[I made up the following test a couple of years ago just to see how much background people have in music today. It's not to make anyone feel stupid and I'm not looking for detailed info just a passing familiarity will do. Don't search the web for any answers, answer them as best you can off the top of your head. Likewise, don't look at other people's answers. If you don't know, just say you don't know. I'm looking for honesty so I can draw a proper conclusion. Thanks.]
Gender:
Male
Age:
50 next month
Do you play an instrument proficiently?
No, very very badly (keyboards)
Without consulting any sources, answer the following questions:
1. Do you know who Miles Davis is? (Just yes or no)
Yes
2. Can you name a Miles Davis number or album?
Can't think of it but I do know one ... damn it I just can't think of the title!
3. Do you know who Doc Watson is?
No. Is he Sherlock Holmes' assistant? 
4. Do you know who Bob Wills is?
No
5. Do you know who Duke Ellington is?
Yes
6. Can you name a Duke Ellington song?
No
7. Do you know who Johnny Ace is?
No
8. Do you know who Howlin’ Wolf is?
Yes
9. Who was the driving force behind the band T. Rex?
Marc Bolan
10. Name a T. Rex song:
Ride a white swan
11. Complete the following sentence: John Coltrane played the __
_saxamaphone_________.
12. Who was the Beatles’ drummer before Ringo Starr?
Dunno, can't stand the Beatles
13. Ringo Starr’s real name is:
Richard Starkey
14. The Supremes recorded for what label?
Motown (Tamla Motown)
15. Do you know who Big Joe Turner is?
Yes
16. Name a Big Joe Turner song:
Phantom 309 (I only know this because Waits covers it)
17. Complete the following sentence: Johan Sebastian Bach was a classical composer during the __
baroque?______ period.
18. Name an early form of European liturgical music:
Duh?
19. Name a Holland-Dozier-Holland song:
When will I see you again?
20. Richard Strauss composed which piece? A. Blue Danube, B. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, C. Rite of Spring, D. Also Sprach Zarathustra, E. None of the above, F. All of the above
A and D I think. Definitely D.
21. Name a Cole Porter song:
Night and day
22. Complete the following sentence: Yo-Yo Ma plays the _
cello______.
23. What is “the Carter lick”?
Dunno
24. Antonio Salieri is important because: A. He invented many of the principles of modern music theory, B. He was the teacher of Franz Schubert, C. He murdered Mozart, D. He wrote many pieces for the pipe organ.
C, although is that true?
25. What was Mozart’s full name?
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
26. Beethoven’s teacher was: A. Johan Bach, B. George Frideric Handel, C. Antonio Salieri, D. Josef Haydn, E. None of the above.
D
27. Beethoven is credited with starting what period of classical music?
Don't know
28. Name a Scott Joplin piece:
Can't
29. Most of Joplin’s pieces were written in which decade? A. 1890-1900, B. 1900-1910, C. 1910-1920, D. 1920-1930.
D
30. Who was “the King of the Mississippi Delta Bluesmen”: A. Charley Patton, B. Blind Willie McTell, C. Lightnin’ Hopkins, D. Mississippi Fred McDowell.
C?