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Frequently Asked Questions
about Pianos
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.
TUNING
* Why do pianos go out of tune?
Since piano strings are connected to the
wooden structure, the humidity changes discussed above change
string tension. Changing string tension forces the piano to go
out of tune.
* How often should I tune my piano?
The major piano manufacturers recommend at
least twice a year.
* Why twice a year?
The changes discussed above in the Piano
Principle are often tied to the seasons (Ex. humid summers, dry
winters).
* If I don't tune my piano for years will
that hurt it?
Probably not, however, since pianos are
constantly creeping out of tune, (it's cumulative) the longer
you wait the more likely your piano will need to be tuned more
than once to get it back in tune and stable. If the piano has
gone extremely flat, when your technician brings it back up to
A440, it's possible to have strings break.
* I know I haven't tuned the piano for a few
years, but it sounds pretty good to me. Why does it need to be
tuned a couple of times?
While 1/4 step flat is very hard for most
humans to discern, for a piano it is approximately 2,500 pounds
of lost tension. Bringing the piano back up to pitch (adding
this tension) in one shot would leave it unstable.
* Are there good and bad times to tune a
piano?
Yes. It's best to tune 2-3 weeks into the
beginning of a dry or humid season so that the piano is
acclimated and that it will be in a relatively consistent
environment for the next few months.
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CHOOSING A TECHNICIAN
* How do I find a competent
technician?
First, look for a registered
piano
technician (an RPT). Second, get
recommendations from several well-known piano teachers or
performance pianists in your area. Third, consider carefully
before going for the cheapest price quote - remember you get
what you pay for.
* What is an RPT?
An RPT (Registered Piano Technician) in the US
and Canada is someone that has passed a series of exams
administered by the Piano Technicians Guild.
* If the technician does a good job, how
long should a tuning last?
After the technician leaves, play for 1/2
hour. We're not talking Mozart, but something heavy handed like
Beethoven or rock n'roll. If the piano still sounds in tune,
then he's done his job. After that, tuning stability relies on
consistent humidity in the room.
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PURCHASING A PIANO
* I want to buy a piano but I don't know how
to go about it or what to look for, what do you
suggest?
For good information on used and new pianos
and a crash course in understanding piano innards, take a look at
"The Piano Book" by Larry Fine. It's the most informational book on the market and will teach you how to tell the good from the
garbage.
BUYING USED
* What are good guide lines for buying a
used piano?
One, try to buy privately or from an
established technician/rebuilder rather than from a dealership.
Two, the younger the better. Three, if its been sitting up
against the heat say "No thank you" and leave. Four, (THIS IS A
MUST) after you've narrowed your selection down have a
technician (preferably an RPT) go over it BEFORE you buy. Five,
never rush into anything.
* I saw this piano for $100 in the paper,
should I get it? Maybe it's a great deal.
Yeah, and I'm planning on winning the lottery
tomorrow. Most likely you'll be paying to remove someone else's
garbage. Do yourself a favor and save up for something
decent.
* When buying a piano, how old is too
old?
That depends upon the climate of where you
live. The greater the humidity fluctuations the shorter the
life span. For example, in the northeast, a piano will usually
have some structural damage by age 40. However that same piano
in Phoenix might not have any structural damage at age
70.
* I'm looking at lots of used pianos. How
can I tell how old they are?
Simple. Locate the serial number and e-mail it
along with the make of the piano to us at
Ask The Technician.
* How do I find the serial
number?
If the piano is in original condition the
serial number (in black ink, not raised metal) will be in the
tuning pin area or on a plate strut. In uprights, the serial
number may also be found stamped into the wood on the top back
of the piano. (the part that goes against the wall).
* I've decided to buy a used piano from a
dealership. Do you have any advice?
Bring a technician along (one who doesn't work
for the store) to check out the piano and keep in mind that the
salesman "helping you" could sell cars too.
BUYING NEW
* I go into the stores and all the pianos
look the same. Why are their prices so different?
Manufacturers hardly ever skimp on their
finishes. The real difference is under the hood (or lid). Ultra
cheap models will skimp on the structural and mechanical
components.
* How can prices on the same make and model
vary so greatly from store to store?
The range between manufacturers suggested
retail price (MSRP) and the bottom line of the dealers can be
very large. When you go to buy a new piano make believe that
you're going to a car dealership. If you have a piano to
trade-in don't tell the salesman until you've gotten your best
price. You've got to be a shark or you'll be eaten.
* After I decide on a piano is that
it?
No, write down the serial number of the piano
you've chosen. Dealerships have been known to sell one piano
and deliver another.
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FINISHES
* How can I tell the type
of finish I have?
If your piano is very shiny, and less than 30
years old and from Asia or Europe it most likely is a
high-gloss polyester finish. If it is a domestic piano it is a
high-gloss lacquer finish (if buying a Cory product for these
finishes use the high gloss product). If it is not shiny it's a
satin finish. Satin is not really a different kind finish, just
a dull version of high-gloss in either lacquer or polyester (if
buying a Cory product use either the Lacquer Wood Finish
product for natural wood colors, or the Satin Ebony Product if
your piano is black).
* How come all the new pianos from overseas
are so shiny?
These shiny pianos are finished with a
substance called polyester. Polyester is a much easier
substance to make high-gloss than lacquer. Lacquer, the finish
of choice in the U.S. , is a much easier substance to make
satin.
* How do these finishes stand up?
Polyester stands up very well to abuse.
However, when polyester is severely traumatized it chips, as
opposed to lacquer which will scratch.
* My polyester finish is chipped but no one
will fix it, where can I go?
Try all the dealers of Japanese and Korean
pianos in your area. Many times they'll receive a piano shipped
to them damaged and they'll have to get it touched up.
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REBUILDING
* What is rebuilding?
The generally accepted definition is
repair/replacement of structural damage such as: Pinblock
replacement, bridge cap repair or replacement, soundboard
repair or replacement.
* What is restoration?
In restoration the object is to leave as much
original in the instrument as is feasible. (as opposed to
rebuilding).
* Why should I get a piano technician to
look at my piano before I refinish it?
Because pianos have a finite life. You could
be refinishing the case just find out that it's a PSO (a piano
shaped object) and in need of $1000s of rebuilding
work.
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MOVING YOUR PIANO
* After I buy it, how do I move
it?
Get a real piano mover, not a commercial mover
that "specializes in piano moving". If they really specialized
in piano moving they'd be PIANO MOVERS.
* Where should I place my piano?
The fine print in most warranties states 4-5
feet from any heating or cooling source. This includes
frequently used outside doors.
* Once I get it home how do I clean
it?
Why, Perfectly Grand offers many cleaning products!
* My piano didn't come with a bench, lamp or
anything, where I can I get this stuff?
Hmmm, funny you should ask.
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