Three Important Things Every Piano Owner Should Know

THE PIANO PRINCIPLE

The MOST important thing to remember when discussing care and maintenance of pianos is that the instruments are made primarily of wood. Just like a sponge, wood expands when the humidity goes up and contracts when the humidity goes down. This said, pianos live and die by changes of humidity. In the short term, fluctuations in humidity throw a piano out of tune. In the long term, years of fluctuations cause structural damage ending with the piano being useless as an instrument.

ONE – Never place your piano within 2 or 3 feet of a heating or cooling source; over a vent or near windows or doors that are frequently opened; or in a room with a working wood stove or a frequently used fireplace.

TWO – If you live in an environment where winter heat dries out your house, placing a piano on the bottom floor is much better than on a top floor of your home.

THREE – Never put a piano in direct sunlight for more than 2 hours daily as this will bleach a wood finish within 2 years and crackle the piano finishes.

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Did you know ? . . .
Piano manufacturers specifically prepare pianos for North America as it is the worst place on the entire planet for pianos and their longevity? This is due to the extreme fluctuations in humidity caused by seasonal changes and heating systems in most of the United States.

That said, pianos live the longest in the West and Southwest of the United States where humidity levels are consistently low, and also in the Southeast, where the heating season is short.

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