64-year-old cleaner finds happiness playing public piano

A 64-year-old cleaner, who often plays a public piano after work at a subway tunnel in Chengdu, has recently drawn attention online, Chinanews.com reported on Oct. 31. 

"When I was 18, I bought a fife. As soon as I started playing, I fell in love with musical instruments," said Xu Guifang. Whenever she heard a good song, she would find the music and learn to play it at home. Xu believed that she is never too old to learn, so she practices whenever she has time. She explained that music is her "spiritual food".

Xu has learned to play 20 piano compositions. When she plays, she doesn't read the music score, but plays from memory. She said she enjoys playing the public piano after she finishes work.

Xu Guifang works at a subway station in Chengdu. (Photo/Yue Yitong)

Xu, who works alone in Chengdu as a cleaner, cannot bring her instruments from her hometown. Playing the public piano in the subway tunnel has, therefore, become a place for her to practice and relax.

"I was shy at the very beginning because I wasn't very good at it," she said. However, as soon as she started to play, young people would applaud her, take photos and videos of her and praise her performance. This boosted her confidence.

She said that she did not have this kind of free instrument in her childhood, but with the development of society, more free instruments are finding their way into cities across the nation.

The piano was placed by a mall, with a sign next to it that read, "this is a public piano, may you leave your touching music ". People often stop by to play a quick song, which has brought happiness and music to a once drab and lifeless tunnel.

Passengers watch Xu play the piano at a subway station in Chengdu. (Photo/Yue Yitong)

"I hope my performance can bring joy to those around me, and if they don't feel joy, I will be happy alone," said Xu.

Speaking about the future, Xu said she would still practice the piano and play new songs in her spare time. She added that age would not be an obstacle for her to learn.

"No matter what happens, as long as I play an instrument, my mood will be better, making me feel decades younger," said Xu.