Do you like animals? Do you like music? What about animals playing the piano? If you said yes to any of those questions, then you’re in for a treat!
They say that music soothes the savage beast. If that’s true, these amazing animals are miles away from savage. Get ready for some seriously cute material, and check out these four-legged pianists!
In this blog post, we’ll be featuring some videos of animals playing the piano. You won’t believe your eyes – or your ears! So without further ado, let’s get started. Enjoy!
What Animals Can Play the Piano?
You may be surprised to learn that not just humans can enjoy the sound of music. Some of the most famous examples of animals playing the piano include:
- Nora the Piano Cat
- Tucker the Schnoodle
- Peter the Elephant
- Otters
- The Bunny
- Thimble the Pig
- Keyboard Cat
- Bella the Dog
- The Hedgehog
- Schaeffer and Norm
Are you feeling a little jealous? If so, you might want to take that as a sign that you need to register for piano lessons! Sign up today and check out the video below to learn more about what piano lessons have to offer you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah-fdExgBrY
Can Animals Play Instruments?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes! Animals have been known to play instruments for centuries, and there are even some famous musical duos out there featuring an animal and a human performer.
One of the most well-known examples is that of Joey and Pete, a cat and dog duo who gained fame in the early 1800s for their performances on the streets of London.
While Pete would play the harmonica, Joey would dance along to the music, much to the delight of onlookers. In more recent years, there have been a number of videos circulating online of animals playing everything from pianos to drums.
Clearly, animals are capable of making beautiful music – it’s just a matter of finding the right instrument for them!
And of course, now that we have YouTube and cell phones that can record videos at a moment’s notice, it’s easier than ever to catch these talented critters in action. Check out the examples of funny animals playing the piano (and other instruments) below!
1. Nora The Piano Cat
Can you even talk about animals playing the piano without mentioning Nora the Piano Cat? According to her bio, this talented feline observed her owner giving piano lessons and decided to take matters into her own paws. Nora reportedly practices the piano daily and recently performed live via webcam in a “Catcerto” with orchestral accompaniment.
2. Tucker The Schnoodle
Another dedicated pianist, Tucker the Schnoodle, practices his craft three to four times a day according to his humans. Not content with merely tickling the ivories, Tucker sings to accompany his playing.
3. Peter The Elephant
This pachyderm loves playing the piano with the tip of his trunk! Peter lives in an elephant sanctuary in Thailand where he is free to explore his musical talent. He even dabbles in playing the clarinet!
4. Otters
Otters are known as the curious and playful puppies of the sea. So naturally, when this group of otters at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo were given the chance to try out a keyboard, things got a little loud.
5. The Bunny
Of course, some performers are divas. This house bunny plays piano, but not without the promise of tasty treats from her human.
6. Thimble The Pig
Speaking of divas, Thimble the Pig is in a class all her own. She has her own instrument, fabulous costumes, and don’t forget the treats!
7. Keyboard Cat
A true pioneer in the field of animals playing the piano, Keyboard Cat was originally filmed in 1984, well before the rise of YouTube. Although Keyboard Cat, AKA Fatso, has long passed away, he continues to inspire the next generation of piano-playing animals.
8. Bella the Dog
Okay, Bella isn’t technically playing the piano, but with assistance from a human friend, this still makes for a pretty hilarious video.
9. The Hedgehog
The hedgehog’s piano composition starts with a walking bassline, and keeps moving all the way up the keys.
10. Shaeffer And Norm
For the grand finale, a puppy duet! These two make a great pair, and their rendition of “Happy Birthday” is sure to make you smile.
Teaching Your Pet to Play Piano
Are you feeling inspired by these videos of animals playing the piano? If you have pets of your own, you might be wondering how you can continue the trend at home.
The first step in teaching your pet to play the piano is to familiarize them with the different keys on the keyboard and how these keys produce sound.
You can do this by placing a small treat on each key and letting your pet investigate and investigate which keys produce sound when pressed.
Once your pet is comfortable with the individual keys, you can begin to teach them how to play simple tunes by showing them where each note falls on the keyboard and encouraging them to hit those notes as you play back the tune.
Can Cats Really Play Piano?
With the right training – absolutely! Cats (and dogs) can both learn how to play the piano.
Have you ever seen a cat or dog playing the piano? If not, you’re in for a treat. Pets are natural born performers and love to show off their skills. We’ve got some tips to help your pets put on a performance that will have your friends and family clapping along. So grab your pet, some treats, and get started!
If you’re not taking lessons yourself yet, you should get signed up. That way, you can be the best pet music teacher possible!
From there, it’s simply a matter of practicing regularly, setting attainable goals for your pet, and rewarding them along the way for their efforts. With patience, perseverance, and lots of treats, your pet will be playing beautiful melodies in no time!
What do you think? Which animal plays piano the best? Let us know in the comments below!
Megan L.