So which is it to be? The beautiful Grand Piano or the functional upright? Both pianos serve their purpose and offer the musician the beautiful viagraund of the piano.

Grand Pianos:  How To Take Care of Them

We learn along the way that nothing lasts forever—pets, people, things.  Certainly not grand pianos.  But you could make it last a little longer by properly taking care of them.  Here’s how:

Keep it clean.

It could be cumbersome to keep on dusting something as big as a grand piano, but something as minuscule as dust can ruin your piano keys.  Just think about how much one these granddaddies cost—as expensive as a car, if not more—and you would surely be motivated enough to care for it.

Exposure.

Never place your piano under direct heat.  Humidity affects the piano keys and strings and could cause it to be off-key.  You can opt to use a humidifier to regulate the temperature of the room where the piano is located.

Play it.

Do not think that by not using things, you would be able to extend its life.  It’s a common misconception.  With pianos, the more that you do not use it, the more likely it is for the strings to get brittle from inaction.  Besides, it’s only by playing it that you get to find out if you need to have it tuned.

Full Service.

Grand pianos need to be maintained by a professional technician at least twice a year.  Just schedule it along with your dental check-up so you won’t forget.

Just follow these simple tips and your piano would surely outlast you.

Pianos that are brand new are usually more expensive than second hand pianos

Have you recently had you piano repaired and something wasnt quite right? Well did you know that in South Africa there are over 100 piano tuners but only registered piano builders?

The passion that goes into piano playing—the swift movements of one’s fingers hovering over the keys, the way a pianist close their eyes to feel the music they’re producing—is the same passion that goes into restoring the instrument that makes it.

But who is passionate enough to spend time tinkering its innards and workings?  Who is competent enough to fix someone else’s piano, take it as his personal goal and make it work again as if it’s new and think it as his own achievement?

It’s hard to find a piano technician nowadays that has that kind of attitude—someone who has good craftsmanship.  But one of the things you should keep in mind is to find that person.  If your beloved piano has bugged down and needs some delicate attention, the first rule is to find the best doctor for it.  Ask friends who own a piano.  You can also inquire at your local music store if they know someone they can recommend.  You wouldn’t want to entrust your piano someone who might accidentally do irreperable damage instead of restoring it.

But what if it takes spending a king’s ransom to have it restored?  Would you think it practical to restore it or should you buy a new one?  The answer is, it depends on your preference.  Old pianos are made of seasoned wood and a lot of them have real ivory keys.   Some even have intricate designs you won’t find in modern day pianos.  They also appreciate in value and are considered a worthy investment.

Most of all, old pianos can be a great family heirloom.

If you think you cannot afford a full piano restoration right away, then you can choose to just refinish it and put it on sale.  That is, if you can easily discard the special memories attached to it.