Have you just purchased a new piano and don’t know how to keep it in good shape? Do you have an old piano that is out of shape and needs a tune up? Knowing basic care of your piano should be important to you. It doesn’t matter if you have a new or old piano; it’s never too late to start learning what you can do to maintain it. Following a few basic tips will keep your piano in good working order and make you much happier when playing it.
These are just a few of the things you can do to keep your piano running well for years to come. If you have any questions about a specific piano, you can consult a professional technician, the company that made it or do some research online. Some things to consider when caring for your piano:
• Tuning
• Polishing
• Dusting
• General cleaning
When it comes to tuning your piano, you’ll want to let a professional technician do this. The strings of the piano are constantly at high tension and require a professional to not only tune them so that A is at 440 Hz, but also to ensure that no strings are damaged. Some companies that tune pianos also offer an internal cleaning of parts. While you could clean them yourself it’s highly recommended you allow a professional to do this. You should have your piano tuned about twice a year to keep it in good condition.
Depending on the type of piano you own, you may want to keep it polished. Some pianos are coated with a high gloss when they are made and only require that you keep the dust off of it. Some pianos can be polished with special piano polish. It’s not recommended to use regular furnisher polish as this could seriously damage the piano in the future.
Dusting your piano is one of the best cleaning methods. This keeps dust from building up in places that will cause your piano to sound out of tune or cause keys to stick. Most piano stores sell high quality cloths that allow you to pick up dust very easily. You could also shop at your local hardware store for anti-static cloths or high quality dusters.
Cleaning your piano with a damp cloth is ideal. Avoid using chemicals and harsh soaps. If you do have to use soap, use a very mild soap and very little. Don’t get water in between keys or strings in order to keep them from being damaged. Cleaning your piano every few months is recommended to keep dirt from building up from use.
These simple steps will keep your piano running well for years to come. The better care you take of it the longer you’ll have it. Make sure to keep your piano serviced by proper technicians and read up on the model you have to make sure you know as much as possible. Doing all of this will extend your pianos life and increase the happiness it brings you when you play it.
