Sitting alone on a solitary park bench is a man who plays the Erhu, a bowed instrument with only two strings. His presence and playing is so unassuming that it nearly integrates itself with the environment it exists within. The Erhu’s tone is incredibly natural and almost vocal-like and while the man does not sing, he makes intermittent but friendly glances at those who pass by as if communicating with them through each pull of his bow.

    The sound of the Erhu is calming but gentle. As people pass, they quiet down, perhaps in an effort to observe the unique instrument that the man wields but additionally, to allow for its pleasant sound to occupy the space. 

    Without any sheet music or backing track, it is unclear if the man is performing a song he has rehearsed or just playing freely. Regardlessly, his music is unique today in a park that largely consists of acoustic guitarists and vocalists. While there is nothing wrong with that, this man communicates with his audience in his own way, and in this public space, invites us to listen.