Whether you’ve already invested in a piano, or you’re currently browsing the market for one, you’re no stranger to the fact that these instruments are pretty pricey. A piano is composed of thousands of delicate and tiny parts, and every single one of these parts has an important role. Some parts and hand crafted and, on a quality piano, each of these parts is expertly placed. The best piano manufacturers are painstaking in the construction of their instruments, building, checking and re-checking every single part to ensure maximum quality because their brand depends on your satisfaction. When you’re spending that kind of money on something, you have to make sure your investment will last a lifetime.

While investing in a quality instrument is half the battle of making sure your piano lasts for multiple generations, the other half is in your hands. Owning a piano means making sure you are exercising routine maintenance. Choosing to neglect this responsibility means your piano could lose its sound quality and value, and you may even face expensive repair charges down the line. In order to get the most out of your instrument, you need to make sure you are adhering to all proper maintenance suggestions.

An upright piano is the most common type of piano for homes, classrooms and other locations in which larger, horizontal pianos are not spatially practical. Although they may be less expensive than concert grands, this does not mean they need any less attention. In order to keep your upright piano in its best shape, follow these maintenance instructions.

Tuning – Over time, all pianos eventually fade out of tune. This is not due to negligence, but usually weather – primarily changes in the humidity. However, to restore your piano’s rich tonal sound, most piano specialists suggest tuning your instrument about once every six months. The longer your piano goes between tunings, the more time and effort it will take to tune when you finally choose to do so. It is extremely important that, unless you have experience with piano tuning, you leave this job up to the experts.

Voicing – The sound of a piano is made by tiny hammers hitting the strings, and each of these hammers is fitted with a felt tip. Over time, the felt becomes hardened and can result in a harsh sound. To restore the piano’s voice, a piano technician may use voicing needles to make small, refined adjustments. In some cases, the technician may chose to remove some of the old, hardened felt.

Regulation – Much of the interior of a piano is made of wood, and over time wood can become warped and worn due to use and humidity. This warping can directly affect the action of the piano. However, careful maintenance by an expert piano technician can restore the action to its former precision. Sometimes this type of maintenance involved nothing more than tightening a screw while other times it may require the sanding down of wood parts – or even replacements. By regulating the piano, it will help to keep a unified, rich sound.

Other types of routine piano maintenance includes simple cleaning – which can generally be completed by the piano’s owner. Regular dusting, light vacuuming and polishing will help maintain your piano’s rich sound and beautiful appearance.

What other tips do you have for keeping an upright piano in tip-top shape?  

Contrary to some beliefs, a piano is not just a piece of furniture or home décor – it’s so much more. A piano is full of family memories – sometimes memories dating back multiple generations. A piano is a place where music can not only be learned, but explored, created and perfected. To many piano owners, this instrument is a cherished belonging no less important than their great grandmother’s diamond ring or their children’s baby pictures. Because it is so important, it should be treated with the utmost care and respect.

Piano lovers go to great lengths to ensure their beloved instruments get the proper maintenance and cleaning they need to maintain their beautiful tonal quality and gleaming appearance. Over time, you spend money hiring only the best of technicians to service your piano so that you may keep it in your family for many more generations to come. Thus, when it comes time to move your piano, you must exercise great care in choosing a team of Atlanta piano movers who you can trust.

Obviously a piano is very large, and very heavy. Unless you’re built like The Incredible Hulk – and you have a twin to help – there’s really no way to avoid hiring a team of professionals. If you were to attempt to move your piano yourself, the results could be devastating and the repairs would be outrageous.

In addition to being extremely heavy, pianos are also crafted from hundreds of minuscule parts. They must be handled with gentle care. Generally, movers will first wrap the piano in a special blanket to prevent any nicks, scratches or marks from damaging the surface during the move. Some pianos, such as grand pianos, are too large to be moved in one piece and must be dismantled and each piece is then wrapped individually.

Next, the movers will transfer the piano to a dolly – which will help move the instrument across level surfaces. However, for stairways, the piano must be carefully slid. If the piano is being moved down or up several flights of stairs, the movers may instead use a hoisting or freight lift system.

Any jerking movements could fracture a number of the small parts within the piano and cause expensive damages. Thus, piano moving requires at least three skilled movers – and sometimes even more. That’s why you need to make sure the Atlanta piano movers you choose are well qualified to handle this task. Often people selecting movers will first compare the prices of the various companies, but when it comes to something as fragile and valuable as a piano, it’s best to compare companies by credentials and reputation before price. Do not make the mistake of selecting movers who are not experienced with pianos, or not insured.

Our piano movers are not only experienced – they’re also well trained and specialized in pianos. We can move any brand of piano or organ regardless of size, and we can do so with careful attention and skill. We can guarantee that we employ only the best Atlanta piano movers in the business and will give your piano the special treatment it deserves. Of course, when it comes to your prized piano, you shouldn’t trust anything less.

Now, please share with us – have you ever had your piano moved? What was your experience?   

When performing in a concert hall, musicians need the most advanced and quality instruments available. Many well known musicians feature Yamaha grand pianos during concert, such as Elton John and Paul McCartney. I have heard these musicians play and the sound that comes out of their pianos is both beautiful and powerful. Yamaha pianos are prestigious instruments which have multiple features that make them a top choice among professional musicians.

Superior Quality
Since Torakusa Yamaha first created his first grand piano in 1902, the company has worked diligently to master and perfect every aspect of the instrument. A piano should be a once in a lifetime investment and therefore I consider quality a top factor when making that purchase. Yamaha has that covered, as each piano is crafted with care and integrity, using the highest quality materials along with accurate and careful manufacturing systems.

Brilliant Sound
Grand pianos are made with long strings which produce wider overtones and provide accurate vibrations, which together result in intense and brilliant sound. Yamaha goes even deeper in their design by using the duplex scaling system. This system allows resonance in the portion which is normally unused in the typical piano. Instead of dampening the sound, the duplex scaling system allows resonance and therefore the notes I play are greatly enhanced.

Responsive Keys
Grand pianos are made to respond quickly. This is made capable because of double escapement technique of the piano. What this means is that after the hammer hits the string, the lever immediately catches the hammer again. By doing so the key can be played repetitively. When playing a variety of music styles this feature can prove to be very helpful and can bring even more enjoyment to playing. Creative composers may also like this additional attribute as it allows for more variety.

Stability
Due to how the touch responses can be affected by changes in the wood rails over time, Yamaha has developed and uses aluminum alloy action rails for their pianos. These provide several more years of stability and prevent premature changes in the rails.

C7 Grand Piano
The C7 piano is part of the conservatory concert collection. This large beautifully designed piano, produces full and rich sound. The C7 is very responsive, produces brilliant sounds and can endure constant use from hours of practicing and playing. These attributes have made the C7 a staple at many music schools and a leading choice for public concerts.

Yamaha CFX
In the grand piano family, the CFX is the largest. It is also the finest and most costly piano. These are handmade, from the piano itself to the bass strings and hammers. Because of it’s enhanced sound, responsive touch and durability, the CFX has become one of the most used Yamaha pianos in concert halls around the world.

Electric Grands
A different option to the typical grand piano is a Yamaha digital piano. Dubbed the "electric grand", these pianos became instant sensations when first developed in 1976. They are smaller in size, lightweight and mobile. But, not to be fooled by their size, these digital pianos produce dynamic and authentic sound. They have proven to be instruments of convenience, specifically designed for live performances. These pianos have the immense power to stand out and take center stage even when surrounded by a full band.

When looking for the power and brilliant sound needed for concert hall performances, Yamaha pianos are a top rated choice. If you own one of these prestigious instruments, what is one of your favorite qualities?