Piano Advice From Rachael

Here are some basic guide lines in order to best take care of your musical instrument:

• Put your piano in a suitable place - to prevent damage, place your piano in a room with consistent temperatures and humidity levels year round. An ideal temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21.1 degrees Celsius). An ideal humidity is 50% Avoid locations near AC vents, heaters, fireplaces, high traffic doors and rooms with large windows Use a humidifier in the winter to maintain a consistent humidity level and use a dehumidifier in the spring and summer when humidity levels rise - contact me about fitting a lifesaver system!
• Keep your piano at ground level where possible, unless your basement is climate controlled
• Where possible, put the piano in a room where pets do not inhabit
• Unless made of Ivory, Cover your key when not in use to prevent dust accumulating between the keys
• Keep liquids and food at a distance to avoid spillages
• Play your piano as regularly as possible to keep the moving parts in order - this will help prevent problems such as sticking keys
• Have your piano tuned regularly. It is preferable to have your piano tuned every six months. New pianos may need to be tuned more frequently in the first year
• Place your piano away from heat sources, such as radiators, heaters and direct sunlight
• Try to avoid placing your piano next to an outside wall to avoid extreme temperature changes
• Avoid excessive force when pressing the keys as this can cause damage to the action and stability of tuning.
• To keep case part finishing in a pristine condition, avoid placing drinks, ornaments, lamps and other items which could cause scratches, dents and other damage to either the Polyester or French Polish.
• Avoid using candles around or on your instrument.
• Where possible, avoid placing the piano in a room with underfloor heating. A special mat can be purchased if this is not possible to protect from the heat
• There are many moth prevention products available to protect your instrument from moth damage, such as powders and moth catchers – contact me about a range of options to suit your needs.