Can You Name All of These String Instruments?

By: Jacqueline Samaroo
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Name All of These String Instruments?
Image: Pxhere

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
PIxabay
This is a picture of which stringed instrument?
Violin
Lute
Guitar
Gayageum
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Harp
MannyVonKannen / PIxabay
This is an image of which stringed instrument?
Duxianqin
Mandolin
Kora
Harp
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Fiddle
Graham-H / Pixabay
Do you know the name of the stringed instrument in this picture?
Cuatro
Tar
Domra
Fiddle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Cello
PxHere
Which stringed instrument is in this picture?
Sarinda
Cello
Octobass
Duxianqin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Banjo
PxHere
Which stringed instrument is showcased in this picture?
Domra
Sintir
Banjo
Bouzouki
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Guitar
Rebecca Swaford / Pexels
Can you identify the stringed instrument in this picture?
Yehu
Cello
Guitar
Pandura
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Zither
Wiki Commons by Htfischer
Which stringed instrument is in this image?
Begena
Zither
Tanpura
Balalaika
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Octobass
Wiki Commons by Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
Which stringed instrument is showcased in this photo?
Octobass
Tanpura
Charango
Psaltery
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Yehu
Wiki Commons by Badagnani
Do you know the name of the stringed instrument in this image?
Yehu
Harp
Guitar
Chapey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Charango
Wiki Commons by Elvert Barnes
Which stringed instrument is in this photo?
Charango
Banjo
Doshpuluur
Octobass
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Viola
PxHere
Do you recognize this stringed instrument?
Viola
Fiddle
Tar
Chapey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Kora
Wiki Commons by Roman Bonnefoy
Which stringed instrument is in this image?
Guitar
Mandolin
Kora
Viola
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Mandolin
StanleyLin / Pixabay
This is a photo of which stringed instrument?
Bajo sexto
Kora
Cello
Mandolin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Sarod
Wiki Commons by Ana312727
Can you identify this stringed instrument?
Violin
Sarod
Gittern
Lute
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is a sarod, a stringed instrument that originated in India. It contrasts the popular sitar by having a deep and weighty sound.

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Koto
Wiki Commons by Zachary Kee
This is a picture of which stringed instrument?
Violin
Harp
Koto
Langeleik
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Masenqo
Wiki Commons by Collectie Stichting Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen
Can you identify the stringed instrument in this image?
Cello
Lute
Mesenqo
Bajo sexto
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Sitar
Youtube via Sebastian Wegerbauer
What is the name of this stringed instrument?
Harp
Sitar
Sarinda
Begena
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The sitar that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in India. It is visually distinguished by its gourd-shaped resonance chamber.

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Doshpuluur
Wiki Commons by Ондар Шончалай
What is the name of the stringed instrument in this picture?
Harp
Charango
Sintir
Doshpuluur
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Domra
Wiki Commons by Arent
Do you know the name of the stringed instrument in this photo?
Gittern
Domra
Balalaika
Fiddle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Ukelele
rawpixel / Pixabay
What is the name of the stringed instrument in this photo?
Gayageum
Koto
Cuatro
Ukulele
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Sarangi
Wiki Commons by Suyash Dwivedi
Do you know the name of the stringed instrument in this photo?
Psaltery
Sarangi
Viola
Tar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Cuatro
Anthony DeRosa / Pexels
Do you know the name of the stringed instrument in this picture?
Chapey
Cuatro
Koto
Ukulele
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Lute
Wiki Commons by Anna Dorothea Therbusch
Which stringed instrument is this?
Sarangi
Mesenqo
Lute
Sarod
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Duxianqin
Youtube via settime2588
What is the name of the stringed instrument in this photo?
Doshpuluur
Harp
Octobass
Duxianqin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Psaltery
Wiki Commons by Didier Descouens
Which stringed instrument is in this picture?
Pandura
Begena
Haegeum
Psaltery
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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
Youtube via DIPAN DEBBARMA
Can you identify the stringed instrument in this picture?
Sarinda
Zither
Sitar
Tanpura
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The sarinda that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in India. It is a lesser known relative of the popular Sarangi.

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Sintir
Wiki Commons by Lars Curfs
Which stringed instrument is showcased in this image?
Haegeum
Sintir
Bouzouki
Doshpuluur
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is a sintir, a stringed instrument that originated in Northern Africa. It is a three-stringed skin-covered bass-plucked lute.

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Langeleik
Wiki Commons by Pharos
Can you identify the stringed instrument in this photo?
Sarangi
Mandolin
Langeleik
Koto
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is a langeleik, a stringed instrument that originated in Norway. It is closely related to the zither in both composition and appearance.

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Bouzouki
Wiki Commons by fugjuyo
Can you identify this stringed instrument?
Bouzouki
Charango
Sintir
Banjo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Gayageum
Wiki Commons by Tonio Vega
What is the name of the stringed instrument in this image?
Sarod
Cittern
Gayageum
Violin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Tar
WIki Commons by MrArifnajafov
Which stringed instrument is in this photo?
Langeleik
Yehu
Sarangi
Tar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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
Wiki Commons by Ingersoll
Which stringed instrument is showcased here?
Gittern
Fiddle
Langeleik
Cittern
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The gittern that is shown here is a stringed instrument that originated in Western Europe. It was notably used by court musicians and minstrels.

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Cittern
Wiki Commons by S. Guastevi
Can you correctly name this stringed instrument?
Ukulele
Gayageum
Gittern
Cittern
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Balalaïka
Wiki Commons by Cyril Deug
Which stringed instrument is showcased in this picture?
Domra
Banjo
Balalaika
Zither
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is a balalaika, a stringed instrument that originated in Russia. It is notable for its visually striking triangular shape and long neck.

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Pandura
Wiki Commons by unknown mosaic artist
This is an image of which stringed instrument?
Viola
Pandura
Duxianqin
Guitar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Begena
Youtube via temesgen.com
What is the name of the stringed instrument in this image?
Haegeum
Zither
Begena
Sitar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Chapey
Wiki Commons by Emile Gsell
Do you know the name of this stringed instrument?
Yehu
Sarod
Ukulele
Chapey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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
Wiki Commons by Joe Mabel
Can you identify the stringed instrument in this image?
Bajo sexto
Kora
Balalaika
Mesenqo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Haegeum
Wiki Commons by Piotrus
Which stringed instrument is this?
Bouzouki
Haegeum
Pandura
Psaltery
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Tanpura
Wiki Commons by Sajal Kayan
Which stringed instrument is showcased in this photo?
Mesenqo
Sitar
Tanpura
Sarinda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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