Sixty Pianos on the Streets of New York---"Play Me I'm Yours."

Now Luke Jerram has brought his "Play Me, I'm Yours" art installations to the streets of New York City. There are 60 pianos scattered around the streets of the city. From reports, they are all in constant use.

Pianists of every ability level are encouraged to sit down and play. And instant communities form and re-form all day long. Some piano-players bring their bands and have impromptu concerts. Some people make music videos on the spot.

Here's CNN report on the project.

And heres' the project's own webpage. It's been around the world and will visit several smaller American cities. The pianos are donated when the project ends.

It just makes me happy to think of all the people sharing their music---for Julliard students to self-taught 'can't really play' kinds of folks. Music in the streets! Music for the people!

The Brick Piano is Aging Gracefully

Every time I visit Chattanooga, I have to walk down Frazier Street and check on the brick piano.

Since it's a bit more substantial than most instruments, it's always there, waiting for a photo op . . . or just waiting to inspire or amuse.

Why is it there? The inscription says it's dedicated to the musicians of Chattanooga and the area, and that's a good enough reason.

But art doesn't need a reason. It's just THERE to surprise you and make you happy.

It's looking a little more grainy these days--getting some texture from age. But it's a nice graceful aging.

(I'm looking around Atlanta for some nice public art that celebrates our local musicans. I can't find anything anywhere. Once again, Chattanooga takes the lead . . . I guess Atlanta is too busy tearing down old things to take the time . . .

A Piano for EVERY Home

I love electric pianos and synths. I have several and have owned every major brand. But until last week, I really, truly  didn't like the "fake grand piano"--essentially an electronic piano in a simulated grand-piano case. Electronic pianos are great, but there is no need for them to get all dressed up as something they are not.

(In fact, I'm going to do a future post about how absurd it is for a major big-time hotel to provide one of these little things for use in an elegant ballroom. They should know better-and they have the space and money to do the right thing. In the hotel, a little fake grand looks absurd, and sounds weak. My thinking was: don't try to be something you're not--and at an upscale Marriott, a little electronic stand-in is pathetic.)

But a visit to the Antebellum Inn in Milledgeville, Georgia changed my mind---there ARE places where simulated grand pianos look, and even sound, just fine. Here's the prefect example. There simply is not room in this wonderful B&B for even a spinet, much less a baby grand. This piano isn't fooling anyone---it ain't a Steinway--BUT it sounds decent and adds music in the living room (or perhaps it's the 'Drawing Room') of the home.

A further nice note is that the B&B owner actually bought the fake piano so that her part-time staff, music students at the local college, would have a place to practice. So....a good deed for the students, and a nice addition to the room. Music and music-making is ALWAYS a good thing.

And--seeing it, hearing it, and playing it was a chance for me to be a bit less judgmental about what kind of pianos are acceptable. Without this little Suzuki in the corner, there would be much less music at the Inn.

(But I'm still going to rip the Marriott . . . )