Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1914-04-23
PIANO REQUIRES CARE
INsTRu MENT EXCEEDINGLY
QUICK TO RESENT NEGLECT.
Subject In a Degree to the Extremes
Of Atmosphere-Llme In the Inter
Tor viii Prevent Rustlna Of
the Wires.

Inc piano IL OtJen neglected Dy the
otherwise careful housewife, for the
simple reason that her attention is
seldom, II ever, called to its care. II
seems TO some II the tuner arrives
periodically and the instrument is
carefully busted that is all there is to
the care OF the piano.
However, the piano is a very deli
cate instrument, as all musicians
know, and requires very watchful care.
The first consideration is the position
OF the plano. Often the only object in
placing a piano is to have the best
light fall on the music rack. But the
piano should not be placed too near
the outer wall. the fireplace or radia-
tor, as 1t is subject to the influences
OF the atmosphere.
Extreme heat and extreme cold are
very harmful to the piano. II one
wishes to have a musical instrument
in the best Of condition and to keep
1t so, an even temperature should be
maintained in the room where It
stands. If there is too much moisture
in the atmosphere the wires become
rusty, II there is too much heat the
musical adjustment will be injured as
well as the wood in the case.
The rusting Of the wires can be pre-
vented by sprinkling them with lime
or by placing bag of unslacked lime
In the interior to absorb the moisture.
When the atmosphere becomes too
dry 1t is well to have a plant in the
room that requires plenty of water.
A Jar Of water kept in the room helps
by evaporation. Heavy articles should
never be placed on the top Of the
piano nor should music or books be
piled there, either.
The keys should be wiped daily,
when the piano is busted, with a cloth
dampened with alcohol II this plan
is followed there is less likelihood of
their turning yellow. If the keys are
soiled a cloth dipped in whiting and
rubbed with alcohol will be found ex-
cellent for cleaning them. When the
keys have become very yellow and
need to be bleached try the following:
Make paste of unslacked lime and
bran water. II should be applied and
allowed to dry slightly. II should then
be rubbed off with a cloth, and mag
nesia powder applied to the keys until
dry. In a few minutes the keys can
be polished to a high luster.
Then care should be taken to pre-
vent moths getting into the piano
Prevention is always worth while In
this case the carpet under the piano
should be sprinkled with camphor and
ground moth balls placed on the floor
underneath A bag of camphor balls
should be suspended from a nail driven
in the outside of the piano.
II moths do get into the piano make
mixture of benzoline and turpentine.
using seven parts of benzoline TO one
of turpentine and add a drop or two
of lavender water. Use a small scent
spray or an old syringe to squirt this
into the piano.
Dealers in pianos say that the best
way, as well as the most satisfactory
way to clean piano is to simply wash
It in luke warm water, drying each
part briskly and rubbing It thoroughly
Just after 1t is washed A channels
skin can be used to advantage here.
This method leaves the polish abso-
lutely uninjured