Forecast: Cooler temperatures and a tuning

Tom Morse-Brown photo

As outdoor temps drop and your heating system kicks on, your pleasant piano might suddenly develop a different temperament. The seasonal humidity change in a home can cause tuning to be "out of focus" or sour.

The sound of "Trick or treat!" at your front door is a handy reminder to schedule a piano tuner, one of the services offered by Upcycle Piano Craft. Not to worry; it’s not a scary experience. This is especially needed if your piano last was tuned in warm, humid weather.

Prevention tips from the Family Piano Co. in Niles, Illinois:

• Wash your hands before you play. Grime gathers on keys quicker than you might think.

• Don’t leave the lid open too often. Pet hair, dust, and foreign objects can wind up inside.

• Don’t touch the inside. A piano’s guts are sensitive.

• Consider protective accessories. Bench pads, caster cups, and a humidity control system are good additions.

• Tune often. An in-tune piano has over 40,000 pounds of tension balanced across about 240 strings. Neglecting tuning will deteriorate this delicate balance.

• Play often. This is important so you get to know your instrument. If you know how your piano should feel and sound, you will quickly identify when something is wrong.