Last week I purchased a digital piano of a reputable make, and in the brochure it said, (I kid you not), "Before opening or closing the keyboard lid, always make sure that no pets or other small animals are located on top of the instrument. Otherwise, due to the structural design of this instrument, small pets or other animals could end up getting trapped inside it.If such a situation is encountered, you must immediately switch off the power and disconnect the power cord from the outlet. YOu should then consult with the retailerfrom whom the instrument was purchased, or you nearest XXXX Service Center." Or your local vet!!!
So I must remember to tell my pupils when they bring their pet hamster, guinea pigs, puppies or snakes to their lesson, that they cannot now sit on the piano lid. Priceless!!!
BTW does anyone else teach on a digital and what's it like? I've bought mine after 13 years teaching on an acoustic, so that I can turn the volume down/use headphones to protect me and my partner's sanity. I've been playing with it in the hols and can't wait to start teaching on it next week!

I used to - I found that pupils loved playing their pieces with all the different sounds. The record feature was also really useful - particularly when preparing pupils for exams. I loved the really loud metronome tick too - my little metronome is no comparison in terms of sound.

I used to as well until very recently. I bought one when I moved to a smaller house and had to part with my Petrof grand. I had the digital one for about six years, and very popular it was with pupils. But I wanted to go back to acoustic, so have recently bought a Petrof upright which I love. I would have loved to have had room for both of them - that would have been the ultimate.

I teach on a Clavinova. I made the decision 4 years ago when we moved back to the UK from abroad. I had to decide whether to buy a baby grand and just have a piano room or buy a Clavinova and have a sitting room with a piano in it. I opted for the latter and haven't regretted it, as it's lovely to have a room with my own sofa and computer desk as well as a piano. My students love playing it and I like the fact that I can adjust the volume if need be and have things like a built-in metronome, as well as the novelty of using the different sounds.

My teacher has a clavinova next to her piano which she uses when she needs to demonstrate stuff.
Saves all that swapping seats.
I don't think I'd go to a teacher who only had a digital.

I've got both types too - a Yamaha U1 and a Yamaha CLP970. They fit nicely in my front room. The Clavinova is great for all the reasons people have already mentioned - quieter for pupils later in the evening, 16 track recording, different sounds, connect to Sibelius on computer too. I feel able to practise when I get up at 6.00am with the 970 - the U1 would be a real no no at that time!

this thing about the small pet getting trapped under the lid and 'disconnet the power and call your local dealer/vet' (instead of 'open the lid and let your pet out'!), reminds me of when in the instructions you read: do not immerse in water!!!

I wonder if the record facility on the instrument extends to sampling the painful yelps and howls of said inquisitive pet? Could be a useful addition to any midi library....

H