The best place for your piano

Ideally, your piano should be in a constant temperature of 70°F (210C) with 40% humidity, in a well-soundproofed room so you can play loudly whenever you like without anyone hearing. Unfortunately, very few of us have such a room, but it is usually possible to find somewhere suitable for a piano in most homes, if you follow the hints given here:

If possible, your piano should be in a room where you can be on your own when you want to play. Everyone needs to be able to practise and try out new music in private without having an audience listening to any mistakes. If it is not possible to have your piano in a separate room, try to plan times for playing when no one else will be around to listen.

You may need to consider your family or neighbours, because the sound of a piano carries through walls and floors. Avoid putting your piano near the wall of someone else's lounge or bedroom and do not play late at night to avoid disturbing others. (If necessary, the sound of a piano can be reduced by standing the instrument on a thick carpet and by hanging a thick rug on the wall behind an upright piano. You can also make the piano quieter by using the soft pedal, but this is not satisfactory all the time.)

Sudden changes of temperature or humidity can damage a piano and sour its tuning, so you should choose a place for your piano which is away from radiators, air-conditioning or heating outlets. Also avoid putting the piano by a window or door where there is a draught, or where the sun could shine on it and damage the outside finish or inside mechanism. Leaving a gap of about 6in. (15cm) between the back of an upright piano and a wall to allow air to circulate freely.

MOVING A PIANO
Never try to move a piano on your own, because you could seriously injure yourself or damage the piano.

Pianos are very heavy. Use professional piano movers to move a piano up or down stairs, or from one building to another. Ask friends to help you push it, if you want your piano in another room on the same floor. Grand pianos need very careful handling to avoid their legs collapsing - make sure the piano legs are secure before and after a grand is moved. (Ask your local piano store to recommend piano movers, if you need them.)

Have the tuning checked one month after the piano is moved up or down stairs or to another building, as the move may put the piano out of tune.