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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000050.txt from 2003/03

From: Lee Lowry <leel@-----.net>
Subj: [DR-L] Re: Pets and double reeds
Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2003 13:45:01 -0500

We had pets when I was growing up and I have had a number of cats over
the years. When I was learning the oboe, our beagle dog would lie on the
floor and moan with the music as if he were in great torment, yet he
showed no interest in leaving the room. Most of the cats I've had always
made a polite but abrupt exit when they heard me blow on the reed or
play the oboe or English horn. But I had one who seemed to just love
anything I did--she once crawled into bed with me to have a litter of
kittens--and she always became annoyingly affectionate whenever I
started to practice. Apparently she liked the sound.

Cats like instrument cases. I can understand the attractions of the
good-sized bassoon case, but mine will curl up in the double case I have
and will sometimes stay there even while I'm playing. I wouldn't think
an oboe/Eh case would be that inviting or comfortable. There is always
some cat hair in my instrument case.

Friends of mine had a pretty orange cat who didn't seem to mind their
music, but was bothered by people whistling. Someone in the room would
start whistling and he would wander around the room looking for the
culprit. When he identified the whistler, he would jump into their lap
and oh so delicately place his paw (no claws) on their mouth to stop the
noise. If you stopped, he would settle down to continue his nap.

Judy, you should get another cat. Maybe the entertainments will begin
anew. Few cats seem able to resist instrument cases or twirling cloths.
Lee Lowry

>From: "Judy Latz" <atlconcertband@-----.com>
>
>
>I had a cat (sadly, now deceased) that didn't like *any* instrument
>played alone but always came into the room for quintet rehearsals &
>assumed his place in the bassoon case (always politely left open by the
>bassoonist--I guess he didn't mind having to vacuum his case), where he
>waited patiently for his favorite part
>