OK, Kat, I will act the Devil's advocate on language. I take the stand that- Many who post at Mudcat don't care pediddle about language.
Look at the recent thread on "tarry."
Posts attempting to define the word start with "I've heard," "I think," "Couldn't find an entry in the dictionary;" give definitions off the top of the head without reference; confuse the word sought with other words; make use of hoked-up internet or pop culture dictionaries, and know nothing of the history and development of their language.
Why don't people at least have the minimum- Oxford Concise of Webster's Collegiate? (Many out there, I fear, can't understand the make-up of the entries or can't put them in context)

Music is a complex question. I deplore the lack of music education in the schools, which has led to adulation for lowest common denominator performers, e. g. Shamia Train and Barth Rooks, but there also are good musicians out there, even though they are not found in the popular media.

I would give Mudcatters high marks on musical knowledge, but they are not typical of the general public.