Walking Piano

The Walking Piano, also called the Big Piano by its creator, Remo Saraceni, is an oversized synthesizer.[1] Merging dance, music, and play, it is played by the user's feet tapping the keys to make music. Versions of the piano have been installed in museums, children's hospitals, and other public places around the world.

Walking Piano at FAO Schwarz, Fifth Avenue, New York City, 2004

History

Remo Saraceni created a musical daisy for the Bicentennial Celebration in Philadelphia (Design for Fun). From there the concept grew. It took shape with an intermediate stop at an interactive futon, and the first "Big Piano" was built in 1982. The piano was on display at the FAO Schwarz toy store in New York City when famed movie producer/director Steven Spielberg's sister saw it and told her brother all about it.[2]

Versions

An early, one-octave version of the Walking Piano was installed at FAO Schwarz in New York City in 1982. A new three-octave version was specifically created for the 1988 Tom Hanks movie Big at the request of director Penny Marshall.[3][4][5] That piano was housed in the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania until about 2013.[3][6] Another version of the piano was one made by Elliot Seth Newman, CEO and Founder of Kids Station Toys.[7] This version was sold at select retail stores such as Target, Toys R Us, Walmart, and others. This version was sold as the, "Kids Station Toys: Step-On Piano." The product retailed for about $40 USD. Kids Station Toys made many other piano related toys that succeeded and successfully made millions, the top being the, "Fisher PriceTM Elephant Piano." [8]

Reception

The Walking Piano has continued to enjoy media success, appearing in movies such as The Night Before starring Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. It has also featured in TV series such as Dancing With The Stars, Puttin' On the Ritz , The Simpsons and The Voice Season Premier Feat John Legend. It was also named as one of the most iconic movie props ever.[9]

See also

References
  1. Louie, Elaine (September 29, 1988). "A Piano You Can Walk On". The New York Times. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  2. Len Lear,"Local rocket scientist became 'Piano Man' for Tom Hanks". chestnuthilllocal.com. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  3. Larry Getlen (2013-12-07). "FAO Schwarz piano still a hit 25 years after 'Big'". NY Post. Retrieved 2016-09-04.
  4. "Featured in Big, Remo Saraceni's Walking Piano Plays Its Sweetest Music at the Cash Register". People. September 12, 1988. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  5. McFarland, Kevin (October 14, 2013). "Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock recreated the walking piano scene from Big on a British late-night show". The A.V. Club. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  6. Alison Smith (2015-02-25). "Please Touch Named a Top Children's Museum". patch.com. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  7. "A toy story". Bizjournals.com. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  8. "Kids Station-Fisher Price KFP1735 Fisher Price Step-On Keyboard". Walmart.com. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  9. "The Most Iconic Movie Props And The Stories Behind Them". trend-chaser.com. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
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