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Answering Pop Music Questions in the Classical Forum?

The "entertainment & music ► music ► classical" category seems to be becoming overrun by the pop, rock, new-age questions. Would it be best if we didn't answer the questions or had a set answer like Malcom's "This song is not classical music - please direct this question to the pop forum."? There are other genres that have no better place to post. Traditional Indian music, native folk songs, and perhaps even some modern tunes based on classical themes. I'm more than willing to entertain these posts.

Public Comments

1. I'm with you! Many people think that Pink Floyd is *classical* because they heard it on a "classic rock" station!!!! There will be gray areas still - but let's keep this to what it is supposed to be.
2. Good question. Those of us who have been on this forum for quite some time now have struggled with this problem and it has been addressed before. The difficulty seems to be two fold, some think that the term "classical" refers to any genre - classic rock, pop, etc. and some seem to feel that those on the classical forum have a little more insight or skill in locating the information wanted. While I try to avoid answering many of these, I sometimes answer just to try and clear them out. Those of us who are regulars on this forum could follow your suggestion, but there is enough crossover that someone would jump in and answer it anyway. Just turn it over to them? I'm not sure there is a viable answer. I agree that the problem is getting more out of hand and makes the forum less enjoyable by having to wade through all the non-classical questions (very few knowledgeable questions are being asked) and all the "give me this for free" requests. It will be interesting to see if anyone has a workable solution that will work within the YA guidelines. EDIT: Please understand, I agree with all of you. My good friend Cub-Cur and I repeatedly tried to guide errant posters to the proper forum (created problems and part of the reason he is no longer on - email me if you need details). The people can be told to repost in the appropriate forum and: 1) The question floats off unanswered and the poster goes off with the perception reinforced that the "classical" types are arrogant snobs, 2) The question is answered anyway by someone else and we are left with no points but united on principle. Neither scenario seems particularly productive, one alienates the other just by-passes us. Musician, composer, teacher.
3. At risk of seeming a pedant, I have taken the position that this is the "classical music" forum. That means that questions and answers here should be related (even at times tenuously) to that particular subject. That means ancient through modern art music. I received all kinds of abuse for this position, but I feel that somebody needs to preserve "our turf." If people have other legitimate questions related to pop or rock or some other genre, let them ask the questions there. The problem has already had its effects on contributors. Several valuable sources of answers have simply given up trying to sift the fly poop from the pepper and to lose these people is contrary to the point of the forum - this is to find reliable answers to, at times contentious and difficult questions. I will continue to take this approach and do my damnedest to answer legitimate questions whenever I can. There are a lot of people who really want to learn and I am all to happy to help if in the process I can promote a form of music that I feel is culturally important. Without such promotion, the genre will become elitist and rarer. It is much too valuable to be allowed to slip into anonimity.
4. Like Malcolm, I always answer any of those questions that I see in a simlar way. This forum is slowly becoming infested with all sorts of detritus and I think we should 'encourage' people to take a bit more care and to THINK for themselves. I suggest we also refuse to answer all 'homework' questions too if all people want is their work doing for them rather than a little guidance (which I'm always happy to give).
5. Thanks for bring this up. I think it has been on all of our minds. I'm on board too. These "free" music questions are annoying and those that are clearly in the wrong forum. I've found myself, malcolm, and del_icous answering so many of these. I wish I could rubber stamp all of them. It's a pity, that we have to wade through all the riff-raff to get to topics of substance. It does seem to be a more recent trend, perhaps, it will go as quickly as it came, if we work on this together.
6. Thanks for your question: a most appropriate, and timely one. I agree wholeheartedly with you(good suggestion), "Malcom" and "Del_icio". The younger generation - or at least, the ones that frequent Q & A - seem to be manipulative(or just plain lazy), ill or uneducated; and whose for the most part, lack of writing-skills, are truly distressing: even depressing. Alberich
7. I agree : I am tired of people asking questions about Frank Sinatra , Beatles and Pink Floyd. Just because it is "old" they think it is classical music. PS I always wondered what happened to cubcur....what a pity.