Kallie Swanepoel Piano Tuners
General piano advice

Have Your Piano Regularly Tuned
Cleaning your piano
Temperature And Humidity Control
No Books, Heavy Objects, Vases And Drinks On The Piano
Moving Or Transporting Your Piano
Selecting A Piano Technician Also Called A Piano Tuner
In Conclusion To Basic Piano Care

Here are a few basic rules to help you maintain your piano, and to extend its life span. This might also assist you in avoiding unnecessary expenses.

Have Your Piano Regularly Tuned

Pianos are specifically designed to be tuned to the international pitch standard of A-440 or C-523.3 Hertz (cycles per second). Piano tuning fork Your piano will sound its best and give you the utmost pleasure if it is tuned regularly, that is at least once or twice a year, and kept in proper playing condition. While in the process of piano tuning, your piano technician, also called a piano tuner, will be able to advise you on any possible need for piano regulation or piano repairs, and also of precautions to take to avoid other problems that might arise. Furthermore, if your piano is tuned regularly and properly, the ear gets trained to place value to a harmonious sound, and you will always be able to distinguish between a tuned or out-of-tune piano. Tuning a piano after years of not having been tuned often requires a pitch raise.

Cleaning Your Piano

The keyboard must be kept covered when not in use in order to prevent dust from accumulating. Ivory keys need some exposure to light to keep it from yellowing. Keys can be easily cleaned by occasionally wiping them with a damp cloth, from back to front, and not from side to side, and then drying them immediately. If accumulated dirt cannot be removed with a damp cloth, try wiping the cloth on a bar of mild soap or moisten with dishwashing detergent before wiping. Consult your piano technician, also called a piano tuner, to remove anything from the keys that you cannot wipe away using this method. Do not use chemicals or solvents to clean the keys. New piano finishes only need to be cleaned occasionally with either a dry or damp cotton cloth, while older piano finishes may benefit from an occasional polishing with a good quality polish, but frequent polishing is not recommended. Maintain the piano's finish by wiping the case with a damp cotton cloth to remove fingerprints, or by polishing with a reliable emulsion-type, water-based solution following the manufacturer's instructions. Do not use aerosol spray polishes that contain silicone, it can cause damage if the overspray gets to the strings or action parts. Rely on your piano technician, also called a piano tuner, to suggest a specific and suitable polish brand name. Let the piano technician take care of the cleaning and maintenance of the inside of your piano. Do not dust the inside of your piano, oil the moving parts, or use moth or insect repellents.

Temperature And Humidity Control

Try to maintain a stable temperature and humidity level (19 degrees Celsius and 42 percent relative humidity) in the room where your piano is located by keeping it away from a heater in winter, an air conditioning vent in the summer, a fireplace, a frequently opened window or outside door, and direct sunlight. Avoid having your piano standing against an outside wall if the room isn't perfectly isolated. Rather have the piano against an interior wall and prevent it from standing in a draft. There are devices on the market which can be used to control temperature and humidity by creating a much more stable climate for your piano.

No Books, Heavy Objects, Vases And Drinks On The Piano

Do not stuff your piano with books & vases or any other heavy materials, for the structure of the piano is designed and manufactured to bear only its own weight and tension. Keeping drinks off your piano, must always be a general rule. Spilling water or drinks on the piano can in some cases cause irreversible or expensive damage. If a liquid is spilt on the piano, and it gets to the action of the piano, contact your piano technician immediately to prevent any further damage.

Moving Or Transporting Your Piano

Only make use of a professional piano mover who uses specialised equipment to move or transport your piano. Following this rule will avoid the possibility of injury to yourself, and to someone assisting you during the event of piano moving. It will also prevent any possible damage done to your instrument, and your home.

Selecting A Piano Technician Also Called A Piano Tuner

Only use a qualified piano technician, preferably a member of the Logo of the South African Association of Professional Piano Tuners South African Association of Professional Piano Tuners to work on an instrument as valuable as your piano. You need a reliable and competent piano technician to maintain your piano with care, and who has the knowledge to assist you in making the correct decisions. He or she will keep track of all your piano needs. You will benefit from establishing a life-long relationship with such a piano technician. Do not attempt to perform repairs yourself. Though a problem may seem easy to solve, such as fixing a loose key top, a qualified piano technician, also called a piano tuner, will have the proper tools and parts to make repairs quickly, accurately, and correctly. It's important to remember that unsuccessful amateur repairs, performed by an unqualified technician, are usually much more expensive to fix than the initial problem, and may decrease the value of your instrument.

In Conclusion To Basic Piano Care

Thank you for reading our document on general piano advice.

Have your piano regularly tuned by a qualified piano technician also called a piano tuner;
clean your piano according to the prescribed method;
apply temperature and humidity control;
no heavy objects or drinks on the piano;
only make use of qualified professionals to work on, or handle your piano.

If you would need any additional assistance, be sure to find it browsing our site, or contact us.

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Kallie Swanepoel Piano Tuners is affiliated with, and accredited by, the Logo of the South African Association of Professional
Piano Tuners South African Association of Professional Piano Tuners

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Kallie Swanepoel Piano Tuners
General piano advice

Have Your Piano Regularly Tuned

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Cleaning Your Piano

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Temperature And Humidity Control

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No Books, Heavy Objects, Vases And Drinks On The Piano

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Moving Or Transporting Your Piano

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Selecting A Piano Technician Also Called A Piano Tuner

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In Conclusion To Basic Piano Care