Do not if at all possible, store your piano down in a damp basement or a garage. Changes in humidity will affect tuning stability more than any other single factor. Compare the reading with the ideal figure of 42%. Having the chosen resting place for your piano measured for humidity is a good idea. In most homes, there are only a few places where a piano can physically fit, so obviously a compromise has to be made. Try where possible to position your piano on an inside wall. Even with the cladding in modern homes, moisture can still be evident when a picture frame on the south facing wall is removed and the back of it is examined. If the wall faces south (southern hemisphere), then there s a good chance that dampness will affect your piano. Can I put my piano on an outside wall? I ve been told that in more modern homes, this is not such an issue.Ī. Get the advice from a piano technician before you part with your money. Many people have paid out a lot of money, only to end up with an inferior instrument. If is not, then buying such a piano could actually be a backward step. A technician will be able to confirm at a glance whether or not the piano has a true grand action. While many of us like the thought of a nice little grand in our home, check first that it is indeed a true grand piano. I ve always wanted to have a baby grand piano in my lounge, and I have the opportunity to buy one. These pianos are called bird cages and a look inside one will immediately confirm why this name is given. This system is not as effective at dampening the strings and the technician is hindered by the dozens of long wires restricting access to strings and many parts of the action. When released, a lead weight allows the damper to fall immediately back on to the string. When a note is played, the back of the key/action mechanism pushes up a wire causing the damper to lift off the string. An instrument with these attributes is what you should seek to buy.Ĭonversely, a Straight strung over damper piano is the older type, where the strings are fitted vertically and the dampers are mounted on a beam above the hammers. Modern pianos with this configuration also have spring operated dampers aligned just below the hammers allowing the strings to be dampened effectively. The bass/tenor strings go in opposite directions to the middle/treble strings, so they have to cross over. This refers to a piano that has strings fitted diagonally into the piano to maximise the use of the piano s size. Very old pianos have wooden frames which provide no tuning stability at all and while some of the little old cottage pianos seen around make lovely pieces of furniture, as musical instruments, they are virtually useless. The stress exerted by all the strings, amounts to 20 tons (even a steel string guitar has 1 ton!). All pianos manufactured in the last 100 years have iron frames which is vital for holding its tuning. We have an old iron frame piano, how does it differ from the modern ones?Ī. When about to make a choice, engage the services of a piano technician to check the instrument out. If a child is to advance with his or her learning, then it is vital that he or she is accustomed to the correct pitch at the outset. One important criteria with any piano is its ability to hold concert pitch. Keep an eye open at your local music store or in the newspapers. There are reasonably priced used pianos for sale, that are in good going order and may have had little use during their lifetime. Of course, a new piano for many families is unaffordable and in the real world, considerable compromises must be made. The old saying goes No-one ever regretted buying quality. As with most items, you should buy the best you can afford. No-one wants to fall into the trap of spending a small fortune on a piano only to find a few months later that your child has given up, but he or she would be far more likely to give up through frustration on a cheap old one. I don t want spend a lot of money unless she shows promise. My child wishes to take piano lessons, and I may even start up again myself. If there are still some aspects about the trade or about pianos that you are curious about, please feel free to contact me. This section answers most of these questions. Piano servicing is considered to be a rather unusual occupation and during the course of my work I am asked many questions, some of which are raised time and time again.
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