Traditional Instruments of the World

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the udu clay drum in Igbo culture?

To create melodic tunes

To accompany religious ceremonies

To celebrate the yam harvest (correct)

To serve as a decorative piece

Which tribe is associated with the use of the timbila?

Shona tribe

Bantu tribe

Chopi tribe (correct)

Igbo tribe

What unique aspect of ngoma drums is highlighted in Buganda?

Each clan has its own distinct beat. (correct)

They are made exclusively by men.

There is only one type of ngoma drum.

They are primarily played during funerals.

How is the bow harp played?

By plucking and damping strings Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the mbira instrument?

It has staggered metal keys on a wooden board. Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical length range of a yidaki?

4-5 feet Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about yidaki players is true?

Some tribes believe it should only be played by men. Signup and view all the answers

Who is known as a master yidaki player that has collaborated with musicians worldwide?

Mark Atkins Signup and view all the answers

What traditional Australian instrument is made from dried seeds?

Seed rattle Signup and view all the answers

Which material is NOT typically used for making the skin of a drum in First Nations Australian music?

Bird feathers Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the surnai from other woodwind instruments?

It is played at celebrations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following instruments has its origins in Germany?

Bassoon Signup and view all the answers

What type of sound do players produce when using a flageolet?

Birdlike. Signup and view all the answers

Which instrument is described as being made from a single piece of wood?

Shawm Signup and view all the answers

How are panpipes constructed?

From variously sized bamboo strips. Signup and view all the answers

Which instrument is recognized as the first keyboard instrument?

Hydraulis Signup and view all the answers

What material was primarily used to construct the cornu, a Roman brass instrument?

Bronze Signup and view all the answers

Which ancient culture is associated with the invention of the kithara?

Ancient Greece Signup and view all the answers

What instrument did Pythagoras use to study musical relationships?

Monocord Signup and view all the answers

Which instrument is made from gourds and is associated with the Hindu goddess Saraswati?

Veena Signup and view all the answers

What did the early Chinese philosopher Confucius associate music with?

Harmony Signup and view all the answers

Which hymn is one of the oldest known written pieces of music, dated around 1400 BCE?

Hymn to Nikkal Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary instruments used by the Hebrews in worship?

Shofar Signup and view all the answers

What unique feature does the pipa have that contributes to its musical range?

It has up to 30 frets extending onto the soundboard. Signup and view all the answers

Liu Fang is known for blending which two musical traditions in her performances?

Western classical music and traditional Chinese music. Signup and view all the answers

What material are modern pipa strings typically made of?

Steel with nylon windings. Signup and view all the answers

At what age did Liu Fang begin performing publicly as a concert player?

Nine years old. Signup and view all the answers

What adaptation do modern pipa players use to pluck the stiff strings?

They use elastic, plastic false nails. Signup and view all the answers

What determines the pitch of the note produced by wind instruments?

The length of the tube and the number of open holes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following wind instruments uses a single reed?

Clarinet Signup and view all the answers

What is uniquely characteristic of the sound produced by the harmonica?

Metal reeds vibrate when air is blown or sucked across holes Signup and view all the answers

Which instrument is said to imitate the cry of a bird?

Sheng Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of the accordion?

It uses bellows to force air through reeds Signup and view all the answers

Which instrument is recognized as a symbol of harmony in ancient music?

Lyre Signup and view all the answers

What type of materials were used to support the strings of a tortoiseshell lyre?

Bull horns Signup and view all the answers

Which ancient civilization is known for developing early stringed instruments like the lute and harp?

Ancient Egyptians Signup and view all the answers

How have historians learned about ancient music from civilizations without written records?

Paintings and pottery Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following instruments is referenced as being 4,000 years old and found in the city of Ur?

Harp Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary material used to construct the yidaki?

A hollowed-out eucalyptus branch Signup and view all the answers

Which technique is commonly used by players when producing sound on the yidaki?

Vibrating the lips while blowing air Signup and view all the answers

How many octaves does the yidaki's range cover?

Three octaves Signup and view all the answers

What health benefits are associated with playing the yidaki?

Better breathing and sleep quality Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with the discovery of the yidaki according to First Nations Australians?

Burbuk Boon Signup and view all the answers

What role do griots play in their communities?

They preserve the history, events, and tribal traditions through songs and stories. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding Berber bands of North Africa?

They often perform during public festivals with a range of instruments. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Udu clay drum in Igbo culture?

It is important for ceremonies and the yam harvest celebration. Signup and view all the answers

How is the vocal music of the Maasai people characterized?

Call-and-response patterns where a leader sings and the chorus repeats are typical. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Ngombi music in Uganda?

It features unique uses and contexts specific to the region. Signup and view all the answers

Which instrument is believed to be one of the oldest surviving musical instruments?

Divje Babe flute Signup and view all the answers

What form of music includes dramatic throat singing performed by a Navajo performer?

Montana Grass Dance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is involved in Inuit throat singing?

Two women facing each other Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the bull-roarer in Indigenous cultures?

Signaling and communication over distances Signup and view all the answers

The practice of shaman involves mimicking which of the following?

Natural sounds like animals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cultures is known for its traditional unaccompanied songs with embellishments?

Irish Signup and view all the answers

What is the essence of the rhythmic clapping tradition in the Solomon Islands?

It incorporates dance movements and gestures. Signup and view all the answers

Which instrument was created from animal toe bones and found at early peoples' sites?

Toe-bone whistle Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sounds of Africa

The Udu clay drum of the Igbo tribe is a significant instrument.
It's the main staple for percussion during the harvest, and is made by women.
The Igbo celebrate the harvest with dances and parades using percussion instruments.

Timbila of Southern Africa

The Chopí tribe plays a range of instruments centered around a wooden xylophone.
The bands are led by a member, with other members and dancers moving around energetically.

Ng'oma Drums of Buganda

The Bantu peoples of central, eastern, and southern Africa use musical instruments called ng'oma drums in different ways.
The Ng'oma drums are important drums in the Ugandan Kingdom.
They are a symbol of significant power and importance applied to the king.

Bow Harps of East Africa

Bow harps are stringed instruments from a curved wooden resonator.
They are played by plucking the strings with one hand and damping (stopping) the other.
These instruments originated with ancient civilizations of Egypt and Sumer.
Bow harps are still used in Uganda and Sudan.

Mbira of Zimbabwe

The music of the Shona tribe often features a small thumb piano called a mbira.
The mbira has staggered metal keys placed on a wooden board.
It's used at religious ceremonies.

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Description

Test your knowledge about various traditional musical instruments and their significance across different cultures. This quiz covers instruments like the udu drum, timbila, ngoma, and yidaki, highlighting their unique features and cultural contexts. Explore the diversity of sounds and materials used in global music traditions.