The Top 6 Most Amazing Piano Videos on the Internet

We all love a good viral video. They catch our eye and present us with something extreme or crazy that we’ve never seen before. Unfortunately for the piano, it has not been branded as the extreme or crazy type, and its majestic nature does not exactly seem suitable for viral video material. But despite the odds, we’ve managed to find some videos that prove the piano is just as awesome as any grumpy cat or beat-boxing baby on the internet. Presenting, the top 6 most amazing piano videos on the world wide web!

“Is I on this list??”

The Rescue Dog that Turns on a Keyboard, and Plays It

Date Uploaded: Apr 8, 2015
Hits on Youtube: 500,000 +

There is just something about animals, especially talented (or conniving ones), doing shenanigans that makes them irresistible to us humans. So if you’re a piano lover, and not a robot, this video of an adorable rescue pooch displaying his impressive musical skills will likely give you all the warm fuzzies and feels. Move over Keyboard Cat, you are so 2007, we are all about piano dog now!

2. The Homeless Man who was Discovered to be an Amazing Pianist

Date Uploaded: Oct 23, 2014
Hits on Youtube: 5,900,000 +

If there’s one thing to be learned from this next video, it is to never judge a book by it’s cover. Meet Ryan Arcand, a homeless man who lived on the streets of Alberta, Canada. A man with disheveled clothes and overgrown hair that likely none of us would have ever spared a second glance had we crossed him on the street. But it turns out that Ryan deserves that second glance, because he was blessed with a gift many of us would pay hundreds of dollars to see in other circumstances.

Ryan’s life changed on October 23, 2014 following a chance encounter with Roslyn Polard, a woman who passed him playing a public piano in Alberta’s Winston Churchill Square. Rosalyn was so moved by Ryan’s emotional and heartfelt playing that she decided to film him and post the video to Youtube. Within a week, about two million people had watched it.

As the story went viral, the infatuation with the mystery pianist grew. Known only as ‘Ryan,’ outreach workers at homeless shelters said they knew him but didn’t know much about him. Finally, after three days of intense media speculation, a CBC News crew was able to track him down.

Overwhelmed by his overnight fame, Ryan explained that he grew up in foster homes and was eight when he played his first piano in the basement of his foster home. He taught himself how to play, and found in music the love and warmth he so desired as a child.

As an adult, he spent years on the streets, drinking, searching for food and places to sleep. But the one thing that always stayed stable in his life was his love for the piano, and he often visited the public piano in the Winston Churchill Square. Ryan’s story fortunately has a happy ending, as following the video there was an outpouring of donations made to his behalf. Today he lives in a humble apartment with a brand new piano purchased for him by admiring fans.

And what can we take away from this story? Never dismiss someone because of their outer image. You might just be missing out on a private concert by the next Mozart. 🙂

3. The Airport Pianist who Plays Viral Internet Songs like Nyan Cat

Date Uploaded: Dec 16, 2012
Hits on Youtube: 100,000 +

If we told you to name three compositions you’ll likely hear in a piano recital, chances are you’ll mention Fur Elise, Moonlight Sonata or March Funèbre rather than the Bed Intruder Song, Double Rainbow or Nyan Cat. If the latter three songs appeal to you more, you’ll likely enjoy this pianist trolling all the passersby in Chicago O’Hare’s International Airport. Bored with the regular old classical repertoire, this awesome guy decided to treat the travelers with a medley of his personal favorite viral internet songs instead. To that we say, touché! Where can we find this guy and hire him??

4. Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock Take on a BIG Piano

Date Uploaded: Oct 12, 2013
Hits on Youtube: 4,900,000 +

There’s not too much we need to write about this video to explain why it is awesome. Simply put, take Tom Hanks, reunite him with the BIG piano, throw Sandra Bullock into the mix, and have them dance. Viola! Instant viral video material for your viewing pleasure!

5. The Man Who Plays Für Elise in a Zillion Different Styles

Date Uploaded: Aug 7, 2014
Hits on Youtube: 22,000,000 +

For some compositions, there comes a time when they become too famous for their own good, to the point where people don’t take the time to really hear them anymore. Für Elise, the great Beethoven classic, is one such piece doomed to a life of being taken for granted. So popular and over-played it is that its beauty has been lost in what we now consider generic classical music. But thankfully, people like the talented pianist Maan Hamadeh exist, whose mission it is to put some new life back into the old classic. In the clip below, taken yet again at an airport (how come cool things like this never happen to us during our 9 hour connection??), Hamadeh plays the famous composition in a multitude of new ways and styles, ranging from country to jazz. The result is Für Elise with a 21st century twist, and numerous generations that can now appreciate the classic anew.

6. A Short Animation Film Featuring the Piano that will Make You Cry

Date Uploaded: Nov 14, 2007
Hits on Youtube: 26,000,000 +

It has often been said that music is heavily correlated to memories and feelings, and has the power to help you relive certain times of your past that are associated with a song you’re hearing. The short film below is a beautiful adaptation of this idea, taking viewers on a journey alongside an elderly pianist as he plays songs that remind him of different periods of his life. Though only slightly longer than 2 minutes, the effect of this beautiful and moving film is profound. We recommend you have a kleenex ready at your side. Enjoy 🙂