Etiquette of playing musical instruments on popular hikes

Question

I enjoy hiking, but I'm not very well-versed with the general expectations other people have about noise, especially serious hikers. I generally do trails that take between 3-6 hours, usually up hills/mountains (depending on your definition) on the Appalachian Trail. Often those trails are popular enough that if it's a nice day, I'll see another group every 10 minutes or so, and if there's an overlook at the top there may be a good 8-15 people up there at any point, usually a mix of casual hikers like me and others just passing through on their way up/down the Appalachian Trail.

Some of the groups I've gone with enjoy singing while hiking, or while resting at the top, and a couple of times I've brought an instrument (clarinet) along, to play both during the hike and at the summit. I do enjoy playing like that, but I don't want to bother people unnecessarily; I don't really have a good understanding for how far the sounds carries, or how other hikers, especially serious ones, feel about the music.

Let's assume that the instrument is being reasonably well-played (i.e. gentle tone, not squeaking/squealing, with not so many missed notes as to be distracting), because otherwise I'm sure the answer can't be anything besides "Please stop".

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Is there any general etiquette or expectations about playing/making music on hiking trails?

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I'm also linking this tangentially-related question on whether playing musical instruments while hiking is sufficient to keep away animals.

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EDIT: Well, this was more contentious than I was expecting; answers range from "Hearing music on the trail can be enjoyable" to "Don't even make a sound". I appreciate the feedback from the people of the latter opinion, and I am not ignoring their statements.

Surely, though, there must be a balance, between allowing people who don't want to hear anything that would betray the presence of humankind in the area to enjoy themselves, and allowing people who like music (or especially, in my case, the feeling of playing gentle music in nature) to enjoy themselves as well. At the least, if I play again, I will endeavor to remove myself or my group from other people, to ask anyone nearby if they mind, and in any case to not play for long.

Regardless: if anyone (in the last year) hiked past someone playing snippets from hymns, Disney, and Broadway on a clarinet in the Shenandoah Nat'l park, and found it annoying, I apologize.

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EDIT 2, in response to close-votes:

The question was about etiquette - a set of arbitrary, (at least originally) opinion-based, rules that are followed by a majority of people. It's inseparable from people's opinions, but surely it's a useful thing for new hikers to learn.

"Does mild vinegar taste good?" is hardly a useful question for a stackexchange. "Do most people enjoy drinking vinegar?" is an important question for a new chef to know the answer to.

Answer 1

I can only speak from experience, but I'll share what I have seen. The following paragraphs are ordered from least desirable to most.

In every case where people have been playing music on a speaker of some kind (including phone), people on the trails around them show signs of being annoyed. I believe this is acceptable behavior in some other countries which is why I mostly see foreigners (and inexperienced hikers) engaging in this breach of etiquette.

I have seen several trumpets and even a trombone being played on trails. This has been met with annoyance as brass instruments' sound can travel a long distance and disturb the natural sounds that hikers expect. As for the trombone, people were mostly confused because of how unusual it was (he was playing jazz tunes awaiting some girl who was hiking toward him so he could propose. It was really weird.).

Woodwind instruments are less likely to make people upset, mainly because they have softer tones and the sound doesn't travel very far. String instruments are similarly more acceptable.

Instruments that people probably won't mind, or might even enjoy, hearing on a hike are those that are associated with the cultural heritage of the outdoors (think pioneers, cowboys, etc.). Harmonicas, wooden flutes, violins (particularly if playing fiddle music), and acoustic guitars are usually acceptable for trails, so long as you aren't too loud, getting in people's way, or making a spectacle.

In any instance you want to play an instrument on a trail, I would not start playing anywhere people are already gathered. Find a spot where you are alone and then you can start playing. That will give people the option of stopping to listen to you if they want, or continue on. If you start playing near where people are already hanging out, you are forcing them to move or confront you if they aren't interested in your music.

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Edit: People had some questions about other instruments/music, so I'll touch on those specifically. @IMil asked (probably jokingly) about bagpipes. The thing is, I've actually heard people playing the bagpipes while camping a couple times. I don't think they count under the umbrella of American outdoor traditional instruments, but they certainly do in Scotland. I think it is novel enough that people won't be too upset to hear the bagpipes for a bit, just as long as you aren't playing Amazing Grace on repeat for 3 hours. Besides, if you can't play bagpipes outside, where on earth can you play them?

As for singing and whistling, those are definitely part of the outdoor tradition. As with all the other instruments, you still need to read the room. If people are giving you the stink eye, it's probably time to take a break.

Answer 2

I, and the people I hike with do not appreciate music on the trails. If you want music use headphones. We try to hike the least popular trails to avoid encountering blaring music. We are out in nature to experience nature.

Answer 3

Just don't play your music with the aid of any electronic speakers. People sing and talk and laugh as they hike and that's fine, its when they start blaring music on their waterproof bluetooth speakers that it starts to get annoying.

Just note that it will make you less aware of your surroundings, I have seen plenty of people not realize that I was hiking right behind them because their music was too loud and they weren't paying attention.

Answer 4

Being noisy in public is generally annoying for people around you, regardless of what kind of noise it is. (Exceptions apply, e.g. sporting events where being noisy is expected)

Playing an instrument on hiking trails is a specific case of "being noisy".

One of the main reasons people are on trails in the first place is to get away from noise and people. While it may be perfectly legal and tolerated by fellow hikers, I doubt you will find a single person who wants you to play music on the trail.

Answer 5

Would you start playing the clarinet on a bus? It's also noisy, somehow. People also wouldn't expect complete silence. Would you be the one to guarantee there is no possibility of silence at all?

Public places are just that: public. There are people and if you play music, everyone is forced to hear it. If you pee on the ground, everyone is forced to smell it. If you litter, everyone is forced to walk around garbage. From where I'm from, etiquette regarding outdoor activities is very simple: try to minimize what you subject other people to as much as possible. If I can pee in a far away place where the smell won't bother anyone, that's where I'll go; if I can carry my garbage with me, I will; if I can play an instrument being absolutely sure I'm not upsetting someone, then that's OK.

The problem is: can you be sure? Do you know what's the mean distance your instrument reaches? People around you might enjoy your playing, but do people 500m from there feel OK about it too? How can you be sure? There are also animals around - do they love it? I'm positive most animals don't care about where I pee, but I'm also sure littering won't do them any good. Are you sure you're not disturbing?

I think my position has become clear: I'm totally against any kind of outdoors musicality. I often climb big walls where I'm supposed to sleep three, four days on the wall, and some friends sometimes bring ukeleles. I hate it. I tolerate it because usually the other two guys enjoy the music and I'm in a smaller number, but I hate it. I hate to see people playing instruments or hearing loud music on trails. I think it's an absolute lack of respect for the others and for your surroundings. The safest way to be respectful is to be clean, to be silent, to be invisible - to walk and climb as if you were a shadow. I'm positive you'll sense that acting this way you'll cease to be a tourist and start being a part of the landscape. You will be more attentive and feel nature more intensely.

P.S.: I'm a grumpy person.

Answer 6

My input is if it is loud enough they cannot easily carry on a conversation then it is too loud.

On a crowed peak maybe one song as a celebration then shut it down. If you get an applause then one more.

On the trail if they can walk by then never a problem.

A crowed lookout I would say no. Pick a more secluded spot to sing.

Answer 7

Following @CarlLange in his original comment:

The ultimate trail etiquette would be Leave No Trace ethics. If you read the Be Considerate of Others section, you'll find relevant info (emphasis added by me):

• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
• Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
• Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
• Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
• Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises

The rest is up to you to determine if your playing goes against those "rules".

Answer 8

I'm not familiar with any general etiquette too. But I would say if someone is hiking on a popular trail, they can't expect silence and/or not to hear other people.
I can only speak for myself but I would like to hear music now and then while hiking

Answer 9

A few years ago, I went on a hike with the scouts, and came upon a beautiful overlook atop a cliff. The sun was setting, a gentle breeze was blowing, and it was really serene.

We admired the sight for awhile, and soon enough, we heard someone playing the bagpipes. This thing bellowed across the valley, and it was truly the most beautiful thing we'd ever heard. I get that the pipes are not everyone's cup of tea, and to some they sound like cats in heat. But this wasn't that - it was serene and solemn, and lasted maybe 5 minutes before that was that.

I guess, then, it can depend. It depends on the music, the instrument, the mood of the people whose paths happened to have crossed at that moment, and the purpose of both parties meeting. In our case, it was a positive moment; but I would imagine that if there was anyone offended, that offense lasted only a few minutes.

I would guess that some instruments might be more offensive than others, and a clarinet isn't likely to be very offensive to many people. Neither might a harmonica, acoustic guitar, flute, or fife - all of which I've seen people bring. I've also seen banjos, trumpets, and bugles, and they, too, have their place as well. Personally, I don't like the banjo, and the only time I've heard trumpets and bugles were for solemn purposes - except that as a scouter, I've seen many a scout bring trumpets and bugles to practice - and therein lay the cats in heat. But these aren't typically found on a hike, and if they are, well, you're likely to hear them at dawn, dusk, or deep in the evening, and most people don't hike around those times.

I would also guess that playing an instrument in the vicinity of a hunter is liable to get you angry comments. And, if you were playing near homes, or near another group, who may be annoyed at "yet another" group playing instruments - there's the mood factor.

You have every right to bring and play an instrument if you are on public lands - that much is enshrined in the constitution. That doesn't mean people won't be offended, and so my advice would be to bring it if it suits you, but be mindful that people may not want to hear it, so, if you have any consideration for those around you, then limit your playing time - unless you're asked for encores.