Here is a conversation between Sonarman Second Class Ronald Jones and Lieutenant Thompson aboard the submarine USS Dallas that struck me as funny. Just like Sonarman Jones, I usually prefer classical music over modern, popular music.
“Got something, Mr Thompson.”
“What is it?” Thompson leaned against the bulkhead.
“I don’t know.” Jones picked up a spare set of phones and handed them to his officer. “Listen up, sir.”
[after listening and discussing what the sound could be, the conversation continues]
“Irregular,” Thompson said.
“Yeah, it’s funny. It sounds regular, but it doesn’t look regular. Know what I mean, Mr Thompson?”
“No, you’ve got better ears.”
“That’s cause I listen to better music, sir. That rock stuff’ll kill your ears.”
The Hunt for red october, Tom Clancy, 1984
This made me laugh when I read it. It’s just a quick exchange, but as the book progresses, Jones will break the sound down, slowing it to try to figure out what he heard. His discovery will result in a promotion. Never underestimate the guy who “categorized his [Bach] tapes by their flaws, a ragged piano temp, a botched flute, a wavering French horn”. He definitely had “better ears”.