Piano 101?

[binny]

Ok the first of 2 musical questions.


My MIL generously gave us a piano and it should be here in a few hours.

I am a brass instrument girl and have never learned to play the piano nor do I have any idea how to take care of one!

Aside from general dusting what do I need to know?
Are they pretty much maintenance free like the salesman tried to tell me?

They will be here to tune it next week so that is taken care of. The girls will be starting lessons soon so I don't need to worry about that but is there anything else I need to know?


I don't know if it matters or not but it is a Kawai 506 Console. Like I said I don't know if that matters in knowing what I will need to do.


Thanks!

 

[ducklite]

You'll need to have it tuned now and then--until they become vituoso's every six months to a year will be fine, depending on humidity and other environmental concerns. The tuner will tell you, and frankly they are pretty honest in my experience.

Keep the keys covered when not in use to keep the dust and any pet fur (if applicable) off them.

Don't position it so it's in direct sunlight, this will mess with the tuning and possibly damage the finish, like with any fine furniture.

Use some brass polish (Brasso works great but put some newspaper or something on the rug to protect it first!) on the [edals every few months or as needed.

Use a soft, lint free cloth to dust it regularly, if it's got a black laquer finish this should be all you need, if it's woddgrain some furniture polish every couple of months will help maintain the luster.

Don't allow food or beverages near it.

Ask the tuner what he suggests to clean the keys--they will get a bit grimey from the natural oils in your hands--and the composition of the key covers (plastic, ivory, or other) will make a difference in how you clean them.

Enjoy your beautiful new gift. I love to play and haven't owned a piano for years. Maybe someday!

Anne

 

[KimR]

I have a humidity control until on my piano to keep the moisture at an optimum level. This protects the soundboard and keeps the piano in tune longer.

Also, a good website for piano supplies: www.perfectlygrand.com

Enjoy your piano!

 

[binny]

Thank you both


I am looking forward to it. It is an upright and oak finish. We went to look at last week and its is very nice.


Thanks for the tip about out of the direct light. I think it will be ok against the wall I chose. That is where the former owners of this house had theirs.

 

[amid chaos]

Keep it on an inside wall where temps are more consistant. No matter how pretty a vase of fresh flowers looks on the piano, fight the urge. It should be tuned twice a year after spring and after fall, but I am lucky if I get mine tuned every few years...LOL

As for yourself..if you can read music (treble or bass clef) than you can play the piano..let middle C become your friend.

The best thing we did was find a non traditional music teacher. He taught my young son blues and jazz tunes by memory and only after he became extremly confortable with the keyboard did he introduce notes on paper. The method really fit my son and many years later he can still sit and play those same jazz and blues tunes.

Enjoy!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Keep it on an inside wall where temps are more consistant.

You beat me to it.....this is my favorite thing to tell piano owners.....Although I say it differently. I say, "you shouldn't have your piano on an outside wall". You are a much nicer person that I am.

 

[binny]

that was the one thing I *did* Know. LOL

No outside walls

 

[ducklite]

One other thing--if your girls become proficient at the priano, they might be able to get some high school credits for their accomplishments through the National Piano Guild. I don't know if they are still doing the entire audition process, but I used to get 1/2 credit per year when I was in high school provided I passed my auditions.

Anne

 

[Micca]

Cool deal Binny. Do you think you can resist tinkering on it? Maybe when no one is around? If you have any musical inclination I think you could pick it up fairly easily--at least enough for your own enjoyment.

 

[binny]

Oh Im sure Ill play around on it. I havent picked up a trumpet in 20 years so it will be interesting to see if I can fiddle around with this enought o make anything more than a racket

Here is a picture

 

[ducklite]

Beautiful!

Anne