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Quiz about Strings and Things
Quiz about Strings and Things

Strings and Things Trivia Quiz


Anything connected to the violin and other orchestral string instruments.

A multiple-choice quiz by Sparksister. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
Sparksister
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
247,882
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
640
Last 3 plays: Guest 122 (2/10), Guest 184 (5/10), Guest 136 (5/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. How many strings do the following instruments usually have: violin, viola, cello, bass? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Who is most famously known for building string instruments (especially violins)? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. What is the typical setup of a string quartet? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Who is NOT a famous 20th century violinist? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. What do you have to do when you encounter the indication "pizz" on a score? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. How can you play "pizzicato" on a violin? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. What is a well-known nickname for the famous violinist Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840)? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Which instrument's strings are tuned in fourths rather than in fifths? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. How many string quartets did Joseph Haydn write? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Every four years, the Queen Elizabeth Music Competition is devoted to the violin. This is one of the most prestigious competitions in the world. Where is it held? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Oct 06 2024 : Guest 122: 2/10
Sep 26 2024 : Guest 184: 5/10
Sep 24 2024 : Guest 136: 5/10
Sep 12 2024 : Guest 199: 5/10
Sep 08 2024 : Guest 1: 3/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. How many strings do the following instruments usually have: violin, viola, cello, bass?

Answer: 4

All of these have four strings but only the ones of viola and cello are tuned to the same pitches. The others are tuned higher (violin) or lower (bass).
2. Who is most famously known for building string instruments (especially violins)?

Answer: Antonio Stradivari

There are still about 540 playable "Strads" left.
Niccolò Amati (1596-1684) was Antonio Stradivari's (1644-1737) teacher.
Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840) was a violinist and composer.
Arturo Toscanini (1867-1957) was a conductor.
3. What is the typical setup of a string quartet?

Answer: violin - violin - viola - cello

The usual form is a first violin, second violin, viola and cello. If composers want something else, it should be indicated.
4. Who is NOT a famous 20th century violinist?

Answer: Daniel Barenboim

Barenboim (1942-) is an Argentinian-Israeli pianist and conductor.
Menuhin (1916-1999)was an American violinist and conductor, celebrated also for his teaching methods.
Kremer (1947-) is a Latvian violinist and conductor, mostly recorded by Deutsche Grammophon.
Oistrakh (1908-1974) is a Jewish Soviet violinist who won the 1937 Queen Elizabeth competition. He's the father of violinist Igor Oistrakh (1931-).
5. What do you have to do when you encounter the indication "pizz" on a score?

Answer: pluck the strings

It is an abbreviation of the Italian term "pizzicato".
Using the wood of the bow to "beat" the strings is called "coll'legno".
6. How can you play "pizzicato" on a violin?

Answer: right hand (most often) and left hand

Most pizzicatos are played by one of the right hand's fingers while holding the bow simultaneously. The bow can be put down in a long pizzicato passage. This is indicated by the abbreviation "pizz". However, left hand pizzicato is also possible. This is usually indicated by a cross above the note.
7. What is a well-known nickname for the famous violinist Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840)?

Answer: Devil's violinist

This springs from a legend, cultivated by Paganini himself, that he had sold his soul to the devil in exchange for a fearsomely perfect technique. His "caprices" and concertos are generally regarded as the most difficult in the violin repertoire.
8. Which instrument's strings are tuned in fourths rather than in fifths?

Answer: bass

Because this instrument is so large, tuning in fifths would result in too big of a distance for the fingers. You would not be able to grasp all the required notes within one finger position. So in order to be able to play a scale, without having to change positions, a bass is tuned in fourths.
9. How many string quartets did Joseph Haydn write?

Answer: 68

The official numbering lists 68. More were attributed to him but some of them have been labelled "spurious" after more research.
10. Every four years, the Queen Elizabeth Music Competition is devoted to the violin. This is one of the most prestigious competitions in the world. Where is it held?

Answer: Belgium

The other categories, aside from violin, are piano, singing and composition. The first prize is 20,000 euro, a CD recording and several concerts.
Source: Author Sparksister

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