The only disagreement Clyde and I have had is over musical instruments. He seems to hate them with a passion. I try to practice anything -- and I play several instruments -- he just goes ballistic, squawking and carrying on. I've tried my flute, my guitar, my mandolin, my bass guitar, and he hates them all. Guess which one he didn't mind? A drum, of all things. I figured that'd be the one he'd hate the most. I wouldn't say he "liked" it, but he didn't squawk quite so much and even tried singing along. He doesn't mind recorded music, just live playing. I play professionally, so it's not that I'm so bad that he's being a critic. I hope. Is this just a matter of conditioning? That is, if he hears me do it enough, he'll get used to it and not mind so much? Or does it hurt his ears somehow? He moved in while we were remodeling our bathroom and creating all sorts of loud noise, and none of that seemed to bother him.

When I had my parakeet, she used to sing along when I practiced and when I played records, and any time there was anything going on, she had to join in, but she just sat there and chirped. She didn't squawk and carry on like Clyde does.

I play guitar and my birds all hate it however there is one forum member qpdad who plays guitar and sings with his quaker. Look for some of his videos if you can and hopefully he will see this to give you some tips on how to get birds used to instruments?

Hi Siobhan! Welcome!

What an interesting problem! Are you sure it's a hate reaction? It may be just a type of overstimulation or excitement. Quakers carry on like billy-o when they are together - screaming and yelling, you'd think they hated each other but they don't, they just like to yell when highly excited. The drum may be calming or even a bit scary. Birds go quiet when scared. Noise is usually a more positive sound. Perhaps start again from scratch, this time slowly. Involve him as much as possible. Many birds love singing so perhaps sing first then pick up the guitar as you do so it looks like it's part of you like glasses or jewellery or wheelchairs that our birds get used to seeing and hearing. Try playing the guitar rhythmically strumming and softly while you talk to him. Treat him each step of the way when he is quieter and, if he does like the sound, he will use a different response so he can hear the sound again. Each time he starts off yelling, stop and turn your back to him. See if he is listening. Try different postures. Is he quieter with your back turned to him so he has to get interested? If he starts off, usually it takes time before the carry-on finishes so wait for him to stop and check to see if he is waiting for you to start up again. You have bargaining power if he does. Just observe his behaviour and then you'll get an idea of whether he hates it or maybe he loves it passionately.

Welcome to the group. That's so fuuny, but maybe NewQPDad is right. It may not be a hate thing. Our shall I say "OLD " QPDad has his wonderful Willie (That's Willie Nelson 2) that just loves for Buddy to play and sing so he can sing along, and we have Twizzy who's Dad plays the alto horn and you should hear Twizzy play along! So maybe your guy is just playing along with you (possibly a little off pitch?)

My entire flock love my guitar playing. When I play classical they come as close as they can and just watch me. Koki, my Kakariki, will even start with the solicitaitons, so I tone it down. When I play blues Pepper, my QP, will bob up and down, run along the top of the cage raking her bill on the grate like a bull-dozer, sqwake, whistle, sing and dance right along.

Now, they were afraid of the guitar itself. When I'd walk in with one of them, they'd display obvious fear distress. But when I sit down and start playing they're just like little charmed angels. They haven't shown the fear since they were little babies.

Now, that's very much like Willie's reaction. He clearly loves it when I sing and play, (Just keep a little distance with that scary looking guitar. ) .

Right now he's sititng over there whistling "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" ........ "C³ - C³ - A#³ - A#³ - C⁴ - C⁴ - G³.. " (He likes to improvise on the melody ).

Click to view attachment

If that squawking and flapping is Clyde's version of singing and dancing, I hope he doesn't teach it to any of the people I play for in public. It would be distracting, at the very least. He squawks so loud I can't even hear myself, and stops a few seconds after I stop. He seems to especially react to the flute. Now, when I first started playing the flute, we only had George the basset, who howled and beseeched me to stop. But he's adjusted and while I wouldn't say he likes it, he has learned to put up with it and I've improved much since then, too. Clyde does not appreciate the hours I've put into practice. I don't understand why he sits there whistling happily and trying to sing along when I play my bodhran and doesn't like the flute, which is much more like singing than banging away on a noisy drum is. And both dogs much prefer it if I play the guitar, so I figured Clyde would like the guitar best, too. I'll try singing first and see what happens.

I've tried to attach a photo of me and Clyde. Dunno if it worked.

LOL thats cute even if you think he hates it LOL
mine makes lots of quacks when i play music!

I tried the flute again tonight and I took it into another room but still within hearing and he seemed better. He squawked awhile but then he started whistling and I played a piece of Beethoven's Fifth that I've been whistling at him -- and that he's finally agreed to whistle back at me -- and that seemed to please him. I think he'll get adjusted in time and not mind so much. Maybe it helped that he couldn't see the flute, only hear it. He definitely doesn't like the sight of it, because last time I hadn't even played it and he squawked and got worse when I started playing.

Now you've got me picturing a whole auditorium full of people squawking and flapping while you play!!


He just doesn't like to see that monster no matter how pretty it can sing.

I think the truth is, he's mad that I'm playing an instrument instead of talking to him. It's his firm opinion that all activity should revolve around him. He is, of course, the most important person in the house. And I want to know how you made that cool animation of Willie.