PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania: When you use the words 'Nora' and 'music' in a sentence, it's a safe bet you'd be referring to singer/songwriter Norah Jones and not a humble pussycat.
But that's about to change. Make way for the latest 'Nora' music sensation sweeping the world - Nora, the piano-playing cat!
This Meow-zart is known to have a purr-fect pitch when her tiny paws tinkle the ivories. She has been creating quite the global stir as millions of internet surfers catch a glimpse of Nora playing the piano on YouTube.
When asked how Nora learned to play the piano. Betsy Alexander, Nora's owner and piano teacher, told CBS' Dr Debbye Turner her cat had been playing the piano for the past two years.
"I think she got jealous of my students because of the attention that I gave them and so, to get my attention and to my surprise, she sat on the piano one day and suddenly started playing," Betsy said.
"I think, to her little cat head, it is music. And to me as a composer, I can hear little rhythmic patterns in it, and I can hear little melodic patterns, and I do think she's creating some kind of a sound, or combination of sounds."
Word spread fast and soon enough, even friends of Betsy's students would drop by just to visit Nora, see her play the piano and even take pictures of her. To other people, it may sound like just a random series of cat-inspired notes, but to feline afficionados, it's music to their ears. Nora has become an instant celebrity especially in her hometown of Pennysylvania.
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“To get my attention, to my surprise she sat on the piano one day and suddenly started playing.” Betsy Alexander
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Nora's musical prowess begs the question 'are cats intelligent animals?'. While studies suggest that to some degree cats do possess a degree of intelligence, so far no definitive method of measuring feline intelligence has been developed. However, according to Wikipedia, cats learn very quickly through trial and error, observation and imitation. They also have very good memory. If they see something performed often enough, they tend to imitate that action.
Perhaps this can explain Nora's un-catlike behavior. However some people argue that Nora's music is not really talent, or intelligence, it is just mere cat play and nothing more. But is it really just that?
Whatever the case, Nora is now a fully-fledged musician with a debut album already on sale. Produced by the Laurel Canyon Animal Company, the CD Cat on the Keys contains 11 "original cat-themed tracks" inspired by Nora herself. Nora even has a follow-up Youtube clip.
A new star is born - Mozart move over. Meowzart is here to stay... and with her nine lives, that could be for quite some time.
Can't say I'm completely impressed. What I find real sad is how the owners of Nora have been quick to cash in on their cat's new found popularity. I think it's completely unnecessary.
Oooooh this is the cutest!! when i watched her video, i wanted to squeeze her! so adorably cute! smart cat too, i'd say. for me, a cat afficionado, she's playing real music and not just cat play.
i think cats are very intelligent and can appreciate music. i've had a cat who loved to listen to Jim Brickman's music. whenever my bro would play, he'd go sit by the piano and close his eyes with a look of contentment. cute!
Really cute! Shows how intelligent cats are. I agree with Susie. What's just sad is that the owners are quick to capitalize on their cat's "talent". they actually have an online store selling Nora stuff - from mugs to t-shirts, to posters! I say that leave the cat to do it's usual cat-business and not use her as a money-generating tool.
I'm so glad Nora the Piano Cat has my name! She certainly plays better than I do, and with so much feeling! I love it when she lays her head down on the keys, just like advanced piano students do, to feel the vibrations from her playing as she sounds out a particularly heartfelt part of the piece she's playing! And I'm a Philadelphia girl too? You go, Nora!
Hey I've seen this cat on Youtube. How she became so famous all of a sudden is quite a thing- but I'm not impressed. There are so much more amusing videos on Youtube. I just got the impression she was kneading away at the piano keys.
I can't believe we have naysayers on this site! Of course Nora can't play like a regular piano prodigy- but the fact that she shows some aptitude at all for music is already such a big deal. Cut the kitty a little slack, won't you =) gotta admit, it's still so cute!
Cool! Am more of a dog lover but a piano-playing cat.. hey, you gotta love her. Btw, I'm new here. This is a great site for hardcore petowners like me. I hope to meet new friends here. Go Nora! :)
i agree w/ susie. cat hops on the piano and she instantly becomes a money-making machine.. can't blame the owner either.. would have done the same. lol.. maybe i should put my balinese on top of the guitar and see if we can give nora a run for her money.
omg! how adorable! how i wish i could teach my dog fifi to do that. saw other cats on your tube playing other instruments, maybe they can be in a band or something lol!
I actually saw her on u-tube and she is so darn cute! I wish my cat can also do that. My cat sasha hardly does anything but eat and sleep but i still lover her just the same.
Well, I've added Nora up on my favorites on Youtube. But I've found other videos more entertaining somewhat. Still, if you like cats, you'll just love Nora!
i'll teach my labrador retriever to burp the alphabet lol! beat that nora! ha!
i think i just found someone who can challenge nora. i saw a chihuahua on youtube who "sings" to the csi theme song. but it was more like a howl. hahaha.. nice try though
whether it's talent on just kneading, i still say she's cute! makes me wonder, there are a lot of talented animals on you tube. how did nora become such a big star? not sayin that she has no right to be (she's too darn cute!) but how??
Now I won't be surprised if a singing fish comes out on youtube. And then a cow, and then a rabbit..
Sure nora's a hit but wait til you hear and see triumph the insult comic dog. he's also on youtube.. check him out.. he's a riot! lol!
youtube can make anyone and anyone's pet famous! nora's the perfect example. but i still think nora's adorable. but i hope the owner's did not take advantage of nora being famous. kinda lost the cuteness.
i went to u-tube and i saw her play the piano. she is absolutely adorable! i wish i can see her play in person. she is a beautiful cat.
one-hit wonder. anyone can become famous in you tube. i love cats but i am not at all thrilled with this mainly because the owners made a business out of nora.
awww how cute! could she possibly be a reincarnation of some famous pianist of the past?