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Quiz about Medieval and Renaissance Instruments

Medieval and Renaissance Instruments Quiz

A time-machine trip for the music scholar..and an educational jaunt for the music sight-seer.

A multiple-choice quiz by belle_a_cello. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
belle_a_cello

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
88,262

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
2341

Awards
Editor's Choice

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The sackbut was an early brass instrument that evolved into this
modern musical instrument. Hint

trombone

trumpet

tuba

saxophone

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. This wooden flute-like instrument features a lip, a fipple, and a windway. Hint

lizard

lute

recorder

gamba

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. A type of psaltery or zither, the name of this instrument literally means "sweet sound". Hint

crumhorn

dulcimer

chittara

dulcinea

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. This ancient woodwind evolved into the modern oboe. The metal band surrounding the bell made it a handy weapon as well. Hint

recorder

shawm

viol da gamba

psaltery

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Two instruments played simultaneously by one person, this combination was often used as accompaniment for juggling or acrobatic acts. Hint

draughts and ducks

bagpipes

pipe and tabor

lute and drum

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. The primitive version of this instrument was operated by delivering heavy blows of the fist. Hint

harpsichord

bagpipes

organ

crumhorn

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. This stringed instrument is featured in many Elizabethan compositions. Often equipped with several courses of strings, its distinctive feature is a half-pear shaped back. Hint

psaltery

lute

tabor

hurdy-gurdy

8. Also known as the "vielle a roue" or wheel-fiddle, this instrument features a wheel cranked by a handle. Early instruments required two players: one to push the keys and one to turn the handle. Hint

zink

viol da gamba

hurdy-gurdy

psaltery

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. This instrument is often called a cornett. It can play as loudly as a trumpet or can approximate the sound of a human voice. Hint

zink

organ

recorder

dulcimer

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. This medieval flute-like instrument features a gentle, haunting sound. It is made from the horn of a sheep or ox. Hint

shawm

crumhorn

gemshorn

lizard

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The sackbut was an early brass instrument that evolved into this modern musical instrument.

Answer: trombone

Sackbut literally means "push-pull". It is documented as a musical instrument from the 15th century. The tuba and trumpet have other evolutionary origins. The saxophone is considered a woodwind instrument and was invented in the 19th century.

2. This wooden flute-like instrument features a lip, a fipple, and a windway.

Answer: recorder

Each of these instruments is from the medieval or Renaissance era. The recorder is documented in illustrations as early as the 14th century. Plastic replicas of the recorder are used in music education today as pre-band instruments. The lute and gamba are stringed instruments. The lizard is an s-shaped tenor cornett.

3. A type of psaltery or zither, the name of this instrument literally means "sweet sound".

Answer: dulcimer

Called a dulcimer in English-speaking countries, the evolution of this instrument can be traced back to the biblical psalms of the Hebrews. Often called a hammered dulcimer, it is a popular folk instrument in rural America. The crumhorn is a curved horn and gives us our modern word "crumpet", meaning curved cake.

The chittara evolved into the modern guitar and the lovely Dulcinea lives in the world of Cervantes' "Don Quixote".

4. This ancient woodwind evolved into the modern oboe. The metal band surrounding the bell made it a handy weapon as well.

Answer: shawm

The shawm has a distinct nasal timbre, similar to the modern oboe. The recorder is an early flute-like instrument. The viol da gamba and the psaltery have strings.

5. Two instruments played simultaneously by one person, this combination was often used as accompaniment for juggling or acrobatic acts.

Answer: pipe and tabor

It takes a skilled musician to manage the tricky fingering of the three-holed pipe while maintaining rhythm with the other hand on the drum. The pipe and drum were used in several of Henry VIII's compositions and were often featured in scene changes of Shakespeare's plays. Draughts are medieval English checkers, and ducks are fowl.

6. The primitive version of this instrument was operated by delivering heavy blows of the fist.

Answer: organ

The early organ had a monstrous sound that has been described as a "...terrible blowing of Bellows, expressing rather the cracks of thunder than the sweetness of a Voyce...". Humble beginnings for the instrument now called "The King of Instruments". Best not to strike any of these other instruments with the fist.

7. This stringed instrument is featured in many Elizabethan compositions. Often equipped with several courses of strings, its distinctive feature is a half-pear shaped back.

Answer: lute

One of the most popular and highly respected Renaissance instruments, the lute was used for accompaniment and solo work. The extant repertoire is extensive.

Answer: hurdy-gurdy

Sometimes called a symphonie or organistrum, the hurdy-gurdy eventually became a popular instrument for dance music. You can still purchase these instruments, but be aware that they are very temperamental and sensitive to weather and temperature changes.

9. This instrument is often called a cornett. It can play as loudly as a trumpet or can approximate the sound of a human voice.

Answer: zink

Very little air is required to play a zink. Tradition has it that the finest zink players could play up to 100 measures on one breath!

10. This medieval flute-like instrument features a gentle, haunting sound. It is made from the horn of a sheep or ox.

Answer: gemshorn

The gemshorn survives today as the gemshorn stop on a pipe organ. It is thought that the original instrument was probably used to calm the flocks.

Source: Author belle_a_cello

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