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Violin Anatomy and Technique Trivia Quiz

This quiz is about the parts of a violin, proper maintenance of the instrument, and techniques associated with violin playing. Please take a moment at the end and rate the quiz, and/or send me some feedback. Have fun!

A multiple-choice quiz by violin34. Estimated time: 3 mins.

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Author
violin34

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
256,172

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
797

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What notes are played on the open strings of a violin, from the lowest to the highest string? Hint

G D A E

E A D G

C G D A

A D G C

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Question 2 of 10

2. The part of the bow where the violinist grasps it is called what? Hint

bottom

frog

point

handle

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Question 3 of 10

3. Violin strings can be made of all of the following except what? Hint

sheep's gut

steel

cat's gut

nylon

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Question 4 of 10

4. Where is the soundpost located? Hint

beneath the fingerboard

in the neck

beneath the chinrest

beneath the bridge

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which statement is true about rosin? Hint

You only need to rosin your bow about once a year

Light rosin is preferred for winter and dark rosin for summer

Dark rosin is preferred for winter and light rosin for summer

You only need to rosin your bow about once a month

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Question 6 of 10

6. What do you call it when you bounce the bow off the strings for each note? Hint

staccato

spiccato

bouncing

pizzicato

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is the opposite of "pizzicato"? Hint

adagio

col legno

depizzicato

arco

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Question 8 of 10

8. What would you do if your music was marked "con sordini"? Hint

Use no vibrato

Draw your sword

Put your mute on

Use lots of vibrato

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of these keys is the hardest to play on the violin, because of the number of sharps? Hint

F# minor

F# Major

A minor

B flat Major

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. What note is produced when you place a finger lightly a perfect fourth above the note that you are holding down? Hint

A note two octaves above that of the bottom finger

The note played by the bottom finger

A note one octave above that of the top finger

The note played by the top finger

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What notes are played on the open strings of a violin, from the lowest to the highest string?

Answer: G D A E

Violin strings are tuned a perfect fifth apart.

2. The part of the bow where the violinist grasps it is called what?

Answer: frog

The frog is also where you find the tightening screw.

3. Violin strings can be made of all of the following except what?

Answer: cat's gut

"Catgut" strings are really made from sheep or bull gut and are very popular, providing a warm sound. Steel strings are the most common, being cheap and having better tuning stability than gut strings. Synthetic core strings like nylon are a balance between the other two, providing both a warm sound and excellent tuning stability.

4. Where is the soundpost located?

Answer: beneath the bridge

The soundpost is the most important part of the instrument: it is necessary for the transmission of sound from the strings to the body of the violin. The placement of the soundpost requires expert adjustment, as even a tiny misplacement can have a great impact on the sound quality of the instrument.

5. Which statement is true about rosin?

Answer: Dark rosin is preferred for winter and light rosin for summer

Rosin is the resinous stuff that violinists apply to the bow hairs to increase friction. Dark rosin works best in low humidity, but gets gummy in high humidity and heat. Light rosin is better in high humidity and heat, but is not strong enough for low humidity. To keep the bow hairs healthy, rosin should be applied every one or two days.

6. What do you call it when you bounce the bow off the strings for each note?

Answer: spiccato

Spiccato technique is often used on very fast passages.

7. What is the opposite of "pizzicato"?

Answer: arco

Pizzicato is where you pluck the string instead of bow it, and arco means to return to bowing the string. Adagio is a tempo marking meaning "slowly", and col legno is when you play with the wood of the bow instead of the hair.

8. What would you do if your music was marked "con sordini"?

Answer: Put your mute on

Mutes are often used in orchestral pieces, and even in some solos, to produce a softer, muted sound.

9. Which of these keys is the hardest to play on the violin, because of the number of sharps?

Answer: F# Major

F# Major has six sharps (ugh!). F# minor only has three sharps, B flat Major has two flats, and A minor has no sharps or flats. The number of sharps in F# major makes it difficult to use conventional fingerings on the violin.

10. What note is produced when you place a finger lightly a perfect fourth above the note that you are holding down?

Answer: A note two octaves above that of the bottom finger

This is called fingered harmonics. The most commonly used is the perfect fourth harmonic, but a harmonic built on the perfect fifth can also be played, producing a note one octave above the top finger. In addition to producing a much higher note, the harmonic has a clear ringing sound. Natural harmonics can also be found at various intervals above the open string.

Source: Author violin34

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