Do Felines Have Instrument Preferences? 40
MrNally asks: "Last night I was trying out my new harmonica when my cats started to freak. A quick check of google (isn't the internet wonderful - la la) reveals that, as a rule, cats hate the harmonica.
Here's a small company that has used this to 'cat proof' your computer, playing harmonica sounds whenever the keyboard is used in
cat-like ways.
Does anyone know anything about feline physiology? Any ideas why my cats hate my Bob Dylan renditions when played on the harmonica, but don't seem to mind it on the guitar? And then there's the point that someone has turned this into a computer solution which suggests that there's a bandwidth limitation to their hatred (that is, their hatred is still true even after a low pass filter). Most importantly, is there any similar system that could be created for certain humans? ;-)" So remember, folks, if you don't want any household catastrophes, leave the harmonica renditions of your favorite songs to a feline-claw-free environment. Come to think of it, are there any particular instruments cats like?
Yes, they do. (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Yes, they do. (Score:2)
If you play... (Score:2)
flutes (Score:2)
Violin (Score:2, Funny)
gut strings (Score:2, Funny)
However, some people still choose to use gut strings, particuarly those of cat gut. A friend of mine who strings his viola with cat gut strings and I used to joke about taking kitty to the music store, handing him over the counter, ordering some new strings, waiting while kitty was taken to the back room and after a minute or so of trashing, out came the clerk with some beautiful brand new gut strings.
This friend has been known to pet his viola while making an affectionate face and muttering, "kitty!"
Higher partials (Score:3, Interesting)
Don't try to explain .... (Score:2)
From the keeping-cats-away-from-the-keyboard dept. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:From the keeping-cats-away-from-the-keyboard de (Score:2)
Re:From the keeping-cats-away-from-the-keyboard de (Score:1)
Re:You are guilty of patent infringement! (Score:1)
Laser Tag, Sorta. (Score:3, Funny)
depends on the cat, and the instrument (Score:4, Interesting)
Cat #1:
Seems to hate pretty much everything. All you have to do is reach for the piano keys and he leaves the room. It might be that he just hates piano.
Cat #2:
She doesn't like piano much, but she *loves* sopranos. When a soprano starts singing, she's been known to run right over and flop at her feet. It's interesting that she doesn't seem to be as fond of countertenors.
Cat #3:
She's pretty antisocial in general, so it's remarkable if she's around when there's anyone in the room who doesn't also live in the house. She doesn't seem to care much one way or another about piano, unless it's one of the young piano students playing. She has a knack of picking the ones who are terrified of cats. She tends to like sopranos too, although she'll usually leave them alone while they're singing.
So far, none of them seem very interested in cellos, violas, violins or tenors, although there's been less opportunities to observe, so it's hard to say whether it's indifference or dislike.
Dunno if this was an April Fools' post, but it's actually a valid question to me!
Re: (Score:2)
Re:depends on the cat, and the instrument (Score:2)
Re:depends on the cat, and the instrument (Score:1)
Re:depends on the cat, and the instrument (Score:1)
My little short hair tabby, however, as soon as I reach for an acoustic guitar (steel string or nylon) she bolts out of the room.
Go figure....
Squelch! (Score:2)
My cat hates it when I whistle (Score:3, Interesting)
She does the same thing when I play with the ring tones on my cell phone.
-Peter
Re:My cat hates it when I whistle (Score:1)
Re:My cat hates it when I whistle (Score:2)
You must have me confused with someone else. Your cat has never jumped in my lap or put his paw over my mouth when I whistle.
-Peter
Re:My cat hates it when I whistle (Score:1)
He only does this to people who are in my house whistling.
I don't believe you've ever been in my house. Sorry for the confusion.
Irish Folk Music (Score:3, Interesting)
I'm not sure if this April's fool joke but (Score:2)
May be cats don't like bad music, they don't look that hostile listening to hi-fi
My cat's least favorite instrument (Score:2)
SD
Big cats love smooth jazz ... (Score:2)
As a side note, I have a friend who has a dog who loves country music and hates anything else. Just one more reason why cats a superior to dogs
Re:Big cats love smooth jazz ... (Score:1)
I've heard your playing (Score:1, Funny)
Why have a cat if you don't want it around you? (Score:2)
Re:Why have a cat if you don't want it around you? (Score:1)
Be careful that cat hair does not build up inside your monitor (because it could fall through the ventilation slits.) This could allow for exessive heat build up and premature monitor death.
Cats and Drums (Score:1)
--blob
Re:Cats and Drums (Score:1)
classical guitar (Score:2, Funny)