Medieval and Tudor Musical Instruments Quiz

Q1) What type of instrument was a virginal?

string

wind

percussion

keyboard

Correct! It was a form of harpsichord.

Wrong! It was a keyboard instrument and was a form of harpsichord.

Q2) How many recorders is Henry VIII recorded as owning?

101

Correct! He also owned 78 flutes, five sets of bagpipes and a virginal.

Wrong! He had 78 recorders. He He also owned 78 flutes, five sets of bagpipes and a virginal.

Q3) How is a hurdy gurdy played?

By blowing into it

With a bow

By turning a wheel

By plucking its strings

Correct! The player turned a wheel with one hand while pressing on keys with the other. The wheel rubbed against the strings and made them vibrate and the keys adjusted the pitch.

Wrong! It was played by turning a wheel. The player turned a wheel with one hand while pressing on keys with the other. The wheel rubbed against the strings and made them vibrate and the keys adjusted the pitch.

Q4) What shape was the rebec?

pear-shaped

round

square

diamond-shaped

Correct! It was a type of medieval fiddle played with a bow and was pear shaped.

Wrong! It was a pear-shaped type of medieval fiddle played with a bow.

Q5) What was a shawm?

A type of drum

A woodwind instrument

An English bagpipe

A type of harp

Correct! It was a double reed instrument.

Wrong! It was a double reed woodwind instrument.

Q6) This instrument is a capped reed instrument similar to a bagpipe chanter. It creates a strong buzzing sound. What is it?

A psaltery

A sackbut

A crumhorn

A naker

Correct!

Wrong! It's a crumhorn

Q7) The modern version of this instrument is the trombone...

Tabor

Jingles

Cittern

Sackbut

Correct!

Wrong! It's a sackbut.

Q8) John Blank was an African attendant of Catherine of Aragon and a royal musician at the English court , which instrument did he play?

Trumpet

Viol

Harp

Sackbut

Correct! He was paid 8d. a day by Henry VII.

Wrong! He played the trumpet and was paid 8d. a day by Henry VII.

Q9) Which of these instruments does not belong to a "pure consort"?

Bagpipe

Violin

Dulcion

Crumhorn

Correct! A pure consort (a group of musicians) only has instruments for the same family. The bagpipe, dulcion and crumhorn are all wind instruments.

Wrong! It's the violin. A pure consort (a group of musicians) only has instruments for the same family. The bagpipe, dulcion and crumhorn are all wind instruments.

Q10) "Woodycock" is one of the most well-known pieces of music from the Tudor era. Which instrument was it written for?

Citole

Orpharion

Harp

Solo bass viol

Correct! It dates from 1580.

Wrong! It was written in 1580 for the solo bass viol.

Q11) What is the shape of the sound hole in a viol?

An "s"

A "c"

An "f"

It doesn't have a hole

Correct!

Wrong! It's a "C" shape.

If you enjoyed this quiz then you'll also enjoy Tudor music expert Jane Moulder's regular column in Tudor Life magazine.