Street pianos key to fun

PHOTO / ASHLEIGH MUIR

It is time to release the inner musician, with free street pianos popping up around Hamilton's CBD.

Colin Hancock from Trek N Travel started the idea outside the store in Victoria St south and has proved to be popular with the public, both playing and listen.

The pianos are available for people to play as they are passing by and the Hamilton Central Business Association (HCBA) has arranged to have signs made to explain the free use.

HCBA general manager Sandy Turner says people are having fun with the idea.

"The great thing about the street pianos is you don't have to be a professional.

"We would like to get to a stage where we could have a weekend nationwide event inviting musicians to the city to compete in a city piano competition.

"We would have categories, professional and novice, we'd get judges in and try and make a weekend of music, it would be a great opportunity for our hospitality venues to look at getting guitarists for the weekend."

Originally started internationally, there are 1300 street pianos located in over 43 cities around the world.

Another piano has been provided by HCBA which will be located at Creative Waikato in Alexandra St.

Hazel Hayes has just had their piano delivered and is in the process of getting it painted and their trolley is being built.

A fourth piano has just been delivered and the location is being decided on, with the possibility of the Transport Centre or around the hospitality precinct in the south end of Victoria St mooted.

Ms Turner said there is no cap on the number of pianos that could be dotted around the CBD.

"We haven't had to pay for any of the pianos, the cost is getting a piano shifter to bring them, finding them a host business, building the trolley and getting them tuned every year."

Eventually piano location maps will be produced so the public can visit them around the city.