Piano Maintenance: 4 important tips on how to take care of your Grand Piano

Piano care is important if you want to maintain the longevity and sound of your grand piano. A grand piano is a significant investment, and proper care is necessary to preserve its value and beauty.

Here are some tips to help you care for your grand piano:

Keep your Piano in a stable environment

Temperature and humidity are two of the most significant factors that can affect the performance and longevity of a piano. Pianos are sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, which can cause the wood to expand and contract, affecting the tuning and playability of the instrument. To prevent this, it is essential to keep your piano in a room with a stable temperature and humidity level. Ideally, the room should be between 60°-80°Fahrenheit(15°-26°Celcius) and 40-50% humidity.

If you live in an area with extreme temperature and humidity, it is best to invest in a humidifier and dehumidifier to control the environment around the piano. Never place your piano near ventilation outlets or heaters. The variance in temperature from external sources can affect the wood of your piano causing it to become misshaped in different areas.

Regularly clean your piano

Dust is a daily occurrence in our world, leave something out for too long and dust can collect on it. For pianos, dust can be more damaging than you think. The build up of dust on the exterior of your piano can affect its finish and make the piano look worn and dull.
Dust build up can also affect the sound of your piano. A piano produces a tone when the hammer strikes a string. If some of the parts are covered with dust, the tone will become muffled.The accumulation of dust in the internals of your piano can cause the moving parts to become less responsive and sticky. It can also attract pest which can further damage your piano.

It is also unhygienic to be playing a dusty piano. Use a soft and dry cloth to wipe down the exterior of your piano. A vacuum and a soft brush to clean the interior. If you’re unsure and worried about damaging your piano, we recommend hiring a professional to do it.

Get your Piano serviced regularly

Grand pianos can fall out of tune. A grand piano consists of 230 strings, and these strings can stretch over time, more with constant usage. When this happens it can affect the sound of your piano. We recommend getting your piano professionally tuned twice on its first year as new strings stretch easier and once a year after that. It is also important to get the hammers in your piano serviced and we recommend getting them replaced every 5 years.

Avoid moving your Grand Piano without Professional Help

Grand pianos are heavy, big and complex. It is intricate despite its size and its not to be treated just like a piece of furniture or a shelf. If you don’t know what you’re doing, we recommend getting a cover for you piano and hiring a professional to move it for you. Remember, the price of a professional piano mover is far less then the bill for a piano repair or worse case scenario, a new grand piano.

In Summary

A piano is much more than the sum of its parts, its a center piece, its an investment in quality sound. The right environment, regular cleaning, servicing and proper care is important to the longevity of your piano; and not to mention saving you from the headache of extra maintenance or repair cost. There is no one solution to all problems and we highly recommend seeking professional advice on the particular situation you might be in.

If you’re looking for extra protection for your piano, piano covers are a good investment.