30 Cello Quiz Questions and Answers

The cello, also known as the violoncello, is a large and versatile string instrument that belongs to the violin family. It is renowned for its warm and rich tone, making it one of the most expressive and popular instruments in classical and contemporary music.

Here’s an overview of the cello:

Physical Description:
The cello features a hollow wooden body with two curved bouts, a wide lower bout, and a narrower upper bout. It has four strings tuned in perfect fifths (from low to high: C-G-D-A) and is played by drawing a bow across the strings or plucking them with the fingers.

Size Variants:
Cellos come in various sizes to accommodate players of different ages and sizes. The most common sizes are 4/4 (full size), 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, and 1/16. Adult players typically use the full-size cello, while young beginners and smaller players use smaller sizes.

Sound Production:
To produce sound on the cello, the player places the instrument between their knees while seated and uses the left hand to press the strings against the fingerboard, altering the pitch. The right hand draws the bow across the strings or plucks them to create the desired sound.

Tone and Sound Characteristics:
The cello’s sound is deep, warm, and resonant, often described as having a singing quality. Its rich timbre allows it to carry expressive melodies, but it is also well-suited for providing a strong foundation in harmony and playing supporting roles in various musical ensembles.

In this article

• Part 1: 30 cello quiz questions & answers
• Part 2: Download cello questions & answers for free
• Part 3: Free online quiz creator – OnlineExamMaker

Part 1: 30 cello quiz questions & answers

1. What family of musical instruments does the cello belong to?
a) Brass
b) Woodwind
c) Percussion
d) String
Answer: d) String

2. How many strings does a standard cello have?
a) 2
b) 4
c) 6
d) 8
Answer: b) 4

3. Which part of the cello is used to produce sound by drawing across the strings?
a) Fingerboard
b) Tailpiece
c) Bow
d) Scroll
Answer: c) Bow

4. What is the standard tuning of the cello strings from lowest to highest pitch?
a) A-D-G-C
b) C-G-D-A
c) E-A-D-G
d) G-C-E-A
Answer: b) C-G-D-A

5. When playing the cello, where is the instrument typically placed?
a) Between the legs while standing
b) On the shoulder
c) Between the knees while seated
d) On a stand
Answer: c) Between the knees while seated

6. Which hand is responsible for drawing the bow across the cello strings?
a) Left hand
b) Right hand
c) Both hands
d) Neither hand
Answer: b) Right hand

7. What is the role of the left hand when playing the cello?
a) Drawing the bow
b) Plucking the strings
c) Pressing the strings against the fingerboard
d) Holding the instrument
Answer: c) Pressing the strings against the fingerboard

8. What is the highest-pitched string on the cello?
a) C
b) D
c) G
d) A
Answer: d) A

9. Which size of cello is typically used by adult players?
a) 1/2
b) 1/4
c) 3/4
d) 4/4 (Full size)
Answer: d) 4/4 (Full size)

10. Who is considered one of the greatest cellists of all time and often referred to as the “Father of the Cello”?
a) Yo-Yo Ma
b) Jacqueline du Pré
c) Mstislav Rostropovich
d) Pablo Casals
Answer: d) Pablo Casals

11. What genre of music is commonly associated with the cello?
a) Jazz
b) Rock
c) Classical
d) Country
Answer: c) Classical

12. What is the name of the famous piece composed for unaccompanied cello by J.S. Bach?
a) “The Swan”
b) “Elgar Cello Concerto”
c) “Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major”
d) “Boléro”
Answer: c) “Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major”

13. In an orchestra, which section does the cello belong to?
a) Brass
b) Woodwinds
c) Percussion
d) Strings
Answer: d) Strings

14. Which famous cellist is known for his wide-ranging repertoire, collaborations with artists from various genres, and his Silk Road Project?
a) Jacqueline du Pré
b) Pablo Casals
c) Mstislav Rostropovich
d) Yo-Yo Ma
Answer: d) Yo-Yo Ma

15. What type of music is typically played with a pizzicato technique on the cello?
a) Slow and expressive music
b) Fast and lively music
c) Sad and melancholic music
d) Hymns and religious music
Answer: b) Fast and lively music

Part 2: Download cello questions & answers for free

16. Which of the following is NOT a material used in making cello strings?
a) Gut
b) Steel
c) Nylon
d) Silver
Answer: d) Silver

17. What is the name of the part at the top of the cello where the tuning pegs are located?
a) Neck
b) Bridge
c) Scroll
d) Tailpiece
Answer: c) Scroll

18. Which technique involves playing two strings at the same time on the cello?
a) Arpeggio
b) Vibrato
c) Double stop
d) Harmonic
Answer: c) Double stop

19. Which of the following is NOT a member of the violin family?
a) Cello
b) Violin
c) Viola
d) Bassoon
Answer: d) Bassoon

20. What is the purpose of the fine tuners on the tailpiece of the cello?
a) To adjust the length of the strings
b) To change the pitch of the strings
c) To hold the strings in place
d) To make the cello look more decorative
Answer: b) To change the pitch of the strings

21. Which cello technique involves rapidly bouncing the bow on the strings to create a rhythmic effect?
a) Pizzicato
b) Spiccato
c) Legato
d) Vibrato
Answer: b) Spiccato

22. Who composed the famous cello concerto known as the “Elgar Cello Concerto”?
a) Edward Elgar
b) Antonín Dvořák
c) Ludwig van Beethoven
d) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Answer: a) Edward Elgar

23. Which part of the cello’s bow is usually tightened or loosened to adjust the tension of the bow hair?
a) Frog
b) Tip
c) Grip
d) Collar
Answer: a) Frog

24. What is the name of the piece that features a cello imitating the sound of a swan gliding across the water?
a) “The Swan”
b) “Cello Sonata in G Minor”
c) “Cello Suite No. 5 in C Minor”
d) “Cello Concerto in E Minor”
Answer: a) “The Swan”

25. What is the purpose of the endpin on the cello?
a) To hold the strings in place
b) To adjust the length of the strings
c) To support the cello while playing
d) To change the pitch of the strings
Answer: c) To support the cello while playing

26. What technique is used to produce a wavering or slightly fluctuating pitch while playing a note on the cello?
a) Vibrato
b) Spiccato
c) Legato
d) Staccato
Answer: a) Vibrato

27. Which famous composer wrote a set of six cello suites that are now among the most popular and frequently performed cello pieces?
a) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
b) Ludwig van Beethoven
c) Johann Sebastian Bach
d) Franz Schubert
Answer: c) Johann Sebastian Bach

28. What is the function of the cello’s soundpost?
a) To support the bridge
b) To amplify the sound
c) To adjust the pitch
d) To hold the strings in place
Answer: a) To support the bridge

29. Which of the following is NOT a famous cello concerto?
a) “Cello Concerto in E minor” by Edward Elgar
b) “Cello Concerto in D major” by Joseph Haydn
c) “Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor” by Camille Saint-Saëns
d) “Cello Concerto in G major” by Ludwig van Beethoven
Answer: d) “Cello Concerto in G major” by Ludwig van Beethoven

30. What is the name of the piece that is often played as a warm-up exercise for cellists due to its technical challenges?
a) “Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major”
b) “Prelude from the Suite for Solo Cello” by Gaspar Cassadó
c) “Flight of the Bumblebee” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
d) “The Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saëns
Answer: c) “Flight of the Bumblebee” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Part 3: Free online quiz maker – OnlineExamMaker

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