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Musical Instruments Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Musical Instruments Quizzes, Trivia

Musical Instruments Trivia

Musical Instruments Trivia Quizzes

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'A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence.'
- Leopold Stokowski

212 Musical Instruments quizzes and 2,968 Musical Instruments trivia questions.
Sub-Categories:
Brass Brass (20 quizzes)
Guitar Guitar (21)
Percussion Percussion (26)
Piano Piano (10)
Strings Strings (30)
Woodwind Woodwind (42)
1.
Orchestra Sections
  Orchestra Sections editor best quiz   popular trivia quiz  
Label Quiz
 10 Qns
Which Instrumentalists Sit Where?
A modern symphony orchestra uses instruments which can be grouped into sections, according to the way they are played and their tonal properties. This diagram shows a typical arrangement. Can you identify who performs where?
Average, 10 Qns, looney_tunes, Jun 29 24
Average
looney_tunes editor
Jun 29 24
289 plays
2.
  Classical Musical Instruments   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a short quiz on a few basics of an orchestra. Each instrument has its special place to help create a wonderfully full sound. Good luck and enjoy!
Average, 10 Qns, BigTriviaDawg, Nov 19 24
Recommended for grades: 9,10,11,12
Average
BigTriviaDawg gold member
Nov 19 24
250 plays
3.
  You Were Made For Me   great trivia quiz  
Classification Quiz
 10 Qns
Musical Instruments
These ten virtuosi are a perfect match with the musical instruments they chose to pursue. Place them in one of the five categories that corresponds to the instrument that made them famous.
Easier, 10 Qns, tiye, Oct 04 24
Easier
tiye gold member
Oct 04 24
271 plays
4.
  Musical Instrument Classification   great trivia quiz  
Classification Quiz
 10 Qns
Match each instrument with its classification.
Easier, 10 Qns, nmerr, Oct 20 23
Easier
nmerr gold member
Oct 20 23
1012 plays
5.
Musicians And Their Instruments
  Musicians And Their Instruments   popular trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Take a look at the pictured instruments and identify the musicians closely associated with each.
Average, 10 Qns, darksplash, Jun 06 23
Average
darksplash
Jun 06 23
538 plays
6.
Your Knowledge is Instrumental
  Your Knowledge is Instrumental   best quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Remember that time you walked through that store filled with musical instruments and said you could identify each one by name? Well, you've just been hired there. Hope you can remember the items for sale!
Average, 10 Qns, kyleisalive, Jun 18 12
Recommended for grades: 10,11,12
Average
kyleisalive editor
5171 plays
7.
Musical Instruments Who Played What
  Musical Instruments: Who Played What?   great trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
The musicians in this quiz might have decorated their Christmas trees with tiny horns, drums or pianos. Your task is to decide which of them played the pictured instruments.
Average, 10 Qns, spanishliz, Jan 12 19
Recommended for grades: 6,7,8,9,10
Average
spanishliz editor
Jan 12 19
827 plays
8.
You Can Play Music on That
  You Can Play Music on That?   great trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
There are no normal orchestral instruments in this quiz. See if you can identify some of the, shall we say, "unusual" music makers here.
Average, 10 Qns, CmdrK, Oct 07 15
Recommended for grades: 6,7,8,9,10
Average
CmdrK gold member
1175 plays
9.
Instruments of the Orchestra
  Instruments of the Orchestra   great trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
A few select instruments of the orchestra are here to tell you a bit about themselves, but they are a little shy, as you can see by the partial photos. Come and say hello!
Average, 10 Qns, reedy, Jan 07 15
Recommended for grades: 6,7,8,9,10
Average
reedy gold member
1751 plays
10.
Music to My Ears
  10 Questions about Music to My Ears   great trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
The wonderful world of music is a universal love all over the planet. All cultures express themselves through music in some form. Here are ten of the more unusual musical instruments that make music to my ears.
Average, 10 Qns, dcpddc478, Jan 09 24
Recommended for grades: 8,9,10,11,12
Average
dcpddc478
Jan 09 24
1030 plays
trivia question Quick Question
Here is the instrument I play. It is long, in fact 2 feet long when it is a type C, part of the woodwind family, and is held sideways. What is it?

From Quiz "Musical Instruments"




11.
  Sultans of Swing   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
To swing, the big bands of the 1930's, relied not only on the quality of their musicians but the instruments they employed and the important roles these instruments served. This quiz is dedicated to those instruments ... the real sultans of swing.
Very Easy, 10 Qns, pollucci19, Jul 28 16
Recommended for grades: 1,2,3,4,5
Very Easy
pollucci19 gold member
2148 plays
12.
  Musical Instruments   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
See if you can match the instrument with the description.
Easier, 10 Qns, ladymacb29, May 28 11
Recommended for grades: 6,7,8,9,10
Easier
ladymacb29 editor
8862 plays
13.
Xylophones and Other Strange Music Makers
  Xylophones and Other Strange Music Makers   popular trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Actually, there is no xylophone here, but I wanted a quiz starting with the letter "X".
Average, 10 Qns, EnglishJedi, Oct 04 15
Recommended for grades: 10,11,12
Average
EnglishJedi gold member
483 plays
14.
  Best in Class    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
In this quiz you'll find some of the artists who, with their talent, have provided me with moments of peace and tranquility. All you have to do is to match the artist to the instrument, in each case.
Easier, 10 Qns, masfon, Dec 02 20
Recommended for grades: 4,5,6,7,8
Easier
masfon gold member
Dec 02 20
547 plays
15.
  Chinese Musical Instruments editor best quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz focuses on classical Chinese musical instruments, which often use a pentatonic scale rather than the heptatonic scale more common in Western music. Chinese instruments often influenced the development of similar instruments elsewhere.
Average, 10 Qns, pusdoc, Aug 22 22
Recommended for grades: 8,9,10,11,12
Average
pusdoc gold member
Aug 22 22
168 plays
16.
  LIsten Up To These Musical Instruments!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Loving music leads me to read about musical instruments and to write this quiz.
Easier, 10 Qns, masfon, Feb 07 21
Recommended for grades: 4,5,6,7,8
Easier
masfon gold member
Feb 07 21
593 plays
17.
Unusual Musical Instruments
  Unusual Musical Instruments    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
There are many musical instruments but not all of them are well known. Try to get these.
Average, 10 Qns, dcpddc478, Jul 09 22
Recommended for grades: 6,7,8,9,10
Average
dcpddc478
Jul 09 22
377 plays
18.
  Name That Instrument!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
You go to a classical music concert and you look up at the orchestra (don't they look smart!)... how many of the instruments can you identify from my descriptions?
Average, 10 Qns, Flapjack44, Nov 23 15
Recommended for grades: 6,7,8,9,10
Average
Flapjack44
5156 plays
19.
  Folk Instruments    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
The inventor and date of creation of these instruments is unclear, but all of them are used to create beautiful music.
Very Easy, 10 Qns, mlcmlc, Aug 31 18
Recommended for grades: 1,2,3,4,5
Very Easy
mlcmlc gold member
Aug 31 18
622 plays
20.
  Sounds Like Trouble   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Match the instruments listed with their classification-- are they brass, woodwinds, stringed instruments, or percussion devices? Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, kyleisalive, Aug 26 18
Recommended for grades: 6,7,8,9,10
Average
kyleisalive editor
Aug 26 18
220 plays
21.
  Instru-Mental   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Match the musician with his instrument.
Average, 10 Qns, nyirene330, Jul 27 15
Recommended for grades: 6,7,8,9,10
Average
nyirene330
417 plays
22.
  There's Singin' - and Then There's Singing    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz deals with the correct physical steps to becoming a competent and pleasant sounding singer.
Average, 10 Qns, Creedy, Feb 03 22
Recommended for grades: 6,7,8,9,10
Average
Creedy gold member
Feb 03 22
273 plays
23.
  The Ultimate Musical Instruments Quiz    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The instruments in this quiz are part of bands(concert or jazz) or orchestras. Hope you enjoy the quiz.
Easier, 10 Qns, jane11, Apr 08 17
Recommended for grades: 4,5,6,7,8
Easier
jane11
2423 plays
24.
  Instrumental Oddities   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Musical instruments from around the world are not really "strange" in and of themselves, but sometimes certain ones are used in ways one wouldn't expect. Do come in for a listen and see which ones you recognise as being the "odd one out".
Average, 10 Qns, Jakeroo, Mar 28 17
Recommended for grades: 8,9,10,11,12
Average
Jakeroo
2047 plays
25.
  World Instruments   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Match each instrument with the country or region with which it's most associated.
Average, 10 Qns, nmerr, Sep 04 17
Recommended for grades: 8,9,10,11,12
Average
nmerr gold member
487 plays
26.
  Musical Incidentals and Accidentals   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Here is a quiz about musical related mishaps throughout the ages. This is all about the bing bang boom in music in word and deed. Dedicated to Terry who asked about mishaps involving instruments.
Tough, 15 Qns, Bruyere, Jun 11 21
Tough
Bruyere editor
Jun 11 21
415 plays
27.
  Has Anyone Seen My Liquorice Stick?    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
No, not my favourite childhood treat, rather it is my musical instrument. It has got lost among nine others and they are hiding under their assumed nicknames. Please help me sort them out.
Easier, 10 Qns, lonely-lady, Mar 16 19
Recommended for grades: 4,5,6,7,8
Easier
lonely-lady
Mar 16 19
371 plays
28.
  Instrument Identification   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Just some simple descriptions of instruments. Can you guess them all?
Easier, 10 Qns, KFoxy, Oct 18 24
Recommended for grades: 4,5,6,7,8
Easier
KFoxy
Oct 18 24
841 plays
29.
  Do You Know What Instrument I Am?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about ten different musical instruments. I will describe them and you have to tell me what I am talking about. Let's see how well you know your musical instruments. Good luck.
Average, 10 Qns, luvcretia, May 17 15
Recommended for grades: 6,7,8,9,10
Average
luvcretia
619 plays
30.
  Making the Band    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A combination of music theory and random band trivia. I've been in school bands for six years... you can't not pick up useless music trivia!
Average, 10 Qns, LadyCaitriona, Sep 19 24
Recommended for grades: 8,9,10,11,12
Average
LadyCaitriona gold member
Sep 19 24
2651 plays
31.
  Band Instruments Test Your Knowledge    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Do you like band? I do! Here is an easy quiz about band instruments.
Easier, 10 Qns, kaileigha, Jul 30 09
Recommended for grades: 6,7,8,9,10
Easier
kaileigha
2494 plays
32.
  Music from the Ether - The Amazing Theremin editor best quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Is it a physics experiment - or a musical instrument? Come now! You have all heard the ghost like sounds in the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations". That's what a theremin sounds like. Learn more about this unique musical invention and its inventor.
Average, 10 Qns, Nannanut, Nov 11 21
Average
Nannanut
Nov 11 21
1098 plays
33.
  Medieval and Renaissance Instruments editor best quiz   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A time-machine trip for the music scholar..and an educational jaunt for the music sight-seer.
Tough, 10 Qns, belle_a_cello, Aug 23 09
Tough
belle_a_cello
2371 plays
34.
  Musical Instruments Not Found in Most Orchestras    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
These popular musical instruments currently played are unlikely to be included in most orchestras.
Average, 10 Qns, missnlindsey, Aug 27 20
Recommended for grades: 6,7,8,9,10
Average
missnlindsey
Aug 27 20
420 plays
35.
  Music is my Business    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Music is universal. How many of these musical instruments are you familiar with? Check it out.
Easier, 10 Qns, Verne47, Aug 27 15
Recommended for grades: 6,7,8,9,10
Easier
Verne47
547 plays
36.
  Obscure Musical Instruments of the World   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Music can be found in every culture on the globe. This quiz will look at some of the lesser known instruments used throughout the world to make music.
Average, 10 Qns, dcpddc478, Dec 09 18
Recommended for grades: 8,9,10,11,12
Average
dcpddc478
Dec 09 18
1865 plays
37.
  Orchestral Manoeuvres    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Questions about musical instruments and where they fit in the orchestra (woodwind - brass -percussion - string).
Average, 10 Qns, musicmonkeyman, Aug 10 13
Recommended for grades: 8,9,10,11,12
Average
musicmonkeyman
1589 plays
38.
  All About Musical Instruments   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How much do you know about musical instruments? Take this quiz and find out.
Average, 10 Qns, nmerr, Oct 21 11
Average
nmerr gold member
1390 plays
39.
  The Orchestra    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
We have all seen large-scale orchestras performing magnificent pieces of music, both old and new. How did the modern orchestra come into being and how is it made up? This quiz is designed to give some insight into its history.
Difficult, 10 Qns, cliveh, Feb 21 23
Recommended for grades: 11,12
Difficult
cliveh
Feb 21 23
861 plays
40.
  Joy to the Ear    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some rare, indigenous musical instruments are not very well known outside their region of origin. It does bring joy to my ears to find them featured in works of more mainstream musicians though.
Tough, 10 Qns, zorba_scank, Nov 07 18
Tough
zorba_scank
Nov 07 18
322 plays
41.
  About Musical Instruments    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is all about musical instruments. Have fun!
Easier, 10 Qns, aerochick1980, Feb 27 10
Recommended for grades: 4,5,6,7,8
Easier
aerochick1980
1614 plays
42.
  What Instrument Does That Person Play?   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Or, who plays that instrument? Most (but not all) of the questions are from the classical world. For each question I have suggested pieces or albums for further listening, inspired by my personal music collection.
Tough, 10 Qns, celicadriver, Oct 27 08
Tough
celicadriver
701 plays
43.
  What's My Name?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
In an orchestra, band, or any type of musical ensemble, you'll see various instruments. From my descriptions, can you guess what they are?
Average, 10 Qns, calvindef, Dec 21 10
Average
calvindef
1462 plays
44.
  Musical Instruments 1    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A little change of pace from all my food and drink quiz's.Good luck.
Average, 10 Qns, steiny1, Jan 15 19
Average
steiny1
Jan 15 19
2235 plays
45.
  How Are They Played?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How are musical sounds produced from various instruments? In this quiz I have avoided the ones that we all know such as the piano and the violin. You can tell me how those are played but how about the ones in this quiz?
Average, 10 Qns, Jomarion, Sep 02 10
Average
Jomarion
679 plays
46.
  Average Band Instruments Quiz - 10 Questions    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz about things found in one of my favorite classes at school.
Average, 10 Qns, rglover09, Oct 31 15
Recommended for grades: 8,9,10,11,12
Average
rglover09
2196 plays
47.
  Musical Instruments Through History   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz covers a variety of musical instruments throughout history. Match the description of the instrument to the correct answer.
Difficult, 10 Qns, nmerr, Jan 21 15
Difficult
nmerr gold member
352 plays
48.
  10 Questions: Musical Instruments Multiple Choice Quiz    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Did you pay attention in band in school? Let's find out!
Average, 10 Qns, doodlepup, Jun 26 08
Average
doodlepup
1900 plays
49.
  Instrument Riddles.    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Name the instruments for the given clues, and answer questions about specific instruments.
Tough, 10 Qns, notwilbur, Mar 21 08
Tough
notwilbur
1415 plays
50.
  Is S/He Really Playing That Instrument?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Something I see a lot are commercials, movie scenes, etc., where someone is pretending to play an instrument. I'm no musician, but having been in band, I can tell most of the time who at least knows a little something about the instrument. Can you?
Average, 10 Qns, HairyBear, Jul 30 16
Average
HairyBear gold member
324 plays
51.
  Medieval and Renaissance Instruments 2    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
More fun with the real oldies...grab your shofar and hang on to your rackett as you cruise down memory lane.
Tough, 10 Qns, belle_a_cello, Feb 15 10
Tough
belle_a_cello
586 plays
52.
  Unknown Musical Instruments    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is dedicated to some of those really weird musical instruments. My magical time machine will take you everywhere you will need to go to take this quiz. Good luck!
Tough, 10 Qns, qmwne, Feb 23 23
Tough
qmwne
Feb 23 23
534 plays
53.
  The Wonders of the Wonderful Orchestra    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is on everything about the wonderful orchestra.
Average, 10 Qns, bassoonist13, Jan 23 07
Average
bassoonist13
605 plays
54.
  Music 3    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Quiz on some musical instruments and terms.
Average, 10 Qns, slaarnaeh, Aug 03 12
Average
slaarnaeh
2364 plays
55.
  Musical Instruments 2    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Back to the music world.
Difficult, 10 Qns, steiny1, Apr 06 05
Difficult
steiny1
875 plays
56.
  Musical Instruments Trivia    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is general trivia about musical instruments.
Average, 10 Qns, lucyz, Nov 30 13
Average
lucyz
1614 plays
57.
  Facts Of The Trade    
Multiple Choice
 5 Qns
This is my first quiz and this is what I know the most about. Have fun. This quiz is simple enough.
Easier, 5 Qns, stormymurray, Sep 04 09
Recommended for grades: 6,7,8,9,10
Easier
stormymurray
1460 plays
58.
  Music to my Ears Quiz for Experts    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about muscial instruments found around the world. Read about some of these instruments and see if you can name them.
Average, 10 Qns, qtmelba, Apr 08 17
Average
qtmelba
571 plays
59.
  Be Your Own Band    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
You are out shopping for instruments for your new home recording studio, but you can't remember any of the brands you want. Only for major music enthusiasts.
Difficult, 10 Qns, notheridesbus, May 28 04
Difficult
notheridesbus
410 plays
60.
  Music 2    
Multiple Choice
 5 Qns
Quiz on some musical instruments and terms.
Average, 5 Qns, slaarnaeh, Oct 04 10
Average
slaarnaeh
1620 plays
61.
  Analogue Bubblebath, Part Two    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
More questions about synthesizers, samplers and drum machines.
Tough, 15 Qns, hexaChord, Nov 11 21
Tough
hexaChord
Nov 11 21
205 plays
62.
  Analogue Bubblebath, Part One    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Are you really into electronic instruments?
Difficult, 15 Qns, hexaChord, Nov 11 21
Difficult
hexaChord
Nov 11 21
264 plays
63.
  Early Music    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Test your knowledge of early music and instruments.
Difficult, 10 Qns, inkberryradish, Aug 23 09
Difficult
inkberryradish
398 plays
Related Topics
  Instrumental Hits [Music] (42 quizzes)

  Musical Instruments in Songs [Music] (15 quizzes)

  Thematic Musical Instruments [General] (14 quizzes)


Musical Instruments Trivia Questions

1. The guzheng has 21, 25 or 26 strings with 21 most common. Its shape is a rectangular box with an arced top. It is played wearing plectra on the fingers. Which western instrument is it said to most resemble?

From Quiz
Chinese Musical Instruments

Answer: Zither

The guzheng is over 2000 years old, and became the most popular Chinese instrument in the Tang Dynasty. The strings were originally silk but now are most often nylon covered steel. The instrument is often highly decorated. There are fixed bridges on either end and movable bridges in the center; it is tuned to a pentatonic scale. Player pusdoc crossed the bridge to write this question for Red Crew's participation in the Phoenix Rising Global Tour 2022

2. Musical instruments are grouped into families, defined by how instruments produce their sounds. Trumpets, French horns and tubas belong to the same family of musical instruments. Which family do these instruments belong to?

From Quiz LIsten Up To These Musical Instruments!

Answer: Brass instruments

The brass instruments sound by blowing into them with lips placed against or inside a cup of metal, named the mouthpiece. These instruments are traditionally made from brass or bronze. They consist of long tubes, of varying length and thickness, valves, and a mouthpiece at one end and the bell at the other.

3. Where should the legs and feet be placed when singing?

From Quiz There's Singin' - and Then There's Singing

Answer: Slightly apart

When standing to sing - and it's advisable to always try to sing in that position - the legs and feet should be slightly apart for just enough distance between them to give you a good sense of balance. You do NOT stand with them a mile apart, or with one leg in front of the other (that makes you look as if you're trying to prevent your pants from falling down), or with one pointing to the side, or in a kneeling position. All these incorrect stances interfere with your posture and breathing.

4. What is the name of a Russian stringed folk instrument with a triangular body that was featured in the film "Dr Zhivago"?

From Quiz Musical Instruments Not Found in Most Orchestras

Answer: Balalaika

The Balalaika was invented between the late 17th century and early 18th century in Russia. It has a triangular body of varying sizes and only three strings that can be played with fingers or a pick called a plectrum. The plectrum can be the size of an adult shoe sole for playing very large balalaikas.

5. Who is the famous cellist?

From Quiz Instru-Mental

Answer: Yo-Yo Ma

There are rare times when a specific person becomes associated with a word, e.g., when you say 'showman', P.T. Barnum comes to mind and, on the dark side, when you say 'genocide', Hitler's name has become synonymous; so it is with the cello and the great Yo-Yo Ma! Of Chinese ancestry, born in Paris, France and schooled in New York City, this musician is a man of the world. He had a musical upbringing, was a child prodigy and settled on the cello when he was 4 years old (in 1960). He graduated from Julliard and Harvard and has received over a dozen Grammys. He has played just about every kind of music and even collaborated with Bobby McFerrin and also with the Dixie Chicks in 2005.

6. Hi folks! I'm a wind instrument and music is my business. I am loved by the indigenous people of Australia who use me to accompany ceremonial dancing and singing. Who am I?

From Quiz Music is my Business

Answer: didgeridoo

The didgeridoo may be described as a natural wooden trumpet. It might have been developed more than a thousand years ago. A special breathing technique called circular breathing is used to play this instrument while the lips are constantly vibrating. In circular breathing the player breathes in through the nose while using the tongue and cheeks to push out stored air through the mouth. While music is the main business of the didgeridoo, persons who snore or suffer from obstructive sleep apnea may be delighted to learn that playing this instrument actually helps to reduce these conditions as the muscles of the upper airways are strengthened so that they are less likely to collapse when an individual is asleep.

7. What is the most likely way to tell if someone is not really playing the clarinet?

From Quiz Is S/He Really Playing That Instrument?

Answer: Their right hand is at the top.

99% of the time, someone who does not know how to play the clarinet will hold it with his/her right hand at the top. It seems natural, and it's wrong. The right hand goes at the bottom and the left hand at the top. There are pinky keys, so the pinkies might be in the air. Someone's hair being on fire wouldn't necessarily prevent him/her from playing the clarinet, it just wouldn't be the wisest course of action right at that moment. The "clarinetist" in the Zatarain's rice commercials not only has his right hand at the top, he's holding the clarinet so high in the air it would be impossible to play.

8. What is the marching band choreography where trombone players alternate swinging their slides while the neighboring player ducks?

From Quiz Musical Incidentals and Accidentals

Answer: Trombone suicide

This exciting spectacle usually requires no playing and slides are often taped so they don't just pop out and injure someone further. The term 'head choppers' is often used for the vigorous movement of the trombone slides towards the other players' heads. Apparently some groups even perform blindfolded to add a degree of danger. Trombone Shorty aka Troy Andrews is a famous trumpet and trombone player from New Orleans. And did you know that a trombone is a paper clip in France?

9. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull is famous for playing what musical instrument, which is unusual for a rock band?

From Quiz Instrumental Oddities

Answer: flute

When his guitar playing wasn't as great as he hoped, Ian decided to take up the flute instead and that instrument became "his" (and in many ways a "signature" of the band). Ian was known to do elaborate work with his flute on stage, including tossing it up in the air and then catching it.

10. This instrument is mostly associated with the Swiss Alps but is also played in the Carpathian Mountains of Poland and Romania as well as Lithuania and Scandinavia. It is distantly related to the Etruscan lituus. Name this instrument.

From Quiz All About Musical Instruments

Answer: Alphorn

The Swiss alphorn is made of wood and looks like a very long tube with a curved bell on the end. A player blows into a carved wooden mouthpiece to produce the sound. Originally a herdsman's instrument, the Swiss alphorn dates back to the 14th century. The herdsmen used the alphorn to signal danger to the villagers and, later, to summon them to church. In Moldova and Romania only men and boys play the alphorn. In the western Carpathians the instrument is played by women and children.

11. What is the name of this 15th century instrument, formerly known as a sackbut, which represents the harmonic foundation of the big bands and uses a sliding tube to alter its range?

From Quiz Sultans of Swing

Answer: Trombone

The trombone was the favoured instrument of Glenn Miller who led one of the most influential big bands of the swing era. A big band would generally carry three to four trombones. Whilst they generally provided a support role it wasn't unusual to have a trombone feature with a solo. Their tonal flexibility is incredible and it opens the door to some startling special effects. Jimmy Harrison, as part of the Fletcher Harrison band, is generally credited with bringing the trombone to the fore during the swing period. Jack Teargarden endeared it with grace, Tricky Sam Newton a bluesy growl and JJ Johnson was able to play the instrument with great speed and still be able to maintain the clarity of a saxophone.

12. How do you get sounds from an Aeolian Harp?

From Quiz How Are They Played?

Answer: letting a current of air pass over it

Aeolus was the Greek god of wind. This instrument is a box with strings which sound when a current of air passes over them.

13. What long wooden instrument can be heard and seen in "Ricola" cough drop commercials?

From Quiz Obscure Musical Instruments of the World

Answer: Alphorn

The alphorn can be as long as 8 feet. Its makers would search, often for months, trying to find a tree that was tall and straight and then had a sudden bend. Softwood was usually used, such as pine or spruce. The alp horn was used for making music, calling herds of sheep and goats home, and for communication in some of the most mountainous regions of Switzerland. In the right conditions the sound from these horns can be heard for many miles.

14. The instruments in a modern orchestra are divided up into sections - for instance the violins and cellos are part of the "string" section. How many sections are there in total?

From Quiz The Orchestra

Answer: Four

There are four sections - strings, woodwind, brass and percussion.

15. What two instruments are in the key of F?

From Quiz Musical Instruments

Answer: French Horn and English Horn

Flute is in concert key. Tenor sax is in Bb. Alto sax is in Eb. Piccolo is in concert key. Bassoon is in concert key.

16. An easy starter for you. The violin belongs to which section of the orchestra?

From Quiz Orchestral Manoeuvres

Answer: String

The violin is the smallest instrument in the string section. Other instruments in an orchestra's string section include: violas, cellos, bass and double bass. Antonio Stradivari, probably the best known violin maker, was making the instruments more than 300 years ago.

17. "Seventy-six ______________ led the big parade!"

From Quiz Instrument Riddles.

Answer: Trombones

A song from the musical, 'The Music Man'.

18. A drummer in a South American dance often plays these drums. He grips the drums between his knees and taps them with his fingers and the palm of his hand. Name the drums.

From Quiz Music to my Ears

Answer: bongo drums

These drums make zippy rhythms that soon get everyone dancing.

19. The "DX-7" from Yamaha was one of the most popular synthesizers in the 80's and still is used in many studios around the world. When did it hit the market?

From Quiz Analogue Bubblebath, Part Two

Answer: 1983

The "DX-7" had less known successors including the fabulous "DX-1", a very huge (and fine) synth.

20. Which company did NOT produce big modular synths in the 70's?

From Quiz Analogue Bubblebath, Part One

Answer: Akai

Akai entered the market in 1984 and never produced a modular synth.

21. According to the Laws of Wales (twelfth century), there were three items that were indispensable to a gentleman: his cloak, his chessboard and this musical instrument.

From Quiz Medieval and Renaissance Instruments 2

Answer: harp

Because of the lack of an early music notation system, our knowledge of harp use is limited. We do know from writings and art work that harps were used by the nobility and by troubadors. The Laws of Wales also states that the three proper things for any man to have in his house are a virtuous wife, his cushion on his chair, and his harp in tune.

22. This resonant instrument is unusual in the violin family as it has not always had four strings (it used to have three and now tends to have four or five). It is also often used in jazz bands.

From Quiz Name That Instrument!

Answer: Double Bass

The size of the double bass has also changed over the years, becoming smaller... and did you know that double bass music is written an octave higher than it sounds?! This means it is known as a 'transposing instrument'.

23. The sackbut was an early brass instrument that evolved into this modern musical instrument.

From Quiz Medieval and Renaissance Instruments

Answer: trombone

Sackbut literally means "push-pull". It is documented as a musical instrument from the 15th century. The tuba and trumpet have other evolutionary origins. The saxophone is considered a woodwind instrument and was invented in the 19th century.

24. When playing bassoon you can sit on a strap or use a neck strap. What is the strap you sit on called?

From Quiz Music 2

Answer: seat strap

Seat straps hook all the way to the bottom of the bassoon. There is also a neck strap you could hook to it.

25. In a repeated section there is a marking in italics that says "2nd 8va". The music for your instrument is written in the treble clef. What does this mean for you to do?

From Quiz Making the Band

Answer: Play the section an octave higher the second time through.

There are lots of ways of writing this, the most common being "2nd 8va" or "2nd time 8va". Never play it down the octave unless it specifies "8va lower" or "8vb".

26. What does Allegro (no, not the allergy medicine) mean?

From Quiz Facts Of The Trade

Answer: Fast

Allegro is only part of the saying. The complete saying when translated into English is Quick and Lively.

27. A zug trumpet would best be described as an ________ ?

From Quiz Early Music

Answer: Early Slide Trumpet

The zug trumpet is played by holding the mouthpiece against the lips while moving the body of the instrument (and, of course, changing the embouchure) to change the pitch.

28. What musical instrument did Pee Wee Russell play?

From Quiz Musical Instruments 2

Answer: Clarinet

Pee Wee Russell was known for his unique style consisting of squeaks and overtones and a mournful expression. He began with Bix Beiderbeck and Frank Trumbuer in the 20's.

29. What instrument is mainly used for jazz and rarely used in symphonic music?

From Quiz Musical Instruments Trivia

Answer: saxophone

There are different types of saxophones, such as alto, soprano, etc.

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