Piano Maintenance:
The following questions are the most frequently asked about the piano tuning process, please click the question below to reveal the answer. If you have any furthur questions please feel free to contact B.P Piano Tuning & Repairs via the contact page.
- How long does a piano last?
- How is a piano tuned?
- How often should my piano be tuned?
- How should I care for my piano?
- Where is the best place to stand my piano?
How long does a piano last?
Your piano is made up of some 5,000 parts. The quality of the materials used, the design and construction, and the conditions to which the piano is subjected, will determine its lifespan. On average a new piano is considered to last 50 years. This can vary for several reasons:
the quality of the piano, the regularity of maintenance, how much the piano is played and the climatic conditions in which it is kept.
[Courtesy of Pianoforte Tuners' Association]
How is a piano tuned?
Although there are only 88 keys, a piano has over 200 strings - one per note in the low bass, two per note in the upper bass, and three per note in the treble. All of the strings are held at high tension by a 2 inch long tuning pin which has been hammered into a block of wood until the pins are very tight. The Piano Tuner turns these pins, just like a guitarist turns the pin that the guitar strings are wound around, until it is in tune.
How often should my piano be tuned?
The pitch will drop if the piano is not tuned on a regular basis. The stability of its environment will very much determine how often it needs to be tuned.
Twice a year is a good rule of thumb for an average piano in a domestic situation. Some old instruments may require more regular tuning.[Courtesy of Pianoforte Tuners' Association]
How should I care for my piano?
Treat your piano like a piece of valuable furniture: keep it clean and never stand drinks, vases of flowers, or pot plants on it. Spilled liquids can cause serious damage, the repair of which may amount to a major overhaul. New pianos are generally finished in polyester or satin lacquer, which requires only to be wiped with a damp cloth and carefully dried. No polish is needed. Older pianos are usually French polished and need greater care, using a polish reviver applied with a clean soft cloth and polished with a soft duster. On NO account use spray polish.
The key tops may be made of ivory or various kinds of substitute material. Any marks which cannot be removed with a damp cloth should be left for the piano tuner to deal with. Do not use any kind of spirit or polish.
Protect your piano from ingress of dust, especially during decorating or building work.[Courtesy of Pianoforte Tuners' Association]
Where is the best place to stand my piano?
First you must consider how climate and environment affect a piano.
Temperature - a piano does not like to be too hot or too cold. A constant 18 to 21 degrees Celsius (65 - 70 degrees Fahrenheit) is ideal.
Humidity - central heating systems can dry the air, and draw moisture from the wooden components of the piano. When the heating is switched off at night the humidity rises, and conversely, as it is switched on in the morning, the humidity drops. These changes in relative humidity cause the wood alternately to shrink and expand, causing tuning instability. Ideally, you should try to keep your piano within 45 - 60 per cent relative humidity.
Position - keep the piano away from windows if possible. Do not place your piano near a radiator or other heat source, or on an inside wall where there is a radiator in the next room backing onto the piano, resulting in heat being transmitted through the wall.
These locations where constant excessive or fluctuating heat, is the cause of low or changing relative humidity, often are responsible for tuning instability and other serious problems, such as loose tuning pins, split soundboard and disruption of regulation. [Courtesy of Pianoforte Tuners' Association]