HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A PIANO.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2877, 6 May 1878, Page 2

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A PIANO.

The instrument should be closed when not in use, to prevent dampness, dust, &c, from collecting inside the piano. The piano should not be placed in a damp room nor left open in a draught of air; dampness is its most dangerous enemy, causing the springs and turning pins to rust, the cloth used in the construction of the keys and action to swell, whereby the mechanism will more sluggishly, or often stick altogether. This occurs briefly in the summer season, and the . best pianos, mado of the most thoroughly seasoned material, are necessarily affected by dampness, the absorptien being rapid. Extreme heat is scarcely- less injurious. The pianos should not be placed near an open fire or heated stove, nor over or close to the hot air from furnaces. Moths are very destructive to the cloth and felt used in the piano, but may be kept out of it by placing a lump of camphor, wrapped in soft paper, in the inside corner, care beinjj taken to renew it from time to time. Many persons arc unaware of the great importance of baring their pianos kept in order, and only tuned by a competent tuner. A new piano should be tuned at least once every two or three months during the first year, and at longer inter* vali afterward*.