CHERISH THE PIANOFORTE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17756, 17 September 1927, Page 14

CHERISH THE PIANOFORTE

IT IS NOT FURNITURE. When you bring a cherished instrument from- Europe, or purchase your piano in Sydney—and a piano is an expensive item —when setting up house, there are quite a lot of dont’s in connection with the instrument, the first of which is, do not treat it as a piece of furniture —it is not furniture, it is an instrument. Ornaments stood upon it are an awful sin, and the badge of the Philistine. A piano should be free of litter, so when a musician wishes to play it can be opened at once. Hearing a number of oddments rattle is not conducive to listening to good music. Avoid Damp. A piano should not be kept in a damp room. If the piano is not used regularly it is desirable to have a fire alight each day for half an hour to take the chill and damp from the atmosphere. If a piano is kept shut for long, the keys will turn yellow. The other day in Sydney a girl had a legacy of a piano left to her by a maiden aunt. As she was going to another State, she was anxious to sell it. A buyer arrived who agreed to give £65. Unfortunately, as she opened the piano a moth flew out, upon which the keen dealer knocked oil five pounds. But said the girl: “I closed the piano at once in case another flew out.” She decided she would take good care if anyone else left her a piano to see that it was carefully examined before she offered it for sale. Celluloid keys, which some cheap pianos have nowadays, turn yellow more quickly than those of ivory. Ivory keys of a piano if they are exposed to the air will keep their colour for a considerable time. It is a good plan not to close a piano immediately after use, because tho moisture left by the fingers will dry in the keys. About once a fortnight, the keys may be wiped over with a soft cloth, damped in milk, and dried at once. It is well, however, to close the piano at night, in order that no dust may penetrate to the keys when the room is being cleaned in the morning. A piano is a sensitive thing, and should not be placed near a window, or a fire, as either extremes of heat or cold are not good for it. Of course keep it out of all draughts. A good plan is to have the piano overhauled periodically, so that it can always be used with pleasure.