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Piano Care Information
- Avoid Windows:
Try not to place the piano near a window. Its cabinet is made
of wood and must be protected against direct sunlight, humidity and sudden
changes in temperature. Windows, which open on the out-of-doors, offer
the least protection. If you must place the piano near a window, use a
heavy curtain over the window for protection.
- Avoid Heat:
Keep the piano away from sources of heat such as radiators or
hot air registers. They may damage the finish and internal parts causing
tone and balance to deteriorate. Make sure that no radiant heat or hot
air draft strikes the piano directly.
- Proper Conditioning For Proper Sound: Pianos work and sound
best when the temperature and humidity are right. Proper ventilation is
also important. Generally speaking, a relative humidity between 50 and
60 percent is ideal for pianos.
- How Humidity Affects A Piano: Felt, cloth, leather and precision
wood parts, some of them machined to tolerances as fine as 1/100mm, used
in such critical parts of the piano as the action, are extremely sensitive
to humidity. Too much humidity will result in dull hammer action, unclear
tone, rusting internal parts and sticking keys.
- Beware Of Excessive Dryness: Too much humidity is a problem,
but excessive dryness is an even more serious one, especially where heating
and cooling systems are used to create artificially de-humidified rooms.
Used in naturally dry climates, the piano has enough natural moisture
to prevent excessive drying. However, if the air becomes too dry the wood
and felt components will shrink. In extreme cases, the soundboard, joints
and other laminated sections may even come apart. Slight distortion of
the parts may cause noise, and the tuning pins may work loose, making
it difficult to keep the piano in tune. To avoid excessive dryness it
is best to keep some kind of leafy plant as a humidifier in the piano
room.
- Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes: When a cold room is warmed
suddenly, moisture will condense on the piano strings and other metal
parts, causing rust to form. Felt parts will absorb moisture, dulling
their action and resulting in unclear sound. Try to place the piano against
an interior wall rather than an exterior wall. Outside temperature changes
are not as severe next to interior walls.
- Put Your Piano Where It Will Sound Best: The piano should be
placed in a room where the sound will be evenly distributed. A room where
all the sound gathers in one spot will produce sound lag and echoes. The
best room for your piano is one, which its sound will reverberate to produce
pleasant, full-bodied tones without harsh echoes.
- Avoid Placing Objects On Top Of The Piano: A heavy object may
cause poor tone or noisy vibrations if placed on a piano. A vase of flowers
may look attractive on the piano, but if it should spill and water enters
the piano, serious damage can result.
- Avoid Placing Or Spilling Objects On Top Of The Piano:
- Plastic products (Except Polyethylene)
- Vinyl products
- Anything containing Alcohol
- Liquids such as cosmetics, insecticides, any
kind of Aerosol, paint thinner or petroleum-based products.
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- Do Not Allow The Piano To Become Dusty: Dust can dull the hammer
action and cause noise. Dust the piano frequently with a soft cloth or
feather duster.
- Keep The Keyboard Clean: The keyboard should be wiped periodically
with a soft, dry cloth. Never use cleaners containing alcohol, as the
keys will crack. If the keyboard is very dirty, wipe it with a cloth dipped
in a solution of soap and water and wrung out well. The same cloth should
not be used for cleaning the surface of the piano.
- Always Cover The Keyboard When Not In Use: Covering the keyboard
helps to decrease the chances of loose items falling between the keys
and causing them to stick. It will also help to keep dust from entering
under the keys, causing a dull action.
- Keep Your Piano Properly Tuned And Adjusted: We at Schafer
Bros. would like you to receive the maximum enjoyment, usage and life
from your piano. We suggest you contact a local tuner/technician for proper
service and maintenance.
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If you have any comments, questions,
or suggestions, please e-mail us!
Copyright
© 1999-2006 Piano Movers, Inc.
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