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 Looking After your Piano
A good acoustic piano is a treasure that must be valued and looked after - and it will then give pleasure for many years to come.
Make sure that you have your piano tuned twice yearly, and always ask your tuner to identify any other current or forthcoming issues that need to be sorted out. If you keep your piano in good condition it will hold its value, and should last for a generation or longer.
Here are some further basic tips for keeping your piano in the best order:
1. Provide Ventilation
Pianos need ventilation, but the wrong kind is harmful. The best location for your piano is in the middle of the room or against an internal dividing wall. If possible, avoid situating it against an external wall where outside weather conditions could cause the tone quality and tuning to suffer. If you have no other choice however, at least make sure there is adequate ventilation on all sides.
2. Avoid Windows
Try not to place your piano too close to a window. Its cabinet is made of wood and must be protected from direct sunlight, humidity and sudden changes in temperature. If there is nowhere else for the piano to go, use a heavy curtain to protect it from direct light.
3. Avoid Heat
Keep the piano away from sources of heat such as radiators. They can damage the finish and internal parts, causing tone and balance to deteriorate. Make sure that no hot air draft strikes the piano directly.
4. Avoid Excessive Humidity
Felt, cloth, leather and the precision wood parts used in such critical parts of the piano as the action itself are extremely sensitive to changes in humidity. Too much humidity will result in dull hammer action, unclear tones, rusting of internal parts and sticking keys. Before this happens you must get your piano repaired. On cloudy or rainy days close all windows in the piano room. Also be sure to close the lid of the piano when it is not in use.
5. Avoid Excessive Dryness
Too much humidity is a real problem, but excessive dryness can be even more serious, especially where heating or cooling systems are used to artificially dehumidify rooms. In the UK climate there is sufficient natural moisture to prevent excessive drying. However, if the air is altered to become very dry the wooden and felt components will shrink. In the most extreme cases the soundboard, joints and laminated sections may even come apart. Slight distortion of the parts may cause noise, and tuning pins may work loose, making it difficult to keep the piano in tune. One easy way to avoid a dry environment is to keep some kind of leafy plant in the piano room.
6. Avoid Excessive Temperature Changes
When a cold room is warmed suddenly, moisture will condense on the piano strings and other metal parts, potentially causing them to rust. Felt parts absorb moisture, dulling their action and resulting in unclear sound. Be especially careful about sudden temperature changes when moving your piano - specialist piano movers normally use temperature controlled vehicles, which is one of the many reasons why you should always employ a specialist to move your piano.
7. Avoid placing objects on top of your piano.
Some objects can cause vibrations which will compromise the sound produced. A vase of flowers may look attractive, but could spill - if water enters the piano it can cause very serious damage. Sheet music, a spotlight or metronome are fine, but avoid placing other ornaments or objects on your piano.
8. Cleaning your Piano
The keyboard should be wiped with a soft dry cloth. Never use cleaners that contain alcohol as the keys may crack. If the keys become very dirty, clean them with a cloth dipped in a solution of soap and water and wrung out well. The same cloth should not be used for wiping the surface of the piano however - only ever use a dry cloth. It is a good habit to always wash your hands before playing - this will minimise the need for any cleaning!
9. Tuning and Maintainance
Pianos need professional care on a regular basis. Book a tuner once every six months or so. Tuning involves correcting the pitch of every note by retightening the strings. A good tuner will also advise about other adjustments that may be necessary, such as "regulating" the action, and making changes to the tone of the piano. Minor repairs can be necessary, and older pianos parts will periodically need replacing. This can seem expensive, but is essential in order for the piano to retain its value, and to ensure that playing and practice remain a pleasurable experience for you and/or your family.
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