Pianos Scattered Across SoCal For Any Member Of The Public To Play

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The sound of music is echoing across Los Angeles Thursday with the launch of a free public art installation of pianos, decorated by students at the Braille Institute.

As part of the "Play Me, I'm Yours" project the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra has placed 30 pianos across the city for the public to use and enjoy in celebration of the orchestra director's 15th anniversary with the group. Residents can find them at places such as Chinatown, the Wells Fargo Center and outside L.A. City Hall.

Orchestra Director Jeffrey Kahane said there's also a larger mission to the endeavor – to expose residents to the beloved instrument, which is the most widely played instrument worldwide.

"We want people not just to be listeners to music but to actually to get involved in the act of playing because that's one of the greatest things a human being can do," Kahane said.

The orchestra launched the project at noon with a simultaneous performance on all 30 pianos of Johann Sebastian Bach's "The Well-Tempered Clavier".

Steve Stanly was on a break from jury duty when he stumbled upon a piano outside L.A. City Hall.

"This is my lunch break and, on my lunch break, I had no idea that I would be playing the piano," Stanley said.

The pianos will stand at each location day and not and will be protected from the elements.