Comments on: Where to play piano for free in NYC just once?

Question: Where to play piano for free in NYC just once?

Furious Fitness — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:14:09 -0800

Where to play piano for free in NYC just once? A out-of-town friend wants to play piano in NYC: are there public spaces with pianos? A way to play at a church? (And note: I just mean play for playing sake, not play for an audience.)

By: 913

913 — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:36:03 -0800

Not NY specific but I've had luck in hotel lounges. Sit down, order a coffee, and play away.

By: aielen

aielen — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:41:11 -0800

This is a general answer -
Try asking at hotels (probably, you'll have better luck with the smaller ones), pubs/bars and churches - for starters. I used to go piano-hopping/hunting when I was somewhat addicted to pianos; one can usually find pianos in hotels, pubs, churches, shopping malls, sometimes condomeniums/apartment blocks (my friend's service apartment in NYC had a piano on one floor)... and then of course there are piano/music shops and showrooms, music rooms belonging to college campuses (or just pianos that you find on college campuses), youth/rec/community centres/clubs, music schools and/or dance studios. In my experience, the Methodist churches seem the most generous when it comes to letting a stranger play their piano for a couple of hours (uh but ymmv). :)
I suppose it's usually better to ask for permission, but sometimes (when I knew I probably wouldn't get their permission if I asked explicitly) I'd just play pianos (especially hotel pianos) without asking); sometimes they'd stop me, sometimes they'd let me keep on playing, sometimes they'd let me keep on playing until I played something they didn't like (i.e. something that sounded non-lounge-piano-ish and more jarring).
(Someone should make a global piano-map.)

By: milarepa

milarepa — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:07:38 -0800

I knew someone who would go to Steinway and pretend to be rich and interested. They seem to let you play without much hassle.

By: Class Goat

Class Goat — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:09:10 -0800

Go to a piano store.

By: HuronBob

HuronBob — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:06:00 -0800

Retirement homes... and you'll probably find a willing group of folks who appreciate the diversion...

By: infinityjinx

infinityjinx — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 16:11:43 -0800

Guitar Center on 14th St.

By: leibniz

leibniz — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:42:49 -0800

When I stayed at the West Side YMCA (W. 63rd st) back in 2001, they had a grand piano in a room just beside the main entrance on the right. I was able to play on it and I think even someone not staying there would be able to as well (although the room is not closed off). The piano was not in good condition though.

By: Furious Fitness

Furious Fitness — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:54:37 -0800

Thanks everyone!

By: kalapierson

kalapierson — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:39:22 -0800

Here's our city's most useful site for listings of practice rooms with pianos (some quite cheap).