Five things to keep in mind to prolong the life of your piano

The piano is a wonderful instrument.

Once purchased, a piano will be a part of your family’s life for decades.

However, maintaining the condition of the piano requires some attention.

In this issue, we would like to introduce some things to keep in mind when handling the piano.

(1) Children

Piano is one tool to entertain children.

However, handling the piano requires children to follow a few rules.

Conversely, children who do not know the rules tend to hurt the piano without knowing it, so you need to be careful beforehand.

toy

The first is hard toys, including plastic.

By playing with or bumping these on the piano, the
the piano’s paint will peel off.
There is a risk of

Piano paint is not just for shine and luster. It also protects the wood inside.

If this is removed, the wood is more susceptible to damage, which will ultimately affect the sound of the piano.

Exposed wood can also cause corrosion and shorten the life of the piano.

The second is a small toy that looks like a coin.

When children are old enough to put things in the roof of the piano, they become interested in the strings and hammers in the roof.

If coins or other small toys are placed there, it will be difficult to remove them easily or even notice them.

But this is the heart of the piano, so naturally
has a great impact on the sound
The sound of the piano is affected by the

Never put anything in the roof.

Food and drinks

Do not place food or drinks around the piano.

If drinks are placed on or near the piano, they can increase the humidity inside the piano and damage the strings and soundboard.

Also, food and drink spills, depending on their composition, can themselves cause damage to the piano.

In case of spillage, wipe up immediately.

If you notice any discrepancy in sound or touch, it needs to be taken care of immediately, including tuning.

Other Hazards

Do not allow the piano to draw on it. It may cause the paint to peel off, just like toys.

Do not let the piano itself become a toy. As with the surrounding frame, toying with the keys can cause malfunctions from the keys to the hammers to the strings.

(2) Temperature/Humidity

Pianos should be stored with care in terms of temperature and humidity.

Depending on the manufacturer and the individual, the temperature is
around 22 degrees Celsius
Humidity
40 to 50
is a good environment for pianos to last a long time.

How well this is maintained will affect the life of the piano.

Temperature and humidity change dramatically with the seasons, so it is necessary to take measures accordingly.

For example, a humidifier should be used as much as possible in winter, and a dehumidifier should be used during the rainy season.

It may be difficult to completely eliminate these seasonal influences.

But it is not only the season to watch out for.

For example, if placed near the kitchen, the area around the piano will also become excessively humid, regardless of the season.

Also, unless it is in a modern heat-resistant environment, it will ring too high a temperature in summer and too low in winter if left near a window.

Just as you would store food, you should be careful about the temperature and humidity of your piano.

We urge you to check with the manufacturer for the appropriate temperature and humidity for your piano.

(3) Movement

A piano dolly is essential for moving a piano.

Most pianos are equipped with casters on the bottom, but these should only be used to fine-tune the piano’s position.

Moving long distances on casters can lead to caster damage.

Although caster breakage itself does not have a significant impact, if the caster breaks during movement or when it is secured and the piano slams to the ground, the frame and even the interior of the piano can be severely damaged.

If you are moving, or moving a piano to another room or over a longer distance, use a piano jack, lifter, or auxiliary casters.

4) Maintenance

The piano should be wiped down gently with a soft cloth periodically.

Dust is not much of a concern since it only changes the appearance, but it is fingerprints that should be noted.

Fingerprints have various components, including oil. These can also cause damage to the paint.

It is not only the frame part, but also the keyboard.

If the piano frame or keys are stained with fingerprints, dissolve neutral soap in water and wipe them off with a soft cloth.

Then wipe up with a soft, dry cloth.

The trick to wiping the keyboard is not to wipe left to right, but to wipe back and forth, ensuring that each key is cleaned one by one.

(5) Tuning

To keep your piano in top condition, have it tuned by a proper tuner twice a year if possible, or if not, once a year.

If the temperature and humidity in the area where they are stored are properly controlled, once a year will be fine, but for the most part, twice a year is recommended.

Tuning is like a car inspection.

It usually starts working even if you don’t do it, but at some point it suddenly stops.

It’s not just about adjusting the sound of the piano, but also about overhauling it.
Seeing a piano tuner is the secret to a piano’s longevity.
The key to a piano’s longevity is to have it tuned by a piano tuner.

Sometimes you can have parts replaced at the same time.

However, the tuner is also a job.

Do not accept everything that is proposed, but rather, look at it with your own eyes and make your own decision.

There is no need to replace parts that are forcibly clean.