Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1922-05-10
SUGGESTIONS FOR
PIANO OWNERS
Some Practical Hints As To Care
of Pianos Found in Follow
ing Article 49,.

Authorities on this subject agree
that, in order to obtain satisfactory re-
suits and at the same time preserve
the tone quality and keep the action
in perfect working order, it is neces-.
sary, to have the piano tuned at least
twice year. Pianos receiving such at
tention are always in fairly good con-
dition, while those. receiving irregular
attention are never in condition. All
other stringed instruments require
more or less tuning every time they
are used, then why should a piano be
neglected?
A piano is only as good as the care
it receives. Repairers of pianos can
are ruined through neglect than thru
use.
Virginia Dale in McCall's Magazine,
June, 1919, has this to say concerning
the piano: "The piano is the most lex
pensive and the most abused article in
the average home. It's neglect is due
largely to the fact that it is classified
and treated as furniture rather than
as musical instrument of sensitive
mechanism. Besides busting it pains
takingly and having it tuned for we'd
dings and parties, the average house
keeper does little towards keeping it
off the casualty list. Meanwhile, be-
cause Of the lack of intelligent care,
behind the polished surface of it's we'll
kept case, various enemies (moths,
mice and rusty are working its de-
struction."
There are about 230 highly temper
ed steel strings ranging in gauge from
12h to %, which, when drawn to in
ternational pitch, exert strain on the
frame of the piano approximating Is
tons.
In connection with these strings
there is a spruce pine board with a
surface measurement of from 1900 to
2400 square inches, according to the
size of the piano, which is so con-
structed as to exert even pressure on
the strings. This board is called the
sounding board. and is attached to or
connected with the steel strings by a
wooden bridge and system of reverse
bearings, which practically lock string
and board together. This sounding
board is influenced by the same at
mospheric changes as the dresser
drawer, or the closet door Air that
will cause the drawer and door to
swell, will cause the sounding board to
swell and expand. Very dry air will
cause the board to shrink. Every mo-
vement Of the sounding board registers
it's effect Immediately on the tension
Of the string. When the string is out
Of tune, it's tension and pressure upon
the sounding board is either greater
or less than the scale designer intend
ed. The nice balance that should ex-
ist between pressure and resistance is
upset; and, if an abnormal strain is
allowed to occur in one section of the
scale, as it often does, the result may
be a split sounding board, a cracked
plate, a broken string, coupled with
a serious loss Of resonance.
Tuning, therefore, is not only mat
the tone agreeable to the ear, that is
its musical purpose, but it's mechani
cal function Of balancing the Is or 16
tons pressure on the frame Of the in
strument is Of equal if not greater i'm
portance to the piano owner.
Atmospheric conditions that will af
" feet the sounding board will also af
feet the action and keys, causing rat
- ties, abnormal wear on the bushings
around the center pins, disarranging
the touch, etc. Practice on a piano sc
affected is waste Of time and labor
as it is almost impossible to develop
technic under such conditions.
Now, as it would be very unhealthy
. and impractical to arrange matters tC
maintain a certain temperature at all
= times, it is therefore much more salts
:. factory, and less expensive, to have
-. the tuner take care of your instrument
at regular intervals.
Generally speaking, the piano is put
in perfect tune before leaving the fac
. tory; this condition is brought about
by a series Of tunings, one following
the other at intervals varying from "a
hours to ten days. If piano is al
lowed to go without tuning for an in
definite PERIOD the effect of this work
Of the manufacturer is lost, and the
piano will also suffer in tone quality
Have your piano tuned often, and
you will have better instrument
Many piano owners from false motives
:: of economy make a serious mistake
when they allow their instruments tc
" go without tuning until they are sc
wretchedly out of tune as to be almost
unbearable to every one, except those
who are constantly associated with the
-. piano. 1t is quite impossible for the