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Is it best to keep the lid closed and covered when a grand is not in use.

Hi, johnfin! That subject has been covered (excuse the pun) a lot. Here's a recent thread that might help you decide.

Me, I keep mine open and dust frequently!

Hello John,
Welcome to Piano World!

I would say that it is definitely best to keep the lid closed and covered when a grand piano is not in use.

Apart from the accumulation of dust on the strings, sound board and action, keeping the lid closed and covered reduces the impact of humidity and temperature changes on the piano.

It can also partly protect the piano from mishaps like liquid spills which can happen too easily when the piano is left open.

Liquid spills inside the piano can cause unsightly stains and even permanent damage to the action and pin block. Prevention in this instance is certainly better than the cure.

Kind regards,

Robert.

Closed and covered. It only takes about 15 seconds.

I have cats.

I close the lid, but my piano is too beautiful to cover .

lol!
Mine is too beautiful to NOT cover!

Close, cover, and get a string cover.

Yes, I get that. But I like to see it and take delight in it even when not playing. Plus, it is smack in the middle of my living room. I don't want the visual barrier.

Keep it open ALL the time. It allows for easy access to the harp holes as drink holders. Keep it near an east facing large window as the morning sunlight looks majestic reflecting off the strings. I like to lightly rub the strings with extra virgin olive oil about once a month to enhance this effect.
Also always keep the fallboard open too. I find the slots between the keys very efficiently catch dust. Then once a month remove the action and sweep out the accumulated dust. Much easier than swiffering the entire room...

Yes, and AJF, be sure that all the pencil eraser crumbs fall between the keys, so that none of them end up on the floor!

Hi, johnfin,

JeanieA gave you a link on this topic but I remember a thread from last year (when I bought my piano). It's worth doing a search for that one too. As I recall, it was pretty funny and I kind of got blasted for being "over the top" on the subject. Hey, it was my first grand piano, I couldn't help it!

As for myself, I'm torn. I would rather sit and look at the piano all day long, admiring the craftsmanship. Instead, it's kept wrapped up and water-tight as tight as a frog's.......well, you get the idea. So, I'm in the string/pedal cover, quilted cover camp........blob

Leave it open and ready to play at any time. Piano covers and string covers keep the strings looking good for the next owner. I want to enjoy it myself.

I have never covered or closed mine for the last 45 years with no discernible ill effects. I dust it periodically and it looks great.

Covers sort of remind me of the fad in the 60s and 70s of covering all your furniture with plastic.

I say, do what makes you happy.

Rumor has it that Blob has become the master of crocheting pedal booties!

I'm waiting for the bench knob covers.

I was thinking the same thing. I figure both piano and furniture are there for us to enjoy.

But to each his/her own.

MM,

no.......I'm not that far gone! close, mind you but not there yet.

wait, I just realized the pedals that still have the plastic on them. yeah, I'm gone, never mind......blob

Funny, I have just considered making pedal booties because I hate how my foot sticks to the pedal when it is hot and I am barefoot.

I would knit mine though, so it is COMPLETELY different.

Hey don't laugh! When my wife who wears sandals most of the time tries to play our piano barefoot I partially freak out

My rules: First, no drink or food within 10 feet of our Yamaha. Second, no barefoot playin'. Third, I ALWAYS obey my wife, which means that rules #1 and 2 (or any other "house" rules I make) are only in my mind.

Wait, why would barefoot playing bother you? We play the keys with bare hands, after all .

I don't tend to play barefoot because it hurts my feet--but no harm to the piano!

I've learned to never play in wet swimming trunks. After all, that little fold out stick, on the lid prop, is designed for drying swimming suits.