Two weeks ago, I did the thing that I feel like you’re supposed to do when you have time off from work and you’re also quarantined at home: I got a new hobby.

I’m pleased to say that I’ve become a person who plays the piano.

To be specific, I’m a novice who taps the keys of a digital piano I rented – via zero-contact delivery – from a local music store. Unlike a keyboard, my music machine has 88 weighted keys that bloggers convinced me I needed. It sets me back $70 per month, but keyboard rental options can range from $40 to $100 a month, depending on its features and number of keys.

The instrument sits between a small black bench – that I also rented – and a big window in my apartment that allows me to display my newfound musicianship to the neighborhood. Well, at least visually. I usually plug in headphones when I play so as not to disturb the people who live below (and also because my finger pushing is not quite ready for a drive-by audience yet).

Staying Apart, Together:A newsletter about how to cope with the coronavirus pandemic