Listen to the Band
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BAGPIPES
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: Bagpipes were not strictly a Scottish instrument; they were also found in Asia, Africa, and throughout Europe. Bagpipes were not strictly a Scottish instrument; they were also found in Asia, Africa, and throughout Europe.
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GLASS HARP
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: You've seen people make noises by running their moistened fingers over the rims of partially-filled drink glasses? A tuned collection of them is known as a "glass harp." You've seen people make noises by running their moistened fingers over the rims of partially-filled drink glasses? A tuned collection of them is known as a "glass harp."
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GLOCKENSPIEL
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: Depending on its use, the glockenspiel may be mounted vertically or horizontally. Depending on its use, the glockenspiel may be mounted vertically or horizontally.
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HURDY GURDY
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: The hurdy gurdy is the instrument of choice for "organ grinder" street performers. The hurdy gurdy is the instrument of choice for "organ grinder" street performers.
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LUTE
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: The lute is a pear-shaped, guitar-like instrument that has been around more than 3,000 years. The lute is a pear-shaped, guitar-like instrument that has been around more than 3,000 years.
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OCARINA
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: Because of its shape, the ocarina is sometimes known as a "sweet potato." Because of its shape, the ocarina is sometimes known as a "sweet potato."
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RECORDER
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: The modern recorder has eight holes, seven for the fingers and one for the thumb. The modern recorder has eight holes, seven for the fingers and one for the thumb.
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SOUSAPHONE
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: As you might expect, this tuba-like instrument was invented by (and named for) famed composer and bandleader John Philip Sousa. As you might expect, this tuba-like instrument was invented by (and named for) famed composer and bandleader John Philip Sousa.
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TAMBOURINE
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: Drum heads that were too warped or otherwise damaged to use were often fitted with tiny cymbals and re-purposed as tambourines. Drum heads that were too warped or otherwise damaged to use were often fitted with tiny cymbals and re-purposed as tambourines.
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FRENCH HORN
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: Invented in 1650, this instrument was made easier to play in the 1800s by the addition of valves. Invented in 1650, this instrument was made easier to play in the 1800s by the addition of valves.
11 of 20
FIFE
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: The word "fife" is based on the Latin term "pìpâre," meaning "to chirp." The word "fife" is based on the Latin term "pìpâre," meaning "to chirp."
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BALALAIKA
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: This mandolin-like instrument is name-checked in the lyrics of the Beatles' "Back in the USSR." This mandolin-like instrument is name-checked in the lyrics of the Beatles' "Back in the USSR."
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BAZOOKA
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: The bazooka weapon was named after the musical instrument, which was invented by Bob Burns. The bazooka weapon was named after the musical instrument, which was invented by Bob Burns.
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CASTANETS
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: A Latin music favorite, "I Love Lucy's" Ricky Ricardo pronounced them as "cas-tan-YETS." A Latin music favorite, "I Love Lucy's" Ricky Ricardo pronounced them as "cas-tan-YETS."
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CLAVICHORD
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: Since the strings of this keyboard instrument produce the actual sound, it's known as a string instrument rather than percussion. Since the strings of this keyboard instrument produce the actual sound, it's known as a string instrument rather than percussion.
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DIDGERIDOO
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: The didgeridoo was once a purely natural instrument, a horn made of a eucalyptus tree branch that had been hollowed out by termites. The didgeridoo was once a purely natural instrument, a horn made of a eucalyptus tree branch that had been hollowed out by termites.
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DOBRO
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: Gibson Guitars owns the Dobro trademark, which applies to a style of guitar crafted with a resonator plate. Gibson Guitars owns the Dobro trademark, which applies to a style of guitar crafted with a resonator plate.
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ENGLISH HORN
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: Despite its "horn" name, the English horn is a woodwind instrument, larger and deeper-pitched than the oboe. Despite its "horn" name, the English horn is a woodwind instrument, larger and deeper-pitched than the oboe.
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EUPHONIUM
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: This baritone instrument is smaller and higher-pitched than the tuba. This baritone instrument is smaller and higher-pitched than the tuba.
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ZITHER
brass family
percussion family
string family
woodwind family
ANSWER: The zither earned its name from the type of wood used to make the instrument; it's also known as "fiddlewood.")
(Can you play - or do you own - one of these, or some similarly-unusual, musical instrument? Let us know in the comments! The zither earned its name from the type of wood used to make the instrument; it's also known as "fiddlewood.")
(Can you play - or do you own - one of these, or some similarly-unusual, musical instrument? Let us know in the comments!
(Can you play - or do you own - one of these, or some similarly-unusual, musical instrument? Let us know in the comments! The zither earned its name from the type of wood used to make the instrument; it's also known as "fiddlewood.")
(Can you play - or do you own - one of these, or some similarly-unusual, musical instrument? Let us know in the comments!
