Instrument Families Quiz

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  • 1/21 Questions

    Woodwind instrument whose sound is produced by air being blown against and edge

    • Flute
    • Clarinet
    • Saxophone
    • Oboe
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About This Quiz

Explore the diverse world of musical instruments with this Instrument Families Quiz. Identify various instruments like the flute, timpani, bass, cello, piccolo, and oboe, assessing your knowledge of their characteristics and roles within an orchestra. Perfect for enhancing musical literacy and appreciation.

Instrument Families Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    Percussion instrument that provides the underlying heartbeat of the orchestra

    • Snare Drum

    • Marimba

    • Timapni

    • Bells

    Correct Answer
    A. Timapni
    Explanation
    The timpani is a percussion instrument that provides the underlying heartbeat of the orchestra. It is commonly referred to as the "kettle drum" and is known for its deep, resonant sound. The timpani is played by striking the drumheads with mallets, and its rhythmic patterns help to establish the tempo and pulse of the music. In an orchestral setting, the timpani often plays a crucial role in providing a solid foundation for the other instruments and adding depth and power to the overall sound.

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  • 3. 

    The largest string instrument in the orchestra; played standing up or from a stool

    • Viola

    • Bass

    • Violin

    • Cello

    Correct Answer
    A. Bass
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Bass because it is the largest string instrument in the orchestra and can be played either standing up or from a stool. The viola, violin, and cello are also string instruments but they are smaller in size compared to the bass.

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  • 4. 

    String instrument that sets on the ground between your knees

    • Viola

    • Violin

    • Bass

    • Cello

    Correct Answer
    A. Cello
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Cello. The cello is a string instrument that is played by sitting down and placing it between the player's knees. It is larger than a violin and viola and has a deeper and richer sound. The cello is commonly used in classical music and is an important part of orchestras and chamber ensembles.

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  • 5. 

    Its fingering system and appearance are similar to a flute

    • Oboe

    • English Horn

    • Piccolo

    • Clarinet

    Correct Answer
    A. Piccolo
    Explanation
    The given correct answer is Piccolo because its fingering system and appearance are similar to a flute. The piccolo is a small woodwind instrument that is played by blowing air across a mouthpiece and pressing keys to change the pitch. It has a similar finger placement and overall look to a flute, making it easy for flute players to transition to playing the piccolo. The other options, such as oboe, English horn, and clarinet, have different fingering systems and appearances compared to a flute.

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  • 6. 

    Wooden double reed instrument that occupies the alto voice of the woodwind section

    • Clarinet

    • Oboe

    • Bassoon

    • English horn

    Correct Answer
    A. Oboe
    Explanation
    The oboe is a wooden double reed instrument that is commonly used to occupy the alto voice in the woodwind section. It has a distinct sound and is known for its expressive capabilities. The clarinet is also a woodwind instrument, but it uses a single reed and has a different range and timbre. The bassoon is a larger instrument that produces a lower sound, while the English horn is a member of the oboe family and has a deeper and mellower tone. Therefore, the correct answer is oboe.

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  • 7. 

    Looks like a violin, but slightly larger

    • Viola

    • Bass

    • Cello

    • Fiddle

    Correct Answer
    A. Viola
    Explanation
    The given description mentions that the instrument looks like a violin but is slightly larger. Among the options provided, the viola is the instrument that fits this description. The viola is similar in appearance to a violin but is slightly larger in size. The other options, bass, cello, and fiddle, do not match the given description.

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  • 8. 

    Double reed instrument also known as the cor anglais

    • Clarinet

    • French horn

    • English horn

    • Trumpet

    Correct Answer
    A. English horn
    Explanation
    The correct answer is English horn. The English horn is a double reed instrument that is also known as the cor anglais. It is similar in shape to a clarinet but larger in size. The English horn is often used in orchestras and is known for its rich and expressive sound. It is not to be confused with the French horn, which is a brass instrument, or the trumpet, which is also a brass instrument with a different sound and playing technique.

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  • 9. 

    Small brass instrument with three valves

    • Trombone

    • Tuba

    • Saxophone

    • Trumpet

    Correct Answer
    A. Trumpet
    Explanation
    The trumpet is a small brass instrument with three valves. It is typically played by blowing air through a cup-shaped mouthpiece and pressing the valves to change the pitch. The trombone is a larger brass instrument that uses a slide to change the pitch, while the tuba is a much larger brass instrument with a deep sound. The saxophone is a woodwind instrument that is not made of brass. Therefore, the correct answer is trumpet.

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  • 10. 

    The smallest string instrument in the orchestra; sometimes called a fiddle

    • Bass

    • Viola

    • Cello

    • Violin

    Correct Answer
    A. Violin
    Explanation
    The violin is the smallest string instrument in the orchestra, often referred to as a fiddle. It is characterized by its high-pitched sound and is played with a bow. The bass, viola, and cello are all larger string instruments, with the bass being the largest and producing the lowest sound. Therefore, the correct answer is violin.

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  • 11. 

    The largest low brass instrument

    • Tuba

    • Baritone

    • Trombone

    • Bassoon

    Correct Answer
    A. Tuba
    Explanation
    The tuba is the largest low brass instrument. It is known for its deep and rich sound, which is produced by vibrating the player's lips into a large cup-shaped mouthpiece. The tuba is often used in orchestras and concert bands to provide a strong foundation in the low end of the musical range. It is larger and longer than other low brass instruments such as the baritone, trombone, and bassoon, allowing it to produce lower tones.

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  • 12. 

    Low sounding double reed instrument that requires all ten fingers/thumbs to play

    • English horn

    • Baritone

    • Tuba

    • Bassoon

    Correct Answer
    A. Bassoon
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Bassoon. The bassoon is a low sounding double reed instrument that requires all ten fingers/thumbs to play. It is a woodwind instrument that is known for its deep and rich tone. The bassoon is played by blowing air through a double reed and using various fingerings to produce different notes. It is often used in orchestras and concert bands to provide a bass voice to the ensemble.

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  • 13. 

    Brass instrument with three valves; made of metal coiled into a circular position; originally used to make hunting call sounds

    • Trumpet

    • Baritone

    • French horn

    • Trombone

    Correct Answer
    A. French horn
    Explanation
    The correct answer is French horn because it is a brass instrument with three valves and is made of metal coiled into a circular position. Additionally, the French horn was originally used to make hunting call sounds.

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  • 14. 

    Brass instrument that primarily uses a slide to change pitches

    • Trumpet

    • Oboe

    • Trombone

    • Baritone

    Correct Answer
    A. Trombone
    Explanation
    The trombone is a brass instrument that primarily uses a slide to change pitches. Unlike other brass instruments that use valves or keys to change the length of the tubing, the trombone player manually extends or retracts the slide to produce different notes. This sliding mechanism allows for smooth and continuous pitch changes, giving the trombone its unique sound and versatility.

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  • 15. 

    Low brass instrument; a "miniature tuba"

    • French horn

    • Tuba

    • Trombone

    • Baritone

    Correct Answer
    A. Baritone
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Baritone because it is a low brass instrument that is often referred to as a "miniature tuba." While the French horn, tuba, and trombone are also low brass instruments, the baritone is specifically known for its smaller size and similar sound to the tuba.

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  • 16. 

    Single reed instrument made out of metal and has a curved bell

    • Saxophone

    • Clarinet

    • Oboe

    • Flute

    Correct Answer
    A. Saxophone
    Explanation
    The saxophone is a single reed instrument made out of metal and has a curved bell. It is characterized by its unique sound and versatility, being used in various genres of music including jazz, classical, and pop. The curved bell helps to project the sound and gives the instrument its distinct appearance. The clarinet, oboe, and flute are also single reed instruments, but they are made out of different materials and have different shapes and characteristics.

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  • 17. 

    Single reed instrument with a straight slender body

    • Saxophone

    • Clarinet

    • English horn

    • Flute

    Correct Answer
    A. Clarinet
    Explanation
    The correct answer is clarinet because it is a single reed instrument with a straight slender body. The other options, such as saxophone, English horn, and flute, do not fit this description. The clarinet is known for its distinct sound and is commonly used in classical, jazz, and marching band music.

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  • 18. 

    Instrument family whose sound is created through the striking of an object

    • Percussion

    • Brass

    • Woodwind

    • String

    Correct Answer
    A. Percussion
    Explanation
    The correct answer is percussion because it is the instrument family whose sound is created through the striking of an object. Percussion instruments include drums, cymbals, tambourines, and xylophones, among others. These instruments produce sound when they are hit, shaken, or scraped. In contrast, brass instruments are played by buzzing the lips into a mouthpiece, woodwind instruments are played by blowing air through a reed or across a mouthpiece, and string instruments produce sound by vibrating strings. Therefore, percussion is the correct answer in this case.

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  • 19. 

    Instrument family whose sound is created through the vibration of a string

    • Percussion

    • Brass

    • Woodwind

    • String

    Correct Answer
    A. String
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "String" because instruments in the string family produce sound by vibrating strings. Examples of string instruments include the violin, guitar, and piano. The vibrations of the strings create sound waves that resonate through the instrument and produce the desired musical tones. Percussion instruments, on the other hand, produce sound through striking or shaking, brass instruments through the vibration of a column of air, and woodwind instruments through the vibration of a reed or air column.

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  • 20. 

    Instrument family whose sound is created through the vibration of the lips

    • Percussion

    • Brass

    • Woodwind

    • String

    Correct Answer
    A. Brass
    Explanation
    Brass instruments produce sound through the vibration of the player's lips against a cup-shaped mouthpiece. When the player blows air into the instrument and buzzes their lips, the vibration is amplified by the shape and material of the instrument, creating a distinct brass sound. Examples of brass instruments include trumpets, trombones, tubas, and French horns. Percussion instruments produce sound through striking or shaking, woodwind instruments use reeds or keys to produce sound, and string instruments create sound through the vibration of strings.

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  • 21. 

    Instrument family whose sound is produced by blowing air against an edge or into an opening

    • Percussion

    • Brass

    • Woodwind

    • String

    Correct Answer
    A. Woodwind
    Explanation
    Woodwind instruments produce sound by blowing air against an edge or into an opening. This is achieved by either blowing across a mouthpiece with a reed, as in the case of the clarinet or saxophone, or by blowing into a hole, as in the case of the flute. The vibrations created by the air produce the sound. Examples of woodwind instruments include the flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, and bassoon. Percussion instruments produce sound by being struck or shaken, brass instruments produce sound through the vibration of the player's lips, and string instruments produce sound through the vibration of strings.

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Dec 05, 2013
    Quiz Created by
    Macoll7

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