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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

What is the name of the traditional Chinese plucked string instrument with four strings?

  1. Guzheng

  2. Pipa

  3. Ruan

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

The guzheng is a traditional Chinese plucked string instrument with four strings. It is played with a plectrum, or pick, and is often used in traditional Chinese music, such as opera and folk music.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a wind instrument made of bamboo?

  1. Flute

  2. Oboe

  3. Clarinet

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

The flute is a wind instrument made of bamboo. It is played by blowing air across a hole in the side of the instrument, which creates a vibrating sound.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a percussion instrument made of two wooden sticks?

  1. Castanets

  2. Cymbals

  3. Drums

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

Castanets are a percussion instrument made of two wooden sticks. They are played by striking the sticks together, which creates a clicking sound.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional African string instrument with a single string?

  1. Kora

  2. Djembe

  3. Balafon

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

The kora is a traditional African string instrument with a single string. It is played with a plectrum, or pick, and is often used in traditional African music, such as griot music and folk music.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a wind instrument made of metal?

  1. Trumpet

  2. Flute

  3. Oboe

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

The trumpet is a wind instrument made of metal. It is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece, which creates a vibrating sound.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional South American percussion instrument made of a hollow gourd?

  1. Maracas

  2. Congas

  3. Bongo

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

Maracas are a traditional South American percussion instrument made of a hollow gourd. They are played by shaking the gourd, which creates a rattling sound.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a string instrument played with a keyboard?

  1. Piano

  2. Guitar

  3. Violin

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

The piano is a string instrument played with a keyboard. It is a member of the keyboard family, which also includes the organ and the harpsichord.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional Irish string instrument with four strings?

  1. Fiddle

  2. Bodhran

  3. Uilleann pipes

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

The fiddle is a traditional Irish string instrument with four strings. It is played with a bow and is often used in traditional Irish music, such as jigs and reels.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a wind instrument made of wood?

  1. Flute

  2. Oboe

  3. Clarinet

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

The flute is a wind instrument made of wood. It is played by blowing air across a hole in the side of the instrument, which creates a vibrating sound.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional Hawaiian string instrument with four strings?

  1. Ukulele

  2. Ipu

  3. Pahu

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

The ukulele is a traditional Hawaiian string instrument with four strings. It is played with a strumming motion and is often used in traditional Hawaiian music, such as hula and slack key guitar.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a percussion instrument made of metal?

  1. Cymbals

  2. Drums

  3. Tambourine

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

Cymbals are a percussion instrument made of metal. They are played by striking the cymbals together, which creates a crashing sound.

Multiple choice

Which musical instrument is most commonly associated with Shinto rituals?

  1. Koto

  2. Shamisen

  3. Taiko

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

The Taiko, a traditional Japanese drum, is the most commonly used musical instrument in Shinto rituals.

Multiple choice

Which musical instrument is commonly used to imitate the sounds of birdsong in music?

  1. Flute

  2. Violin

  3. Oboe

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

The flute is a woodwind instrument that is often used to imitate the sounds of birdsong in music. Its clear and agile tone can produce melodies and trills that resemble the songs of various bird species.

Multiple choice

Which musical instrument is commonly associated with traditional Jewish music?

  1. Violin

  2. Piano

  3. Guitar

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

The violin is a prominent instrument in traditional Jewish music, particularly in the Ashkenazi tradition.

Multiple choice

Which musical instrument is commonly used in traditional Chinese music and is known for its distinctive sound?

  1. Guzheng

  2. Erhu

  3. Pipa

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

The erhu is a traditional Chinese musical instrument that is known for its distinctive sound and is commonly used in various genres of Chinese music.