Musical Instruments Quiz

What is the oldest known wind instrument?

• The flute

• The trumpet

• The saxophone

• The oboe

• The pipe organ

Answer explanation

The earliest flutes are thought to be about 35,000 years old!

What is the smallest and highest-pitched member of the saxophone family?

• The soprano saxophone

• The alto saxophone

• The tenor saxophone

• The baritone saxophone

Which string instrument is the smallest and highest-pitched in the violin family?

• The violin

• The viola

• The cello

• The double bass

• The harp

Which instrument is a free-reed instrument similar to the accordion?

• The concertina

• The bandoneon

• The melodeon

• The bayan

• The harmonium

Which brass instrument is unique for having a slide instead of valves to change pitch?

• The trombone

• The trumpet

• The French horn

• The tuba

• The slumpet (or slide trumpet)

Which woodwind instrument uses a double reed to produce sound?

• The clarinet

• The flute

• The saxophone

• The bassoon

What is the name of the large, bass member of the violin family?

• The double bass or contrabass

• The cello

• The viola

• The violin

• The viola da gamba

Which percussion instrument is also known as a kettledrum?

• The timpani

• The xylophone

• The marimba

• The vibraphone

• The glockenspiel

Which instrument, often associated with Scotland, consists of a bag, a blowpipe, and several drones?

• The bagpipes

• The hurdy-gurdy

• The accordion

• The concertina

• The harmonium

Which brass instrument is known for its distinct "wah-wah" sound often created with a plunger mute, and was once called a sackbut?

• The trombone

• The French horn

• The tuba

• The clarinet