String Musical Instruments

20 Grade 6 Creative Arts & Sports questions on String Musical Instruments, with worked marking schemes. 20 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   A thicker, looser string on a musical instrument will generally produce a sound that is:

   A. Higher in pitch

   B. Lower in pitch

   C. No sound at all

   D. The same as a thin string

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   6 marks

   Kioko is teaching his classmates to play the guitar.

   (a) Identify two parts of a guitar.

   (b) Explain the function of each part you have named.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   3 marks per part (1 for naming, 2 for function). Accept: Strings – vibrate to produce sound; Tuning pegs – adjust string tension/pitch; Sound hole/body – resonates and amplifies sound; Frets – help produce different notes/pitches. Any two correctly explained.

3. Question 3

   1 mark

   When strumming a guitar in a class performance, which is the MOST important thing to observe for good teamwork?

   A. Playing as loudly as possible

   B. Keeping to a steady beat with others

   C. Ignoring the group's rhythm

   D. Playing faster than the group

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   Wanjiru is improvising a simple string instrument. Which locally available material can she use for the strings?

   A. Loose sand

   B. Nylon fishing line

   C. Dry banana leaves

   D. Wet clay

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   A violin is played by drawing a bow across its strings. What is the name of this playing technique?

   A. Tapping

   B. Plucking

   C. Strumming

   D. Bowing

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   A learner wants to make sound from a guitar without using a plectrum or bow. Which method should she use?

   A. Blowing air across the strings

   B. Striking the body with a stick

   C. Shaking the instrument

   D. Plucking the strings with the fingers

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   Which of the following is a traditional Kenyan string instrument?

   A. Kayamba

   B. Ohangla drum

   C. Nyatiti

   D. Coconut shaker

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   4 marks

   Improvised instruments help learners who cannot access manufactured ones. State two locally available materials and describe how each could be used to make a simple string instrument.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   2 marks each (any two): Empty tin/gourd – used as the resonating sound box; nylon fishing line/thin wire – used as the vibrating string; piece of wood/stick – used as the neck or frame; nails/pegs – used to fasten and tighten the strings. Naming (1) + use (1).

9. Question 9

   4 marks

   Explain how the length of a vibrating string affects the pitch of the sound produced. Give an example.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   2 marks: A shorter vibrating string produces a higher pitch and a longer vibrating string produces a lower pitch (2). 2 marks example: e.g. pressing a guitar string on a fret shortens it and raises the pitch (2). Accept any correct example.

10. Question 10

    1 mark

    What is the main purpose of the tuning pegs on a string instrument?

    A. To increase the number of strings

    B. To hold the strings so they never move

    C. To adjust the tension and pitch of the strings

    D. To make the instrument look attractive

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    1 mark

    The obokano is a large traditional string instrument played by which Kenyan community?

    A. Turkana

    B. Maasai

    C. Digo

    D. Abagusii

    (1 mark)

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12. Question 12

    4 marks

    Explain two reasons why it is important to handle and store string instruments carefully after use.

    (4 marks)

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13. Question 13

    1 mark

    Atieno plucks the strings of a nyatiti during a music lesson. Which family of musical instruments does the nyatiti belong to?

    A. String instruments

    B. Wind instruments

    C. Keyboard instruments

    D. Percussion instruments

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    3 marks

    State three differences between the way a nyatiti and a guitar are played.

    (3 marks)

    Marking scheme

    1 mark each (any three): nyatiti is plucked while guitar can be strummed or plucked; nyatiti has fewer strings than a guitar; nyatiti is held/played in a seated traditional posture while guitar is often held across the body; nyatiti strings are not pressed on frets while guitar uses frets. Accept any valid comparison.

15. Question 15

    4 marks

    Name any two traditional Kenyan string instruments and, for each, state the community associated with it.

    (4 marks)

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16. Question 16

    4 marks

    During a school music festival, a group is to perform using string instruments.

    (a) State two things the group should do to prepare.

    (b) Give one benefit of performing as a group.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) 1 mark each: tune the instruments; rehearse/practise together; agree on a steady tempo; ensure instruments are in good condition. (b) 2 marks: builds teamwork/cooperation OR shares different parts to create fuller harmony/appreciation of one another.

17. Question 17

    4 marks

    A learner has made an improvised one-string instrument using a tin, a piece of wood and a nylon string.

    (a) State one way she can make the string produce a higher pitch.

    (b) Explain how the tin helps in producing sound.

    (4 marks)

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18. Question 18

    1 mark

    During practice, Kamau tightens a string on his guitar. What happens to the sound the string produces?

    A. It produces a higher pitch

    B. It stops producing sound

    C. It becomes softer only

    D. It produces a lower pitch

    (1 mark)

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19. Question 19

    1 mark

    Which part of a guitar helps to make the sound louder by allowing it to resonate?

    A. The strings alone

    B. The tuning pegs

    C. The fret markers

    D. The sound hole and hollow body

    (1 mark)

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20. Question 20

    1 mark

    Which of these instruments is played by both plucking and using a bow depending on the style?

    A. Violin

    B. Xylophone

    C. Kayamba

    D. Whistle

    (1 mark)

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