| Tuning |
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Newly strung pianos (including new pianos and newly rebuilt pianos) should
be tuned 3-4 times the first year. Subsequently, most pianos should be tuned
twice a year. Pianos that are used for performance or for recording will
need to be tuned more often. |
| Temperature |
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Pianos are damaged by extreme heat as well as extreme cold. Ideally, a
piano is kept in a room in which the temperature is normal and constant
(around 68 degrees F). The temperature should not be allowed to fall below
45 degrees F and should not exceed 90 degrees F. |
| Humidity |
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Extremes of humidity as well as large changes in humidity are both harmful
to pianos. Ideally, a piano will be maintained in a room in which the relative
humidity remains constant year-round. In a dry climate such as is found
in the U.S. Southwest, a relative humidity in the 20% to 30% range is a
good objective. In a varied climate such as is found in the U.S. Northeast,
the relative humidity should be kept between 40% and 45%. Room humidifiers
should be used whenever possible in those parts of the world in which there
are cold, dry winters. The Sears Kenmore Quiet Comfort (evaporative type)
humidifier works very well (the larger the better). Dehumidifiers are essential
in tropical climates. Air conditioners can also be helpful – especially
if they run fairly constantly. A DamppChaser unit that is properly installed
helps maintain constant humidity in a piano year round (but cannot fully
correct situations that are extreme). |
| Sunlight |
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Direct sunlight harms a piano's finish (causing it to bleach and crack),
while the heat that it causes destabilizes the piano interior. Therefore,
if a piano must be placed in a spot where there is direct sunlight, a window
shade and/or a piano cover is essential. |
| Interior |
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Keep fluids away from the piano. Juice, soda, even water spilled into
a piano can do severe damage. Never touch the bass strings. Residue from
hands and fingers causes corrosion, which can cause the bass strings to
buzz and to lose clarity and power. Remove dust with a leaf blower or with
the exhaust from a vacuum cleaner. If you live in a city, grime may accumulate
over the years. Only a specialist should clean the interior of a piano. |
| Keyboard |
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The fallboard should always be open to allow free circulation of air around
the keys. Keys should be cleaned only with a soft cloth, dampened very slightly
with water or club soda (or Windex if the keys are really dirty). Never
put fluid directly on the keys |
| Furniture |
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The case should be dusted with a lambs-wool duster (available in many
hardware stores). To remove smudges, use a soft clean cheesecloth or an
old clean cotton tee shirt (with the seams removed). Ten percent de-natured
alcohol in water or Windex may be used if necessary. Do not rub across the
grain and do not apply fluid directly to the piano. |
