Q 01/05

In the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of instruments, what type of instrument is a drum?

A) An idiophone

B) An aerophone

C) A chordophone

D) A membranophone

Answer · why

D) A membranophone

Cymbals, by contrast, are idiophones - the oldest idiophones in music.

Q 02/05

What is the stretched membrane that is struck on a drum called?

A) The counterhoop

B) The head or skin

C) The tension lug

D) The wooden shell

Answer · why

B) The head or skin

There is usually a resonant head on the underside as well.

Q 03/05

On modern drums, the head is held on by a rim tightened by screws known as what?

A) Tension rods

B) Bearing edges

C) Lugs

D) Snare wires

Answer · why

A) Tension rods

They screw into lugs around the shell; most drums have six to ten of them.

Q 04/05

Drums made with the skin of which animal have been found in Neolithic China, dating from 5500-2350 BC?

A) Water buffalo

B) Mountain goat

C) Alligator

D) Sika deer

Answer · why

C) Alligator

Literary records give early drums shamanistic and ritual roles.

Q 05/05

The ornate bronze Dong Son drums were made by a Bronze Age culture in which modern country?

A) Vietnam

B) Indonesia

C) China

D) Thailand

Answer · why

A) Vietnam

The Ngoc Lu drum is the most celebrated example.