diff --git a/CHANGELOG b/CHANGELOG
index efe659c2..99afa4d6 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG
+++ b/CHANGELOG
@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@ Various additions
 
     Remove GARLIC build target
         * Use Portmaster-compatible distro instead
+    
+    Find closest instrument
+        * In PhraseView, select the closest instrument from the top
+        * Less often edit the wrong instrument hopefully
 
     Fixes:
     Fixed incorrect interpolation (#248)
diff --git a/sources/Application/Views/PhraseView.cpp b/sources/Application/Views/PhraseView.cpp
index fa57d08f..473d7fbc 100644
--- a/sources/Application/Views/PhraseView.cpp
+++ b/sources/Application/Views/PhraseView.cpp
@@ -1035,7 +1035,10 @@ void PhraseView::processNormalButtonMask(unsigned short mask) {
                     if (*c != 0xFF) {
                         viewData_->currentInstrument_ = *c;
                     } else {
-                        viewData_->currentInstrument_ = lastInstr_;
+                        int nearest = findClosestInstrumentFor(row_);
+                        if (nearest >= 0) {
+                            viewData_->currentInstrument_ = nearest;
+                        } else viewData_->currentInstrument_= lastInstr_;
                     }
                     if (viewData_->currentInstrument_ != 0xFF) {
                         ViewType vt = VT_INSTRUMENT;
@@ -1113,6 +1116,21 @@ void PhraseView::processNormalButtonMask(unsigned short mask) {
     }
 };
 
+/*
+ * For currently selected row, find nearest instrument from the top
+ */
+int PhraseView::findClosestInstrumentFor(int row) {
+    unsigned char *instr = phrase_->instr_ + (16 * viewData_->currentPhrase_);
+    if (instr[row] != 0xFF) return instr[row];
+    for (int d = 1; d < 16; ++d) {
+        int up = row - d;
+        int down = row + d;
+        if (up >= 0 && instr[up] != 0xFF) return instr[up];
+        if (down < 16 && instr[down] != 0xFF) return instr[down];
+    }
+    return -1; // none found in phrase
+}
+
 void PhraseView::processSelectionButtonMask(unsigned short mask) {
 
     Player *player = Player::GetInstance();
@@ -1163,7 +1181,10 @@ void PhraseView::processSelectionButtonMask(unsigned short mask) {
                     if (*c != 0xFF) {
                         viewData_->currentInstrument_ = *c;
                     } else {
-                        viewData_->currentInstrument_ = lastInstr_;
+                        int nearest = findClosestInstrumentFor(row_);
+                        if (nearest >= 0) {
+                            viewData_->currentInstrument_ = nearest;
+                        } else viewData_->currentInstrument_= lastInstr_;
                     }
                     ViewType vt = VT_INSTRUMENT;
                     ViewEvent ve(VET_SWITCH_VIEW, &vt);
diff --git a/sources/Application/Views/PhraseView.h b/sources/Application/Views/PhraseView.h
index 6afdd2e1..ab682424 100644
--- a/sources/Application/Views/PhraseView.h
+++ b/sources/Application/Views/PhraseView.h
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class PhraseView : public View {
     UIBigHexVarField *cmdEditField_;
     void printHelpLegend(FourCC command, GUITextProperties props);
     void enterCommandSelector();
-
+    int findClosestInstrumentFor(int);
     struct clipboard {
         bool active_;
         int col_;