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Quiz about Percussionists Have the Most Fun

Percussionists Have the Most Fun Quiz

Instruments, that is. This quiz is about some of the more unusual percussion instruments.

A multiple-choice quiz by ertrum. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
ertrum

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
277,265

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1046

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. This instrument is the only common one which is named for its shape. Hint

trapezoid

square

triangle

rectangle

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Question 2 of 10

2. Leroy Anderson was obviously fond of the percussion section, and liked to give it unusual instruments to play. Which of his tunes features a whip and sleigh bells? Hint

Trumpeter's Holiday

Sleigh Ride

The Typewriter

Syncopated Clock

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Question 3 of 10

3. You might expect this instrument to be used by a hunter, not a percussionist. Hint

deer horn

fox drum

bird whistle

wolf howl

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Question 4 of 10

4. George Gershwin wrote a part for these instruments in "An American in Paris". What are they? Hint

taxi horns

train bells

sirens

temple blocks

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Question 5 of 10

5. Brawny percussionists may be seen beating these during performances of Verdi's "Aida" or Holst's "Second Suite in F for Military Band". Hint

rocks

swords

temple blocks

anvils

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Question 6 of 10

6. Percussionists use these wooden instruments to make horses' hoofbeats, among other things.
Hint

congas

marimbas

temple blocks

drum sides

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Question 7 of 10

7. This heavenly keyboard instrument was used by Tchaikovsky in his "The Nutcracker" ballet, and the suite he derived from it. Hint

celesta

chimes

glockenspiel

harpschord

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Question 8 of 10

8. This percussion instrument was originally made of gourds, which had notches carved into one side. It's played by rubbing a stick along the notches. Hint

kalimba

maraca

guiro

claves

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Question 9 of 10

9. Carpenters and percussionists are equally likely to use this instrument. What is it? Hint

level

saw

ruler

pliers

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Question 10 of 10

10. For large, impressive percussion effects, nothing beats this instrument, which was used by Tchaikovsky in his "1812 Overture". Hint

cannon

gong

firecrackers

bass drum

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This instrument is the only common one which is named for its shape.

Answer: triangle

The triangle often shows up in Western movies, attached to the chuck wagon. Cookie, so the cliche goes, rings it to bring in the cowboys for chow.

Orchestral triangles are much smaller and softer than the cowboy version.

2. Leroy Anderson was obviously fond of the percussion section, and liked to give it unusual instruments to play. Which of his tunes features a whip and sleigh bells?

Answer: Sleigh Ride

The whip isn't a whip at all. It's two planks joined together by a hinge. The percussionist plays it by slapping the planks together. It's not a good idea to have one's fingers between the planks when they meet!

Leroy Anderson also used sandpaper blocks and a typewriter in his compositions.

3. You might expect this instrument to be used by a hunter, not a percussionist.

Answer: bird whistle

The bird whistle generally has a small container of water which makes bubbles when blown. The result is a twittering bird call.

4. George Gershwin wrote a part for these instruments in "An American in Paris". What are they?

Answer: taxi horns

The legend has it that Gershwin bought taxi horns in Paris and brought them to the US for the performance. Authentic sets of Parisian taxi horns are available for rent for performances of "An American in Paris".

5. Brawny percussionists may be seen beating these during performances of Verdi's "Aida" or Holst's "Second Suite in F for Military Band".

Answer: anvils

Generally, a piece of railroad track substitutes for the anvil, though I have known percussionists who used a brake drum to good effect.

6. Percussionists use these wooden instruments to make horses' hoofbeats, among other things.

Answer: temple blocks

Temple blocks originated in Asia, where they were used in religious ceremonies.
Olivier Messiaen used temple blocks in his opera "St. Francis of Assisi".

7. This heavenly keyboard instrument was used by Tchaikovsky in his "The Nutcracker" ballet, and the suite he derived from it.

Answer: celesta

The celesta is featured in Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy" from "The Nutcracker". It is also found in Ravel's orchestration of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition", Stravinsky's "Firebird", and Ives' "Symphony no. 4", among others.

8. This percussion instrument was originally made of gourds, which had notches carved into one side. It's played by rubbing a stick along the notches.

Answer: guiro

Guiros can come in many different shapes. I've seen them carved to look like fish, gourds, and even frogs.

9. Carpenters and percussionists are equally likely to use this instrument. What is it?

Answer: saw

Musical saws can be identical to carpenters' saws, but usually the musical ones don't have the sharp teeth of the carpenters' saw.

10. For large, impressive percussion effects, nothing beats this instrument, which was used by Tchaikovsky in his "1812 Overture".

Answer: cannon

Drums are used instead of cannon for most indoor performances of the "1812 Overture".

Tchaikovsky wrote the "1812 Overture" to celebrate the retreat of Napolean's invading armies after the Battle of Borodino.

Source: Author ertrum

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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