Music During The Nine Days

There is a common misconception that it is forbidden to listen to music during the nine days. It's not true. The proof is that in talmudic times, at FUNERALS they used to play somber music [see the third perek of Moed Katan]. Come to think of it, at my funeral I would like some music. Come to think of it  - I'd rather not die...

It is forbidden to listen to HAPPY, UPLIFTING MUSIC while somber music is perfectly fine. Even on Tisha B'av many sing Eili Tzion [in camp this is done on a tennis court, probably to symbolize that we are sent from galus to galus just as the tennis ball is sent all over the court - sometimes very powerfully]. So "Hoib oif deine hentelech to Tatte in Himmel" - no. "Usid Hakadosh Baruch Hu laasos machol la-tzadikim, vi-hu yoshev beinehem bi-gan eden" - no. But a soft, lilting "Rachel mevaka al baneha" would be fine.