instrument, although to facilitate the playing action (the
instrument is normally held across and in front of the body) it
is connected to the bassoon via a silver-plated, curved crook.
Its most notorious cousin is the baroque serpent, shaped very
much as its name would suggest.IV. Comprehension Exercises
a. Write T (true) or F (false).
____ 1. The four major groups of instruments forming the modern
symphony orchestra are the strings, woodwind, brass, and percussion.
____ 2. The cello and bass must rest on the floor when playing because
they are too big to be held like the violin or viola.
____ 3. The viola is the smallest of all the string instruments, and it has the
highest pitch.
____ 4. The double bass is the biggest of all the string instruments.
____ 5. Earlier varieties of the string instruments are known as vielle, viol,
or fidel.
____ 6. ‘Fiddle’ is another name for violin.
____ 7. Percussion instruments do not have definite pitch.
____ 8. The four major woodwind instruments in descending order of
overall pitch are the flute, clarinet, oboe, and bassoon respectively.
____ 9. The piccolo is higher in pitch than flute.
____ 10. The oboe is a narrow-bored woodwind instrument held
horizontally when playing.