General Awareness · 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

Which of the following is NOT an electronic music instrument?

  1. Synthesizer

  2. Drum machine

  3. Sampler

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

Guitar is not an electronic music instrument. It is a traditional acoustic instrument.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional Irish dance instrument?

  1. Fiddle

  2. Uilleann pipes

  3. Bodhrán

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

Irish dance instruments vary depending on the dance style and region, but typically include the fiddle, uilleann pipes, and bodhrán.

Multiple choice

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

  1. Violin

  2. Piano

  3. Guitar

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

A clarinet is a musical instrument that is played by blowing air across a reed.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the musical instrument that is played by striking strings with a bow?

  1. Violin

  2. Piano

  3. Guitar

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

A violin is a musical instrument that is played by striking strings with a bow.

Multiple choice

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

  1. Violin

  2. Piano

  3. Guitar

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

A guitar is a musical instrument that is played by plucking strings with the fingers.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the musical instrument that is played by striking keys with a hammer?

  1. Violin

  2. Piano

  3. Guitar

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

A piano is a musical instrument that is played by striking keys with a hammer.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the musical instrument that is played by striking a membrane with a stick or hand?

  1. Violin

  2. Piano

  3. Guitar

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

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

Multiple choice

Which of these instruments is commonly used in space music?

  1. Synthesizer

  2. Electric guitar

  3. Acoustic piano

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

Synthesizers are versatile electronic instruments that allow musicians to create a wide range of sounds, making them ideal for creating space music.

Multiple choice

Which software synthesizer is widely regarded as the first commercially successful virtual instrument?

  1. Minimoog Model D

  2. Roland Juno-106

  3. Yamaha DX7

  4. Native Instruments Kontakt
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Yamaha DX7, released in 1983, was the first commercially successful virtual instrument, revolutionizing the way musicians created and performed electronic music.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional flamenco guitar?

  1. Guitarra flamenca

  2. Guitarra española

  3. Guitarra clásica

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

Guitarra flamenca is a specific type of guitar used in flamenco music and dance.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a traditional Aymara musical instrument?

  1. Panpipes

  2. Quena

  3. Charango

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

The zampoña is a traditional Aymara musical instrument consisting of a set of panpipes.

Multiple choice

In Norse mythology, what instrument did the god Odin play?

  1. Harp

  2. Violin

  3. Bagpipes

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

Odin, the All-Father, was known to possess a magical harp called Harpa, which he used to gain knowledge and wisdom.

Multiple choice

In Celtic mythology, which instrument was associated with the hero Cú Chulainn?

  1. Bagpipes

  2. Harp

  3. Flute

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

Cú Chulainn, the legendary warrior, was said to have played the bagpipes to rally his troops and intimidate his enemies.

Multiple choice

In Japanese mythology, which instrument was associated with the god Susanoo-no-Mikoto?

  1. Koto

  2. Shamisen

  3. Taiko

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

Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the god of storms and the sea, was known to play the koto, a traditional Japanese string instrument.

Multiple choice

In Native American mythology, what instrument was associated with the trickster god Coyote?

  1. Flute

  2. Drum

  3. Rattle

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

Coyote, the trickster god, was often depicted playing a flute to charm and deceive others.