I love banjos, bodhrans and accordians and I love banjo jokes, bodhran jokes and accordian jokes. I wouldn't ever tell another though if I thought it would put someone off playing one. I think previous contributions are right that it is the volume is probably the reason that these instruments are particularly picked on. Banjos and accordions cut through the sound mix of an average session and bodhrans can throw a tune out completely if played badly. I have to say I have probably heard more bad guitar playing in my time than any other instrument but there are usually two or three (at least) others to smother it. I sometimes wonder whether we should rename folk music "middle aged bloke with guitar music".

One of the worst experiences I had was when my band was playing a set of reels in a pub in Barnsley and someone started banging a tin tray very loudly and out of time. The pub landlord then came round handing out tin trays to everyone who started bashing them at completely random intervals. We never went back.