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My Yamaha P-105 keyboard, and my camper. Playing piano outside! I use headphones so I don't disturb anyone with my banging. It's actually pretty rare for the weather to be in that "Goldilocks" zone so I can do this. Usually when camping I am playing inside. When it's not being used the piano is kept in a soft case and stored in the shower or on top of the bed.

I also take it with me when driving somewhere and staying in a motel. Works pretty good for a keyboard. Nothing fancy, just the basics. My home piano is a Yamaha C3.

Sam

Nice, I take a Roland along when we go camping. we have a teardrop so I keep it in the back of the car and set it up on tables. I really appreciate the distractions of playing outside, when I get back to my piano at home, it feels like a different universe.

Looks like fun, Sam! Outside in the fresh air, playing some of your favorite pieces!

You have the best of both piano worlds, my friend, both inside and out!

Enjoy your vacation!

Rick

I sent this to my piano teacher. He now does all his teaching online and has been trying to figure out a good setup to travel while he's teaching. This would be perfect.

Exactly!

Your set up outside could make a great Yamaha keyboard and acoustic piano commercial. Your C3 at home and your P-105 when RV’ ing.

Is it me, or am I seeing lots of “going RVing” commercials lately? The perfect distraction after a pandemic. Seeing Sam’s setup, that could really be a great getaway.

One of the attractions of the camper/RV is that you have your own bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom.

I almost never use the speakers on the keyboard. I could have saved on weight and gotten something with no speakers I guess.

Sam

Wow... That's a great idea. I love musical instruments because I graduated from music school. But when my family and I go camping, the most I take with me is a guitar. And at evening gatherings around the campfire, I always play the guitar. Perhaps if I had a portable piano, I would also carry it in the van. But unfortunately, I don't have it. When we chose Chicago camping sites with my wife, she always wanted to find a large lake and forest. She loves such gatherings with music... If she could play an instrument, we would have a good musical group, ahaha.

Re: Taking powered musical instruments camping; some of the newer digital stage/slab pianos can be powered by batteries for short periods of time (a few hours?). I know some of the newer 88 weighted key Casios can use batteries, as well as AC for power, and perhaps other brands too. A nice option to have when camping or in remote areas with no AC power available.

Also, we had a Piano Buddies event last weekend, and Sam said they were headed out west to the Grand Canyon this week. He's probably outside playing his Yamaha P-105 keyboard now.

Rick

Playing outside, in the shade with a soft breeze through my hair... it is my dream! Enjoy yourself Sam!

I've always wanted to be able to play outside!

But the closest I ever got was this photo my husband photoshopped of me in a forest.... Not quite the same as being there!

Not quite the same as being outside, but still a lovely picture ShiroKuro!

Search “piano outside” on google, or whatever you use.

Thanks Animisha! As I recall, I was inspired by visuals from The Forest of Piano:

Just got back from a 5000 mile swing through the western US - here's a picture from a campground outside of Zion National Park in Springdale Utah. I'm setup under the awning on the side of the camper. It was so bright I had to wear my old-man shades! I managed to practice every 2 or 3 days...



It was a fun trip, but it is always good to be back playing my C3!

Sam

Awesome picture, Sam, and you look great with those old-man shades on!

And, I like your makeshift clothes line with the walking shoes and socks drying out in the wind and the sun!

Glad y'all had a safe, and enjoyable trip!

Rick

Sounds like it was a great trip, and thanks for sharing the photo!

Epic!

That is called living the dream. Very nice.

We were at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, walking around town when we had an off day from the events. Next to Abravanel Hall, outside, Steinway had set up several grands, including Horowitz's piano, and IIRC Cliburn's piano, maybe one owned by Rubinstein as well as one or two other fancy creations. They were under some protective roof, I think in a heated area (it was the Winter Olympics) and anyone could sit down and play the pianos. My wife took the opportunity to play (she had played the Emperor at the Cliburn Amateur competition two or three years earlier when it was just for piano concertos and the three winners each got to play one movement of their concerto with the Ft. Worth Symphony. ) So she played part of the first movement of the Emperor. Not sure how Steinway maintained the pianos with the temperature issues.