From Beethoven to the Beatles
How many keys does a piano have? Did Elvis write his own hits? Where does the tune of "Happy Birthday" come from? Our music quiz moves between classical composers, rock bands, pop stars and the instruments of the orchestra.
You don't need to read music to play: most questions are about songs, artists and stories you've heard of, plus a few curious facts about how music works. After every answer you see the correct one and an extra detail.
Music quiz questions with answers
How many keys does a standard piano have?
88, with 52 white keys and 36 black keys.
Which composer kept writing music after he lost his hearing?
Ludwig van Beethoven. He was almost completely deaf when his Ninth Symphony premiered in 1824.
Which band released the album "Abbey Road"?
The Beatles, in 1969. The album is named after the London street where they recorded, and the cover shows them on its crosswalk.
Which instrument has 47 strings in its standard concert version?
Harp. The concert pedal harp has 47 strings, and its pedals let it play in any key.
Did Elvis Presley write most of his hit songs?
No. Elvis was a performer, not a songwriter: his hits were written by others, such as Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller for "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock". Where he does share a writing credit, as on "Heartbreak Hotel", it was mostly a business arrangement.
Is the tune of "Happy Birthday to You" based on an older song?
Yes. It comes from "Good Morning to All", a children's song published in 1893 by two sisters, Mildred and Patty Hill.
More music questions
How many lines does a musical staff have?
Five. Notes are written on the lines and in the spaces between them.
Which instrument was Louis Armstrong famous for playing?
The trumpet. He was also one of the most recognizable singing voices in jazz.
Which singer is known as the "Queen of Soul"?
Aretha Franklin, whose hits include "Respect" (1967).
Which Swedish band won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with "Waterloo"?
ABBA, a group of four whose name is made from the first letters of their first names.
What does "forte" mean in a music score?
Loud. It's Italian, like most musical terms; "piano" means soft.
Ways to play
- Classic: one question, four answers, and every second counts toward your grade.
- Yes or No: true or false statements about songs, artists and instruments.
- Clues, Fill-in and Guess: find a band, a singer or an instrument from clues or letter by letter.
Frequently asked questions
What does the music quiz cover?
Classical composers, rock and pop bands, singers and instruments, in several game modes. We add new questions over time.
Is the music quiz free?
Yes. You can play it without signing up; a free account saves your score.
Do I need to read music to play?
No. Most questions are about songs, artists and instruments; only a few are about how music is written.
Where to go next
Try the movie quiz for films and soundtracks, or test yourself on everything with the General Knowledge Quiz. Scoring, timers and hints are explained in the quiz guide.