V.com weekend vote: Have you ever forgotten your instrument for a lesson, rehearsal or performance?

By Laurie Niles: My adult student stood in the doorway looking rather sheepish - and also rather empty-handed. "I forgot...my violin!" she said. "Do you have one that I could borrow for the lesson?" I knew that she had driven all the way across town for the lesson. Apparently she realized she'd forgotten the violin after she was more than halfway there, so I understood why she had not turned back to get it.

Fortunately, I did have a spare full-size violin for her to use. (Scaring up a fractional-size violin is a little more difficult, on those occasions when a younger student forgets!) I couldn't be very judgmental about it, because I've been in the same shoes. Quite a while ago, I actually forgot my violin for an orchestra performance. The performance was 60 miles from my home. I had been so preoccupied with leaving on time to fight rush-hour traffic, packing a change of clothes, having a snack and some water on hand - that I forgot the most important thing, my violin! I was at least halfway there when I realized my very big problem, so I stopped and called some friends who lived closer to the gig. Thankfully someone was able to bring me a fiddle. Whew! Have you ever forgotten your instrument for a lesson or an event that definitely required your instrument? If you are a teacher, have you had this happen with students? What did you do to solve the problem? Maybe you have never forgotten your instrument! Please choose the answer that best describes your most memorable incident of forgetfulness, and then tell us about it in the comments.