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The Vibrant Viola Trivia Quiz

No, it's not a violin! See how much you know about the string family's oft-forgotten member.

A multiple-choice quiz by neelie_447. Estimated time: 3 mins.

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Viola

Author
neelie_447

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
285,049

Updated
Nov 16 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
404

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is the size of an average viola's body? Hint

10.5 inches

16 inches

48 inches

26 inches

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of these strings is not found on a typical 4-string viola? Hint

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Question 3 of 10

3. Viola music is generally written on an alto clef. Which other instrument may use this clef? Hint

flute

percussion

alto saxophone

alto trombone

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Question 4 of 10

4. What American rock band from the 1960s featured the viola in many of their songs? Hint

The Charlie Daniels Band

The Buggles

Velvet Underground

The Beach Boys

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which word could you use to describe the sound of a well-played viola? Hint

sqeaky

pitchy

mellow

reedy

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Question 6 of 10

6. You would pronounce "viola" in this manner: vye-oh-la.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. What happens to the pitch of a viola string when it is loosened? Hint

nothing

It gets higher.

It gets lower.

It depends on what string you're changing.

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of the following is NOT a part of the viola? Hint

neck

soundpost

waist

underbox

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Question 9 of 10

9. Only thirteen violas made by this famous family are known to exist today. Who was this famed family of luthiers, one of whose violas belongs to the U.S. Library of Congress? Hint

Stradivarius

Mozart

Amati

Segovia

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Question 10 of 10

10. There are fewer pre-twentieth century works written exclusively for viola than for violin or cello.

True

False

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Apr 05 2024 : Guest 73: 9/10
Mar 24 2024 : Guest 131: 9/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the size of an average viola's body?

Answer: 16 inches

Children's violas may have bodies as small as 12 inches, but the average viola is about 16 inches. However, there is no defined "full-size" viola, as there is for a violin. This means that, theoretically, a viola could be 20+ inches long, although it would be impractical to play such an instrument under the chin.

2. Which of these strings is not found on a typical 4-string viola?

Answer: E

The viola typically has four strings: C, G, D, and A, with C being the lowest-pitched string and A being the highest. Some makers, however, are currently experimenting with a five-stringed viola, which would have a larger note range. The viola's strings are tuned to the same pitches as a cello.

3. Viola music is generally written on an alto clef. Which other instrument may use this clef?

Answer: alto trombone

The alto clef, sometimes called the viola clef, is used chiefly for viola music, although it is also used to write music for the alto trombone or the viola da gamba. It is used occasionally in music for other instruments, however.

4. What American rock band from the 1960s featured the viola in many of their songs?

Answer: Velvet Underground

Velvet Underground founding member John Cale was a trained violist, and his playing is featured on such songs as "Heroin" and "Stephanie Says".

5. Which word could you use to describe the sound of a well-played viola?

Answer: mellow

A well played viola has a very rich tone with much more body than that of the violin. Because of this, the viola is used more to provide harmony, as opposed to melody.

6. You would pronounce "viola" in this manner: vye-oh-la.

Answer: false

The word "viola" is correctly pronounce "vee-oh-la" when referring to the instrument.

7. What happens to the pitch of a viola string when it is loosened?

Answer: It gets lower.

Loosening a string will make the pitch flatter (lower). Proper tuning is very important for any kind of playing. Interesting enough, however, many pieces call for strings to be purposely tuned up or tuned down, in order to create a brighter (or mellower, if tuned down) tone.

8. Which of the following is NOT a part of the viola?

Answer: underbox

The neck is the segment of a viola that stretches from the top of the body to the peg box. The waist, or "C-bouts" is the section where the viola's body curves in, resembling two c-curves. The sound-post is a rod inside the viola which moves sound vibrations from the front of the viola to the back.

9. Only thirteen violas made by this famous family are known to exist today. Who was this famed family of luthiers, one of whose violas belongs to the U.S. Library of Congress?

Answer: Stradivarius

The Stradivari family built a number of extremely high quality string instruments. Experts are still trying to match these instruments in sound quality. In 2003, Joseph Nagyvary created a violin that is claimed to be of Stradivari quality.

10. There are fewer pre-twentieth century works written exclusively for viola than for violin or cello.

Answer: True

Because of this, many classical pieces played by a violist were actually written for a violin or cello, then transposed to the viola's range.

Source: Author neelie_447

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