For the past three months, I have been doing extensive search prior to buying my acoustic piano about how to keep the piano in good shape.
Most of the information I found online was about the things I should avoid doing to not damage it. But there are very little information about the things I am supposed to do to actually maintain it.
The followings are some of the few things I was able to find, though it's quite fuzzy:
- A piano should be tuned at least once a year, otherwise it can go too much out of tune (which can damage the piano). Some suggest the minimum is twice per year to accomodate to the new weather (cold and hot, winter and summer). You can go higher, but it isn't mandatory.
- When the piano technician comes to tune the piano, it can also be the occasion for them to clean the inside of the piano, because accumulating dust can add moisture, which can rust the strings faster. Which is why the lead is kept closed if the piano is not used.
- One website suggested that once a year, the "piano harmony" (approximate translation) should be checked. I think it's about whether or not the keys weights are still even across the keyboard.
- One other website suggested that, every two years, the piano requires a overhaul of the mechanics and the strings.
I also have some vague memories about some more thorough overhaul or something after a longer time (5, 10 years or something), or even restoring the piano after 20 years. But I am finding little information beside the basics of tuning, and keeping it within a stable humidity and temperature environment.
I'm thinking some of these might not be forcefully mandatory though. So, until I can return to the piano shop and ask them directly, is there anything mandatory, beside tuning, that you need to do to care for your piano?