How to Care for your Piano
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Proper care and maintenance, as stated in this brief guide, will ensure you a lifetime of excellent performance you have the right to expect from your piano. A piano represents the integrity and tradition of its founder and the dedication of craftsmen for many years.
It is most important to have your instrument tuned and serviced regularly (as further explained in this guide) to assure proper performance from the piano in years to come. Keeping your piano well maintained will enhance your listening and playing pleasure while protecting your investment.
Care of the finish & case
Some pianos are finished with clear lacquer and then hand rubbed to a satin sheen. Lacquer finish is used because it has been proven to be the longest wearing finish possible and is easy to repair if necessary. To keep the piano and all fine furniture clean, we recommend cleaning with a very soft cloth, such as a diaper. Avoid cloths that are rough as they may leave streaks and scratches. Apply a slight amount of water to the cloth to pick up dust. Do not use normal waxes or polishes, as long term use of such materials will harm the finish. Vases and other containers holding organic materials should never be placed on your piano because of the risk of spills. Do not place vases, flowers, or water filled containers on the piano as the condensation will create a ring on the piano's finish.
The piano strings should never be touched. Naturally, one would not think of doing so as they are enclosed by the cabinet. Fingertips leave oils behind, which causes corrosion to the steel piano wires, so it is worth a note of mention.
Care of the keys
Clean the keys with only a very soft cloth (another diaper will serve you well), water-dampened. If the keys are very dirty, use a very gentle soap on the cloth. However, if you use soap, be sure to go over the keys with another soft damp cloth to rinse the soap. Never use abrasives, alcohol, cleaning fluids, or other solvents on the keys, and never use water other than to dampen the cloth.
Placement of the piano
The correct placement of your piano is extremely important for the longevity of the instrument. The piano must not be anywhere near a heating outlet. Nor should it be near a window, exposing it to direct sunlight and drafts. Windows which open on the out-of-doors offer the least protection. If you must place your piano near a window use a heavy curtain over the window for protection. In a modern, well-insulated home, an outside wall can be adequate.
Keep the piano away from sources of heat such as radiators or hot air registers. They may damage the finish and internal parts causing tone and balance to deteriorate. Make sure that no radiant heat or hot air draft strikes the piano directly.
Extremes of humidity are extremely dangerous to your piano. Dryness in the piano's environment will cause the woods to dry out and subsequently crack. High humidity will cause the piano to detune and become sluggish. The ideal humidity level for the instrument is between 50 and 60 percent as it is for all fine furniture.
In the winter, when humidity usually drops, you may need to use a humidifier. The best type is one that is part of your central heating system. If that is not available, a room humidifier, insuring that it does not deposit its water on the piano, will do an adequate job. In the summer, when the humidity maybe much higher, the ideal solution is central air-conditioning. If central air is not available, a window unit or dehumidifier in the same room with the piano will do a reasonable job of controlling the high humidity problem.
For maximum humidity control year-round, you may wish to purchase a hygrometer. This device makes it easy to maintain the piano room's proper humidity level as it tells you the room's humidity. Besides protecting your fine piano, controlling the humidity will also benefit your other fine pieces of furniture, assuring you of many years of pleasure and use.
Damage created by extreme dryness or humidity, of course, are not covered by your manufacturers or Cooper Music Ten Year Limited Warranty.
Finally, your piano should be placed in a room where the sound will be evenly distributed. A room where all the sound gathers in one spot will produce sound lag and echoes. The best room for your piano is one in which its sound will reverberate to produce pleasant, full-bodied tones without harsh echoes.
Servicing your piano
As with any finely built object, regular and proper servicing of your piano is of vital importance if you are to enjoy it for many years to come. A properly serviced instrument will perform precisely and will have a longer useable life. During the first few years you own a new piano, when the new wires are stretching, the piano will need to be tuned several times each year. After this period, two tunings per year are usually adequate (except in situations of extremely heavy use).
Pianos often time need adjustments as well. An adjustment involves the entire piano action, keyboard and pedal movements. Proper adjustment is especially important for grand pianos. Whether the piano will perform properly or not depends on how accurately the adjustment is made.
DO'S in Piano Care
Do not place objects on the top of the piano. A heavy object may cause poor tone or noisy vibrations if placed on the piano. Remember to avoid vases with water. If the vase were to spill, water will rust the metal parts of the piano and damage the hammer and action.
Do not allow the placement of the following on the piano: plastic products, vinyl products, anything containing alcohol, or liquids of any sort.
Do not allow the piano to become dusty. Dust can dull the hammer action and cause noise. Dust the piano frequently with a soft cloth or feather duster and wipe the finish with a soft cloth.
Do keep the keyboard clean. The keyboard should be wiped periodically with a soft, dry cloth. Never use cleaners containing alcohol as the keys will become cracked. If the keyboard is very dirty, wipe it with a cloth dipped in a solution of soap and water and wrung out well. A good habit to form is to never play the piano with dirty hands.