I posted this thread over at the Pianist Corner, but you might find it fun (and relevant) over here too.


Lap Warmer


Any of you have friendly cats whose friendliness sometimes gets in the way?

Yes! Piano Studio Cat gets in the way of lessons.
She is a very fat calico. She rummages through anything on the floor in my studio and thus creates a good bit of distraction during lessons. So I throw her out. Then she will sit at the french door and meow like crazy and stretch herself out at the door to be let in again. Students laugh. So I call out to anyone else in the house who might come and do a cat removal.

Your Piano Cat is adorable and looks quite sweet, compared to mine.

This is why I have a dog (one reason at least.) Instead of sitting on you she slobbers.

Canine interruptions: When I was a teen my very dapper and proper piano teacher came to my house for lessons. My elderly dog decided this was the perfect time to pace back and forth over the pedals. The only problem was her, er, chronic flatulence. Now, dogs are born with a particular aptitude for doing this with extreme potency. My teacher was too polite to say anything but, being a teen, I was red-faced mortified. I attempted to pretend that nothing was wrong while I tried hard not to breathe too much. After a few more pungent, breathless lessons, I demanded the dog be locked into another room during my lessons. Funny thing. It never happened when I practiced. Perhaps she didn't like my playing?

Hillarious story gooddog!

OMG, reminds me of Aschenpudl (German for Cinderella, although in high German, it's Aschenputtel) who reigned supreme in the piano studio for years. Her untimely demise was crushing for both teacher and students.