Exploring Traditional Instruments and Styles in Global Music

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Quizzes Created: 8156 | Total Attempts: 9,588,805
| Questions: 14 | Updated: Aug 4, 2025
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1. What is the most common drum used in southern India, known for its pitch variation between the right and base heads?

Explanation

The correct answer is MRIDANGAM as it is a percussion instrument commonly used in Carnatic music and traditional performances in southern India. While the tabla is popular in northern India, it does not have the same pitch variation between heads as the mridangam. The dholak is also found in both northern and southern India, but it is typically used in folk music and does not have the same pitch variation. Lastly, the kadamba is a ceremonial drum used in certain rituals in India, but it is not as widely known or used as the mridangam.

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About This Quiz
Exploring Traditional Instruments and Styles In Global Music - Quiz

Explore the diverse soundscapes and cultural significances of music from around the globe in 'Unit 2 - World Music & Cultures'. This quiz enhances understanding of global music traditions, fostering cultural appreciation and broadening musical horizons.

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2. What is the name of the instrument with 3 drone strings and 4 playing strings used to interpret the raga through complex slides and pulls of the strings?

Explanation

The Veena is a traditional Indian musical instrument with 3 drone strings and 4 playing strings, known for its ability to interpret raga through intricate slides and pulls. The Sitar is a plucked string instrument, the Tabla is a pair of drums, and the Tanpura is used as a drone instrument in Indian classical music.

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3. What instrument is unfretted and round-bodied, with a hollow neck and four or five wire strings that acts as a drone?

Explanation

The correct answer is Tambura because it fits the description of an instrument with a hollow neck, wire strings, and a round-bodied design that is often unfretted, commonly used as a drone in various music traditions.

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4. Which North Indian music style is known for being more improvised and influenced by Islamic belief and law?

Explanation

Hindustani music is a traditional North Indian music style that is characterized by improvisation and a cultural influence from Islamic beliefs and laws.

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5. Common drums, paired drums that have individual heads (Hindustani)..

Explanation

In Hindustani music, the common paired drums with individual heads are known as Tabla. Conga, Djembe, and Bongo are different types of drums that do not fall under the description provided in the question.

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6. What is a set of musical notes in a certain order, along with its specific characteristics such as the number of pitches and its manner of ascending and descending?

Explanation

A Raga is a melodic framework in traditional Indian music, consisting of a set of notes in a certain order, along with its unique characteristics.

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7. What is the major song type of Carnatik music that is performed in a virtuosic manner with fewer participants, displays of skill and technique?

Explanation

In Carnatic music, a 'Kriti' is a structured song typically composed in a specific raga and tala, showcasing the singer's skill and technique. Ragas and talas are melodic structures and rhythmic cycles respectively, while a Varna is a type of musical composition that also features in Carnatic music.

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8. What is the term for amateur music played by non-professionals in informal settings, typically for musicians' pleasure?

Explanation

Sizhu is a traditional Chinese music genre that involves amateur musicians playing for enjoyment in informal settings.

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9. In Chinese Music, what is the term for 'adding flowers'?

Explanation

In Chinese Music, the term 'FANGMAN JIAHUA' refers to 'adding flowers' which means ornamentation.

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10. What type of vocals are characterized by a high pitch range, nasal quality, and no vibrato?

Explanation

Beijing Operatic Vocals are known for their unique characteristics of high pitch range, nasal quality, and no vibrato, setting them apart from other vocal styles such as Jazz vocals, Classical opera vocals, and Heavy metal vocals.

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11. Music traditionally used in their daily lives when herding or hunting songs are often 'sonic maps.' Which culture is known for utilizing music in this way?

Explanation

In Mongolia, music has been traditionally used as 'sonic maps' for herding or hunting. It plays a crucial role in their daily lives and communication.

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12. What is the oldest ensemble musical style still performed that is known for its graceful music, imperial court music & dance, and classical form?

Explanation

Gagaku is the oldest ensemble musical style still performed, originating in Japan and known for its graceful music, imperial court music & dance, and classical form.

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13. Which music aesthetic is characterized by emotional restraint, long, slow rhythms, and symbolizes the dignity of the kingdom?

Explanation

Korean Music Aesthetic is unique in its blend of emotional restraint, slow rhythms, and its representation of the kingdom's dignity. Chinese Opera Music, Indian Classical Music, and Brazilian Samba Music do not share these specific characteristics.

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14. What are the three main genres of traditional Japanese music?

Explanation

The question is asking about the specific genres of traditional Japanese music such as theater music (Kabuki), concert music (Gagaku), and religious & festival music (Shomyo).

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What is the most common drum used in southern India, known for its...
What is the name of the instrument with 3 drone strings and 4 playing...
What instrument is unfretted and round-bodied, with a hollow neck and...
Which North Indian music style is known for being more improvised and...
Common drums, paired drums that have individual heads (Hindustani)..
What is a set of musical notes in a certain order, along with its...
What is the major song type of Carnatik music that is performed in a...
What is the term for amateur music played by non-professionals in...
In Chinese Music, what is the term for 'adding flowers'?
What type of vocals are characterized by a high pitch range, nasal...
Music traditionally used in their daily lives when herding or hunting...
What is the oldest ensemble musical style still performed that is...
Which music aesthetic is characterized by emotional restraint, long,...
What are the three main genres of traditional Japanese music?
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