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Piano Wear and Tear
Like any mechanical device, the piano experiences wear as it is used, and as it endures the humidity swings that are typical of our Manitoba climate. The tuning deteriorates first, and is the first maintenance issue the piano owner faces. Over time, however, other issues arise that gradually detract from the pleasure of music making. The tone becomes harsher than it was. The touch begins to change. Eventually, the piano may may start going out of tune faster than it once did. What can the piano owner do?
The good news is that a qualified piano technician can deal with almost all of the wear-and-tear issues that arise. On pianos where the deterioration is obvious, reconditioning and restoring can be done. But it is also possible to keep on top of maintenance in such a way that problems are addressed before they even become noticable to the pianist.
It is especially important to consider these issues when a student taking lessons is using the piano as a practice instrument. Even the very youngest students are learning to play with variations in loudness, and those that have studied for a while are working to develop increasing refinement in expressiveness. A piano that is in good condition will reward these efforts and allow progress in a way that increases the motivation to learn, and the pace of expressive growth.
If a piano has seen several decades of use with no maintenance beyond routine tuning, there may be considerable work to do. Sometimes doing it all at once is the best solution. Sometimes, however, smaller blocks of work done regularly will accumulate to make a big difference over time, while being easier on the budget.
I would be more than happy to discuss and develop with you a maintenance strategy that can increase the level of satisfaction in your experience of piano playing.
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