Over time, piano parts accumulate wear and will go

out of adjustment whether it is being played or not. It

will wear faster and more intensely if it is being

played, but because many of the parts are organic and

under tension, it will still wear if not being played. To

adjust for this accumulated wear, an experienced

piano technician should be called upon to

regulate the piano action, the mechanism that allows it

to make sound once a key is depressed.

The same way that a piano action will accumulate

wear over time, it will also accumulate dust and dirt. I

have found many interesting things in pianos over the

years. Aside from a lost pencil or quarter, dirt

accumulation can cause problems. Dirt under the keys

can cause poor response; filth under a grand piano

action will make the shift pedal difficult to control;

dust in the bass strings and on the soundboard will

deaden the sound quality. The owner can clean the

case, keys, and some dusting on the plate in a grand,

but internal cleaning should be left up to a technician.

A piano is a commitment like anything else and it

needs love too. Love your piano!