What material is used for piano keys?

The same wood material used for the soundboard is used for the keys, such as Sitka spruce or Japanese spruce, which are virtually free from warpage. Artificial ivory or acrylic are used to cover the top surface of the white keys.

Are my piano keys ivory or plastic?

Ivory keys are made in three pieces–key, stem and front, where as plastic keytops only have two pieces–the top and front. If you look closely at the keys, you can see the fine line that is the joint between the keytop and the stem. If this line is present, your keys are indeed ivory.

Are piano keys made of ebony?

The black keys of a piano are made of ebony. Piano keys are still often referred to as the “ivories”, even though they aren’t made from it.

What is the best thing to use to clean piano keys?

If you want to simply disinfect your piano keys, the best solution is using some filtered water with white vinegar to wipe them down. Using a cheesecloth or flannel, make sure you wipe vertically down and take time to dry the keys in between wipes.

How do you clean dirty piano keys?

Mix a solution of one-part dish soap and four parts water. Take a separate cotton cloth and lightly dab it into the liquid. The cloth should only be damp and cover an area the size of your fingertip. Start cleaning the keys from the lowest white note on your piano, and work your way up.

Can you use rubbing alcohol to clean piano keys?

Another great option is using rubbing alcohol to clean your piano keys. You need to apply a few drops of the alcohol on a clean soft cloth. Once you are done cleaning the piano keys, use a soft dry cloth to re-wipe the keys again.

When did they stop using ivory for piano keys?

The American piano industry voluntarily abandoned ivory as a key-covering material and switched to plastic in the mid-1950s. By the 1980s, European makers had taken the same path.

How do I get my piano keys white again?

Plastic keys are opposite of ivory keys, meaning you can use gentle cleaning solutions to whiten the keys. One of the easiest methods is to mix a couple of drops of dish soap into a damp white washcloth and wipe the keys down with a soft cloth, from top to bottom and not side to side.

How do you get the yellow off piano keys?

You should first thoroughly dust the keys and then clean them with diluted vinegar. However make sure to use the teensiest bit, since strong acid with corrode dental bone. The ideal ratio is one part of vinegar in 4 parts of water. Also use only flannel or cheesecloth to scrub the keys.

Is my old piano worth anything?

Like antique books, antique pianos are not worth a lot of money just because they are old. In actuality these old instruments may be worth very little at all. Most antique, upright pianos are worth $500 or less in very good condition.

Should I cover my piano?

It is not necessary to cover your piano and truthfully it can be a chore to have to constantly cover and uncover the instrument every time you want to play it. A cover over a piano will not only protect it from scratches or dust but it will slow the aging process – particularly for the furniture.

Which pianos hold their value?

Grand pianos hold more value, however, lower quality models lose their worth just as fast as uprights. The age of the piano matters the most when it comes to depreciation.

What is the most expensive piano brand?

Here are the top 5, and they include some crazy prices.

Crystal Piano, Heintzman | $3,220,000.
John Lennon’s Steinway Model Z | $2,370,000.
Red Pops for (RED) Parlor Grand Piano, Steinway & Sons | $1,925,000.
Sound of Harmony Concert Grand, Steinway & Sons | $1,630,000.

Why is Steinway so expensive?

First of all, Steinways are created to be the finest pianos possible. They are made with the best materials with highly skilled labor and have a long, rich history of piano manufacturing. There are a number of piano companies mostly in Germany, that make pianos on an extremely high level and cost as much as Steinway.

Do any pianos have more than 88 keys?

However, there are pianos made today that have more than 88 keys! The Imperial Concert Grand Bosendorfer piano has 97 keys! On this particular piano the extra keys have the colors reversed – the black keys are white and the white keys are black so you can distinguish the extra keys from the standard 88 keys.