Which of the following is listed as a traditional Appalachian instrument?

• A. Autoharp
• B. Sitar
• C. Theremin
• D. Saxophone

Answer: (A)

In Appalachian folk music, instruments used for traditional accompaniment are often simple to play and capable of supporting singing and dancing tunes. The autoharp fits this role well because it’s a chorded string instrument—you strum or pluck while pressing preset chord bars—which provides a ready-made harmonic background without requiring advanced technique. That makes it a natural staple in Appalachian settings, alongside other homegrown instruments like the fiddle and dulcimer. The other options don’t belong to this regional tradition: the sitar is from Indian classical music, the theremin is an early electronic instrument, and the saxophone is a modern brass instrument more common in jazz and popular Western ensembles. So the autoharp is the traditional Appalachian instrument among the choices.