Purr-fect Advice: 3 Musical Lessons from a Senior Cat—by Inna Lobanova

If you want to learn how to teach music, I suggest you get a cat. A senior cat, specifically.

Meet my most demanding—and furriest—colleague: a 19-year-old orange tomcat named Charlie. He’s entirely unimpressed by my diplomas, my classical Russian piano training, or my most passionate renditions of Chopin. 

For years, my cat has lived by a plain, elegant philosophy: true contentment isn't found in complexity, but in the pure, honest enjoyment of a single perfect moment—a sunbeam, a gentle stroke, the quiet rhythm of a nap. He finds profundity in the everyday. 

This consistent way of simply being has become a quiet commentary on my own musical life – playing, teaching, and composing. I've come to see his perspective as a gentle, ongoing lesson in what matters most.

Lesson 1: The Genius of Simplicity. Master the “Twinkle” Before You Turn to “Für Elise.”

My cat is too old to chase after virtuoso passages. He finds profound joy in simpler things: a cozy blanket, a good meal, and the pure, unadorned melody of a piece like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” At first glance, it’s the simplest of tunes. But in that simplicity lies its magic—it’s a blank canvas! In fact, it was a canvas grand enough for  Mozart himself, who composed an entire set of dazzling variations on this very theme. (You can listen to them here.) 

What happens if you play "Twinkle" like a sleepy lullaby? A triumphant march? A mysterious secret whispered in the dark? What if you change the rhythm, or the dynamics, or even a few notes? 

When a student discovers that a six-note tune can hold a universe of expression, a fundamental shift occurs. They stop just playing notes and start making music.

We often treat beginner pieces as hurdles to jump over on our way to the "real" music. But that’s like wanting to write a novel before you’ve learned to love the alphabet. Mastering "Twinkle" isn't about the song itself; it's about building the foundation for everything that follows: ear training, rhythm, touch, and most importantly, imagination and creative confidence. 

Lesson 2: You are Never Too Old – or Too Young -- to Charge.

At 19 (a wise elder in human years), my cat’s daily routine is still defined by an insatiable curiosity. He’ll watch a bird in the garden with the focus of a seasoned hunter and track a tiny ant’s journey as if it’s the most gripping documentary. But it doesn't stop there. Despite his age, Charlie still puffs up his chest and bravely – if not always successfully – charges after those birds. For him, curiosity isn't a passive observation; it's a call to action.

This is perhaps his most important lesson. Learning music demands both: the curiosity to listen and wonder, and the courage to try, to make mistakes, and to try again. 

I welcome students from ages 5 to 95. I’ve seen the same spark of courageous curiosity in the eyes of a retired doctor as in a first grader. It’s never about when you start; it’s about the joy and courage you find along the way.

Lesson 3: The Most Important Instrument is Your Heart. Tune That First.

My cat is an expert on intention. He knows the profound difference between an absent-minded scratch behind the ears and the focused attention of a gentle grooming session, accompanied by a soft, conversational tone. One is a routine gesture; the other is a language of love to which he responds with a deep, resonant rumble that vibrates with true connection.

This is precisely what I listen for in my students. It’s not just about hitting the right note; it’s about how you hit it. Was it a timid tap? A joyful shout? A thoughtful whisper? My goal is to teach students to listen not just with their ears, but with their hearts, connecting the sound they make with the feeling they wish to express.

So, while my cat may not be able to count a measure, he has mastered the art of being fully present—the very state from which all creative energy flows.

Your musical journey begins with this curious presence—to find joy in a beautiful sound, to trust the music you hear within, and to share that discovery with others. Keep that sense of wonder alive, and you will find yourself always growing, always creating.

Schedule a free consultation for “piano” on our home page to meet the author! 

Learn more about this teacher: https://www.innalobanova.com/about

How To Choose the First Song to Learn on Guitar

Picking up a new instrument can be a daunting challenge, and as with many firsts, it can be difficult to know where to start. It’s easy to become paralyzed when faced with the magnanimity of the greats who inspired us to play in the first place.

In the spirit of my colleague Baylor’s last post, the single most overlooked guiding principle in learning to play an instrument is learning to play well! Therefore, when choosing your first song, keep it simple! In doing so, you lay the foundation for your growth as a musician: the enjoyment of playing music well. Knowing to play one simple song well puts you miles ahead of someone who can play five complicated songs badly. 

All of this being said, it can be difficult to find the perfect simple song for you. Here are some suggestions of songs that you can learn to cast away and set you off on your musical journey!

For the singer-songwriter:

You Can’t Always Get What You Want - The Rolling Stones

Jambalaya (On The Bayou) - Hank Williams Sr.

Three Little Birds - Bob Marley

Fade Into You - Mazzy Star

Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles

Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys - Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson

These simple songs are perfect for those who dream of singing with their guitar. With these songs, you will learn the basic “cowboy” chords you need to play acoustic guitar music. 

For the lead guitarist:

Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones

Come As You Are - Nirvana

Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes

Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple

Day Tripper - The Beatles

These simple riffs will help you build the dexterity and ear you’ll need to take on the melodies of your favorite lead guitarists

Stay In Your Comfort Zone You Idiots

Of course, the title of this blog refers to the idiots who live inside of us all, and I, the biggest idiot in the room, can only speak from a place of love as I grab the world by the lapels! My life, wasted, tensing, and striving! Do not make the mistakes I have made, students! Any fool can have a hard life. It takes a real master to live easily!  

            When you practice, you must find the part of play that is effortless. Do not focus on what you cannot do. Instead, repeat a single confident chord, riff, or measure over and over until you intimately understand the feeling of skill. Then expand that feeling outwards, measure by measure, chord by chord, until the song is effortless.  

This is not the same as making no mistakes. I tell you there is nothing but failure in music and in life. Every path you take will be the wrong one, sooner or later. Your mind will always find something to label a mistake, and greater skill will only make your mistakes subtler without erasing your tendency to self-criticize. Your errors may become imperceptible to others (and sooner than you think), but you will always see them. Real skill is therefore in being resilient to your own judgements. This begins by finding any feeling of confidence and then expanding it through your song.

If you struggle with this exercise, return to the part of the song that is easeful and joyous. Repeat it again, this time listening closely enough to make a mental “recording” of what you have done. Now close your eyes and imagine how the rest of the song would sound if you could play the whole thing with consistent wonderfulness. Once you can hear it all in HD, play! The power of your imagination will amaze you if you use it. The impossible will be revealed to have always been a fraud, an ordinary sized wizard behind a screen casting a large shadow. If anyone else can play it, you can too! All you need is to find ease!

Don’t leave your comfort zone! Do a renovation and add some new wings! And whatever you do-do not reject the idiot inside yourself! Love them unconditionally and give them a safe place to make mistakes.