Maintaining Your Piano / Piano Care

Regular tuning is necessary for the life of the piano. A new piano should be tuned 4 times the first year. After the first year, technicians recommend tuning your piano 2 times a year. Consistency is the key, so whatever whenever you tune, keep it the same. Your piano should always be tuned to standard pitch. If a piano is allowed to stand for long periods of time without service, it will go further and further out of tune. More time and expense will be required to achieve an accurate tuning. Changes in pitch occur in all makes and models of pianos.

Changes in sound quality are caused primarily by the expansion and contraction of the soundboard. Dimensional changes occur when the moisture content of the wood increases during periods of high humidity and decreases when the air is dry. Movement of the soundboard causes the bridge to expand and contract and strings to move, which increases or decreases the tension on the strings. This causes the pitch of each note to change. The amount of change varies in different parts of the scale. The low notes change only slightly, while notes in the middle section vary the most.

Place your piano on any level in your home that is above ground. Basements are not recommended for acoustic pianos. If a basement or walk out basement is your only option for placement, a digital piano is the perfect alterative. Humidity control can greatly improve tuning stability. Using an air conditioner in humid summer months and adding a humidifier to your central air unit will help reduce extremes in humidity. Room humidifiers and dehumidifiers (as well as units that can be placed inside the piano) can help with humidity related disorders.

The best placement in your home is away from heat vents and on an inside wall. A cold air return is okay for the piano to be next to, if necessary. If the home is newer and you have great insulation, an outside wall should be okay. See your piano consultant or technician to be sure.

When cleaning your piano, remember they have a high quality finish that needs to be protected. Avoid putting your piano in direct sunlight. To dust the piano, a soft cloth or lambs' wool duster is recommended. To clean the keys use a small amount of dishwashing detergent and water. Clean, do not wash the keys, then dry them thoroughly. Most cabinet finishes can be cleaned the same way. Consult your piano owner's manual for more information. DO NOT USE SPRAYS OR POLISHES. They can harm the finish and a small amount of mist from sprays can have devastating effects on the inside of a piano. Consult a technician if you wish to clean the inside of your piano.

For polishing, use the following guidelines:

• Wood lacquer – use a lightly damp cheesecloth followed by a dry one
• High gloss polyester – a special spray is available at your nearest Heid Music location
• Satin ebony – a special spray is available at your nearest Heid Music location

Mothproofing
All modern pianos use felt that has been mothproofed. If a piano technician recommends treating your piano for moths, consider getting a second opinion, since moth damage from modern pianos is extremely rare. Damage from insects and other vermin is best controlled by having your technician vacuum the keyboard and other, less accessible areas of the piano.