Uncommon Bowed String Instruments Quiz

Answer: Tuareg

The anzad is usually played at evening ceremonies called 'Takket' by elderly women. It is a monochord violin played in the Tuareg region. Its variations of name include 'Imzad', 'Mzad' and 'Amzad'.

Answer: 31

The baryton has 6 or 7 bowed strings, and 9 to 24 plucked strings, but 12 plucked strings are most common. It was in full use until the 19th century started, when most people gave up thinking that it would be too hard to play. Joseph Haydn was known for composing baryton trios, along with a viola and a cello. He composed 126 of these pieces.

Answer: Welsh

A crwth is a musical instrument with 6 strings, usually played like a violin but with a neckstrap. Other versions of playing the crwth are between the knees like a cello and on the lap, either upright or on a slight angle, with the head on the player's left shoulder.

A player on the crwth is called a 'crythor'. The English name for 'crwth' is 'crowd', but less common names for 'crwth' in English are 'crout' and 'crouth'. The English surnames 'Crowder' and 'Crowther' may be a crwth player's descendant.

The Scottish surnames 'MacWhirter' and 'MacWhorter' may refer to the same thing, but in Scotland. 'Cruit' is the Irish word for 'crwth', while 'chorus' and 'crotta' are used in Medieval Latin.

Answer: Maple

The Serbian gusles that are made from maple wood and are usually different to other types of gusles because it may have two strings instead of one. It was very popular in the Balkans and in the Dinarides region in southern Europe. It has been said that the gusle was played in the court of King Stephen.

Answer: 5

The lirone has a flat bridge which allows chords between three and five notes possible to play. It has a total of 9 to 16 strings. It is played between the legs, just like a cello. It was played in the 16th and 17th centuries in Italy, providing accompaniment for a vocal singer.

Answer: 3.5 m

An octobass is like a larger version of a double bass, which is 2 metres in length. An octobass in Paris measures 3.48m in length. The octobass has three strings instead of four, unlike more common string instruments like the violin, viola, cello and double bass.

Answer: Psalmodikons

Psalmodikons were used in churches because organs were very expensive, and dance instruments were not allowed in churches. The psalmodikon was easy to make, and had only one string. But what I think is really special about psalmodokins being in churches is that 'psalmodikon' has got the word 'psalm' in it!

Answer: True

The plucked rebab was popular in Afghanistan, Pakistan and north-western India, and described as 'boat-like'. The bowed version originated from the now Afghanistan. Rebap, rabab, rebeb, rababah, and al-rababa are some other names for it.

Answer: Treble

It was originally designed to read treble, but as larger versions were designed, the rebec was able to play lower notes. It has three strings and is played on the arm or under the neck.

Answer: 3 centuries

The vielle has a longer and deeper body than a violin. It has five strings instead of four. The current English name for a vielle is a hurdy gurdy. Troubadours and jongleurs used the vielle between the 13th century and 15th century. In their time, the vielle was very popular.