FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about Medieval and Renaissance Instruments
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.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Music Trivia
  6. »
  7. Other Music
  8. »
  9. Musical Instruments

Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
88,262
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
2365
Awards
Editor's Choice
Last 3 plays: Guest 98 (4/10), Guest 90 (1/10), Guest 192 (9/10).
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. The sackbut was an early brass instrument that evolved into this
modern musical instrument.
Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. This wooden flute-like instrument features a lip, a fipple, and a windway. Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. A type of psaltery or zither, the name of this instrument literally means "sweet sound". Hint


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


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


Question 6 of 10
6. The primitive version of this instrument was operated by delivering heavy blows of the fist. Hint


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


Question 8 of 10
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


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


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



(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




Most Recent Scores
Oct 08 2024 : Guest 98: 4/10
Sep 30 2024 : Guest 90: 1/10
Sep 24 2024 : Guest 192: 9/10
Sep 17 2024 : Guest 152: 4/10
Aug 17 2024 : Guest 71: 8/10
Aug 13 2024 : Guest 136: 6/10

Score Distribution

quiz
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.
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.

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

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bullymom before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
10/11/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us