Airports with public pianos
Mar 9, 2023, 1:14 pm
#1
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Airports with public pianos
One day I was traveling through CLT airport, and I had a fairly lengthy layover. In the central courtyard area, they have that nice grand piano that I have heard being played many times. I play a little jazz piano, so I didn't think much of it when I sat down to play a few tunes, but after about 8 minutes, someone came by and was very cross with me for having done so! I was told it wasn't a public piano. This got me thinking about where there ARE public pianos in airports that anyone can play. Here are the ones that I have played/know of (all US domestic... I haven't traveled as much as some):
CAE
STL
PDX (granted, this was in 2012... not sure the piano was temporary or permanent)
RDU (also not sure if it was permanent)
CAE
STL
PDX (granted, this was in 2012... not sure the piano was temporary or permanent)
RDU (also not sure if it was permanent)
Mar 10, 2023, 2:04 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Malaga, Spain
Posts: 1,082
I don't have a list of public pianos but thoroughly support the idea. In UK there are examples at railway stations and other downtown spaces like shopping malls.
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Mar 10, 2023, 12:52 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,899
One day I was traveling through CLT airport, and I had a fairly lengthy layover. In the central courtyard area, they have that nice grand piano that I have heard being played many times. I play a little jazz piano, so I didn't think much of it when I sat down to play a few tunes, but after about 8 minutes, someone came by and was very cross with me for having done so! I was told it wasn't a public piano. This got me thinking about where there ARE public pianos in airports that anyone can play. Here are the ones that I have played/know of (all US domestic... I haven't traveled as much as some):
CAE
STL
PDX (granted, this was in 2012... not sure the piano was temporary or permanent)
RDU (also not sure if it was permanent)
CAE
STL
PDX (granted, this was in 2012... not sure the piano was temporary or permanent)
RDU (also not sure if it was permanent)
SNA does have a public piano, just outside of the Ruby's diner.
Mar 10, 2023, 4:01 pm
#5
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One day I was traveling through CLT airport, and I had a fairly lengthy layover. In the central courtyard area, they have that nice grand piano that I have heard being played many times. I play a little jazz piano, so I didn't think much of it when I sat down to play a few tunes, but after about 8 minutes, someone came by and was very cross with me for having done so! I was told it wasn't a public piano. . . .
Mar 10, 2023, 4:02 pm
#6
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There is one right at the exit of the TSA area escalator, at United Terminal 7 - LAX.
Mar 10, 2023, 4:23 pm
#7
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There used to be one for a couple of years at Kirmington but it got removed after being damaged by an oil rig worker that was told to get straight back to his platform to cover an illness
Mar 11, 2023, 10:41 am
#9
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I met one of the professional JAX piano players a few years ago and he told me it was free for anyone to play. I never bothered to confirm if this is official policy. I'll try to inquire when I pass by there this evening.
Mar 11, 2023, 1:27 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,638
There's actually one in YUL. It's all the way at the end of the international pier in the "Transat" area. Saw a young girl playing last year when I was waiting for my flight in August -- one of the highlights of the airport experience that day.
https://yulsatisfaction.admtl.com/hc...2517-YUL-PIANO
https://yulsatisfaction.admtl.com/hc...2517-YUL-PIANO
Mar 12, 2023, 9:33 pm
#11
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Mar 13, 2023, 7:03 am
#13
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They had a uniform and nametag on - I guess I had no reason to doubt their authority. I took the path of least resistance and just nodded and went on my way. I may have made faces behind their back when they turned to leave, but I don't remember too clearly. 
Mar 14, 2023, 9:01 am
#14
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Sounds like quite a sourpuss.
Mar 15, 2023, 8:07 pm
#15
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