PIANO TUNING

Temperature and Piano Tuning

Temperature Piano Tuning

Introduction

The piano is an elegant musical instrument that can convey and evoke a variety of emotions with a range from soft lilting tones to aggressive frenzied pounding. It is an instrument to be appreciated and adored. But, if you want to keep it in perfect working order so that it can convey all of the emotions at the right time, it has to be well maintained. Part of a piano's upkeep is to keep the climate around the instrument controlled (Reblitz, 1976). If you don't, it is important to know how humidity and temperature change can affect this priceless instrument and how to prevent it.

First of all, your piano is made of wood. Albeit quality wood products, but it is still susceptible to the same constriction and contraction that occurs under temperature changes and these are just the normal everyday kind of changes. Extreme humidity and dryness can lead to the wood splitting and cracking. These are just the visible outside changes. Worse damage is done to the working parts on the interior. The biggest damage of extreme temperature change happens to the soundboard which is the most important part of the piano. As it swells up with moisture or shrinks from dryness, it places pressure on the strings and effects the overall tuning of the piano. It can become permanently warped so that the instrument will never sound the dame again.

Humidity affects other parts as well. Anything that is metal can rust if condensation collects inside the instrument. The felt and leather components can become saturated or dried out and crack when the humidity level fluctuates. There are steps you can take to minimize the risk of any damaging occurring due to temperature and humidity levels (Jackson, 1984).

Why Pianos Go Out of Tune

Temperature and humidity are the two culprits which cause pianos to go out of tune.

Humidity

Of the two, humidity is more crucial. One or two days' extreme change in humidity can have a noticeable effect on your piano's tuning. A rainy week can wreak havoc. Pianos like a humidity range of 35-55%. Ideal humidity is 42%. Even temperate climates have a humidity variance of 15-85% (100% humidity is fog. The air is "full" and cannot hold any more moisture.) Why does humidity matter? When humidity is high (60% or more), the soundboard swells as it absorbs moisture from the air. When the soundboard becomes larger, the strings are under greater tension (Levitan, 2011). When strings are pulled tighter, their pitch increases. Sticking keys, sluggish action, and rusting strings/tuning pins are other consequences of continued high humidity. Pianos are not happy in rainforests, on houseboats or in beach houses.

When humidity is low (34% or less), the soundboard contracts as moisture is given up to the air. String tension is lower, and the piano goes flat. Other effects of low humidity include rattling (loose) keys, slipping tuning pins, and cracks in the soundboard. Pianos are not happy in the ...