Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1888-03-29
SAVANNAH, TENNESSEE THURSDAY, MARCH %, 1885,.
CARE OF PIANOS.
How to Keep an Instrument In Good Con-
dition for q Long Time.

CARE OF PIANOS.
How to Keep an Instrument In Good Con-
dition for Long Time.
OF all the furnishings of the house
hold, the piano should be the last thing
to be neglected, yet, in most cases,
this article gets very little care.
Aside from busting it at the same
time, and as often as the rest of the
furniture, it is generally left to take
care of itself the remainder of the
time. An instrument may be used for
years, providing it has been properly
cared for during the time, and have
every bit as good and sweet tone
as when first purchased, and certainly
more mellow. than when new. 1t
may have a very old-fashioned case,
and be lacking all the modern attach
ments, but it may not be any the
worse for that, for many of the pianos,
nowadays, are mostly case, and hardly
much of any thing else. To be sure,
a good-toned rosewood-cased piano is
q beautiful piece of furniture and a
pleasant companion in the home, but
an old-fashioned one that has been
cared for will be every bit as good
companion, and though it may not be
quite as handsome as one of more re-
cent date, it is always an attractive
article of furniture wherever it may be.
One of the very first things, and the
greatest enemy to the piano, to look
out for, is dampness. Nothing will
more quickly ruin the tone Of the piano
than this. 1t rusts the strings, caus-
ing then to snap or spoil the tone, and
also Injuries the case. Never if it can
be helped, have piano placed across
window, but if it is in this position
do not allow the window to be opened,
more particularly on damp day. Do
not set it directly against an outer
wall, but allow small space between
the piano and the wall, and it will not
be so likely to be injured by dampness.
An oil-cloth cover is the best kind for
piano, but as many do not like the
looks of them. a wooden one is next
best thing. For the exclusion of damp
ness there is nothing will equal the
oilcloths covers, and to a person OF
quiet tastes they are more attractive
than the wooden. They are m ore
serviceable, for the dust can be
brushed off them, and not work
through like it does in some of the
felt covers. They come, usually, lined
with wool, which makes nice protec-
ton for the case against scratches.
Keep the piano closed when not in
use, where it is used frequently, but il
closed for any length of time, it should
be opened occasionally to let the light
get at the keys and prevent their turn
ing yellow If the piano is kept CLOSED
when not in use, there will be fewer
buttons, hairpins, pins, etc, on thu
sounding board to cause jingling
disagreeable sound. When a string
breaks have another one put in as sool
as convenient, but if you have to wal
for this, take out the old string. using
wire nippers to unwind it from TIN
peg, or you will be annoyed by dis
cordant jingle when playing. Keel
it in good tune and be sure the person
employed for this purpose is compe
tent ere allowed to touch it. A grea
deal of harm can be done by an in
competent tuner. A new instrumen
will need to be tuned very Otter
for the first year, but after that a
much longer intervals. In buying
piano be sure and have person witt
you who understands the instrumen
thoroughly, as the best-looking piano
are not always the best toned. Neve
get one Immediately from the factor
: unless you want to spend good par
of your time hammering it down.
, is an established custom with mos
piano firms never to sell ne'
piano until it has been "hammere
: down" by men employed for this pun
pose. The action Of 4 new piano
neecs sarily stiff, consequently ne,
: instrument must be played on II gres
deal at first to obviate this, and i
most places this is done in the sale
rooms by the tuners OF statesmen. an
an instrument is not allowed to ieay
the room until the action is IN goo
7 order.
, DO not have it in too cold ROOF
or too near a stove. If it has bee
I in cold room for any length of tim
, be careful when bringing it into IL
4 heat, or heating the room, to do
gradually, or you may snap MOI
: strings than you care to pay 70
1 Don't have the top covered with iii,
sic and books. These viii injure Il
4 sound if allowed to remain when pla,
: ing. To polish the case or remo'
finger marks, rub with a very lit
warm linseed oil, afterward polishir
with soft cloth. When busting ha'
4 soft cloth especially for this wor
: and while wiping it over, shake o
the cloth frequently. A piano car,
: for in this way will do good servi
for years, both in the matter of orn
mentation and tone Boston Budqt
THE POWER OF LOVE.
How DIR. johnson, Goethe and Othe
/. Wrote to Women They Admired.