For avid players tuning the piano twice a year may be enough. Most pianos are tuned on an annual basis. Even if a piano is seldom played, it should not go more than two years between tunings. This will prevent the string tension from going to low, thus calling for a pitch raise at the next tuning. Tuning should be done when the room climate is most stable. This can be difficult in many states given the ever changing conditions. This is where a piano climate control system helps.
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At any temperature there is a maximum amount of water that air will hold. This maximum is 100% relative humidity. For pianos, 42% is considered ideal, 30% or less may be too dry, causing cracks in the soundboard or other wooden parts of the piano. If the soundboard cracks, the piano will make a buzzing sound when played. Humidity in excess of 60% may cause rusting of strings and tuning pins, and the wood will expand, which may cause the keys to stick in extreme cases. In particular, the soundboard may be sensitive to humidity. In order to be able to vibrate, it is only about 3/8 of an inch thick. It is curved against 1000 pounds of pressure from the strings, and held at the edges by a heavy wooden frame and metal plate. Even a small change in humidity may affect the soundboard. As the wood expands from rising humidity the curve increases, and as humidity lowers the curve flattens. These variations affect the pitch of the piano.
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A well-cared-for, quality instrument can last for generations. Certain parts of the piano may periodically need regulation beyond pitch correction and tuning, with frequent use (for example, reshaping of the hammers). In general the better a piano is maintained and kept stable, the longer it will last.
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It is ideal for a piano to be at least five feet from any heat source, and eight inches from the wall. Keep the piano out of direct sunlight. Temperature and humidity should be kept constant when possible, so a room with an outside door may not be recommended.
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The dial tone of a telephone sounds the same pitches as the F and A above middle C on the piano. By listening to the dial tone and striking these two notes in unison, you can compare the pitches to determine whether the piano is out of tune. Also, many electronic metronomes will have an option of sounding the A above middle C. Alternatively, you could use a good tuning fork.
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Piano hammer voicing is a procedure of controlling the way the strings vibrate by shaping and adjusting the density of the felt hammers. To accomplish this, a felt pick with various sizes of needles, a sandpaper file, a shaping spoon, and sometimes steam, or even chemicals are used to shape and obtain the correct felt elasticity. In the process of voicing, a balance of harmonics and volume of tone is the goal.
There are circumstances beyond what may be achieved with voicing. Pianos all sound different because no two piano brands are constructed exactly the same. Better pianos have a solid spruce soundboard as apposed to laminated mahogany or basswood types. Bridge construction along with stringing scale also have a major effect on piano tone. No amount of voicing can correct for sloppy bass and treble bridge construction.
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This is the piano technician's term for the intricate adjustments to the mechanical piano action and pedal trapwork. In order for a piano to have good touch, the action must be capable of transmitting the players feelings efficiently, comfortably, and accurately. The action must be able to respond to rapid trills and note clusters to slow and melodious playing, to delicate pianissimo nuances. The only way this can be achieved is to have the action is good regulation. Some of the major areas of regulation are key level, height, dip, capstan clearance, jack let-off, hammer check, blow distance and damper spoons.
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The wood piano cabinet gives structural strength along with fine furniture. There are many finishes available on today's pianos, lacquer and polyester resin being the most popular. For major cleaning, poly finishes can be cleaned with a high quality non-abrasive auto polish/wax along with a clean soft cotton cloth for buffing. Lacquer finishes need only a good quality liquid or paste furniture cleaner/polish and buffed with a clean soft cotton cloth. Everyday wiping on any finish should only be done with a very lightly damped cotton cloth. Under no circumstances use sprays that may contain silicone. Over time a residue will build up on the wood thick enough to actually scrape off! Piano keys should only be cleaned with a mild detergent, glass or plastic cleaner, and a soft cloth. Never spray anything directly on the keys. Ivory keytops that are deeply soiled and discolored may need other cleaning methods.

Avoid plants and flowers on the piano top. They may look nice, but water stains are inevitable. Be careful when placing lamps and other metal objects on the lid. These can be a direct source for unpleasant vibrations.
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