Piano ownership
A piano responds to its room, use and maintenance history. Stable conditions, careful cleaning and regular professional attention help protect tuning stability, touch and appearance.
Choose a stable position
Keep the piano away from strong heat sources, persistent draughts and direct sunlight. Avoid placing it where temperature changes sharply through the day.
Manage humidity
Very damp or very dry conditions can affect wood, felt and tuning stability. If the room has recurring humidity problems, ask a technician about monitoring and suitable control.
Tune and inspect
Arrange tuning according to use, environment and the technician’s advice. A tuning visit is also a useful opportunity to spot developing action or regulation issues.
Clean gently
Use a clean soft cloth for the case. Avoid spraying products directly onto the piano, and do not allow moisture to run between keys or into the cabinet.
Protect the keyboard
Play with clean, dry hands and keep drinks, plants and small objects away from the keys. If a substance is spilled, seek advice rather than dismantling the action.
Move it professionally
Pianos are heavy, finely balanced instruments. Use experienced piano movers and arrange a tuning check after the instrument has settled in its new environment.
When to ask for help
Small changes can signal useful maintenance
A sudden change in pitch, sticking keys, uneven repetition, new mechanical noise or movement in pedals is worth reporting. Describe when the problem began and whether it affects one note or a wider section.
- Keys stick, repeat poorly or feel uneven.
- Pedals squeak, feel loose or stop operating normally.
- The piano will not hold tuning as expected.
- Buzzes or rattles appear on particular notes.
- The cabinet, lid or music desk becomes loose.
- The piano has been exposed to a leak or major humidity change.
Arrange the right service
Send the piano make, model, location and a short description. Photographs or a brief video can help the Oxford team direct the enquiry.