How often should I have my piano tuned?
Why are some of the notes of my piano 'sluggish'?
My piano gets out of tune really quickly - why?
Where is the best place to keep the piano?
When I'm playing my piano, some of the notes tend to double strike - why?
What is the main difference between an upright and a grand piano (apart from the fact that one stands upright)?
My piano is too loud! What can I do?
How should I clean my piano keys?

How often should I have my piano tuned?

Older pianos used to be tuned every 6 months, of late, due to laminated tuning planks, the tuning of more modern pianos tends to be more stable. You should, however, have your piano tuned at least once per annum to maintain its pitch. If the piano location changes (from the piano changing house or position in the room), it will usually need to be retuned.

Why are some of the notes of my piano 'sluggish'?

The moving parts of the action can become stiff overtime. This can be due to changes in humidity or corrosion of the hinge pins (centres). Never oil any of the moving parts in an attempt to rectify the problem - just get in touch with us!

My piano gets out of tune really quickly - why?

Tuning stability mainly depends on how tight the tuning pegs are in the tuning plank. If the piano has been subjected to excessive heat, the pins become loose, slip and the piano goes out of tune.

Where is the best place to keep the piano?

Preferably, against an inside wall (if it's an upright). Outside walls are not suitable as the instrument is affected by the external fluctuations of temperature and humidity. Avoid placing the piano near windows or a radiator!

When I'm playing my piano, some of the notes tend to double strike - why?

This could be due to a number of factors. The centre key bushings and/or the leather balance hammers could be worn, or the piano might need regulating.

What is the main difference between an upright and a grand piano (apart from the fact that one stands upright)?

Principally, a grand has much longer strings than an upright, and therefore it is capable of a producing a more full and resonant tone. When the action is setup correctly, it also plays much faster than an upright.

My piano is too loud! What can I do?

The hammers can be 'voiced' by David. This involves needling the hammer felts to soften and even up the tone. You could try putting a blanket between the piano and the wall. The size of the room also affects the volume and the type of floor covering can also be a contributory factor.

How should I clean my piano keys?

If you have ivory keys, you should clean them with methylated spirit, plastic keys can be cleaned with a damp cloth (not too much water) with a very small amount of washing up liquid. In both cases, you should avoid making the sides of the keys wet.