Maintenance
A living room with a high-quality piano brings melody into a home. For most owners, a piano is more than a musical instrument; it is a prized possession that reflects their passion and creativity. Your piano showcases your talent, emotions, and musical expertise. However, it needs regular care to stand up to the challenge of impeccable performances. The cost of a full piano repair is significant. Daily maintenance can help you maintain your instrument and sound condition for years, and keep unnecessary costs at bay.
Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Piano Playing Perfectly
Proper Placement: Where you place your piano plays a big part in its condition. Keep it out of direct sunlight. Harsh rays from the sun can affect the piano’s finish, dull the lustre, and adversely affect the sound. The tuning pins can turn loose and the sound can crack.
Consistent Temperature: Pianos hold well inconsistent room temperature with about 40% humidity in the air. On rainy days, use a dehumidifier to absorb excess moisture. If you don’t, your instrument may face damage or wear out before time. Excessive dryness can also affect the sound quality. Ideally, it is in optimum condition at a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 42 percent relative humidity. Keep it far from windows or doors that are opened frequently. Also, keep it well away from heating and air conditioning vents and fireplaces.
Professional Tuning: You need to have your piano tuned at least twice a year if it’s frequently used. Consult a professional musician or reputed technician to tune it. If you are a professional, your piano may require more tunings annually than others to ensure perfect intonation. Expert technicians can also offer tips on proper usage and care to reduce problems.
Regular Cleaning: Wipe clean your piano of dust daily with a soft, clean microfibre cloth or damp cloth at least once a week. Dust that settles into the nooks and crevices of your piano keys can ruin the sound. Make sure your children keep food and drinks away from the instrument.
Proper Usage: It is important for students to play the piano properly. Pounding the keys or improper use of the pedals can result in unnecessary and expensive damage. Make sure children wash and dry their hands after meals before they practice.
Timely Regulation: You will need to adjust mechanical parts following wear and tear from frequent use. The adjustments, known as regulation, involve three systems of your instrument – the action, trap work, and damper system. The action is the mechanical part that allows transfer of power from the fingers on the piano keys to the hammers that hit the strings. It has 4,000 working parts that need adjustment or they give way to a sluggish, uneven sound. If all notes of the chords don’t play well, performance will get affected, however diligently you practice. Similarly, incorrect pedaling techniques are often related to the keys and pedal system that need adjustment. Voicing involves even gradation of volume and tone throughout the piano, from one end to the other. Even if you have your piano tuned regularly, you need to request for regulation and voicing procedures, after it has been freshly tuned. Your piano also needs reconditioning and rebuilding if regulation or tuning does not improve the performance of your instrument.
Call Piano Boutique in Toronto for Regular Maintenance and Care
The Piano Boutique offers you grand pianos for sale. You are welcome to come in, discuss pianos with the owner, rebuilder, tuner, and technician, Michael Ierullo. We take pride in providing you with all your piano needs. Call us for any maintenance help.
