How often should I have my piano fully serviced?
The three components of musical performance that need to be adjusted
periodically are pitch, tone, and touch. Tone is maintained by voicing,
and touch by servicing the piano action, called regulation..
Piano tuning is the adjustment of the tuning pins so that all the strings are of the
proper tension (pitch), to have the correct sounding, musical intervals. The Piano Technicians Guild, Inc. (PTG) is a
nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding the knowledge and skill of professionals in
the piano industry. The largest organization of its kind in the world, its membership
includes tuner-technicians, rebuilders, piano designers, and manufacturers, retailers, and
enthusiasts.
PTG certifies Registered Piano Technicians (RPT) through a series of
rigorous examination designed to test their skill in tuning, regulation and repair. Those
capable of performing these tasks up to a recognized worldwide standard receive RPT
certification.
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 at least two to
four times a year to keep the piano sounding good and working properly each time you sit
down to play. This is especially important the first year of your piano's life. Some
tuning instability should be anticipated during the first year because of the elasticity
of the piano wire, combined with the piano's normal adjustment to the humidity changes in
your home. A piano which has gone a long time without tuning may require extra work in pitch raising. But most importantly, be sure the regular servicing
of your piano is performed by a qualified piano technician.
How do I find a qualified person to service my piano?
Basic Rules of Piano Care
Keep your piano in
tune. It was specifically designed to be tuned to the international pitch standard of
A-440 cycles per second. Your piano will sound its best and give you and your family the
most pleasure when it is tuned regularly and kept in proper playing condition.Keep your
piano clean. Keep the keyboard covered when not in use to prevent dust from accumulating
(although ivory keys need some exposure to light to prevent yellowing). Clean keys by
occasionally wiping them with a damp cloth and drying them immediately. If accumulated
debris can't be removed with a damp cloth, try wiping the cloth on a bar of mild soap or
moisten with dishwashing detergent before wiping. Do not use chemicals or solvents to
clean piano keys. Call a qualified piano technician to remove anything from the keys you
can't wipe away.To maintain
the piano's finish, you may wipe the case with a damp cotton
cloth to remove fingerprints, or polish with a reliable emulsion-type, water-based
solution following the manufacturer's instructions. Avoid aerosol spray polishes that
contain silicone. Your technician may suggest a specific brand name.The
maintenance of the inner working of the piano and regulation
should be left to a qualified piano technician. Resist dusting the inside of your piano,
oiling the moving parts, or using moth or insect repellents. Your piano technician will
take care of all internal problems.Try to
maintain a fairly consistent temperature and humidity control in
the room where your piano is placed. It's important to keep your piano away from a heating
register in winter, an air conditioning vent in the summer, a fireplace, a frequently
opened window or outside door, and direct sunlight.Play your
piano regularly. You'll get the most enjoyment from it and also reach your potential much
faster. A disadvantage to idle pianos, assuming they also suffer a service lapse, is that
a detrimental condition or environment can't be identified, and an escalating problem can
result in damage that might not have occurred with regular service. Tuning a piano after
years of not having been tuned often requires a pitch raise. As a
piano ages, it may begin to develop more major problems which your technician can help you
assess. You may look into rebuilding or reconditioning the piano.Keep all
drinks and standing liquid containers off the piano. Should spilled water reach the
action, notify you piano technician immediately. In many case, once liquids are spilled,
the damage is irreversible which is why prevention is the safest rule to follow.Select a
piano technician with care. It's not only important that the service person be competent
to perform tuning, regulation and repairs, but also that the person be someone you feel
comfortable calling with questions concerning your piano's performance. Hiring a Registered Piano Technician who is committed to comprehensive service
for your piano, and not just an occasional tuning, is your best assurance.Do not
perform repairs yourself. Though a problem may appear easy to solve (such as replacing a
loose key ivory), a qualified technician will have the proper tools and parts to make
repairs quickly and correctly. It's important to remember that unsuccessful amateur
repairs are usually much more expensive to fix than the initial problem and may decrease
the value of your instrument.Use only a
professional piano mover to move your piano. You will avoid injury to yourself, your
instrument, and your home.
Copyright © 1995 Ronald Lee
Berry , webmaster@ptg.org
In cooperation with the Piano Technicians Guild , ptg@ptg.org
Revised: September 27, 1998