Q1. What is the oud primarily classified as in musical instrument families?
A. A percussion instrument
B. A wind instrument
C. A short-necked lute-type chordophone
D. A keyboard instrument
Answer: C. A short-necked lute-type chordophone
Q2. The name “oud” in Arabic most commonly refers to what?
A. A type of reed
B. Wood or a flexible stick
C. A metal string
D. A bird’s feather
Answer: B. Wood or a flexible stick
Q3. Which ancient Persian instrument is considered the direct ancestor of the modern oud?
A. Tar
B. Setar
C. Barbat
D. Qanun
Answer: C. Barbat
Q4. Who is credited with adding the fifth string to the oud in the 9th century?
A. Al-Farabi
B. Al-Kindi
C. Munir Bashir
D. Ziryab
Answer: D. Ziryab
Q5. The oud is distinguished from similar instruments like earlier lutes by having what type of soundboard?
A. Wooden
B. Metal
C. Skin-faced
D. Plastic
Answer: A. Wooden
Q6. How many strings does a standard modern oud typically have?
A. 8-10
B. 11
C. 12-14
D. 15 or more
Answer: B. 11
Q7. What feature allows the oud to play microtones characteristic of Middle Eastern music?
A. Frets on the neck
B. Double frets
C. Metal frets
D. A fretless neck
Answer: D. A fretless neck
Q8. What is the traditional plectrum for playing the oud called?
A. Mizrab
B. Risha
C. Pickguard
D. Bow
Answer: B. Risha
Q9. Which material was traditionally used for the oud’s plectrum before modern alternatives?
A. Eagle quill or feather
B. Plastic
C. Wood
D. Metal
Answer: A. Eagle quill or feather
Q10. A common Arabic oud tuning from low to high is:
A. C# F# B E A D
B. F A D G C F
C. D G A D G C
D. C F A D G C
Answer: D. C F A D G C
Q11. Turkish ouds are typically tuned how in relation to Arabic ouds?
A. One whole step lower
B. One whole step higher
C. The same pitch
D. A fifth lower
Answer: B. One whole step higher
Q12. What is a key difference in sound between Arabic and Turkish ouds?
A. Arabic ouds are brighter and shriller
B. Turkish ouds have a fuller, deeper sound
C. Arabic ouds have a fuller, deeper sound
D. No difference
Answer: C. Arabic ouds have a fuller, deeper sound
Q13. Iraqi ouds are often grouped under which broader category due to similarities?
A. Arabian ouds
B. Persian ouds
C. Turkish ouds
D. European lutes
Answer: A. Arabian ouds
Q14. The body of a traditional oud is typically what shape?
A. Rectangular
B. Pear-shaped
C. Circular
D. Triangular
Answer: B. Pear-shaped
Q15. What wood is commonly used for the soundboard (top) of an oud?
A. Mahogany
B. Ebony
C. Spruce or cedar
D. Walnut
Answer: C. Spruce or cedar
Q16. The back of an oud is usually constructed using what method?
A. Carved from a single block
B. Staved (thin strips of wood glued together)
C. Molded plastic
D. Metal frame
Answer: B. Staved (thin strips of wood glued together)
Q17. Which famous Iraqi oud player is known as the “king of the oud” in the 20th century?
A. Munir Bashir
B. Rabih Abou-Khalil
C. Anouar Brahem
D. Farid al-Atrash
Answer: A. Munir Bashir
Q18. Tunisian oud player Anouar Brahem is renowned for incorporating what into his music?
A. Heavy metal
B. Rock solos
C. Jazz and contemporary elements
D. Electronic beats only
Answer: C. Jazz and contemporary elements
Q19. Lebanese composer Rabih Abou-Khalil is known for fusing oud with what genre?
A. Classical Persian only
B. Jazz fusion
C. Pop music
D. Hip-hop
Answer: B. Jazz fusion
Q20. The European lute is considered a descendant of which instrument?
A. Oud
B. Guitar
C. Violin
D. Piano
Answer: A. Oud
Q21. In which century did the oud spread to Europe through Andalusia (Spain)?
A. 5th century
B. 8th-9th century
C. 12th century
D. 15th century
Answer: B. 8th-9th century
Q22. What distinguishes the oud from the European lute in terms of neck design?
A. The oud has frets, the lute does not
B. The oud has a longer neck with frets
C. The oud has a shorter neck and no frets
D. No differences
Answer: C. The oud has a shorter neck and no frets
Q23. Modern strings on the oud are most commonly made of what material?
A. Nylon or synthetic
B. Gut only
C. Steel wire
D. Silk
Answer: A. Nylon or synthetic
Q24. The pegbox on an oud is typically bent backward at what angle?
A. Straight
B. 45-90 degrees
C. 180 degrees
D. Slightly forward
Answer: B. 45-90 degrees
Q25. What is a zenne oud?
A. A larger version for bass tones
B. An electric version
C. A smaller version, sometimes called “women’s oud”
D. A Persian variant
Answer: C. A smaller version, sometimes called “women’s oud”
