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Yesterday I tried to post an email with an attachment that evidently was
unreadable. I'm trying it again today. Here's what I wrote yesterday.
I take care of the pianos at for the music department but I don't
service any other campus pianos. I recently received a call from
housing (dorms). The head of housing wants to buy some new pianos and
so we discussed pianos and piano maintenance. I offered to prepare a
basic piano maintenance outline so that he would know what a piano needs
to keep it functioning well. He's supportive since he knows how quickly
the pianos go out of service in the dorms.
Please read the two page sheet I prepared and give me your thoughts
about it. I have deleted the figures for cost in the spaces that say
"cost." Suffice it to say that I think I quoted reasonable figures so
that he would know that it's going to take some money to preserve the
condition of the pianos. I didn't include problems of access and locks
but the housing director and I discussed those issues.
Richard West, University of Nebraska
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\pard\plain\pard\qc{\plain\b\f22\fs28\cf1 Suggested Ideal Piano Maintenan=
ce Program\par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 (Steps to keep an accoustic piano working we=
ll throughout its lifetime)\par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 by Richard West, RPT, Staff Piano Technician=
\par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE\par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\b\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 It is impossible to give a precise timetable=
for piano maintenance and repairs due to the fact that the hours of use,=
and environmental factors vary from instrument to instrument. The follo=
wing are general guidelines, but they apply to all pianos. This i}
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 s maintenance that all pianos need but, unfortunatel=
y, don\'d5t always get. \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 The timing varies according to how heavily p=
layed the piano is, the degree of humidity variations and the expectation=
s of the player (pianists expect more from a large concert grand and less=
from a small vertical piano). }
{\plain\b\f22\fs24\cf1 If a piano is played more than 3 hours/day, the ti=
metable will probably have to be compressed.}
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 The required maintenance may have to be done earlie=
r.}
{\plain\b\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\b\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 Placement of the piano is important. It sho=
uld be kept away from direct sunlight, air vents, and high traffic areas.=
\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 A piano should never be a table (no plants, =
drinks, decorations, books, etc.). \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 The piano finish should be cleaned regularly=
with \'d2Endust\'d3 (WARNING: never spray material from an aerosol can d=
irectly onto a finish; spray Endust on a clean rag and then apply. NEVER=
spray toward the piano strings of a grand piano. If the spray falls on}=
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 the strings it may ruin them. String replacement i=
s possible but expensive) Polishes are not necessary and may actually ha=
rm the finish. \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 Moving pianos should be done by someone who =
is trained. \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 Washing hands is not only good personal hygi=
ene but good for the piano; clean hands keep piano keys free from dirt an=
d grease. Clean the keys regularly (weekly or monthly) to keep dirt from=
building up. To clean the keys, use a mild dish soap diluted wit}
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 h water. Wring out the cleaning cloth well before u=
sing. \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\b\ul\f22\fs24\cf1 The First Year}
{\plain\b\f22\fs24\cf1 - }
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 Tune the piano 3 or 4 times (Many piano dealers prov=
ide the first 2 tunings for free). Have a technician tighten the action =
screws and plate screws, stabilize the strings (tap down the string coils=
on the tuning pins, and seat strings to bridges), and che}
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 ck the regulation. Install internal humidity contro=
l device (Dampp-Chaser unit) to control humidity changes.\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 Costs: \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \tab tuning@ $______/tuning\tab \tab \tab \-=
\-\-\-\-\-\-$__________}
{\plain\b\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\b\f22\fs24\cf1 \tab }
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 tighten screws/stabilize strings\tab $__________\par=
}
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \tab check regulation\tab \tab \tab \tab $__=
________\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \tab Dampp-Chaser unit (vertical piano)\tab =
$__________\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \tab \tab \'d2\tab \tab (grand piano)\tab=
$__________ (longer grands are \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \=
tab \tab more expensive\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\b\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\b\ul\f22\fs24\cf1 The Second Year}
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 - the piano should be tuned two to four times annua=
lly depending on humidity conditions and use. If there is minimal humidit=
y control (as in schools and churches) avoid tuning in August (high humid=
ity) and late January/February (low humidity).\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 Cost:\tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab=
\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \tab tuning\tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab $__=
________ per tuning\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\b\ul\f22\fs24\cf1 Third Year}
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 - File hammers, and travel/space/align to strings\p=
ar }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 Costs:\tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \pa=
r }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \tab hammer work\tab \tab \tab \tab \tab $__=
_________\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \tab tuning\tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab $__=
_________per tuning\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\b\ul\f22\fs24\cf1 Fourth Year}
{\plain\b\f22\fs24\cf1 - }
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 tuning\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 Costs:\tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab $__=
__________per tuning\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\b\ul\f22\fs24\cf1 Fifth Year}
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 - tuning, complete regulation, file hammers\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 Costs:\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \tab complete regulation}
{\plain\b\f22\fs24\cf1 \tab \tab \tab \tab }
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 $____________ (grands are more \tab \tab \tab \tab \=
tab \tab \tab \tab \tab expensive to regulate)\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \tab tuning\tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab $ _=
__________ per tuning\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\b\ul\f22\fs24\cf1 Sixth through Fourteenth Years}
{\plain\b\f22\fs24\cf1 - }
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 tune every year, file hammers every other year, regu=
late every 5 years\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\b\ul\f22\fs24\cf1 Fifteenth Year}
{\plain\b\f22\fs24\cf1 - }
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 replace hammers, regulate, tune\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 Costs: \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab $=
____________\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\b\f22\fs24\cf1 Sixteenth Year}
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 - check regulation, tune\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 Costs:\tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab $__=
__________\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\b\ul\f22\fs24\cf1 Seventeenth Year through Twenty-Fifth Y=
ear}
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 - tune every year, file hammers every other year, r=
egulate every 5 years.\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 The lifetime of a good vertical piano is 25 =
to 50 years depending on construction, use, and conditions in which the p=
iano was kept. Although parts replacement is possible with older vertical=
s, the costs often outweight the benefits. \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 A twenty-five year old grand should be restr=
ung with soundboard bridge stabilization. After 25 to 35 years all new a=
ction parts and strings may be needed. Between 35 and 50 years a grand c=
ould need complete rebuilding with a new pinblock, soundboard, act}
{\plain\f22\fs24\cf1 ion, and refinishing. In theory a grand could last =
over 100 years depending upon construction and design, use, and condition=
s in which the piano was kept. Rebuilding is usually limited to well-kno=
wn, brand-name, high quality instruments.\par }
}
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