white powder

[Steven Lewis]

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That white powder you found in the keybed is talcum powder.   They often
came from old black churches located mostly in the South. The pianist
would spread talcum powder on the keys so he/she could play "faster".
Interesting, tho... those pianos usually didn't show signs of a lot of
string breakage!
Steven Lewis
Ft. Worth

John Ross wrote:

> Hi Rob,
> I personally think that the container of water, in the bottom of the
> piano, during the heating season, does help maintain a higher level of
> humidity in the piano cavity. It shouldn't be allowed to run dry
> though.
> Naturally a Dampp-Chaser system is the way to go.
> But for the old "clunker" belonging to the person who can't afford a D
> C system, I can see no harm in the container of water in the
> bottom,especially during our very dry heating season, where with wood
> heat the humity can go down to the
> teens.
> I don't consider it an old wife's tale, which is something which has
> no merit, and is folklore.
> Just my opinion.
> Regards,
> John M. Ross
>
> Robert Goodale wrote:
>
>> Pat Neely wrote:
>>
>> > I was in a second hand store and they had a Story&Clark it was full
>> > of white powder I wouldn't touch it, I think I read somewhere that
>> > it could be poison . I felt real dumb when he said someone had told
>> > him they put baby powder to dry it out { not obvious signs of
>> > moisture
>>
>>
>> I found this once in a piano, an old antique upright.  It was full
>> of the stuff, particularly in the keybed- what a mess!  I think the
>> idea was to "keep the piano dry", one of those old wives tales like
>> putting a jar of water in the bottom is supposed to provide humidify
>> control.  Pay it no mind and clean the mess up.
>>
>> Rob Goodale, RPT
>> Las Vegas, NV
>

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