It strikes me that, although highly similar, and played essentially the same way, acoustic guitars and electric guitars are two different breeds of cat—different instruments. Willie Nelson plays a beat-up old Martin classic with a pick, and Chet Atkins plays an electric with his fingers. Both produce some pretty fine music. I once heard Chet Atkins play Tàrrega's Requerdos de la Alhambra on a José Ramirez classic (on the Glen Campbell TV show, complete with close-ups of his hands). Beautiful job!

J. S. Bach wrote his "Toccata and Fugue in D minor" for the organ (he was a church organist as well as "Kapellmeister"). I've also heard it played on the harpsichord. And the piano. And a full symphony orchestra. Different sound. Same music. Sounded good in all four renditions.

I've also heard "The William Tell Overture" ("Hi-Yo, Silver!") on the hammered dulcimer!

This whole matter of which musical instrument is "morally superior" to which is a debate that amply demonstrates that the debaters don't really know diddly-squat about music. Certain instruments may be more appropriate for a particular piece of music. But "morally superior?" Asinine!!

Try this on your nose flute: Taking in a performance by two friends of mine ("Mike Neun and Brian Bresslar: An Act as Exciting as its Name."), Brian sang "Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man" complete with a damned fine approximation of the accompaniment Roger McGuinn plays on his Rickenbaker—but on a baritone ukulele!!

Brought the house down!

Don Firth