Piano maintenance and care for beginners

Becoming a pianist is not merely about learning how to play the instrument but also about knowing how to properly maintain and care for it. Pianos are instruments that can be enjoyed and sustained for years and generations. The catch is that one must know how to maintain it in order to keep it in its best possible condition throughout years to come. Here are a few tips on how to maintain and care for your pianos:

Placement

The placement of your piano is the first and most crucial step of all. It is something that will affect various aspects of the instrument, and thus must not be taken lightly. Placing your piano in an area that does not receive extreme temperatures, direct hitting sunlight, moisture and humidity is important. Many of the materials that are used to make a piano are quite sensitive to extreme temperatures and humidity, so placing the instrument in a place that is protected from these things is necessary.

This being said, ventilation is important for the piano. It's just a matter of providing the right kind of ventilation for your instrument to thrive.

Tuning

If you're someone who's asking if tuning is really necessary, then the answer is undoubtedly yes, yes it is! Tuning is an important part of keeping your piano fit and sounding good. Over time, the strings of a piano can get loose and sound a little off. Tuning the instrument on a regular basis will help to prevent your piano sounding anything other than how it should sound. Always get your piano tuned anywhere between 6 months to a year by a professional. Ssams Music provides piano tuning services by our in-house professionals who have decades of experience in the piano and music industry.

Voicing

Voicing a piano is a little more complex than the process of tuning. Voicing a piano is all about changing the quality of the tone being produced by your piano. It is an important step to keep in mind and one that will also require professionals to do. It's not something that's necessarily noticeable by the untrained ear if you are a beginner.

Regulating

Regular regulation of a piano is servicing other mechanical parts of the piano. While piano regulating is not needed as frequently as tuning, it is something that should be done every 5 to 10 years in order to keep your piano in good working condition at all times. Some obvious signs to look out for to see when your piano needs regulating is to look at the keys - how they look - are they uneven? how they sound - are they sounding too soft? There are other pieces of evidence to look out for and should not be ignored.

Cleaning

This is something that can be done by piano owners themselves. Regularly cleaning and dusting your piano - from the outer body to the keys can prevent dust, grease, oil, and other stains from remaining. Regularly wiping down your piano's exterior with a soft cloth is a great way to keep unwanted dirt and grime away, especially from gaps and nooks. Keep in mind that one must keep away from harsh cleaners or anything containing very harsh chemicals. Using mild soaps and paper towels or soft cloths is advised.

Use it regularly

Finally, the most important tip to maintain your piano well is to regularly use it. Keeping your piano in use will keep it functioning healthily, and also keep dust away. Additionally, if there are technical issues that arise, they can be identified immediately and resolved when the piano is in regular use.

While this is not the know all of piano care and maintenance, it is the basics that any beginner starting off should be aware of. Remember: keeping your piano in good health will result in your piano thriving for years to come.