They say laughter is the best medicine! And it’s true- Music jokes uplift the mood of any classroom, rehearsal, or music lesson. Keep jokes fun and positive, even if they poke a little bit of fun. Avoid overly negative or inappropriate jokes. Instead, focus on fun jokes that have a few teaching points.

Teaching Strategies

1. Having a tough rehearsal or lesson? Take a break and tell a few joke to ease tension and bring laughter to the room. Enjoy the positive energy that humor brings to a stressful rehearsal.

2. Give a list of music jokes to section leaders. Have the students share music jokes specific to their instrument or voice during sectional rehearsals.

3. Use music jokes as a teaching moment. Jokes like the one below are a great way to open up discussions on specific musical instruments and music theory, like chords:

How many bass players does it take to change a light bulb? 1…5…1… (1…4…5…5…1)

4. Post silly music jokes throughout your classroom on a Joke Wall or bulletin board. Encourage students to share their favorite positive musical jokes. The Joke Wall can be as simple as a bulletin board covered in post-it notes or an empty chalkboard.

Band Jokes
Every band director and music teacher needs a couple of fun jokes in their music teaching arsenal. Share these fun jokes in your classroom!

What did the flute player say to the tight rope walker? You better C Sharp or you’ll B flat!

How many clarinetists does it take to change a lightbulb?
Only one, but he’ll go through a whole box of bulbs before he finds just the right one.

Q: How do you know when a trumpet player is at your door?
A: The doorbell shrieks!

How many trombonists does it take to change a lightbulb?
Just one, but he’ll do it loudly.

How do you fix a broken tuba?
With a tuba glue.

Q: How many drummers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. They have machines to do that now.

Orchestra Jokes
Share these enjoyable orchestra jokes with your music students next rehearsal for a quick chuckle.

How do you tell the difference between a violinist and a dog?
The dog knows when to stop scratching.

What’s the difference between a viola and a fish?
You can’t tuna fish.

How many bass players does it take to change a light bulb?
1…5…1… (1…4…5…5…1)

Wagner’s music has beautiful moments but some bad quarters of an hour.”
–Rossini

It’s easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself. – J.S. Bach

Wagner’s Music is better than it sounds – Mark Twain.

Piano Teacher Jokes
Bring a smile to your piano students’ faces with these fun jokes.

Why are pianist’s fingers like lightening?
Because they never strike the same place twice.

What do you get when you drop a piano down a mine shaft?
A flat minor.

What do you call a fish musician?
A piano tuna.

Student to Teacher: I can’t reach the brakes on this piano!

Note left from pianist to his wife: “Gone Chopin, have Liszt, Bach in a Minuet.”

Choir Jokes
Change your “la-la-la” to “ha-ha-ha” with these music jokes.

Q: Did you hear about the female opera singer who had quite a range at the lower end of the scale.
A: She was known as the deep C diva.

How many altos does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
None. They can’t get that high.

Operas that Never Made It:
Britten: A Midsummer Nightmare.
Mozart: The Magic Tuba.
Puccini: La Bamba.
Rossini: The Plumber of Seville.
Verdi: Rigatoni.

World Music Jokes
Chuckles abound with these fun music jokes with a folk music flair.

How do you know when there is a bodhran player at your front door?
The knocking gets faster and faster and faster.

What’s a accordion good for?
Learning how to fold a map

How long does it take to tune a chang?
Nobody knows.

What are your favorite music jokes? Share with us in the comments section below.