. An electronic instrument that can only create sounds that are similar to traditional instruments

  4. An electronic instrument that can only create sounds that are not similar to traditional instruments

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The synthesizer is an electronic instrument that can create a wide variety of sounds, from traditional instrument sounds to completely new and unique sounds.

Multiple choice

Which string instrument is known for its high-pitched, piercing sound and is often used in classical music?

  1. Violin

  2. Cello

  3. Guitar

  4. Harp

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The violin is a small, high-pitched string instrument that is played with a bow. It is known for its bright, clear tone and is often used in classical music, jazz, and folk music.

Multiple choice

What is the largest and lowest-pitched member of the violin family?

  1. Violin

  2. Viola

  3. Cello

  4. Double Bass

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The double bass, also known as the bass viol or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched member of the violin family. It is played by plucking or bowing the strings and is often used in classical music, jazz, and folk music.

Multiple choice

Which string instrument is characterized by its six strings and is commonly used in popular music, rock, and blues?

  1. Violin

  2. Cello

  3. Guitar

  4. Harp

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The guitar is a six-stringed instrument that is played by strumming or plucking the strings. It is a popular instrument in many genres of music, including popular music, rock, blues, and folk music.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the string instrument that is often used in Celtic music and is known for its triangular shape?

  1. Violin

  2. Cello

  3. Harp

  4. Lute

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The harp is a string instrument that is played by plucking the strings with the fingers. It is often used in Celtic music and is known for its triangular shape.

Multiple choice

Which string instrument is known for its fretted neck and is commonly used in jazz, blues, and rock music?

  1. Violin

  2. Cello

  3. Guitar

  4. Bass Guitar

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The bass guitar is a string instrument that is similar to the guitar but has a longer neck and thicker strings. It is played by plucking or strumming the strings and is often used in jazz, blues, and rock music.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the technique of playing a string instrument by plucking the strings with the fingers?

  1. Bowing

  2. Strumming

  3. Plucking

  4. Fingering

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Plucking is a technique used to play a string instrument by using the fingers to pull the strings away from the fingerboard and then releasing them, causing them to vibrate.

Multiple choice

Which string instrument is known for its distinctive shape and is often used in classical music and jazz?

  1. Violin

  2. Cello

  3. Viola

  4. Double Bass

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The viola is a string instrument that is slightly larger than the violin and has a lower pitch. It is known for its distinctive shape and is often used in classical music and jazz.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the technique of playing a string instrument by drawing a bow across the strings?

  1. Bowing

  2. Strumming

  3. Plucking

  4. Fingering

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Bowing is a technique used to play a string instrument by drawing a bow across the strings, causing them to vibrate.

Multiple choice

Which string instrument is known for its long, thin neck and is often used in classical music and folk music?

  1. Violin

  2. Cello

  3. Lute

  4. Sitar

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The lute is a string instrument that has a long, thin neck and a rounded body. It is often used in classical music and folk music.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the technique of playing a string instrument by moving the fingers along the strings?

  1. Bowing

  2. Strumming

  3. Plucking

  4. Fingering

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Fingering is a technique used to play a string instrument by moving the fingers along the strings to change the pitch of the notes.

Multiple choice

Which string instrument is known for its deep, resonant sound and is often used in classical music and jazz?

  1. Violin

  2. Cello

  3. Viola

  4. Double Bass

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The cello is a string instrument that is larger than the violin and has a lower pitch. It is known for its deep, resonant sound and is often used in classical music and jazz.