Musical Allergies

I was reading an old copy of the Readers Digest today in the dentist waiting room (probably the copy that I always read).

There was a joke, that went something like "The best tone I ever heard from an accordion was the sound it made as it was thrown on the skip". I know that's a typical "Musical Joke", but it got me thinking.

I recently contributed to a very good series of books. The idea of the series was that real living composers were commissioned to write a piece, and then put some every day facts about themselves to prove they were normal people (!!!).

When asked what instruments they liked, one of the composers said that they were allergic to banjo's and ukuleles. I know it was supposed to be funny, but I did immediately have a picture of the person as a very narrow minded musical snob. (Sorry if you're reading this composer!!)

One thing we're really proud of at the music camp is its musical diversity. Its a real "Allmusic" environment where we encourage the campers to be sympathetic to other peoples musical styles, and to have broad minded unblinkered musical experiences.

Actually there's a famous quote from Buddy Rich the Jazz drummer who on being prepared for an operation in hospital and being asked if he was allergic to anything said "country and western music and opera".

That really was "Musicians humour", but perhaps there are some musicians who feel that certain music is beneath them, a kind of musical class distinction.

Perhaps this is all a bit heavy and unnecessary. To lighten up, see MUSICAL JOKES. www.musicalwarehouse.co.uk/frames.htm (click on "Musical Joke" in blue at the left of the page.)