Musical Instruments Trivia

1. The guzheng has 21, 25 or 26 strings with 21 most common. Its shape is a rectangular box with an arced top. It is played wearing plectra on the fingers. Which western instrument is it said to most resemble?

From Quiz Chinese Musical Instruments

Answer: Zither

The guzheng is over 2000 years old, and became the most popular Chinese instrument in the Tang Dynasty. The strings were originally silk but now are most often nylon covered steel. The instrument is often highly decorated. There are fixed bridges on either end and movable bridges in the center; it is tuned to a pentatonic scale. Player pusdoc crossed the bridge to write this question for Red Crew's participation in the Phoenix Rising Global Tour 2022

From Quiz LIsten Up To These Musical Instruments!

Answer: Brass instruments

The brass instruments sound by blowing into them with lips placed against or inside a cup of metal, named the mouthpiece. These instruments are traditionally made from brass or bronze. They consist of long tubes, of varying length and thickness, valves, and a mouthpiece at one end and the bell at the other.

From Quiz There's Singin' - and Then There's Singing

Answer: Slightly apart

When standing to sing - and it's advisable to always try to sing in that position - the legs and feet should be slightly apart for just enough distance between them to give you a good sense of balance. You do NOT stand with them a mile apart, or with one leg in front of the other (that makes you look as if you're trying to prevent your pants from falling down), or with one pointing to the side, or in a kneeling position. All these incorrect stances interfere with your posture and breathing.

From Quiz Musical Instruments Not Found in Most Orchestras

Answer: Balalaika

The Balalaika was invented between the late 17th century and early 18th century in Russia. It has a triangular body of varying sizes and only three strings that can be played with fingers or a pick called a plectrum. The plectrum can be the size of an adult shoe sole for playing very large balalaikas.

From Quiz Instru-Mental

Answer: Yo-Yo Ma

There are rare times when a specific person becomes associated with a word, e.g., when you say 'showman', P.T. Barnum comes to mind and, on the dark side, when you say 'genocide', Hitler's name has become synonymous; so it is with the cello and the great Yo-Yo Ma! Of Chinese ancestry, born in Paris, France and schooled in New York City, this musician is a man of the world. He had a musical upbringing, was a child prodigy and settled on the cello when he was 4 years old (in 1960). He graduated from Julliard and Harvard and has received over a dozen Grammys. He has played just about every kind of music and even collaborated with Bobby McFerrin and also with the Dixie Chicks in 2005.

From Quiz Music is my Business

Answer: didgeridoo

The didgeridoo may be described as a natural wooden trumpet. It might have been developed more than a thousand years ago. A special breathing technique called circular breathing is used to play this instrument while the lips are constantly vibrating. In circular breathing the player breathes in through the nose while using the tongue and cheeks to push out stored air through the mouth. While music is the main business of the didgeridoo, persons who snore or suffer from obstructive sleep apnea may be delighted to learn that playing this instrument actually helps to reduce these conditions as the muscles of the upper airways are strengthened so that they are less likely to collapse when an individual is asleep.

From Quiz Is S/He Really Playing That Instrument?

Answer: Their right hand is at the top.

99% of the time, someone who does not know how to play the clarinet will hold it with his/her right hand at the top. It seems natural, and it's wrong. The right hand goes at the bottom and the left hand at the top. There are pinky keys, so the pinkies might be in the air. Someone's hair being on fire wouldn't necessarily prevent him/her from playing the clarinet, it just wouldn't be the wisest course of action right at that moment. The "clarinetist" in the Zatarain's rice commercials not only has his right hand at the top, he's holding the clarinet so high in the air it would be impossible to play.

From Quiz Musical Incidentals and Accidentals

Answer: Trombone suicide

This exciting spectacle usually requires no playing and slides are often taped so they don't just pop out and injure someone further. The term 'head choppers' is often used for the vigorous movement of the trombone slides towards the other players' heads. Apparently some groups even perform blindfolded to add a degree of danger. Trombone Shorty aka Troy Andrews is a famous trumpet and trombone player from New Orleans. And did you know that a trombone is a paper clip in France?

From Quiz Instrumental Oddities

Answer: flute

When his guitar playing wasn't as great as he hoped, Ian decided to take up the flute instead and that instrument became "his" (and in many ways a "signature" of the band). Ian was known to do elaborate work with his flute on stage, including tossing it up in the air and then catching it.

From Quiz All About Musical Instruments

Answer: Alphorn

The Swiss alphorn is made of wood and looks like a very long tube with a curved bell on the end. A player blows into a carved wooden mouthpiece to produce the sound. Originally a herdsman's instrument, the Swiss alphorn dates back to the 14th century. The herdsmen used the alphorn to signal danger to the villagers and, later, to summon them to church. In Moldova and Romania only men and boys play the alphorn. In the western Carpathians the instrument is played by women and children.

From Quiz Sultans of Swing

Answer: Trombone

The trombone was the favoured instrument of Glenn Miller who led one of the most influential big bands of the swing era. A big band would generally carry three to four trombones. Whilst they generally provided a support role it wasn't unusual to have a trombone feature with a solo. Their tonal flexibility is incredible and it opens the door to some startling special effects. Jimmy Harrison, as part of the Fletcher Harrison band, is generally credited with bringing the trombone to the fore during the swing period. Jack Teargarden endeared it with grace, Tricky Sam Newton a bluesy growl and JJ Johnson was able to play the instrument with great speed and still be able to maintain the clarity of a saxophone.

From Quiz How Are They Played?

Answer: letting a current of air pass over it

Aeolus was the Greek god of wind. This instrument is a box with strings which sound when a current of air passes over them.

From Quiz Obscure Musical Instruments of the World

Answer: Alphorn

The alphorn can be as long as 8 feet. Its makers would search, often for months, trying to find a tree that was tall and straight and then had a sudden bend. Softwood was usually used, such as pine or spruce. The alp horn was used for making music, calling herds of sheep and goats home, and for communication in some of the most mountainous regions of Switzerland. In the right conditions the sound from these horns can be heard for many miles.

From Quiz The Orchestra

Answer: Four

There are four sections - strings, woodwind, brass and percussion.

From Quiz Musical Instruments

Answer: French Horn and English Horn

Flute is in concert key. Tenor sax is in Bb. Alto sax is in Eb. Piccolo is in concert key. Bassoon is in concert key.

From Quiz Orchestral Manoeuvres

Answer: String

The violin is the smallest instrument in the string section. Other instruments in an orchestra's string section include: violas, cellos, bass and double bass. Antonio Stradivari, probably the best known violin maker, was making the instruments more than 300 years ago.

From Quiz Instrument Riddles.

Answer: Trombones

A song from the musical, 'The Music Man'.

From Quiz Music to my Ears

Answer: bongo drums

These drums make zippy rhythms that soon get everyone dancing.

From Quiz Analogue Bubblebath, Part Two

Answer: 1983

The "DX-7" had less known successors including the fabulous "DX-1", a very huge (and fine) synth.

From Quiz Analogue Bubblebath, Part One

Answer: Akai

Akai entered the market in 1984 and never produced a modular synth.

From Quiz Medieval and Renaissance Instruments 2

Answer: harp

Because of the lack of an early music notation system, our knowledge of harp use is limited. We do know from writings and art work that harps were used by the nobility and by troubadors. The Laws of Wales also states that the three proper things for any man to have in his house are a virtuous wife, his cushion on his chair, and his harp in tune.

From Quiz Name That Instrument!

Answer: Double Bass

The size of the double bass has also changed over the years, becoming smaller... and did you know that double bass music is written an octave higher than it sounds?! This means it is known as a 'transposing instrument'.

From Quiz Medieval and Renaissance Instruments

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.

From Quiz Music 2

Answer: seat strap

Seat straps hook all the way to the bottom of the bassoon. There is also a neck strap you could hook to it.

From Quiz Making the Band

Answer: Play the section an octave higher the second time through.

There are lots of ways of writing this, the most common being "2nd 8va" or "2nd time 8va". Never play it down the octave unless it specifies "8va lower" or "8vb".

From Quiz Facts Of The Trade

Answer: Fast

Allegro is only part of the saying. The complete saying when translated into English is Quick and Lively.

From Quiz Early Music

Answer: Early Slide Trumpet

The zug trumpet is played by holding the mouthpiece against the lips while moving the body of the instrument (and, of course, changing the embouchure) to change the pitch.

From Quiz Musical Instruments 2

Answer: Clarinet

Pee Wee Russell was known for his unique style consisting of squeaks and overtones and a mournful expression. He began with Bix Beiderbeck and Frank Trumbuer in the 20's.

From Quiz Musical Instruments Trivia

Answer: saxophone

There are different types of saxophones, such as alto, soprano, etc.

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Last Updated May 10 2025 5:44 AM

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