So, that new piano finally made it into your home. There’s a really good feeling that goes along with that, for sure. Naturally, you want to protect your investment and make the most of it. Giving it the piano care it deserves is likely a concern. Let’s begin by acknowledging the #1 error that piano owners make so you that you won’t fall prey to it…
Piano Care Goes Beyond Dusting
The primary mistake that new piano owners make is viewing it as a piece of furniture more than they see it as a musical instrument. “But I know it’s a piano, so what are you talking about?” may be your response.
Well, the old cliche “out of sight out of mind” tends to be the reality in all too many homes when it comes to a piano’s internals. In other words, what makes that piano a piano is what’s inside. Because those innards are not visible to the naked eye on a day to day basis, they get neglected. It’s why a piano in the average home never gets to enjoy a regulation. It’s also why piano tunings occur all too rarely.
Caring for a piano goes beyond dusting it. As a matter of fact, people will sometimes get too extreme with their piano’s exterior by not only wiping off that dust and but coating it with a layer of polish once a week. Contrary to their good intentions, they shouldn’t even do the latter. It’s not recommended that polish even gets close to a piano.
Yet, when it comes to caring for that piano’s 10,000 parts that do indeed define it as a musical instrument, nothing happens. What’s the deal with that?
It’s Smart To Schedule Those Appointments
Of course, there are those exceptions. Those who are more informed do indeed give that piano a tuning once or twice a year. Pianists with a very discriminating ear will tune it more often than that, perhaps three or four times annually (or more).
They even schedule a piano regulation when it’s due. But these conscientious individuals are in the minority. That’s unfortunate, too, since that investment is headed for hard times ahead it isn’t getting the proper care it needs.
So, why do so many piano owners lack the knowledge necessary for caring for their piano properly? Furthermore, why don’t these misinformed individuals seek this kind of information? Well, it comes back down to the fact that it still looks like a piece of furniture. They might take pride in the fact that they can boast about the existence of that Steinway parked in the corner of their living room. However, those unseen 10,000 parts get neglected year after year… after year.
The piano is perhaps the only musical instrument that faces such neglect. A guitarist keeps his or her instrument in tune and even replaces those strings occasionally. A saxophonist or clarinetist won’t hesitate to take that instrument to a technician and even pay for an overhaul that can cost hundreds of dollars.
But that piano sits looking pretty and no one gives it a second thought, especially if there isn’t anyone who plays it regularly. It’s outer shell continues to smile while its innards suffer from carelessness.
Expense Of Piano Care VS Cost Of Negligence
Imagine purchasing a new car and never have the hood lifted. Well, the truth is you could only get away with that for a limited period of time if you want those wheels to take you anywhere. It’s an implied and accepted fact that maintenance goes hand in hand with the investment of a vehicle. A piano should be given the same consideration.
It Goes Beyond Just Sounding Good
Depending on the make and model, a piano has an average of 220-240 strings. Each of these strings has somewhere between 160-200 pounds of pressure. That means there is approximately 18-20 tons of pressure in a piano. Remember, a piano is designed in such a fashion that all its parts, including those strings, work in conjunction with each other. So, your piano was manufactured with the understanding that this string pressure will be maintained if the structural integrity is to be kept in tact. Neglecting that fact results in detrimental consequences.
How Often You Should Tune Your Piano
Tuning your piano a minimum of 1 to 2 times per year is conducive to maintaining its structural integrity as we mentioned. A player with a discriminating ear will have it tuned more often for the purposes of intonation, of course. Some people would consider this a lot. But consider the amount of money that goes into that vehicle each and every year. The cost of fuel over the span of just a few months alone very likely far exceeds the yearly expense of maintaining your piano.
Why “Wooden” You Regulate?
Remember, wood expands and contracts. Consider, again, that there are approximately 10,000 moving parts in a piano, most of them being wood. Humidity changes have an impact on wood, which means that those piano parts will become affected. In addition, there are other parts including felt, cloth, and buckskin, which wear over time. With those changes of humidity and normal wear, those parts become misaligned to a degree. A piano regulation compensates for all of this and keeps your piano in prime playing condition.
How often does your piano need to be regulated? This can vary and is subject to usage and environment. A regulation during the first year is often recommended for brand new pianos, as the parts settle to a degree with regular playing. Communication with your piano technician is recommended, as he or she can shed light on what your piano requires. Generally, every two or three years may be a good rule of thumb. Again, it’s just a part of giving your piano the care it deserves.
Positioning Your Piano
Two important factors will influence where your piano should be placed in your home. For your piano’s “good health,” keeping it away from radiators, heating ducts, and hot air registers is a must. Also, keeping your piano out of direct sunlight will protect the finish on your piano.
The acoustics in a room will affect how your piano sounds to you. If you place it on a hardwood floor, you can expect the sound to be more intense. Carpeting will certainly make it sound more muted. You can experiment with draperies along with the placement of rugs as well as where you place other wooden furniture in the room. Fabric absorbs sound, while wood amplifies it.
Keeping Your Piano Clean
As mentioned earlier, some people go overboard with this. Yes, your piano should be cleaned regularly, but be selective with what you use. Never use polish. The best thing you can use is a soft cloth. If you choose to dampen it, be sure it is wrung out well before applying it. Often, simply using a dry soft cloth or a micro fiber cloth is enough.
If the keys look like they have some build up, you can use a cloth that is slightly dampened. Some mild soap solution can be okay. However, never allow that cloth to be wet enough so that water can leak in between the keys.
As for the interior of your piano, leave that to a piano technician. However, don’t neglect it. Ask your technician about this during a service call and you’ll get some good advice.
Enjoy That Piano
With proper care, your piano will bring you many happy returns. Keep in mind that the expense involved in keeping it in pristine condition is relatively small when you consider the wonderful investment it really is. Keep it happy and it will keep you happy!
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