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

What is the name of the ancient Japanese musical instrument that is similar to a flute?

  1. Shakuhachi

  2. Koto

  3. Tsugaru-jamisen

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

The shakuhachi is an ancient Japanese musical instrument that is similar to a flute. It is made of bamboo and has a distinctive sound.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the ancient American musical instrument that is similar to a drum?

  1. Teponaztli

  2. Ocarina

  3. Quena

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

The teponaztli is an ancient American musical instrument that is similar to a drum. It is made of wood and has a distinctive sound.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the ancient European musical instrument that is similar to a bagpipe?

  1. Gaita

  2. Cornemuse

  3. Zampogna

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

The gaita is an ancient European musical instrument that is similar to a bagpipe. It is made of wood and has a distinctive sound.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the ancient North American musical instrument that is similar to a rattle?

  1. Maraca

  2. Shaker

  3. Jingle stick

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

The maraca is an ancient North American musical instrument that is similar to a rattle. It is made of a gourd or a hollowed-out fruit and filled with seeds or pebbles.

Multiple choice

Which of the following instruments is a member of the string family?

  1. Piano

  2. Violin

  3. Drums

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

The violin is a string instrument played with a bow. It is a member of the string family, which also includes the viola, cello, and double bass.

Multiple choice

Which of the following instruments is played by bowing a string to produce sound?

  1. Piano

  2. Guitar

  3. Violin

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

The violin is a string instrument that is played by drawing a bow across its strings, causing them to vibrate and produce sound.

Multiple choice

What is the primary playing technique used for the guitar?

  1. Plucking

  2. Bowing

  3. Blowing

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

The guitar is a string instrument that is typically played by plucking the strings with the fingers or a plectrum.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is played by striking a set of keys to produce sound?

  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, which cause hammers to strike strings, producing sound.

Multiple choice

What is the playing technique used to produce sound from a flute?

  1. Bowing

  2. Plucking

  3. Blowing

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

The flute is a wind instrument that is played by blowing air across a hole in the side of the instrument, causing it to vibrate and produce sound.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is played by shaking a container filled with small objects to produce sound?

  1. Maracas

  2. Guitar

  3. Violin

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

Maracas are percussion instruments that are played by shaking them, causing the small objects inside to collide and produce a rattling sound.

Multiple choice

What is the playing technique used to produce sound from a trumpet?

  1. Bowing

  2. Plucking

  3. Blowing

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

The trumpet is a brass instrument that is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece, causing the instrument's tubing to vibrate and produce sound.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is played by striking a drumhead with a stick or mallet to produce sound?

  1. Piano

  2. Guitar

  3. Violin

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

Drums are percussion instruments that are played by striking a drumhead with a stick or mallet, causing the drumhead to vibrate and produce sound.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is played by rubbing a stick or bow across a notched surface to produce sound?

  1. Piano

  2. Guitar

  3. Violin

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

The saw is a percussion instrument that is played by rubbing a stick or bow across a notched surface, causing the saw to vibrate and produce a buzzing sound.

Multiple choice

What is the playing technique used to produce sound from a harmonica?

  1. Bowing

  2. Plucking

  3. Blowing

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

The harmonica is a wind instrument that is played by blowing air through a series of holes, causing reeds inside the instrument to vibrate and produce sound.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is played by striking a set of tuned metal bars with mallets to produce sound?

  1. Piano

  2. Guitar

  3. Violin

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

The xylophone is a percussion instrument that is played by striking a set of tuned metal bars with mallets, causing the bars to vibrate and produce sound.