Piano Forum

Piano Street Magazine:
New Piano Market Statistics: Inside the Quiet Transformation of Piano Playing

For those of us who spend our lives on the bench — whether teaching, practicing for a recital, or simply playing for the love of it – the piano has always been a singular concept: wood, felt, strings, and soul. Yet, recent global market reports reveal that the definition of our instrument is expanding and evolving in ways that affect us all. Read more

Topic: Ivory keys and humidity.  (Read 2015 times)

Offline theodopolis

  • PS Silver Member
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 111
Ivory keys and humidity.
on: April 29, 2005, 12:42:48 PM

This may not count specifically towards pianos, but my pipe organ with ivory naturals develops a rather unpleasant slipperyness almost like dew after a chilly morning where water condenses on the keys (i presume that's the explanation).  The moisture isn't superficial either: the keys require about a minute of rubbing with a handkerchief so they can be played without the fingers slipping and introducing a rogue glissando in the middle of a hymn.

Is this a problem with piano keys too?
I realise that draughty churches may be more prone to this sort of temperature etc.

Would something like a felt cover for the keys result in a prevention of this rather annoying ritual every Sunday during winter?

Thanks
Theodopolis
Does anyone else here think the opening of Liszt's 'Orage' (AdP - Suisse No.5) sounds like the Gymnopedie from Hell?