diff --git a/doc/fixes35.0 b/doc/fixes35.0
index 615b450ac..72ac336ce 100644
--- a/doc/fixes35.0
+++ b/doc/fixes35.0
@@ -446,6 +446,7 @@ make '[' command more precise when poly'd hero has embedded dragon scales/mail
 fainting while wielding a cockatrice corpse will be fatal
 Sunsword's light radius depends on its curse/bless state
 Add M-C and M-R meta-key shortcuts for #conduct and #ride, respectively 
+can now use ESC to cancel out of prompts for playing musical instruments
 
 
 Platform- and/or Interface-Specific New Features
diff --git a/src/music.c b/src/music.c
index 797bf03e3..cb6f58d56 100644
--- a/src/music.c
+++ b/src/music.c
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 /* NetHack 3.5	music.c	$Date$  $Revision$ */
-/*	SCCS Id: @(#)music.c	3.5	2007/07/08	*/
 /*	Copyright (c) 1989 by Jean-Christophe Collet */
 /* NetHack may be freely redistributed.  See license for details. */
 
@@ -563,14 +562,20 @@ struct obj *instr;
 	return(0);
     }
     if (instr->otyp != LEATHER_DRUM && instr->otyp != DRUM_OF_EARTHQUAKE) {
-	c = yn("Improvise?");
+	c = ynq("Improvise?");
+	if (c == 'q') goto nevermind;
     }
     if (c == 'n') {
-	if (u.uevent.uheard_tune == 2 && yn("Play the passtune?") == 'y') {
+	if (u.uevent.uheard_tune == 2) c = ynq("Play the passtune?");
+	if (c == 'q') {
+	    goto nevermind;
+	} else if (c == 'y') {
 	    Strcpy(buf, tune);
 	} else {
 	    getlin("What tune are you playing? [5 notes, A-G]", buf);
 	    (void)mungspaces(buf);
+	    if (*buf == '\033') goto nevermind;
+
 	    /* convert to uppercase and change any "H" to the expected "B" */
 	    for (s = buf; *s; s++) {
 #ifndef AMIGA
@@ -684,6 +689,10 @@ struct obj *instr;
 	return 1;
     } else
 	    return do_improvisation(instr);
+
+ nevermind:
+    pline(Never_mind);
+    return 0;
 }
 
 #ifdef UNIX386MUSIC