Pianos in Public

Posted by Sarah Canice Funke Sep 28, 2006

During the Leeds International Piano Competition, the BBC, in an event entitled "Pianos Everywhere," placed pianos in public places in order to encourage music-making at any level. Locations included Chinatown, Kirkgate Market, and a train station. Potential pianists could chose between ten uprights or a concert grand.

The idea of placing pianos in easily accessible places seems like a good way to encourage people to make a little music on their own. And it makes the statement that one does not need to be at the competitive level in order to get enjoyment out of the piano. I am intrigued to hear if the strategy worked: were passersby willing to break into public space with their music? We are so used to isolating ourselves with ipods or headphones that playing something everyone can hear might seem disrespectful. But I hope that some of the people of Leeds did take advantage of the public pianos.