How do I clean my piano?

Generally speaking, a soft, damp cloth, using warm water and mild hand or dish soap is safe to use on virtually every finish, key, and case parts. Always follow up with a dry, soft cloth to dry. Do not use too much water or it may affect the parts inside the piano. Do not try to clean the inside of the piano as there are many parts which may be damaged.

Cleaning pianos is a gentle process - not a scrubbing process. Pressing hard or vigorous scrubbing may lead to scratching or removing the finish. Always proceed with caution and use common sense.

Looking for more information about how to clean and take care of your piano? Drop me a note or give me a call.

What does A-440 mean?

Sound occurs when air is set in motion rapidly. Humans can hear sound of those cycles occur anywhere from 20 times per second to around 20,000 times per second.

If the note A above Middle C is correctly tuned then its strings will vibrate 440 time per second. That is what A-440 means.

A-440 has been accepted as the universal standard for around 100 years. Before that there was no standard at all. In earlier times every village would use a prominent local instrument, such as the church organ, as the standard for tuning its musical instruments.

Does it hurt my piano when kids pound on it?

Keys struck loudly at random can rattle your nerves and is rarely a pleasant experience - but it won't damage your piano. Most pianos are built to withstand very heavy use. Watch a professional pianist play or listen to how hard your technician pounds each key when tuning, in comparison, a small child's doesn't play that hard.

The real danger is kids dropping small toys inside, slipping coins or cards into the slots between the keys, or running toys across the finish.

So encourage children to have fun with your piano, not to be afraid of it. Teach respect for the instrument and encourage playing and they will be on their way to a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

What's the difference between a piano tuner and a piano technician?

Piano technicians can handle all aspects of piano repair - including tuning. Piano tuners, on the other hand, may not be qualified to do any repairs or service beyond tuning.

That means if a string breaks, a pedal is squeaky, or a key is sticking, you may have to call for a piano technician to repair it.

Pianos can have more than 12,000 adjustable parts that affect how it plays. That's why it is important to have a technician who not only can tune your piano but also keep it in top shape - extending the life of your piano and enhancing your playing experience.

Why do I need humidity control?

You piano is greatly affected by humidity. Changes in humidity cause wood and other parts to swell and shrink and, in extreme cases, even result in rusting strings.

All of these lead to instability and can greatly affect your piano - possibly even causing cracks in the soundboard. Keeping a stable humidity level is one of the most important things you can do to extend a piano's tuning stability, playability, and lifespan.

Position your piano away from areas of temperature extremes such as direct sunlight and heating/cooling vents.

If you do not have humidity control with your heating and air-conditioning then consider installing a humidity control system on the piano itself. While not eliminating the need for regular piano maintenance, humidity control will allow more stable tunings, and increase the longevity of your piano.