How should I care for my piano?

It is a great pleasure to play a well-tuned, well-maintained piano, so here are some tips on how to keep your piano in good condition.

A new piano should give at least 50 years use provided it is looked after well. Firstly, thought should be given to the piano’s environment: the temperature, humidity, and its position in the room.

Ideally the temperature should be kept reasonably constant between 18 and 21 degrees in order to maintain tuning stability. More importantly though, some steps should be taken to maintain a constant humidity in the room. Central heating has the effect of drawing out moisture from the wooden components of a piano. A humidity gauge can help you to keep the relative humidity between 50% and 60%. A bowl of water in the vicinity can make a big difference, as can a specially designed piano humidifier.

The position of the piano in the room is also of significance: permanent damage can be caused by keeping a piano up against a radiator or other heat source. If possible try to avoid placing the piano right next to a window, in order to minimize the effects of fluctuating temperature.

Finally, don't forget to play the piano regularly! Playing a chromatic scale over the whole keyboard every now and then will help the action to keep moving freely. O and avoid eating biscuits whilst playing...crumbs between the keys can have an adverse effect!