Maintenance
The beautiful, natural sound of a piano is due to the remarkable blending of such materials as wood, metal, buckskin, and wool. Together they create a uniquely timeless sound that no other instrument can duplicate.
As with any musical instrument your piano is subject to change with climatic conditions. Changes in temperature and humidity cause its materials to swell and contract, affecting tone, pitch, and action response or touch.
You can reduce the severity of these effects by placing your piano near a wall away from windows or doors that are opened frequently. Avoid heating and air conditioning vents, fireplaces and areas which receive direct sunlight.
Your piano will perform best under consistent conditions neither too wet nor dry, optimally at a temperature of 68 degrees F and 42 percent relative humidity.
There are three components of musical performance that need to be adjusted periodically, pitch, tone, and touch.
1. Pitch –Adjusted by tuning.
Neglected pianos will need a pitch raise.
2. Tone – Adjusted by voicing hammers.
The soft or firmness of the hammer crown.
3. Touch- Adjusted by action regulation.
The mechanical sequence from key to string.
An out-of-tune piano or an unresponsive touch can discourage even novice musicians. Regular maintenance also can prevent expensive repair in the future.
Most manufacturers recommend servicing two to four times a year to keep the piano sounding good and working properly each time you sit down to play.