Piano Maintenance
Your Piano Pedal Squeaks. Put The WD-40 Down.
Before you spray anything at a squeaking pedal, know that most household lubricants make it permanent. Here's the right diagnosis.
Aug 12, 2026
The guides
Every guide we've written
48 deep dives on owning, maintaining, and playing pianos.
General Piano Knowledge 28Piano Maintenance 23Music Literacy 12Piano Technology 11Music Business 5Music Tech 3Music Theory 2Music History 1Music Repertoire 1
Piano Maintenance
Piano Key Stuck Down: Eight Causes, Cheapest First
A key that goes down and stays down has eight causes. Four questions sort them, and two of the fixes are free.
Aug 12, 2026
Piano Maintenance
The Buzz Is Probably Not Your Piano
Most single-note buzzes aren't coming from the piano at all. Find yours before somebody quotes you for a soundboard.
Aug 12, 2026
Piano Maintenance
Piano Key Clicks When Pressed: Diagnose It In Five Minutes
A click on the way down means something different than a click on the release. Sort it in five minutes at the keyboard.
Aug 12, 2026
Piano Maintenance
One Note Out of Tune on Your Piano
One sour note on an otherwise fine piano usually isn't a tuning problem, and a full tuning often won't fix it. Here's what's actually happening.
Aug 12, 2026
Piano Maintenance
Your Piano Key Is Slow To Come Back Up. Here's How To Find Out Why In Ten Minutes.
A key that crawls back up has eight possible causes, and two of them cost nothing to fix. Here's how to tell which one you have before you call anybody.
Aug 12, 2026
Music Business
Nashville Session Pianists: Who Actually Plays Keys On The Records
Who actually plays keys on country records coming out of Nashville — the session players, what they're credited on, and how the job works.
Aug 9, 2026
General Piano Knowledge
The Case Against Steinway, in Steinway's Own Numbers
Nine out of ten concert pianists choose Steinway. That number comes from a survey Steinway runs on itself, and most of the case against the price comes from Steinway's own documents.
Dec 20, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
10 Christmas Gifts for Pianists That Aren’t Mugs or Socks (2025 Edition)
If you have a pianist in your life, you have probably considered…
Dec 8, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
Yellow Keys? Methods for Whitening Ivory vs. Plastic Keys
You have cleaned your keys. You have disinfected them. But they are…
Dec 8, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
How to Disinfect Piano Keys: The Steinway vs. Yamaha Debate
Since 2020, “sanitizing” has become part of our daily vocabulary. But if…
Dec 8, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
What Cleaners to Avoid Using on Piano Keys
We have all been there. You are cleaning the living room, you…
Dec 7, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
How to Know if Your Piano Keys Are Ivory
You just bought a vintage piano on Craigslist, or maybe you inherited…
Dec 7, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Piano Keys (Plastic, Ivory, & Ivorite)
Let’s be honest: Your piano keys are probably dirtier than you think.…
Dec 6, 2025
Music Tech
Piano Microphone Buying Guide for 2026
If you are still recording your piano with a single USB microphone…
Dec 4, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
Put Down the Mason Jar: Why “Granny’s Trick” Won’t Save Your Piano
If you grew up with a piano in the house (specifically an…
Dec 3, 2025
Piano Maintenance
How to Protect Your Piano During Winter
Winter is one of the toughest seasons on pianos. Cold air, dry…
Nov 22, 2025
Music Business
How Much Do Piano Players Make at Bars, Lounges, and Events?
If you’ve ever sat at a piano bar, watched the crowd sing…
Nov 15, 2025
Piano Technology
Piano Life Saver System Explained
If your piano technician recommended a Piano Life Saver System and you’re…
Nov 1, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
What’s the Best Room in the House for a Piano?
If you’ve just brought a piano home, congratulations — you’re about to…
Nov 1, 2025
Music Repertoire
100 Must-Play Piano Bar & Dueling Piano Songs
Compact, crowd-tested, and ready to slot into your set of piano bar…
Nov 1, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
Why Pianos Are Never Really in Tune
(And why that’s actually a good thing.) If you’ve ever played a…
Oct 27, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
Can I Put a Rug Under My Piano?
If you’ve just brought a piano into your home, one of the…
Apr 4, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
Can I Keep a Piano in a Garage or Basement?
If you’ve recently acquired a piano or are rearranging your home, you…
Apr 4, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
Do Pianos Need to Be Tuned After Moving?
If you’ve just moved a piano—whether across the room or across the…
Apr 4, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
How Old Is My Piano? Finding the Serial Number and Reading the Year
The number cast into your piano's plate is probably a patent date. Here's where the serial number actually is, why published charts disagree by three years, and what the answer is worth in dollars.
Apr 4, 2025
Piano Maintenance
Why Does My Piano Sound Harsh? A Guide to Piano Voicing
If your piano sounds too bright, harsh, tinny, or even like an…
Apr 4, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
Can I Tune My Piano Myself? – Risks and Considerations of trying to tune your own piano
Tuning your own piano might seem like a money-saving DIY project, especially…
Apr 4, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
Understanding the Costs of Restoring a Piano
Restoring an old piano can be a deeply rewarding endeavor, whether it’s a family heirloom that’s…
Mar 29, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
The Best Piano Tuners in Nashville: Why Seale Keyworks Leads the Pack
If you’re in Nashville, you already know this city is synonymous with…
Jan 27, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
Donating Your Piano – The Logistics
Whether you have an old piano that no longer fits your lifestyle…
Jan 26, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
How Many Keys Does a Piano Have? Exploring the Key Counts, History, and Innovations
The piano is one of the most iconic keyboard instruments in music…
Jan 26, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
How Heavy Is My Piano? Piano Weights and Moving Tips.
Understanding Piano Weight and Tips for Moving Pianos Moving a piano can…
Jan 26, 2025
Music Business
Recording Piano in the Studio: Best Microphones and Placement
Capturing the natural sound of a grand piano, upright piano, or digital…
Jan 22, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
Cost of a Piano, Explained: Finding Your Perfect Piano at Every Price Point
Whether you’re a casual hobbyist, a serious student, or a professional musician,…
Jan 22, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
Understanding Piano Tuning: What a Piano Tuner Really Does
Piano tuning is often viewed as a mysterious process, but it’s a…
Jan 13, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
How to Get Rid of a Piano for Free: A Comprehensive Guide
If you have an unwanted piano gathering dust in your living room…
Jan 13, 2025
General Piano Knowledge
Top 50 Most Popular Piano Brands
The piano, an instrument of timeless elegance and expressive power, has captured…
Oct 16, 2023
General Piano Knowledge
How Often Should You Tune Your Piano?
If you own an acoustic piano, it’s crucial to get it tuned…
Mar 14, 2023
Music Literacy
Everything You Need to Know About Piano Tuning
If you own an acoustic piano, it’s crucial to get it tuned…
Mar 13, 2023
Music Literacy
Top 100 Piano Bar/Dueling Piano Songs
100 Must-Play Piano Bar & Dueling Piano Songs Whether you’re running the…
Mar 13, 2023
Music Literacy
The Three Types of Grand Pianos
Grand pianos are the crème de la crème in the world of…
Feb 27, 2023
Music Literacy
How Much Do Pianos Cost
If you’re in the market for a piano, one of the first…
Feb 25, 2023
Music Literacy
Best Baby Grand Pianos for Every Budget
A baby grand piano can be an incredible addition to your home,…
Feb 24, 2023
Music History
Famous Blind Pianists: The 10 Greatest of All Time
Music is a universal language that has the power to move and…
Feb 23, 2023
Music Literacy
The Different Types of Vertical Pianos
Vertical pianos are also known as upright pianos, and they are a…
Feb 23, 2023
Music Literacy
Nashville Number System: A Complete Guide
Nashville Number System: A Complete Guide The Nashville Number System (NNS) is…
Feb 21, 2023
Music Business
Securing a Regular Gig
Finding gigs can be tough… We all know that feeling of just…
Apr 27, 2022