Pianos at train stations make waiting time more pleasant

Man playing on a public piano at a train station in piano is joined by a stranger for a nice impromptu performance. The two barely say a word in between, just a few smiles in between, and the overall performance turns out so beautiful. The music they are playing is ‘Braveheart’ Soundtrack – For The Love Of A Princess.

John Legend’s impromptu gig at London train station on public piano

John Legend, the soul star wowed crowds at St. Pancras International recently. John played on one of the public pianos at St. Pancras International station after stepping off the Eurostar train from Paris, France.

Excited passersby stopped to take photographs & videos of the soul star, who performed several of his hits, including the 2004 smash “Ordinary People”.

The musician played for around 15 minutes before walking away. Those present at the station were quick to tweet the videos of John Legend playing the piano.

Pianos at Dutch train stations

Pianos were introduced at 16 Dutch train stations a few years ago, so that people waiting at the stations for the train to arrive could make their waiting time more pleasant.

The pianos at the various stations is part of a Dutch Railways project that partners with local organisations; they place pianos in stations throughout the Netherlands. Amsterdam and Nijmegen were the first cities to get a piano, soon followed by Breda, Groningen, Arnhem, and more.

So who are the people who play on these pianos (or listen to someone playing):

• People on a Friday evening, when the weekend starts. There are some who take the opportunity to play the piano for an hour or so.
• There are some who prefer to watch others play. “I could go home, but my wife is still working when I finish for the day, so I’d just be alone,’ says one traveler.
• Another young passenger says earlier he though that the piano sound came from speakers, later he realized there was an actual piano placed at the Amsterdam railway station. He has his own keyboard ‘but that doesn’t count’, as per his piano teacher.
• and many more.
  
  Watch: Billy Joel’s Piano Man (public piano cover by Huub Hermsen) @ Nijmegen Station (the Netherlands)
  

  Hobby musician Hans Jansen made a record of sorts by playing the piano at all the 16 stations within one day. He started in Maastricht at 5:00 a.m., and ended in Leeuwarden at 11:20 p.m.

  Jansen hit upon the idea after a video of him playing a cover of Wicked Games at the Zwolle train station went viral.

  
  

  Jansen is a hobby musician who has been playing the piano for some time now. “When I play, I see that some people relax a bit. They watch, smile, and sometimes decide to take a later train to keep listening. I think that’s very cool”, says Jansen.

Magical Piano in Chicago Entertains As Well as Plays Pranks

Here’s a magical piano that was setup at the Chicago Union station to bring some holiday cheer. what’s unique about this piano is that it could respond to its environment in real-time.

This remotely controlled piano interacts with people as they walk by, serving both — as a prank and also as an holiday spirit-spreading idea. I think its just an amazing idea.

Obviously, some were happy to have it in the hallway and decide to join along, sing and even dance.

And then there are those usual grumpy ones. For example, what’s wrong with that guy in suit, talking on the cellphone? Even the Santa looked freaked out by the piano and tells it to stop. Why can’t people just be normal for some time?

How does the piano play by itself?

Probably, they have a MIDI connection between this piano and another digital device somewhere nearby, where someone else is playing the piano.This idea was planned by the US’ National Train Service, Amtrak and Rob Bliss Creative and involved a pianist hidden in a room, who played special tunes when people passed by the piano.

Daily commuting in most big cities, especially waiting for the train, can be quite annoying and boring. But I guess, its different for the people in Chicago who’re entertained with quality music and hilarious pranks.

KeytarHQ Editorial Team

KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.