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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!
<br>Steven Lewis
<br>Ft. Worth
<p>John Ross wrote:
<blockquote TYPE=CITE>Hi Rob,
<br>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.
<br>Naturally a Dampp-Chaser system is the way to go.
<br>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.
<br>Just my opinion.
<br>Regards,
<br>John M. Ross
<p>Robert Goodale wrote:
<blockquote TYPE=CITE>Pat Neely wrote:
<blockquote TYPE=CITE><style></style>
<font size=-1>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</font></blockquote>
<p><br>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.
<p>Rob Goodale, RPT
<br>Las Vegas, NV</blockquote>
</blockquote>
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