Pianos for the People: Boston Street Pianos
Despite the density of people in urban settings, city-dwellers often earn a bad reputation for acting a bit cold and unfriendly on the street. They typically mind their own business in public spaces and use reading, listening to music or podcasts, or staring into a phone screen as a way to shut out the world around them. City etiquette dictates no looking at strangers and no talking to strangers, much less jamming with strangers. But since 2008, a British artist, Luke Jerram, set out to help people living in cities connect with one another in public spaces using the power of music. Jerram uses music, and pianos specifically, to break those unwritten city rules to unite music lovers of all walks of life.
Formally known as Play Me, I’m Yours, the artwork encompasses more than 2,000 pianos installed in over 65 cities around the world, reaching millions of individuals. The installation has graced the streets of Boston in 2013 and again in 2016. The colorful pianos were placed in dozens of heavily trafficked areas in and around Boston and Cambridge. Each piano was painted and decorated by local artists and adorned with simple instructions; “Play me, I’m Yours.”
The 2013 Boston Installation
In celebration of its 75th anniversary, Celebrity Series of Boston initially hosted Play Me, I’m Yours from September 27 through October 14 of 2013. Appropriately, there were 75 pianos, all painted by local artists, scattered throughout Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, and surrounding neighborhoods including Allston, Brighton, Fenway, Back Bay, and the South End. Curious passersby would pluck out a simple melody, play a familiar tune, jam with a friend, or even have an impromptu piano lesson from a musically adept community member.
Photo by Robert Torres from Celebrity Series of Boston
Participants were encouraged to share their community piano experiences online to really demonstrate how music unifies all kinds of people. Some of the most popular piano locations during the 2013 installation were City Hall Plaza, Boston Architectural College on Newbury Street, Titus Sparrow Park in the South End, Washington Square in Brookline, and Davis Square in Somerville.
Although the installation was temporary, two street pianos remained for some time after. One such piano resided in the Quincy Market at Faneuil Hall, and another in Terminal E at Boston’s Logan Airport. Any other pianos still in working condition by the end of the installation were donated to local charities to continue carrying music throughout the community.
The 2016 Boston Installation
Following the success of the 2013 installation, the street pianos returned again to Boston in 2016. During this round, 60 pianos were installed on the streets of Somerville, Cambridge, and many other Boston neighborhoods including Roslindale, Dorchester, Charlestown, and Beacon Hill.
Just like during the first installation, people were encouraged to share their performances and experiences with the pianos on social media. Some of the most popular piano locations during the 2016 installation were at the Christian Science Plaza’s reflecting pool, the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, the Children’s Museum in South Boston, and the Stonehenge at Egleston Square in Roxbury. The installation fostered connections between people that maybe would have never crossed paths otherwise.
Music transcends language and is meant to be a shared experience. Hopefully, the street pianos return to Boston again in the near future. Focusing on things that unite one another works to dismantle social barriers, exposing that people are generally more similar to one another than they may realize.
Enroll in Piano Lessons Near Cambridge, MA
While the street pianos may not always be around, there’s still always plenty of opportunity to learn to express yourself through music and foster connections and relationships along the way. At Loudlands Music Lab, our professional music instructors are more than just experts in their chosen instrument — they’re actively performing musicians who are deeply involved in the local music scene. Learning to play an instrument is a great way to build confidence and gain a community, so we hope that you’ll sign up for piano lessons near Cambridge, Somerville or wherever else you’re from with us!