# Totally deleting a musical instrument **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 1, 2012, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496 "2012-03-01T23:10:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/1 "2012-03-01T23:10:33Z")
Which musical instrument do you wish would totally disappear, along with every recording of it . . . never to be heard again or reinvented, or even remembered? At the top of my short list would be bagpipes. They sound like cats being tortured. I don’t know why they’re played at funerals; haven’t those people suffered enough? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/2 "2012-03-01T23:14:41Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Which musical instrument do you wish would totally disappear, along with every recording of it . . . never to be heard again or reinvented, or even remembered? > > At the top of my short list would be bagpipes. They sound like cats being tortured. I don’t know why they’re played at funerals; haven’t those people suffered enough? I’ve heard good bagpipe playing - its beautiful stuff - problem is it is also exceedingly rare. ---
**Author:** ![pabstist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@pabstist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pabstist)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/3 "2012-03-01T23:26:56Z")
The harmonica. There is no fucking reason for a harmonica to ever exist. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/4 "2012-03-01T23:26:57Z")
Wow. No. I like bagpipes. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/5 "2012-03-01T23:28:30Z")
Does autotune count as an instrument? And lay off the bagpipe. They’s beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/6 "2012-03-01T23:34:40Z")
The Ocarina ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Accident](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Mr.Accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Accident)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/7 "2012-03-01T23:55:28Z")
Simster has the right of it. When played well, nothing beats the bagpipes. Unfortunately, I’d choose bag pipes too, just so I’d never have to hear the bad players again. ---
**Author:** ![Claude\_Remains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/8 "2012-03-02T00:06:22Z")
Bassoon. Oh Jebus, please take back the Bassoon. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/9 "2012-03-02T00:15:22Z")
The Pandemonium, Left-Handed Sewer Flute, or Tromboon. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/10 "2012-03-02T00:35:03Z")
Watch what ye say aboot the pipes, laddie. But, I have argued that they are not musical instruments, but actually weapons designed for psychological warfare. Still makes my heart race to hear them. My choice? Does anyone actually need a bassoon? Would anyone miss them if they were not around ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/11 "2012-03-02T00:42:21Z")
> [@pabstist](#): > > The harmonica. There is no fucking reason for a harmonica to ever exist. Boo on you! Harmonicas are awesome. Personally, I could probably live without the didgeridoo. Or the jaw harp. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/12 "2012-03-02T00:46:37Z")
The guitar ---
**Author:** ![Claude\_Remains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/13 "2012-03-02T00:50:50Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > The guitar Yes! The one that belongs to Chad Kroger of Nickleback. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/14 "2012-03-02T01:01:53Z")
I don’t think there is a kind of instrument in the world I would do this to. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/15 "2012-03-02T01:05:45Z")
The bowed psaltery. To my ear, it is in about the same class as the musical saw. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/16 "2012-03-02T01:15:52Z")
> [@Claude\_Remains](#): > > Bassoon. Oh Jebus, please take back the Bassoon. 😃 I heard a street musician in Prague play the _Pink Panther_ theme on a bassoon and he kicked ass. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/17 "2012-03-02T01:20:04Z")
the Vuvuzela > **[Vuvuzela](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vuvuzela)** > > Brass > The vuvuzela /vuːvuːˈzɛlə/ is a horn, with an inexpensive injection-molded plastic shell about 65 centimetres (2 ft) long, which produces a loud monotone note, typically around B♭ 3 (the first B♭ below middle C). Some models are made in two parts to facilitate storage, and this design also allows pitch variation. Many types of vuvuzela, made by several manufacturers, may produce various intensity and frequency outputs. The intensity of these outputs depends on the blowing technique and p... ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/18 "2012-03-02T01:53:15Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > My choice? Does anyone actually need a bassoon? Would anyone miss them if they were not around Well, I’d miss _The Rite of Sprint_, _Peter and the Wolf_, and _Rhapsody in Blue_, none of which would sound quite right without the bassoon. “Are you listening to me Peter?” “No, grandfather, I can’t hear you. It’s like you don’t even exist.” On the other hand, what about kazoos? I saw some pink, plastic kazoos back in December and almost bought a couple for my nieces (3 and 6 years old). My brother’s family was visiting for Christmas and I figured I could hand them out right as they boarded the plane back home … you know, just to see my brother’s expression. I was afraid of the retaliation though. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/19 "2012-03-02T01:59:01Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > the Vuvuzela > > [Vuvuzela - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vuvuzela) There’s a fine line between a musical instrument and an instrument of torture . . . and the vuvuzela has crossed that line. I’d actually prefer bagpipes. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496/20 "2012-03-02T02:04:28Z")
I say the bagpipes. The only thing they’re good for is Amazing Grace, but I think I can live without that. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-deleting-a-musical-instrument/614496.md?page=2)