30 Piano Quiz Questions and Answers

The piano is a widely known and beloved musical instrument that falls under the category of keyboard instruments. It is a versatile instrument that has been an essential part of classical, jazz, pop, and many other genres of music for centuries.

The piano consists of a set of 88 keys arranged in a specific pattern of white and black keys. The white keys represent the natural notes (A, B, C, D, E, F, G), while the black keys represent the sharp and flat notes.

To produce sound, a pianist presses the keys, causing hammers to strike strings inside the piano. The length and tension of the strings determine the pitch of each note. By varying the force with which the keys are struck and the duration of the press, the pianist can control the volume and dynamics of the sound produced.

The piano offers a vast range of expression, from soft and delicate melodies to powerful and dramatic chords. Its ability to play both melody and harmony simultaneously makes it a favorite instrument for solo performances, accompaniment, and ensemble playing.

Article outline

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

Part 1: 30 piano quiz questions & answers

1. How many keys are there on a standard piano keyboard?
a) 44
b) 61
c) 76
d) 88

Answer: d) 88

2. What are the black keys on a piano keyboard called?
a) Major keys
b) Sharp keys
c) Flat keys
d) Accidentals

Answer: d) Accidentals

3. Which part of the piano produces sound when a key is pressed?
a) Pedals
b) Strings
c) Hammers
d) Soundboard

Answer: c) Hammers

4. What is the lowest sounding note on the standard piano keyboard?
a) C
b) A
c) F
d) G

Answer: a) C

5. What is the term for playing the piano with both hands playing separate parts?
a) Solo
b) Chordal
c) Legato
d) Polyphonic

Answer: d) Polyphonic

6. Which pedal on the piano is used to sustain the sound of the notes?
a) Soft pedal
b) Sostenuto pedal
c) Sustain pedal
d) Una corda pedal

Answer: c) Sustain pedal

7. What does “forte” (f) indicate in piano music notation?
a) Play softly
b) Play loudly
c) Play with a steady tempo
d) Play with a staccato articulation

Answer: b) Play loudly

8. What does “piano” (p) indicate in piano music notation?
a) Play with a steady tempo
b) Play softly
c) Play loudly
d) Play with a legato articulation

Answer: b) Play softly

9. Which Italian term is used to indicate a gradual increase in volume in piano music?
a) Diminuendo
b) Allegro
c) Crescendo
d) Adagio

Answer: c) Crescendo

10. Which hand position is commonly used in piano playing, where the fingers are curved and relaxed?
a) Flat hand position
b) Claw hand position
c) C-shaped hand position
d) Rounded hand position

Answer: c) C-shaped hand position

11. Which musical symbol indicates that a note should be played short and detached in piano music?
a) Slur
b) Staccato dot
c) Fermata
d) Tie

Answer: b) Staccato dot

12. What is the name of the musical term that indicates a sudden change in dynamics from loud to soft?
a) Diminuendo
b) Fortissimo
c) Sforzando
d) Pianissimo

Answer: c) Sforzando

13. What does “legato” mean in piano playing?
a) Play with a slow tempo
b) Play with a fast tempo
c) Play with smooth and connected notes
d) Play with a gradual increase in volume

Answer: c) Play with smooth and connected notes

14. Which part of the piano is used to lift the dampers from the strings, allowing the notes to sustain when the sustain pedal is pressed?
a) Hammers
b) Soundboard
c) Dampers
d) Pedals

Answer: c) Dampers

15. What is the term for the distance between two adjacent keys on a piano keyboard?
a) Interval
b) Pitch
c) Octave
d) Tone

Answer: a) Interval

Part 2: Download piano questions & answers for free

16. What is the name of the part on a grand piano that covers the strings and helps amplify the sound?
a) Lid
b) Soundboard
c) Hammers
d) Pedals

Answer: b) Soundboard

17. Which pedal on the piano is used to create a softer sound by shifting the hammers closer to the strings?
a) Soft pedal
b) Sostenuto pedal
c) Sustain pedal
d) Una corda pedal

Answer: a) Soft pedal

18. What does “allegro” indicate in piano music notation?
a) Play with a steady tempo
b) Play softly
c) Play loudly
d) Play with a fast tempo

Answer: d) Play with a fast tempo

19. Which Italian term is used to indicate a gradual decrease in volume in piano music?
a) Diminuendo
b) Allegro
c) Crescendo
d) Adagio

Answer: a) Diminuendo

20. What is the name of the technique where the pianist quickly presses and releases a key to produce a short and percussive sound?
a) Glissando
b) Tremolo
c) Trill
d) Accent

Answer: d) Accent

21. Which hand position is commonly used in piano playing, where the fingers are positioned flat on the keys?
a) C-shaped hand position
b) Claw hand position
c) Flat hand position
d) Rounded hand position

Answer: c) Flat hand position

22. What is the name of the musical symbol that indicates a note should be held longer than its original value?
a) Fermata
b) Staccato dot
c) Slur
d) Tie

Answer: a) Fermata

23. What does “pianissimo” (pp) indicate in piano music notation?
a) Play softly
b) Play loudly
c) Play with a fast tempo
d) Play with a legato articulation

Answer: a) Play softly

24. What is the term for the simultaneous sounding of three or more notes in piano music?
a) Chord
b) Arpeggio
c) Melody
d) Cadence

Answer: a) Chord

25. Which Italian term is used to indicate a moderate tempo in piano music?
a) Largo
b) Allegro
c) Andante
d) Presto

Answer: c) Andante

26. What is the name of the musical technique where the pianist rapidly plays a sequence of alternating notes with one finger?
a) Tremolo
b) Trill
c) Glissando
d) Octave

Answer: b) Trill

27. Which pedal on the piano is used to sustain only specific notes while other notes can be played normally?
a) Soft pedal
b) Sostenuto pedal
c) Sustain pedal
d) Una corda pedal

Answer: b) Sostenuto pedal

28. What is the term for the technique of playing a rapid sequence of ascending or descending notes on the piano?
a) Trill
b) Tremolo
c) Glissando
d) Scale

Answer: d) Scale

29. What is the name of the part on a grand piano that holds the hammers and connects them to the keys?
a) Lid
b) Soundboard
c) Dampers
d) Action

Answer: d) Action

30. Which Italian term is used to indicate a slow tempo in piano music?
a) Largo
b) Allegro
c) Andante
d) Presto

Answer: a) Largo

Part 3: Free online quiz creator – OnlineExamMaker

With OnlineExamMaker software, you can easily enhance your assessment procedures, save time on grading, and gain valuable insights into learner performance. OnlineExamMaker grades quizzes automatically, and gives you access to detailed exam reports and statistics instantly. The insightful analytics help teachers and trainers gain valuable insights, enabling them to optimize their teaching methods.