Broken Melodies Trivia Quiz

Answer: Vuvuzela

Originally made with the horn of a kudu, the vuvuzela only makes one sound - but it is a very loud sound! It is used at football matches in South Africa, and has triggered quite a controversy there, with some fans claiming that it has caused permanent hearing loss. Due to the noise levels demonstrated by the use of the instrument at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, other stadiums around the world have banned its use at future events.

Answer: Guitar

The use of guitar-like instruments dates back thousands of years; by 1200, however, two musical instruments called "guitars", a Latin guitar and a Moorish guitar, were being played in Spain. By the 15th century, a guitarlike instrument called a vihuela was being used, and by the 16th century, it looked much like a modern guitar in appearance. Today classical guitars are known as "Spanish guitars".

They are made with nylon strings and are played by plucking while the guitarist is seated.

Answer: Didgeridoo

Although it is unknown exactly how old the didgeridoo is, there is evidence that the Australian aborigines were using the instrument at least 1,000 years ago. Conical in shape and traditionally made of wood, a didgeridoo can be 3-10 feet long. While a non-traditional didgeridoo can be made of a variety of materials, such as PVC pipe, a traditional instrument is typically made from the trunk of the eucalyptus tree.

Answer: Irish Harp

Although there are several early predecessors to the Irish harp, the oldest known authenticated image of a modern Irish harp dates to the 1400s. With a frame made of wood and metal strings, the harp, also called a clàrsach, is similar in appearance to the Scottish harp, and may have influenced the use of the bagpipe.

It is considered by some to be very difficult to play, and the clàrsach began to decline in popularity at the end of the 1600s, when the fiddle became more popular. Nevertheless, the Irish harp remains an important symbol, and is seen today on coins and the coat of arm of the Republic of Ireland.

Answer: Banjo

It is believed that African slaves in the Caribbean islands developed the banjo from similar West African instruments in the 17th century. They were made with gourds, had a wooden stick-neck, and strings, although the number of strings was determined by the builder of the instrument. Slaves in the pre-Civil War South are credited with teaching their masters how to play the banjo. Today it is used in a number of music genres; it is closely associated, however, with country and bluegrass music.

Answer: Marimba

Looking much like a xylophone, the marimba has bars that are struck with mallets to produce tones. While the predecessors of the marimba were conceived in Africa, the modern instrument was originally made by African slaves in Central America, where it is still popular in countries like Guatemala and Costa Rica, as well as in Africa.

It is said that no party in Mexico is complete without marimba music!

Answer: Accordion

Believed to have been invented in Berlin in 1822, the accordion was also made in Tula, Russia, at about the same time. Within a span of fifty years, craftsmen in Tula were manufacturing 700,000 accordions a year. Considered to be the national instrument of many countries, including Russia and Serbia, it is mostly used in those areas for playing folk and traditional music.

Answer: Bagpipe

Bagpipes first appeared in Scotland in approximately 1400, and there is evidence that they were used as "warpipes" in 1396 at the Battle of North Inch. After the Jacobin Revolt in 1700s Scotland, there was an attempt by the British crown to ban bagpipes there; if Highland troops, however, were to be integrated into the British army - and they were among the best troops - it was conceded that the pipes had to come along with them. During WWII, at the Second Battle of El Alamein in 1943, each attacking company was led into battle by pipers, but that practice was discontinued due to the high piper casualty rate in the battle.

Answer: Mandolin

A descendant of the lute family, mandolins first appeared in Italy during the 17-18th centuries; it is believed that Naples was an early manufacturing center. Records show that Italian players, such as Signor Gabriele Leone, traveled through Europe playing and teaching as well.

As is the case with other instruments, there is a variety of mandolins with different pitches. Generally they are made shorter than guitars in length, and have four pairs of strings that are plucked with a pick.

Answer: Steelpan

A percussion instrument, steelpans are also known as steel drums, and are played by pannists. Traditionally recycled from a 55 gallon industrial drum, the sound of the steelpan is made by striking the pan with a pair of sticks that are covered with a rubber tip.

The size of the rubber tip and the type of rubber used helps to determine the tone of the steelpan. There is actually an entire family of steel drums including the soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto, baritone, and bass pitches.