Sing for Hope - Pianos in Times Square

June 18th - July 2nd, 2011.

The organization Sing for Hope placed 88 decorated pianos around the city of New York, throughout all five boroughs. This project, known as Pop Up Pianos, was created to provide people of all ages, situations, conditions, languages, etc. an opportunity to have access to the arts. Each piano was painted/decorated by a Volunteer artist. Among these included Isaac Mizrahi (who made a pink piano), Diane von Furstenberg, Kate Spade, and Walker Fee (the only tape-art piano out of all 88).

Me, being the halfway self-proclaimed pianist, decided that I just had to take this chance to go to New York and play these pianos.
So on the very last day of this event, I, with my mom and sister, ventured out to New York City to play pianos in Times Square.
After very filling lunch at Max Brenner consisting of half a chocolate pizza, a small fudge filled chocolate cake thing, a straight up shot of chocolate, and waffle fries, we walked off the calories by going 30 blocks uptown.
Upon reaching the edge of Times Square, I found my first piano -- the "Drips" Upright Piano.
The keys were kind of loose and a little sticky, but it was a pleasure to play.

The next piano was even better. First of all, it was gorgeous. There was no paint on it -- the peacock and peony designs were all taped on. Secondly, it was right in front of the Marriott Hotel. The first piano was more to the side, the experimental one that people, including me, tried out as they passed by. This piano, "Peacocks and Peonies," was the pro piano.
At first, I was afraid to play. I hadn't taken lessons in seven years, hadn't touched a piano in weeks. I didn't want to shame myself in front of everyone who could play beautifully.

But when the awkward silence came as people looked at each other, silently egging on the other to play, I sat down at the bench and played my Beethoven, some contemporary music, movie soundtracks...
Two amazing things did happen though.

1. There was this one guy who played like I had never seen before. He played so quickly, fingers gliding up and down all over the 88 black and white keys, yet it looked so effortless. I was so entranced that I had to go talk to him. I needed advice. I hadn't been able to get my fingers to speed for years. His response? "You need to practice your technique. You need to try harder. I believe you can do it."
   The next day, I went home, pulled out the finger exercise and technique books I hadn't touched in 10 years, and played. God I'm out of practice.
2. I met the artist who designed the piano (Walker Fee). He plays really well, and is really, really nice.

Everything from Chopsticks to Chopin (I can't actually play Chopin) was swelling over the streets of New York City from Manhattan to Staten Island. It was the most beautiful thing that any person could ever be a part of.