| s have several thousand parts (8,000-12,000) and | | | | your piano technician about voicing if: the tone varies |
| many of those parts are moving parts. To keep all the | | | | significantly from note to note; the piano has lost its |
| parts in good working order, pianos need regular care. | | | | ability to play softly; you don’t like the sound of |
| During the first year of a piano’s life it’s | | | | the piano after the tuning has been done; or your piano |
| suggested to have it serviced two to four times. Then | | | | sounds different than when you purchased it. Voicing |
| talk to your piano technician to decide what frequency | | | | typically only needs to be done once every one to five |
| to continue service at. Usually twice a year after the | | | | years. It depends on the piano and the amount of use. |
| first year is recommended, but sometimes once a | | | | In addition to making sure the interior components of |
| year is enough. Servicing includes having the piano | | | | the piano are kept in good working order, take care of |
| tuned, regulated as needed, voiced as needed, and | | | | the case and outer components too. Clean the keys |
| eventually having worn parts repaired or replaced as | | | | and the case with a damp soft cloth that is lint free |
| needed (<<a href=" target="_blank"> | | | | (cheesecloth works well). If you want you can use mild |
| Tuning is the adjustment of the piano’s strings. | | | | white soap to clean the keys but don’t ever |
| There are over 200 strings in a piano. The piano tuner | | | | use chemical cleaning fluids or solvents on the keys. |
| technician will adjust the strings so they are at the | | | | Avoid using furniture polish on the case. You may find |
| correct pitch. This is ensures the notes will sound in | | | | it surprising, but most manufacturers don’t |
| harmony when musical intervals are played. | | | | recommend using furniture polish on the case. Stick |
| Changes in humidity are the main thing that cause a | | | | with using the damp soft cloth. Or check with your |
| piano to go out of tune. There’s typically a large | | | | piano technician or piano store to see if they have any |
| humidity change in the spring and one again in the fall. | | | | cleaners specially formulated for piano cases. If you |
| Don’t have your piano tuned right after a | | | | decide you have to use furniture polish, be careful that |
| humidity change because it won’t hold very | | | | it only touches the case and that it doesn’t |
| long (probably only about two months). Instead wait a | | | | contain any silicone. |
| month or two after the humidity change to have the | | | | A piano will also need periodic reconditioning by the |
| tuning done. It will hold longer. | | | | piano technician which is cleaning, making any needed |
| Regulation is the adjustment of the mechanical | | | | repairs, and replacing specific parts if needed. When |
| aspects of the pianos because the cloth parts | | | | your piano technician comes over to work on your |
| compact and settle, and the piano changes dimension | | | | piano, it’s a good time for you to dust the hard |
| somewhat due to changes in humidity. Uneven keys | | | | to reach areas of the piano such as the behind the |
| and keys that stick are signs that a piano needs to be | | | | lower panel where the pedals are. |
| regulated. The frequency of regulation needed for a | | | | If a piano has severe deterioration it may need to be |
| piano varies according to how much the piano is used | | | | rebuilt. Rebuilding involves completely disassembling the |
| along with the climate it’s kept in. | | | | piano; repairing and replacing parts as needed; |
| Voicing is the adjustment of the piano’s quality | | | | reassembling the piano; and then testing and adjusting it |
| of sound or tone. The technician will voice the piano to | | | | to a performance level as close to original as possible. |
| ensure the tone is even from the lowest to the highest | | | | Your piano is a major investment which deserves to |
| notes. A piano’s tone will change with use. As | | | | be protected through regular servicing by a qualified |
| the hammers wear and compact, the tone will often | | | | technician and regular care by you. Properly |
| become too harsh. Before having a piano voiced, | | | | maintained, your piano will sound its best and give you |
| make sure it is well-tuned and regulated first. Then ask | | | | and your family a lifetime of enjoyment. |