Barb Barasa, RPT - Piano Tuning and Repair

Vacuuming out the keybed.

Often I find many interesting objects which have fallen into the piano over the years.

I bring a hand vac with me, but if my client has a good powerful vacuum on hand, I prefer to use that.

Cleaning the dampers. The difference is pretty obvious!

If you choose to do this yourself, whether with a rag or vacuum, please read these warnings!

A clean paint brush can loosen the dust and debris between the pins, under the strings in this part of the plate, and on the stringing felt. By holding the vacuum attachment nearby, the dust is vacuumed up as it is loosened. (The photo is not too clear, but I think you can make out the area that has been cleaned with the brush.) I bring several types of brushes, but this one is the most useful. The brush, and/or a soft cloth, can be used to clean off the plate, too.

If you want to try this yourself, please read these warnings first!

The specially made pads fit between the strings in order to push the dust around on the soundboard. This is the smallest pad on the shortest handle, used in the highest treble area. Because the action is out, any dust or debris that falls into that area can be easily vacuumed up.