Most annoying instrument (to your ears)?

[Odinbass]

Oh I have one more:

Acoustic guitar plugged in. I have never heard this sound good. It always sounds like they are picking plastic.

 

[Hopkins]

I cannot believe so many people have mentioned bagpipes as being annoying, and so few have brought up the accordion. Bagpipes and uilleann pipes can be absolutely amazing in the right hands. The best accordion player in the world sounds like a carnival midway.

 

[SimandlsButt]

For me, there aren't many instruments that sound universally bad (assuming their played correctly). But there are some instruments that only sound good in one or a few closely related styles of music. Banjo sounds great in bluegrass, country, and folky music, but when I hear it over any modern or non-American roots music, it sticks out like a sore thumb. I heard a Latin jazz song with a banjo player once and it sounded absolutely horrible. I feel similarly about harmonica, but I think it's a little more versatile than the banjo (e.g. players like Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter vs players like Stevie Wonder and Lee Oscar). I cringe when I hear harmonica over modern rock and pop, but I don't like those genres anyways.

I do find really bright, high-endy, clanky bass to be particularly bad. It never sounds good to me unless there are a lot of other instruments absorbing the sound of the clank.

 

[Ellery]

Hands down it's steel guitar for me. Hate it. HATE IT!!!

 

[Charlzm]

Trumpet with a mute.
Flutes in a non-orchestral setting.
Saxophones, especially alto.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Interesting response...I , too, love jazz and it took me years to warm up to the trumpet. Still not a huge fan but there are some who can play sweetly if you look for them. (If I was not at work, I would post some examples. Maybe later!)

Check out the trumpet solo at 3:45 in this Holdsworth tune.

 

[Hopkins]

I am very surprised to see steel guitar or pedal steel being mentioned.

 

[Fat Freddy]

Okay then. I'll send Lefty and Guido over and they will convince you it would be in your best interest to listen to some Dickey Betts on pedal steel.

I'd rather handle Lefty and Guido AND their bigger, meaner sisters!!! ......

 

[Watchootognbout]

Bob Dylan/Neil Young-style harmonica.......I can't stand the guy singing, playing guitar, and having a harmonica strapped to his chest and he just breathes in and out of it.

I second that!
I cannot tolerate that HRRRAAAAAW-HEEEEEE-HRRRRAAAAWWW!

 

[itsalljustaride]

Oh I have one more:

Acoustic guitar plugged in. I have never heard this sound good. It always sounds like they are picking plastic.

A mic'ed acoustic is far superior, and I don't understand why anyone would use a crummy piezo-equipped pickup on an acoustic if given a choice. Just sounds like strings slapping against a milk jug. I get that there are logistical positives, but still, gross.

 

[Fat Freddy]

I am very surprised to see steel guitar or pedal steel being mentioned.

I'm surprised that they haven't been mentioned more often!.....

Bagpipes are bliss in comparison....

 

[roller]

+1 on the melodica. additionally, Stephen Colbert's band is like styrafoam on glass to my ears.

 

[lermgalieu]

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

+1

 

[Richland123]

How about some jaw harp?

 

[Hopkins]

I'm surprised that they haven't been mentioned more often!.....

Bagpipes are bliss in comparison....

I take it you are not a country music fan. I love the sound of bagpipes and a pedal steel

 

[Fat Freddy]

I take it you are not a country music fan. I love the sound of bagpipes and a pedal steel

Each to their own I guess.....

 

[Les Ismoor]

When I was in high school I dated a girl whose next-door neighbor hosted the rehearsal of a police honor guard bagpipe group in his garage a couple of Saturdays a month. I learned the word "Cacophony".

I'll also add the pan flute, and steel drums to the list.

 

[jnewmark]

Steel guitar. I always thought they sounded like a drunk guitar player.

 

[Fingerpickingood]

The accordion. Eff, eff, EFF the accordion.

 

[Richland123]

Nobody mentioned the kazoo. It can be bad in the wrong hands and mouth.