Attention to a few details will make a piano last longer and stay in better
condition. It is subject to a number of influences the control of which is
not so simple. In general, its greatest enemies are excessive heat and
extreme dampness. The conditions in modern apartments in large cities,
where the temperature is maintained during the day at eighty or more
degrees Fahrenheit in winter and reduced at night to a point near the
outside temperature, are exceedingly injurious. Under such circumstances
the piano must be placed in a separate room which can be closed off, and
artificial means must be provided whereby a temperature that does not vary
by more than eighteen degreees can be maintained. Where extreme damp-
ness is a characteristic of the climate, similar arrangements must be made
for drying the air in the room where the piano is kept. In climates where
the atmosphere is hot and the humidity is high, these conditions must be
controlled by suitable apparatus specially devised for cooling and drying the
air.

Obviously a piano must not be placed near an open window in damp
weather, even if the outside temperature is not too low; for the reasons
outlined above it must not be located near a source of heat, such as a
radiator, stove or steam pipes. Extreme dryness is exceedingly undesirable
on account of the large amount of glue used in the case and action of a
piano. This difficulty may be overcome to some extent by placing a quart
of water inside the case in an uncovered container; it is also advisable to
place the piano where it will not be in a draught.

A new piano requires tuning by an expert every three months for the
first five years, and after that period at least twice a year. The piano should
be kept closed when not in use, and the usual treatment for moths should
be used because these insects destroy the felt in the heads of the hammers.
If the piano is thoroughly dusted every day, the keys will seldom require
cleaning; they may be cleaned with a damp cloth, after which they should
be thoroughly dried. No cover should be used for the top of the piano,
and it should not be littered with ornaments or music. Oil or furniture
polish is of no particular value to the case, and it may be tracked onto the
keys by the fingers coming in contact with it. The case should be refin-
ished by an expert when the varnish becomes dull. Oiling of squeaky pedals
and other minor adjustments should be attended to by a repair man; the
rusting of the strings may be prevented by placing a small bag of unslaked
lime inside the case.

The tuning of a piano is now delegated entirely to experts trained in the
art, and must under no circumstances be attempted by any other person.

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