Cats and Piano Music

[Glyptodont]

I realize, almost no one can figure out what is going on in a cat's head.

Nonetheless, the reactions of cats to piano playing  -- or music in general -- can be interesting.

Many years ago we had a cat named Fluffy who seemed to like Brahms.  This was orchestral music on a stereo.  He did not like the works of other composers.  But for Brahms, he always showed up front and center. 

At the present time, our two cats seem to show up and form an audience when I play the piano.  The black cat sometimes jumps up and tries to nip my right hand when I move up the keyboard.  If I stop playing, he will drag his chin onto the keys, making a kind of "clang." 

I have been playing some Edward MacDowell lately and the cats seem to like his piano compositions very much.  True, it will not bring them as fast as the sound of a can opener, or the sound of the refrigerator door.  But almost as fast. 

As for composers not to the cats' taste, they don't appear to care very much for the sound of Bach or Beethoven. 

Anyone else have any experience with cats' tastes in music?

[thalbergmad]

My cat was a huge Liszt fan and had a particular liking for the Petrach sonnet 104. I used to think cats were put off by loud noise but even my hammering of the mazeppa would start her winding herself around the piano legs.

However, any Debussy would send her rushing out the door, even if she was asleep in front of the fire.


Regretfully my dear old cat is now propping up the rosebed.

[whynot]

My cat's pretty indifferent to specific pieces, but she knows from hearing the piano that a lap has become available.  This is how I work in my no-pedal practice, which otherwise I would avoid.  My dog, on the other hand, came to me as a puppy when I was learning a big loud, fast piece (not my usual stuff at all), and this is the musical taste he has developed.  In those early days, he stuck to me like glue, and would lie under the piano and sleep while I played.  That was two years ago, but he still comes over when I play that piece, or anything like it-- the louder the better-- and he goes to sleep right under the soundboard.  If I start Bach, he gets up and leaves the room (bad dog).

[chev_bigblock]

I have, a cat, but it didn't seem to even notice when I played the piano, or what I played.  It would, however, play its own music.  It would happen all the time at like 3 or 4 in the morning, all of a sudden I would hear random notes coming from the piano.  The first time it really took me for surprise.  I guess while all your cats are just sitting around listening mine was busy composing.  Okay I admit that was a stupid comment.  Anyway it sure taught me to put the lid/cover over the keys.

[dinosaurtales]

My cat doesn't know or care about music, but she sits on the bench with me while I play.

[Siberian Husky]

my dogs like the pathetique chords and howl to them

[g_flat]

My friend's mom is a piano teacher. I remember talking to her one time, and she was telling me about her college years and how her dog would listen to her play anything, but if it was Haydn, it had to go. As soon as she starting playing any Haydn music on the piano, the dog would fuss and howl and... yeah. That dog hated Haydn.

[possom46]

My cats love piano, but unfortunately if I start singing they run out of the door!!! They don't have any preference that i've noticed but i'm going to start watching them. The other thing they do is if it's really bad weather they jump on the piano in the middle of the night (must remember to put the lid down  ).

[shasta]

Wow, YES!  When I was a kid, one of my family's cats used to join me at the piano EVERY TIME I played Chopin's Raindrop, and ONLY WHEN I'd play Chopin's Raindrop.  It didn't matter if I had been practicising for hours - - - as soon as I started the Raindrop, he'd come out of nowhere and run over, jump up on the bench next to me, meow along during the opening theme, and then curl up sitting next to me, purring his head off for the remainder of the piece.  As soon as I started a different piece, he'd get up and leave. 

I remember, back then, I was also working on the Schumann Arabesque, some Musczynski, one of the Haydn sonatas (D maj?), a Bach P&F (F# maj?), and the Bartok romanian folk dances - - - the cat apparently hated all of those!!

It always amazed my family.  We used to joke that the cat was Chopin reincarnated.  It was the most bizarre thing ever.  My family still talks about it today.

If there is such a thing as heaven, and Chopin is up there playing the piano, I know this cat is up there too, sitting next to him on the bench, purring his little heart out.    

[g_flat]

You know, I've heard so many bizzare stories like this and I begin to wonder if there has been any scientific research done on this phenomenon.

Very intriguing.

[rafant]

Not a cat, but a melomanous bat. Yes, during a time there was a tiny bat, that by day hanged at the back of my upright. I assume that, in spite of the fine ear, the little animal was quite confortable hearing my fortissimos, since remained impassive. It was an insectivorous bat, judging by the leftovers (cricket's antennas, spider's legs and beetle's wings) I founded every morning on my bench.
I live alone and play for myself, so I was grateful for that sole and quiet public I did have for a while, no matter it was flying and hairy.

[pianonut]

maybe some cats are musically inclined.  mine is always sitting at my husband's feet as he works on the computer.  maybe to keep track of the mouse.

 

[lostinidlewonder]

I have a Pink and Grey Australian Gallah which goes absolutely beserk if he heard me playing the piano. He will try to imitate the sounds and if you get in to any loud phrases he will try to sing over you. So he is locked away in a a big cage on the other side of the house Oh I do let him inside the house and walk around so hes not neglected, don't call the RSPCA on me please!

I grew up with 17 cats when I was a kid, not all inside the house! But whenever the piano was played you would see a few of them jump up onto the window sill. I don't know if it was because they liked the music or because it meant someone was inside and they could get some food or attention