Piano Placement : A Piano Owner's Guide
Posted by Hans Heuer on
Where Should I Place My Piano?
Purchasing a piano can be an exciting investment, whether it’s an upright for your home or a grand piano for a performance space. But, the space in which you place your piano can have a significant impact on its sound quality, as well as the tuning stability and overall lifespan of the piano.
This guide aims to cover the most important factors to consider when choosing the perfect location for your piano.
Why Placement Matters
The materials of the piano are primarily wood, felt, and metal, and these materials naturally expand and contract in response to changes in temperature and humidity. Where there are frequent environmental changes there is an effect on the tuning stability, and over time, it may contribute to wear on the instrument’s internal components.
Choosing the right location protects the piano and reduces the need for unnecessary repairs and adjustments.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Direct sun can damage the piano’s finish and cause wooden components within the instrument to dry out over time, so if possible:
- Keep your piano away from large windows
- Use curtains or blinds during the hottest parts of the day
- Avoid placing the piano where it would receive several hours of direct sunlight
This is especially important for piano finishes with polished ebony and polished mahogany, which both can show fading and discolouration significantly over time.
Keep Away from Heat Sources
Pianos should not be placed nearby:
Heat causes rapid changes in the moisture content of the wood, and this could lead to tuning instability and increased wear on the piano structure. A consistent room temperature is always preferable.
Consider Humidity Levels
Humidity is one of the biggest factors affecting the health of a piano, where excess of this can cause the wooden parts to swell and the keys to stick and become sluggish in action.
In contrary, extremely dry conditions can cause the wood to shrink, affecting the tuning stability.
It is recommended that the humidity needs to aim for a healthy 40% to 60% range.
Seasonal changes most prominent in the Western Cape makes regular piano care especially important.
Leave Space Around the Piano:
Avoid pushing your piano tightly against furniture or walls, and allow some space around the instrument to help with air circulation and access for cleaning. This also helps our technician with access to the piano during tuning and servicing!
For Grand Pianos especially, ensure there is adequate room around the instrument for comfortable use and playability, as well as maintenance.
A Quick Placement Checklist:
Before settling on a placement for your new piano, ask yourself:
If you can answer “yes” to these questions, you’ve most likely found the perfect spot for your piano!
Contact Heuer Pianos today for professional tuning, servicing, and maintenance advice: