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The Beautiful Viola Trivia Quiz

The viola is a beautiful instrument, but it is not nearly as well-known as the violin. Let's see if you can answer some questions about the viola.

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

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Viola

Author
hotdogPi

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
371,428

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
275

Last 3 plays: Guest 73 (7/10), Guest 67 (8/10), Guest 80 (6/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is the lowest note playable on the viola with standard tuning? Hint

Middle C

F below middle C

G below middle C

One octave below middle C

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Treble clef and bass clef are commonly used clefs for many instruments. Which clef is commonly used for the viola, but not for any other instrument? Hint

Tenor clef

Alto clef

Soprano clef

Baritone clef

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Periodically, something needs to be put on a violist's bow for the bow to function properly. What substance is this? Hint

Water

A frog

Rosin

Oil

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Which of these is a common size for a viola? Hint

16"

30"

24"

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Which language does "viola" come from? Hint

Italian

German

French

Spanish

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Generally, is a viola thinner or thicker than a violin?

Answer: (Choose one: "thinner" or "thicker")

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. If you were going to play a harmonic on the D string that was one octave higher than the open D string, where would you place your finger? Hint

Where the fourth finger normally is

It is impossible

Where the third finger normally is

Halfway down the string

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. The viola is called "Bratsche" in which language? Hint

German

Spanish

French

Italian

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Which of these is true about the A string of a viola? Hint

There is no equivalent string on a violin.

The open A is the note that everyone tunes to.

It is the second highest string.

You can play an F on it without shifting.

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Which of these people was most well-known for being a violist? Hint

Yo-Yo Ma

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Johann Sebastian Bach

William Primrose

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 20 2024 : Guest 73: 7/10
Nov 19 2024 : Guest 67: 8/10
Nov 04 2024 : Guest 80: 6/10
Nov 03 2024 : Guest 174: 8/10
Nov 02 2024 : Guest 24: 5/10
Oct 27 2024 : Guest 1: 9/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the lowest note playable on the viola with standard tuning?

Answer: One octave below middle C

The strings on a viola are C, G, D, and A. The higher three strings are the same pitch as the lower three strings of a violin. The viola is exactly one octave higher than a cello.

2. Treble clef and bass clef are commonly used clefs for many instruments. Which clef is commonly used for the viola, but not for any other instrument?

Answer: Alto clef

Alto clef has a symbol which is centered on middle C. In the alto clef, the middle line of the staff is middle C. Other clefs exist with different names with the same symbol, but they are centered on a different line.

3. Periodically, something needs to be put on a violist's bow for the bow to function properly. What substance is this?

Answer: Rosin

Rosin is a sticky substance. Without it, the viola would not play well. Oil and water would ruin the bow, while a frog is part of the bow, not something you put on it.

4. Which of these is a common size for a viola?

Answer: 16"

16" (16 inches) is common.

5. Which language does "viola" come from?

Answer: Italian

In Italian, in addition to the musical instrument, "viola" can also mean a particular type of flower, and it can mean the color purple.

6. Generally, is a viola thinner or thicker than a violin?

Answer: thicker

Violas are thicker than violins because they have a lower range, and that is also the reason why they are bigger.

7. If you were going to play a harmonic on the D string that was one octave higher than the open D string, where would you place your finger?

Answer: Halfway down the string

Putting the finger halfway between the nut and the bridge makes the note one octave higher, whether it is a harmonic or not. Playing a harmonic with your finger anywhere else will make a higher note than that (for example, putting your finger 1/4 of the way down the string will play a note two octaves higher than an open string).

8. The viola is called "Bratsche" in which language?

Answer: German

In orchestral scores, names of musical instruments (used for cues) can be in different languages, depending on the language the composer wrote in. This is unlike musical directions, which are almost always in Italian.

9. Which of these is true about the A string of a viola?

Answer: The open A is the note that everyone tunes to.

Orchestras tune to A.

10. Which of these people was most well-known for being a violist?

Answer: William Primrose

William Primrose was not only a violist, but also a viola teacher. He taught how to play the viola well, and he wrote several books about it. Johann Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart are famous composers that also played the violin, while Yo-Yo Ma is a famous cellist.

Source: Author hotdogPi

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