You've been asked to join a friend at a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performance, but you've never been to classical music concert -- never much listened to the orchestra at all beyond cartoons, movies and commercials. If anything, you've gotten the impression that this music is elitist, complicated, old and irrelevant.

My advice: Take the ticket, and let the mood and the music prove you wrong.

A quarter of a century ago or earlier, people who thought classical music stuffy might have been right, but the concert atmosphere has changed drastically in the past decade or so. There's simply no reason to feel intimidated about the prospect of going to Heinz Hall, the Benedum Center or even Carnegie Hall. And the days should be over when pop music buffs miss out on hearing this spectacular music just because they think the ambience stifling.

"Concerts today are clearly different than they were 10 years ago throughout the United States," says PSO president Larry Tamburri. "People are much more accepting of other nonmusical elements being introduced [in concerts] and the format of programming is changing. Concerts in general are being put together in a way that is more exciting than it used to be."

At the very least, in a less snobby way.

There is not a classical group in town that doesn't go out of its way to be welcoming, with friendly banter, simultaneous translation, accessible program notes and audience-friendly programming. But because perceptions change slower even than the classical music industry, you might not realize it. So, here are five myth-busters to make classical music more palatable for first-time concert-goers to the symphony, the opera, chamber groups, choruses and more:

Myth: You must dress up.

Busted: Classical concerts and operas today do not have a dress code. The PSO enforces only one rule: "Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable." Obviously you won't come in PJs, and hopefully you will forgo jingling jewelry and heavy perfume because you're sitting close to others, but that's no different than attending a play.

Myth: You must understand music to enjoy a concert.

Busted: The amazing thing about instrumental music is it can transport you on a purely sonic level without any knowledge of its meaning or the composer's intent. Much of even the most complex music is still designed to be understood and enjoyed on the surface (even if a few 20th-century composers thought otherwise). If you like what you hear, you like what you hear, so you can just show up, sit down and soak it all in. And opera is even easier: the music serves the drama, which is by nature accessible.

But, like many things in life, you can enhance your enjoyment by finding out about the music and its background. You'll get less frustrated hearing it if you are on familiar terms. So consider buying or borrowing a CD ahead of time -- it will make the music jump out at you in the live performance.

Myth: There are secret rules of conduct.

Busted: What, you don't know the secret handshake? Seriously, though ... just sit back and enjoy.

It only makes sense that you shouldn't talk during a piece or get up during a performance unless necessary, but that's the same logic that applies (or should) at a movie theater and even most rock and pop shows. For the same reason, you should try to refrain from clapping during a performance, but if you do at the "wrong" place, no one will ostracize you anymore (or they had better not).

In the 19th century -- when much of what we now call "classical music" was written -- audiences interrupted concerts all the time with applause, so no one today has justification for being a school marm about your "misplaced" enthusiasm. But if you want to be careful, just wait a few seconds to see if everyone else is clapping before you do.

Myth: Classical music is old and irrelevant.

Busted: We also look at old paintings, and few would deny the merit of examining a museum piece. But beyond that, the act of live performance transforms even the oldest classical music into a contemporary event -- you don't go to a concert hall to hear a CD play.

As for being irrelevant: While we should hear more music of our times at halls nationwide, keep in mind that most of the older music performed is the absolute best of the past, give or take a few duds. These works are worth repeating, and still have much to say to us today. Imagine if we cut out Shakespeare or Cervantes in favor of just The New York Times' best-seller list.

Myth: You should come early.

Busted?: Actually, this one is true. Nothing looks more miserable than panicked drivers stuck in traffic before a concert Downtown. Our Cultural District gets overwhelmed at times, so either park farther away and walk, or come earlier (especially if you are picking up tickets). The whole point of going out is to relax and have a good time, and you can't do that when the night begins in a frenzy.

The classical music industry has no one to blame but itself for its highfalutin' reputation. But it has worked hard to make that a thing of the past, and it has never been easier to hear some of the most exciting and moving music ever written. Anyone who has heard a Mahler symphony, Beethoven string quartet or Verdi opera knows that this is anything but background music. And anyone who goes to a concert these days will find out you can experience it without having to put on airs.

First Published: September 16, 2008, 8:00 a.m.