This strike creates vibrations that run along the line and fluctuate the pressure in them.
If this process occurs too frequently, the strings will lose their tension faster.
As a result, they might need tuning sooner than the average suggested time frame.
How Can You Get Your Piano Tuned?
Hiring expert help is a more popular recommendation than doing it manually because professional tuners provide first-class services.
They have the required knowledge, skills, and experience to tune pianos of different kinds and ages.
If you want more guidance on where you will find expert piano tuners, here’s a little tip: search the internet and look for the nearest piano experts and tuners.
Being geographically particular is beneficial because the closer the tuner, the lesser time it will take them to come.
Thus, the visiting charges will be less.
Once you have found a tuner nearby, look up their profile, and read the reviews.
If they seem legit and trustworthy, congratulations, you’ve found yourself a piano tuner!
What Happens If You Don’t Tune Your Piano?
If your piano is out of tune, ugly sounds are the first negative impact it will have.
You will hear uncomfortable sounds and notice abnormalities in pitches, notes, and chords.
Secondly, an untuned piano has overstretched strings.
If you play the instrument in such a state, you might end up damaging it.
How Often Should You Tune Your Piano?
Ideally, experts and manufacturers advise four piano tunings in the first year.
In the following year, you can tune it twice.
If you can’t be as regular, tune your piano at least once annually.
How Would I Know If My Piano Needs Tuning?
While you do have an average guess of how often you should tune the instrument, sometimes, there are clear signs that your piano needs extra care.
If your tool depicts any of the following, it might need to get tuned:
When your piano starts producing an incorrect pitch, know that it needs tuning.
If you hear uncomfortable, wavering sounds when you play the instrument, take that as a sign and get your piano tuned as soon as possible.
The wavering comes from abnormal vibrations in the strings and can distort the notes. Sometimes, the strings compete to cancel out sounds altogether.
Standard pianos create octaves that blend. Unblended octaves represent an instrument that requires tuning.
Typically, major chords sound pretty harmonious and blend seamlessly. Unappealing disruptions in chords are very noticeable when your piano is out of tune.
How Much Does Piano Tuning Cost?
Tuning a piano isn’t always expensive.
However, the cost majorly depends on how old it is and how much time it’s been since its last tuning session.
If you haven’t tuned your piano in a while, let’s say it’s been more than a couple of years, it will be a little more time-consuming, complicated, and, thus, expensive.
However, if the condition is good, and you get your piano regularly tuned, it will not cost you a fortune.
On average, piano tuning can cost you from a minimum of $65 all the way up to $200, sometimes even more.
Summary
So, does a piano need to be tuned?
Yes, it does, just like other stringed instruments.
Like them, your piano also requires particular attention and professional tuning services.
Indeed, there is a set time frame in which you should get your piano tune.
However, sometimes, you might need to make exceptions.
Once you realize that your piano needs tuning, hire a professional as soon as possible and get it done by an expert.
I had just gotten a grand piano and I was excited to start playing it but the problem was space and fitting it in my small house.
So while looking for designs and solutions that other people had used, I decided to write this article.
If you have a small house and you are wondering where to put a piano in a small house, then I have some awesome design tips for you.
Having a small house comes with lots of issues that you have to deal with and the major one among them is space.
A piano, especially a grand piano is a big instrument and finding the space to fit it in a small house with small rooms can be a big issue
In this article I will be showing you some designs I found on how some people are actually fitting their pianos into their houses.
Hopefully you get some inspiration from these.
1. Near a White Curtain
I really like this aesthetic and the feel of this design.
It gives off this grandiose look and feeling of royalty everytime you sit to play the piano.
Setting this up near a white curtain and just by the window will also ensure that you have a spectacular view and get some sunlight while playing the piano.
I will definitely recommend this and you should too if and when you have the space in your house to fit it in.
Also if you can get the stool, as this gives you the required height to effectively play the piano and make beautiful music.
2. Alone in a Room
Having a dedicated room where you can fit and play your piano is awesome.
One thing I like about this design is that you have your privacy and there are no distractions.
It’s just you and the piano so you can actually block off time and focus while playing the piano.
In a small house, this might be difficult to come by but if you can, you definitely need to fit this in.
I like the red color and the way it pops. This really catches the eye and creates makes it very pleasant.
One thing you should also note here is the curtains and the white color – the way it also pops and makes the place really beautiful.
Also looking at the ceiling top, it is really beautiful and just makes the playing experience very awesome.
I really like this design and if you look at it, you will find out that it does not require much space.
So this can perfectly be fitted in a small house.
Absolutely gorgeous and breathtaking. I love it
4. By A Mirror or Wall
This is another design that works really well and will fit into a small house.
It can be placed just by the corner of the house and does not requires much space.
One thing I like about this design is the flowers just by side.
It gives this very welcoming atmosphere and lively home experience…and then with the picture of the tree just by the corner, it’s all a very nice feeling and experience.
This is one design that I will definitely like to try…and I suggest you give it a try too if you have the chance.
5. By A Green Plant
This is simply magnificent and beautiful.
One thing I like about this is that it does not take up much space. It is just by the corner of the room and does not cause any interruptions.
Also the finishing on the floor is breathtaking and very smooth.
I really like this design and I will suggest you get it if you have to deal with space issues in your house.
6. By The Christmas Tree
If we are in the festive season, then there is no better place to place a piano than by the Christmas tree.
This feeling of togetherness and warmth in this design will ensure that you and your family have awesome memories playing the piano.
I totally love it and will suggest you get this for your small house.
7. By The Corner
This is another corner design that I absolutely love.
It just makes sense having your piano by the corner because it does not take up much space being there.
And for me, this is what I always look out for.
Placing my piano just by the corner or in some cases by the windows is ideal.
8. By The Couch
This is a beautiful design with the couch and the flowers.
I like the way it is placed with the right amount of light just coming in.
I strongly suggest you get this design.
9. Under the Chandelier
If you have a chandelier, then flaunt it.
No stories here. This is a beautiful design and I bet you will play good music playing under your gorgeous chandelier.
Now that you know what an instrument’s scrap value is let’s talk about your old, unusable piano.
Does your piano have any scrap value at all?
If yes, how much?
Remember, pianos are machines.
Thus, naturally, they mainly consist of metal, strings, and wood.
Whether your instrument has a scrap value depends on these three major components.
Wood and Metal
As discussed earlier, the more the demand, the higher the scrap value.
The wood of your piano doesn’t have a lot of resale profit.
Similarly, the metal components of the instrument aren’t very in-demand either.
The scrappers usually don’t accept it.
Even if they do, the metal could be worth $30 to $50 at max for the entire piano.
The Keys
The ivory keys and tops give a lot of people false hope.
Since it’s illegal to purchase or sell ivory in many parts of the world, many people assume that a piano’s keys might have a lot of value and demand in the international market.
That, however, is far from reality.
The piano keytops have very little raw ivory in them.
They’re prone to discoloration and breakage since they’re very brittle.
Plus, stores, technicians, and tuners already have an abundance of these keys from the free, useless instruments they receive.
Thus, keeping your hopes high for the ivory keys is a wastage of time.
When it comes to taking care of my piano, I am very deliberate and intentional about that.
Which is why I get really angry when I see most people using the piano lids to cover their piano keys.
When you invest in a new musical instrument, you want to ensure that you take care of it in the best possible way.
And an expensive piano is one instrument that you can actually mess up the sound if simple maintenance rules are not followed.
One question I keep getting all the time is Should piano keys be covered?
And the answers is NO – using the piano lid to cover your piano keys is actually bad for the piano
One thing you should know is that the keys need to breathe and keeping them closed with the lid is not good for them and can cause the growth of mold and humidity
Humidity and molds usually affect the wooden structure of the piano and if care is not taken can also affect the sound of the piano.
One thing you can do for yourself is to use piano covers that are made from proper materials and designed to protect and keep your piano from suffocating
Many piano covers you can get today come in a range of luxurious velvet and besides the functional benefits also look really beautiful.
Why you need a dust cover on your piano
Dust is actually a huge enemy of digital pianos and generally digital equipments overall
But digital pianos are susceptible for two reasons
It has electronic components that do not do well with getting dried out or caked with dust and can over time cause corrosion on those components
Dust actually causes the mechanics and the key action to get clogged up over time.
Think about how thick dust can collect on surfaces and the ground in your homes or offices, then you can imagine how that will feel like in between the keys of your piano.
This will cause the mechanics of your keyboard to become less fluid and sticky and not work as good as you want
The solution to all these problems is using a dust cover
This is especially important if you are using an acoustic piano or slab pianos which do not come with any covers.
Dust covers come in a variety of shapes and sizes
There are the ones that are a little bit longer so they drape down over the instrument or the ones that are only 3 or 4 inches in height that only cover the height of the instrument itself.
You can get generic dust covers and in some cases manufacturers also make dust covers themselves to fit the shape and size of your piano
But the easiest way to deal with this is to simply take the measurements of your piano keys and then get a generic one which is just slightly larger than the dimensions of the piano that you have.
In my opinion, I will highly recommend that you do this if you have the digital piano that is of the slab nature
Do this even if you are not moving it around and even if the room you have it placed in is not a particularly dusty one.
One thing you can count on is that over the course of many years, the accumulation of dust will definitely shock you and will work it’s way between your keys and cause issues with the electronics or the fluidity of the mechanical action.
So here is my one tip, if you own such a piano or even if your piano does not come with it’s own dust cover.
Ensure that you get one to help keep your piano working smoothly for a long time
How To Lengthen The Life of Your Piano
Now we have determined that you need dust covers to ensure that your piano does not pack up on you.
Here are some other tips to keeping your piano running smoothly and perfectly for a very long time.
1. Leave the key lid open on your piano
Keeping your piano closed when not in use is a good habit to have … 70 percent of the time. Dust and air particles can build up into a sticky mess between piano keys, causing mobility issues.
However, if the lid remains closed for too long, mold growth can occur inside the piano. This is especially true if your piano is kept in a dark or humid room.
Keep the keylid up a couple times each week during daylight hours. Indirect sunlight and proper air circulation will discourage mold growth inside your piano.
If you have a keyboard, invest in a properly fitted cover. Mold is generally not an issue here.
A gentle once-over with a vacuum cleaner attachment can help fight off dust buildup.
2. No drinks or liquids at the piano
Do I really need to stress this point?
Fluids and liquids are a big NO around digital instruments such as pianos
If liquid spills and seeps into the piano keys and reaches the interior then it might cause a major fault.
Also it can mess with the piano’s exterior and finishing
Make sure you use a dry cloth and wipe up excess liquids from the keys surface.
Also ensure that you do not press the keys while doing this
If the amount of liquid spilled is too much, then contact a professional technician as soon as possible.
If it is an electric piano, make sure you unplug from the power immediately.
Do not attempt to shake the keys dry as this might push the liquid farther into the components and cause more harm than good.
3. Ensure the humidity is at an ideal level
Pianos are very sensitive to fluctuations in humidity levels.
High humidity will cause the wood to warp and low humidity will cause cracking in the wood.
So what do you do?
Try to keep the humidity at a balanced level
Monitor your indoor humidity levels, and regulate them with a humidifier or dehumidifier. 40% humidity is ideal.
Keep the piano away from heater vents and windows, and close the door of your piano room if it is near a kitchen or bathroom.
Close any windows in your piano room to prevent condensation. This is especially important for your electricpiano.
4. Regulate the temperature around your piano
Like humidity, temperature is another enemy of your piano
Cold climate can weaken certain parts of the piano and if you continue using it during these conditions, the parts might snap and break
High temperature also can affect the strings and can loosen the felt on the hammers.
In my opinion, the ideal room temperature should be between 20 – 22 degrees centigrade
Here are some tips to ensure that you regulate the temperature
Make sure your piano is not close to any exterior walls. It should be at least 2 feets away from the walls.
Regulate the room temperature with an air conditioner or a heater
Make sure all doors and windows are closed and never allow direct sunlight to fall on the piano. This can damage the interior and also cause discolouration or cracking of the piano’s finish.
Conclusion
Piano keys should not be covered as this can cause the growth of mold and humidity issues on the keys.
What you want to do is to ensure that you regulate the temperature and the humidity
This will ensure that your piano lasts for a long time and the keys do not get clogged up with dust.
For ages, it is a norm to place your piano on an inner wall.
However, only a few people know that there are specific logical reasons behind this trend.
In an upright piano, the majority of sound comes from the backside of the instrument. The soundboard is open and exposed from its back. So, being against an inner wall ensures that the sound reflects.
Inner walls usually keep your upright pianos away from air vents, windows, doors, and direct sunlight. This way, your instrument, a machine, stays away from everything that could damage it or reduce its lifespan, i.e., humidity, temperature fluctuations, and direct exposure to the sun.
Can You Place A Piano On An Outside Wall?
It is not common to find pianos on an outside wall.
An outer wall is generally the warmest area of your house because it is the closest, most exposed to the sun.
It means that if you place your instrument, made of wood and metal, next to this wall, you’re putting it in a danger zone.
Not only will your piano be exposed to the sun, but it will also face significant temperature changes throughout the day.
As a result, here are a few side effects that you might notice if you place your piano on an outside wall:
The primary reason why inner walls are preferred is keeping the piano away from the outside environment and changing temperatures.
However, if you can ensure the same safety on an exterior wall, you are more than welcome to place it there.
Besides, an outer wall is better than no wall.
How Far Can A Piano Be From A Wall?
Placing your piano on an inside or outside wall doesn’t mean that it should be completely attached to it.
There are several reasons why there should be some distance between your piano and the wall.
One: If there is some leakage in the wall and rainwater leaks inside, it won’t trickle down to directly contact your instrument.
Two: any sudden temperature changes on the outside will not directly or quickly affect your piano.
On average, you want to keep a distance of at least 3 inches between the wall and your piano.
Tip: When you are about to place your piano next to a wall, feel the wall with your hands, and if it feels significantly cold, don’t put your instrument there. If it feels warm or near room temperature, go ahead.
Can You Place A Piano Near A Window?
Absolutely not! Windows are a direct opening for sunshine, wind, humidity.
You want none of these things coming anywhere near your piano.
When it rains, snows, or it’s generally humid outside, the moisture enters the room and contacts your piano directly.
Since the exterior is wooden, humidity stimulates wood to swell up, changing the shape of the material and the pitch your piano produces.
Similarly, direct sun exposure and changing temperatures can, directly and indirectly, affect the instrument’s wood and metal.
As a result, you will notice all the side effects we discussed above.
Even if the window is shut, it is still glass.
It allows sunshine and fluctuating temperatures to impact the room.
So, there is no way you can make it work by placing your piano next to a window.
Can You Place A Piano In The Basement?
The good thing about basements is that there is not much of a temperature problem, and it doesn’t have direct sunlight incoming either.
Thus, the temperatures remain somewhat stable and safe for your piano.
However, basements can be too humid sometimes.
If not high, the moisture levels are very unstable and significantly impact the instrument from the outside and the inside.
As mentioned earlier, the wood swells up, the strings change their tension, and the tones start to change.
Furthermore, continuous exposure to moisture can also ruin your instrument’s finish and slowly destroy the wood.
Moreover, if the humidity gets to the metal elements, they are prone to rust as well.
Overall, the lifespan of your piano will decrease dramatically.
People are usually tempted to put their pianos on centered rugs and carpets.
Why wouldn’t they?
It’s a beautiful, aesthetic way to place your majestic instrument, right?
However, as pretty as it looks, it has its drawbacks, and it’s not the best way to set and play your piano.
Carpets and rugs absorb a lot of sounds that come out of your instrument and dampen it.
Hard flooring is the ideal, most recommended way to place your piano to hear its most natural sound output.
However, if you’re living in an apartment or want to dampen the sound on purpose, placing the piano on a carpet or rug would make sense.
Conclusion
So, do you have to place a piano on an inside wall?
Yes, and no.
The primary reason to do this is to protect the piano and get the maximum sound output.
If you think you can accomplish both of these goals in any other place in your house, you’re more than welcome to rebel against the trend.
However, there are a few do’s and don’ts of placing a piano, as mentioned above, so make sure you keep them in mind while experimenting with placements.
