DV Pianoworks

Tips

•     Keep your piano in tune.  It's important to have your piano tuned at least once every six months, or when there is a significant change in the weather.  Chicago piano tuners usually stay occupied throughout the seasons because of constant sudden changes in weather conditions.  Pianos generally go flat in the winter.  They often go sharp in the summer.  Having it tuned regularly will stabilize the pitch and maintain the strings’ tension levels to where they should be. 

•     Another benefit of keeping your piano in tune is if you have a friend or somebody in your family who plays another instrument.  This small tip is actually a big one if you wish to play with other musicians.  The international pitch standard of today is A-440 cycles per second.  This pitch is what musicians of all different types of instruments will tune to when playing in a group together.  When your piano is in tune, you can enjoy playing with your fellow musicians as well. 

•     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 the winter, an air conditioning vent in the summer, a fireplace, a frequently opened window, an outside door, and direct sunlight.

•     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.

•     Resist dusting the inside of your piano, oiling the moving parts, or using any source of repellents.  Your piano technician will take care of all internal problems.

•     Play your piano often.  Not only will you get the most enjoyment out of it, but you will also be able to determine what feels different as time goes on until the next visit from your technician comes around.  For example, if you have scheduled a tuning appointment after not playing your piano for a long time, there may be other problems in other areas such as the action parts that you may not be aware of.  So cherish your piano to it’s fullest potential.