DON’T FORGET YOUR PIANO

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21448, 12 September 1939, Page 8

DON’T FORGET YOUR PIANO

Ii these days of radio, unless you arc | musically incline* yourself, the piano ( Ls apt to be somewhat neglected, but 1 as pianos are expensive to buy, it is a I good plan to give it its fair share of ' attention in order to keep it in good i condition. One of the first things is its pc sition in the room. It is essential that it should be out of the line of draughts, | neither should it be too close to the • heat; an even temperature will be far I better for it in every way. Damp, of , course, must be avoided at all n ,osts. ' This will very soon affect the keys, ! which will swell and frequently refuse to answer when struck. If possible the piano should be : placed crossways, so that there is no I fear of its being in contact with a wall j which may be damp. I am, of course, j referring to an upright model. With a 1 grand or baby grand, this problem , solves itself more or less. Another important point, particular- j ly where the piano is not in everyday use, concerns the keys, for if the lid is | kept closed all the time, they will soon become discoloured. Even if the piano ! is not being used it should be left I open for a few hours each day. When ; the piano keys are showing signs of i discolouration, take a small wad of cotton wool, sprinkled with a few drops ■ of peroxide of hydrogen, and rub them I with this. An occasional application j of this kind will always keep the keys j looking fresh and smart. The felt is important and the special 1 pet of invading moths, so it isn’t a bad • plan to sprinkle just a little cedar ; wood oil on the wood. Just brush it i on lightly with a camel’s hair brush; this is a very good way of protecting I the piano from moths. Dust should , never be allowed to collect inside the , piano. All ledges should be dusted j carefully, while te lid of the piano j should be kept closed when cleaning ; operations are in progress.