General Awareness · History

Musical Instruments

2,676 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 of the following is NOT a common instrument used in religious music?

  1. Organ

  2. Piano

  3. Guitar

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

Synthesizers are not as common as organs, pianos, and guitars in religious music.

Multiple choice

What is the most common type of Flamenco guitar?

  1. Classical guitar

  2. Electric guitar

  3. Flamenco guitar

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

The Flamenco guitar is a special type of guitar designed for playing Flamenco music.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a type of Flamenco percussion instrument?

  1. Cajón

  2. Palmas

  3. Castanets

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

Drums are not typically used in Flamenco music.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a type of Flamenco guitar technique?

  1. Rasgueado

  2. Alzapúa

  3. Golpe

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

Tremolo is a guitar technique used in classical music, not in Flamenco music.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a wind instrument that is sometimes used in Gidda?

  1. Shehnai

  2. Flute

  3. Clarinet

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

The Shehnai is a double-reed wind instrument that is commonly used in Indian classical music. It is also sometimes used in folk dances like Gidda.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a wind instrument that is made from a bamboo stalk?

  1. Bansuri

  2. Shehnai

  3. Flute

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

The Bansuri is a wind instrument that is made from a bamboo stalk. It is played by blowing air across a hole in the side of the stalk.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is most commonly associated with swing dance music?

  1. Piano

  2. Trumpet

  3. Saxophone

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

The saxophone is the most commonly associated instrument with swing dance music. It is known for its rich, warm tone and its ability to create a lively and energetic sound.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a common instrument used in swing dance music?

  1. Piano

  2. Trumpet

  3. Saxophone

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

Violin is not a common instrument used in swing dance music. Swing dance music is typically characterized by the use of brass instruments, such as trumpets and saxophones, and rhythm instruments, such as drums and piano.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a common instrument used in swing dance music?

  1. Piano

  2. Trumpet

  3. Saxophone

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

Guitar is not a common instrument used in swing dance music. Swing dance music is typically characterized by the use of brass instruments, such as trumpets and saxophones, and rhythm instruments, such as drums and piano.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a wind instrument that is played by blowing air across a hole in the side of the instrument?

  1. Shehnai

  2. Nadaswaram

  3. Flute

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

The Flute is a woodwind instrument that is played by blowing air across a hole in the side of the instrument. It is widely used in various Indian classical and folk music forms.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a wind instrument that is played by blowing air across a reed?

  1. Shehnai

  2. Nadaswaram

  3. Flute

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

The Shehnai is a wind instrument that is played by blowing air across a reed. It is widely used in various Indian classical and folk music forms.

Multiple choice

The Chande is a type of:

  1. Cymbal

  2. Drum

  3. Flute

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

The Chande is a pair of metal cymbals that are struck together to create a rhythmic sound.

Multiple choice

The Gummate is a type of:

  1. Percussion Instrument

  2. String Instrument

  3. Wind Instrument

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

The Gummate is a string instrument with a long neck and a rounded body. It is played by plucking the strings with a plectrum.

Multiple choice

What are some of the most important technical skills for a musician?

  1. Finger dexterity

  2. Bow control

  3. Embouchure

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

All of the above are important technical skills for a musician. Finger dexterity is the ability to move the fingers quickly and accurately, bow control is the ability to control the bow in order to produce a variety of sounds, and embouchure is the way the lips are positioned in order to produce a clear and resonant sound.

Multiple choice

The shamisen is a three-stringed instrument with a distinctive sound. It is commonly used in which musical tradition?

  1. Japanese Traditional Music

  2. Korean Traditional Music

  3. Chinese Traditional Music

  4. Vietnamese Traditional Music
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The shamisen is a three-stringed instrument used in Japanese traditional music, while the other regions have different stringed instruments.