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Piano Care and Frequently Asked Questions 1. What makes a piano go out of tune? 2. How often should my piano be tuned? 3. What happens if a piano isn’t tuned? 4. What is the best time of year to tune my piano? 5. How can I get the best sound from the piano? 6. How can I get the best touch from the piano? 7. What temperature and humidity is best? 9. Will moving my piano make it go out of tune? 10. Who should service my piano? 11. Acoustic verses digital – Which is Better for Practice?
1. What makes a piano go out of tune? Daily
and seasonal humidity fluctuations are the primary reason pianos
go out of tune. This is because the piano’s main acoustical
structure, the soundboard, is made of wood, usually 3/8- inch thick
Sitka spruce. And while wooden soundboards produce a wonderful sound,
they also react constantly to the weather. As humidity goes up,
a soundboard swells, increasing its crowned shape and stretching
the piano’s strings to a higher pitch. During dry times, the
soundboard flattens out, lowering tension on the strings and causing
the pitch to drop. Unfortunately, the strings don’t change
pitch equally. Those near the soundboard’s edge move the least,
and those near the center move the most. So, unless it’s in
humidity controlled chamber, every piano is constantly going out
of tune!
2. How often should my piano be tuned? The answer
is it depends on the piano, the environment around the piano, and
how often the piano is used. Most home pianos need to be tuned once
or twice each year. Once a year is the minimum to maintain the piano
in reasonable condition. If the piano is used on a regular basis it
should be tuned twice a year to keep it sounding musically correct.
New pianos should be tuned three times the first year because of string
stretch and settling. Heavily used or performance pianos may require
more frequent tunings, or tuning before each performance. Since pianos
go out of tune whether or not they are used, a piano that’s
idle should still be serviced once a year.
3. What happens if a piano isn’t tuned? If not
tuned regularly a piano will never give you its full sound potential
and can inhibit the development of a musical ear. If neglected for more
than a year or two, soundboard movement and string stretch will lower
your piano’s pitch gradually and cause a tension imbalance. Several
tunings and additional maintenance may be necessary to restore the pitch
and stability of the instrument.
4. What is the best time of year to tune my piano? There
is no perfect time because the humidity is constantly fluctuating
and it only takes a 10% rise or fall to affect the tuning and
action mechanism. A regular tuning schedule and a humidity control
system will offset these changes.
5. How can I get the best sound from my piano? The tone of a piano can be improved by a process called voicing. The tone of all pianos will change over time. As the hammers strike the strings they wear and compact, causing the sound produced to become harsh or overly bright. Voicing can make a harsh tone more mellow, and can also make a weak tone stronger. Additionally, voicing can help even out notes that vary radically from their neighbors.
6. How can I get the best touch from the piano? The touch
of the piano can be improved by regulation. This is the process of
resetting the piano’s internal moving parts to manufacturer’s
specifications. A well-regulated piano will have a good touch, and
will play freely, smoothly, and evenly. If a piano is not regulated
it will be difficult to play softly or repeat notes rapidly, and creates
obstacles for the beginning student. Most home pianos need to be regulated
every 5 to 10 years.
7. What temperature and humidity is best? A
temperature range of 68 – 72 is optimal. More importantly, a constant
humidity of 42% is critical for protecting your piano and making your
tunings last. Unfortunately, here in central Virginia, the indoor humidity
fluctuates constantly.
8. How do I clean my piano? The best way to clean dust and finger marks off the piano is with a soft, lintless cloth slightly dampened with water and wrung out. Follow that with a soft dry cloth to remove any remaining moisture. Most piano manufacturers recommend against the use of furniture polish. The keys can be cleaned the same way. Cleaning the soundboard or piano action requires special tools and training and should only be done by a qualified piano technician. This should be done every 5 to 10 years.
9.
Will moving my piano make it go out of tune?
Yes, mostly due to the piano adjusting to its new environment, which causes soundboard movement and a change in string tension. A piano should be tuned 3 to 4 weeks after being moved to a new location. However, in most cases moving a piano from one spot in a house to another will not require an additional tuning. back to the top
10. Who should service my piano? Use a Registered Piano Technician. This person is a member of the Piano Technician’s Guild, a national non-profit organization of skilled and experience craftsmen involved in continuing education through regular meetings and seminars. A series of rigid tests must be completed to obtain this certification. Only an experienced, full-time technician will have all the special tools, knowledge, and advice to help keep your piano performing at its best. back to the top
11.
Acoustic verses digital – Which is Better for Practice? Do
you want an elementary student to have a digital keyboard for home practice?
That
being said, I will admit that digital keyboards have come a long, long
way in recent years. Their sounds are amazingly close to that of a piano;
after all, many use actual sound samples from acoustic grand pianos.
They stay in tune. They are portable. They generally cost less than
a piano. The most expensive ones offer touch-sensitive (also called
velocity-sensitive) and weighted wooden keys quite similar to an acoustic
piano. Digital pianos have one to three pedals, which simulate those
on an acoustic. They can also be equipped with headphones to allow private
practice. Most even offer instrumental sounds and percussion effects
which titillate many students.
Why Use a Registered Piano Technician (RPT)? Because
Registered Piano Technicians are professionals who have committed themselves
to the continual pursuit of excellence, both in technical service and
ethnical conduct. A Registered Piano Technician has passed a series
of three rigorous examinations that assess the knowledge and skills
required to tune, maintain and repair pianos. These exams are administered
by the Piano Technician Guild, (PTG), an international organization
of skilled and experience craftsman. The Piano Technician Guild has
established the only set of standards in North America for the tuning,
maintenance and repair skills needed by a qualified piano technician.
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