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About This Quiz
Let this quiz tug at your heartstrings!
A simple piece of string tied to a simple stick; that was all it took for stringed instruments to be born. Nowadays, when the term "stringed instrument" is uttered, most people initially think of acoustic guitars, violins, cellos, and electric guitars. However, while these may be the types of stringed instruments that are at the forefront of pop culture today, that list hasn't even scratched the surface of what the history of stringed instruments has to offer. Stringed instruments were not just limited to Europe. In fact, before the advent of the violin and the cello, historical civilizations in ancient China, India, Egypt, and Greece, were all plucking away at stringed instruments!
All of this should not come as a surprise to anyone since it has been evident that music is, without a doubt, the universal language. In this melodic quiz, we've taken a trip around the world and sought out some of the most iconic stringed instruments from various cultures! So, are you ready to prove that you are a musical savant? Then, let's get started!
Violin
The violin that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in Italy. While they are most often used in Western classical music, they have also influenced folk music, jazz, rock music, and country music.
Lute
Guitar
Gayageum
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Duxianqin
Mandolin
Kora
Harp
The harp that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in the Middle East. Harps can be found throughout history all over the world and they vary greatly in both size and shape.
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Cuatro
Tar
Domra
Fiddle
The fiddle that is shown here is a stringed instrument that is a part of many traditional styles of music. While violins and fiddles are very similar (and sometimes interchangeable), oftentimes smaller and more primitively constructed violins are more likely to be called fiddles.
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Sarinda
Cello
The cello that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in Italy. It is the second-largest and second lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra.
Octobass
Duxianqin
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Domra
Sintir
Banjo
This is a banjo, a stringed instrument that is derived from instruments that had been used in the Caribbean by West Africans in the 17th century. As a result of this, it occupied a central place in African-American traditional music before entering the mainstream in the 19th century.
Bouzouki
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Yehu
Cello
Guitar
This is a guitar, a stringed instrument that originated in Spain, although it took a lot of inspiration from several older instruments that came before it. There are several types of modern guitars; including the electric guitar and the acoustic guitar.
Pandura
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Begena
Zither
The zither that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated sometime during antiquity. The zither lacks a neck and has a flat, thin body over which several strings are stretched.
Tanpura
Balalaika
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Octobass
The octobass that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in France. It is over 11 feet tall and very rare. There are only seven of them in the world.
Tanpura
Charango
Psaltery
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Yehu
The yehu that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in China. The soundbox of the instrument is actually crafted from a coconut.
Harp
Guitar
Chapey
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Charango
The charango that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in South America. It is recognized for its traditionally small size and for being made from the back of an armadillo.
Banjo
Doshpuluur
Octobass
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Viola
This is a viola, a stringed instrument that is slightly larger than a violin. It is the alto (middle) voice in the violin family; between the cello and violin.
Fiddle
Tar
Chapey
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Guitar
Mandolin
Kora
The kora that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in West Africa. It features 21 strings, 10 of which are played by the right hand and eleven by the left hand.
Viola
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Bajo sexto
Kora
Cello
Mandolin
The mandolin that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in Italy. It is widely considered to be a part of the lute family.
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Violin
Sarod
This is a sarod, a stringed instrument that originated in India. It contrasts the popular sitar by having a deep and weighty sound.
Gittern
Lute
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Violin
Harp
Koto
The koto that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in Japan. It is notable for being largely influenced by the zheng, a Chinese stringed instrument.
Langeleik
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Cello
Lute
Mesenqo
The mesenqo that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in Ethiopia. It is an ancient instrument that featured only a single string.
Bajo sexto
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Harp
Sitar
The sitar that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in India. It is visually distinguished by its gourd-shaped resonance chamber.
Sarinda
Begena
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Harp
Charango
Sintir
Doshpuluur
This is a doshpuluur, a stringed instrument that originated in Russia. Traditional versions of the instrument have only two strings; however, there are variants that have up to four strings.
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Gittern
Domra
The domra that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in Eastern Europe. It is related to the lute and has a rounded body with three or four metal strings.
Balalaika
Fiddle
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Gayageum
Koto
Cuatro
Ukulele
This is an ukulele, a stringed instrument that originated in Hawaii. They usually come in four sizes; baritone, tenor, concert, and soprano.
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Psaltery
Sarangi
The sarangi that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in South Asia. It is extremely popular in Nepal and is said to closely resemble the sound of the human voice.
Viola
Tar
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Chapey
Cuatro
The cuatro that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in South America and the West Indies. They can vary in appearance, looking like either a small classical guitar or having a viola-like shape.
Koto
Ukulele
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Sarangi
Mesenqo
Lute
The term lute can either apply to the broad class of instruments or the specific European lute. It is a relatively small instrument and produces a quiet sound.
Sarod
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Doshpuluur
Harp
Octobass
Duxianqin
The duxianqin that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in China. It is notably inspired by the Vietnamese đàn bầu.
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Pandura
Begena
Haegeum
Psaltery
This is a psaltery, a stringed instrument that originated in Ancient Greece. It originally belonged to the harp family but has evolved to be a part of the zither family.
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Sarinda
The sarinda that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in India. It is a lesser known relative of the popular Sarangi.
Zither
Sitar
Tanpura
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Haegeum
Sintir
This is a sintir, a stringed instrument that originated in Northern Africa. It is a three-stringed skin-covered bass-plucked lute.
Bouzouki
Doshpuluur
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Sarangi
Mandolin
Langeleik
This is a langeleik, a stringed instrument that originated in Norway. It is closely related to the zither in both composition and appearance.
Koto
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Bouzouki
This is a bouzouki, a stringed instrument that originated from Greek immigrants from Turkey. Since its introduction, it has become a key instrument in Greek music.
Charango
Sintir
Banjo
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Sarod
Cittern
Gayageum
The gayageum that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in Korea. It commonly (and historically) features only 12 strings; however, there have been recent variants that have up to 21 strings.
Violin
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Langeleik
Yehu
Sarangi
Tar
This is a tar, a stringed instrument that originated in Iran. It is a notable part of Persian classical music history and one of the most important instruments in the area.
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Gittern
The gittern that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in Western Europe. It was notably used by court musicians and minstrels.
Fiddle
Langeleik
Cittern
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Ukulele
Gayageum
Gittern
Cittern
The cittern that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated during the early Renaissance period. It was widely used and is comparable in this way to the modern guitar.
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Domra
Banjo
Balalaika
This is a balalaika, a stringed instrument that originated in Russia. It is notable for its visually striking triangular shape and long neck.
Zither
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Viola
Pandura
The pandura that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in Ancient Greece. It is considered to belong to the general class of the lute and guitar.
Duxianqin
Guitar
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Haegeum
Zither
Begena
The begena that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in Ethiopia. It is widely considered to be largely similar to the instrument (or the exact instrument) that David used to soothe King Saul's nerves.
Sitar
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Yehu
Sarod
Ukulele
Chapey
This is a chapey, a stringed instrument that originated in Cambodia. It is a long-necked, two-stringed guitar with nylon strings.
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Bajo sexto
This is a bajo sexto, a stringed instrument that originated in Mexico. It is notable for being the sister instrument to the similarly named bajo quinto.
Kora
Balalaika
Mesenqo
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Bouzouki
Haegeum
The haegeum that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in the Korean peninsula. It consists of a hollow wooden soundbox, a rod-like neck, and two silk strings.
Pandura
Psaltery
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Mesenqo
Sitar
Tanpura
This is a tanpura, a stringed instrument that originated in India. It is notable for its long neck and its role in supporting the melody of other instruments.
Sarinda
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