Most annoying instrument (to your ears)?

[Doner Designs]

I'd like to take this opportunity to ask what kind of a parent buys their kid a drum set to learn? I'm guessing the kind with a detached garage or soundproof basement!

Seriously ... I absolutely love such an essential instrument, but I think if I were a parent, I would probably encourage my child to learn something that's not bangy or shrilly .... like the bass!

Or an electric set.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Pedal steel

Once upon a time I would have agreed with you. Then I spent time in Nashville and listened live to some guys that can really play pedal steel well. It can be an amazing instrument.
See if you can find anything by The Nashville Bar Association - an all pedal steel band from the 70s.
If you think Dickey Betts is great on guitar, you should hear him on pedal steel.

 

[Doner Designs]

Browsing a few responses there is clearly a trend.

No Treble!

 

[JaseyT]

This reminds me, I'll put in a vote for the Suona, which is a Chinese trumpet type thing. Often used in fesitvals with very cheap symbols for noise-making parties. Also pretty grating even when played well:

Hmmm...Kenny Li?

 

[2cooltoolz]

LIKE:

DON'T LIKE:

 

[SteveHeissner]

Harmonica. Especially when played loud through a 4 by 10 guitar cabinet customized specifically for harmonica and used to drown out the rest of the band including the drummer.

 

[itsalljustaride]

At least once a week I see this guy on the my commute

Yup. Erhu is another one that is easily played poorly. I have a fond memory of buying a very very cheap toy one in Tienanmen Square and absolutely abusing everyone's ears with it. One Chinese guy passed me with the worst look I've ever gotten from anyone on his face. As if to say, "Only you @$$hole waiguoren foreigners can make that thing sound worse than it already does."

 

[Jools4001]

Pedal Steel....sounds like a howling dog to me...but that's probably a hangover from playing in a country band for a couple of years when I was newly married and needed the money. I had the pedal steel's Fender Twin right behind me and grew to hate it.

 

[I am Soma]

all foo fighter instruments.

 

[bass12]

At least once a week I see this guy on the my commute

An erhu - that was going to be my response! I used to play in a band with a guy who played, among other instruments, an erhu.

 

[bassliner50]

worst:

1. bag pipes (anywhere at all times)
2. loud distorted electric guitar at breakneck speed (sixstringoverthetopimus americanus)
3. sitar when applied to western music. (its fine for Indian classical music).

of those, easily found most frequently and least likely to go away:
2.

 

[Funky Ghost]

all foo fighter instruments.

I lol'd

Would read again.

8/10

 

[birminghambass]

Solo six string bass. Leave those high notes to the guitar. Blech.

 

[jacolyte]

another vote for saxophone. i'm a jazz fan, and i recognize and accept the greatness of those who play it well but, to my ear, the (appropriately sawtooth-shaped) timbres possess the elegance, subtlety and nuance of donald trump wielding a chainsaw.

 

[gustobassman]

This is the debil and makes the debils sound.

Ahh yes... A certain drummer I play with in a side project has some choice words about his main band's lead singer (Hint: it starts with Angelo and ends with Moore) who uses one of these live waaaaay too often.

I need to add Didgeridoo to my list as well... just not a fan..

 

[CryingBass]

This. And I don't mean the synth!

 

[Kmonk]

It really depends on the skill of the player. A great instrument in the wrong hands will always sound bad.

Having said that, I have always hated the sound of bagpipes.

 

[radioface]

HARMONICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hypocrite]

It seems I'm alone in loving the bagpipes. But worst instrument to my ears? Bass, played badly.

 

[georgiagoodie]

1st Place - Eb Clarinet (Truly horrible, even when played by a strong player)
Close 2nd place - Soprano Sax

All you bagpipe haters - You should stand in the middle of a massed drum and pipe band (300 pipers with 100 drummers, or so). It will change your life...