An Orchestra of Instruments Trivia Quiz

Answer: Catgut

The strings of a violin were originally made from the intestines of sheep. This substance was commonly known as catgut. Today, most violins use strings made from steel, or man-made fibers, but it is not uncommon to see catgut still being used.

Answer: Woodwind

The piccolo is the highest member of the woodwind family and can be found in almost every orchestra. It is simply a small flute that is one octave higher. The piccolo can also be seen in marching bands and military bands and is often paired with drums.

Answer: Copper

Cymbals are believed to have originated in Asia before spreading to Europe. Almost all cymbals are made from a copper alloy which is believed to make the best quality sound. Cymbals can be played by holding one in each hand before crashing them together, and are sometimes part of a drum set where they are played by using a foot pedal or hit with a stick or small mallet.

Answer: French horn

The French horn is often considered to be the one of the hardest instruments to master. This may be because French horns have the smallest mouthpieces of all the brass instruments. At one time, this horn was called a hunting horn and was played while riding on horseback to call the hunters together.

Answer: Wood

Oboes are usually made of wood, with boxwood being a popular choice, because of its resonance. There are at least six different sizes of oboe, and all use a double reed. The longer the oboe, the lower the pitch.

Answer: Grand piano

At an orchestra, you will almost always see a grand piano being played. Most pianos have 88 keys and three foot pedals, although there are variations of this. Pianos can be used in almost every music genres including classical, rock, blues, jazz, and contemporary.

Answer: Cello

All of these options are part of the stringed instrument family. The cello is the instrument depicted in this image. When watching an orchestra, the cellist is usually located near the right edge of the stage, which helps its deep sounds to penetrate farther into the audience.

Answer: True

Maple wood has been used for many years to make the unique sounding bassoon. This double-reed woodwind is usually, but not always, seen only in orchestras as its weight precludes its use in marching or military bands. It is the lowest member of the woodwind family.

Answer: True

The xylophone is a percussion instrument that consists of differently-sized wooden bars, that are struck by a variety of different mallets. The word "xylophone" comes from ancient Greek, and means "wooden sound". Different variations of this type of instrument are found in cultures all around the world, each with its own unique name.

Answer: Brass

While most saxophones are usually made of lacquered brass, they are members of the woodwind family, not the brass family. This versatile instrument can be heard in virtually every music genre and comes in half a dozen sizes.