There is nothing more fitting for a grand piano than a black background. When played on a sunny day, the music can fill the air with joy and inspire people to dance or sing along. But what happens when the sun doesn’t cooperate and you have to play your piano in the dark?
The solution? Light up the room! With a few simple adjustments, you can make your piano look as good as new and make white backgrounds appear more brilliant than ever before!
Here are some tips to ensure your piano looks its best no matter the lighting conditions:
Get The Right Size
When playing in the dark it’s important to get a piano that’s big enough to be heard. But don’t go the extra mile and get a huge piano just to fit some pieces of sheet music — you’ll end up with a cluttered floor and a dissatisfied patient.
An expert piano technician can help you find the right-sized piano for your home. Larger pianos may require additional gear, such as a microphone, turntable, or speakers — all of which could be purchased separately.
Wash And Clean It Well
Pianos are built with an excess of care and attention to detail, and just like any other instrument or piece of furniture, they deserve to be washed and cleaned regularly to keep them in good condition. Throwing out a few dishes or glasses once or twice a month will greatly improve the appearance of your piano.
When cleaning your piano, start from the top and make your way down. Using a soft brush and some mild soap, make sure to clean all of the keys and the area around them to remove the gunk that builds up over time. Even though it’s not often used, wipe down the area above the keys as well to keep it free of dust and debris.
Monitor Volume
When playing in the dark, it’s important to keep the volume at a level that’s comfortable for you and your listeners. If you play at a high volume, it can be disturbing for others and cause them to leave the room. As with most things, practice makes perfect. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to determine exactly how loud you should play.
Play In The Right Place
To make the most of the light coming in through the windows, you’ll need to play in an area that is close to the source. Avoid playing in direct vicinity to a wall or corner where the lighting might be blocked. Instead, look for a nice spot in the middle of the room where you can enjoy the benefits of the natural light without being overwhelmed by it.
Position Yourself Appropriately
Whether seated or standing, it’s important to be in the right place when playing. If you’re too far away from the piano, it can be difficult to reach across and play the keys. Too close, and you might be tempted to bump up against it when playing, causing it to fall over time.
Use Good Quality Lighting
Although sunlight is ideal for illuminating your piano, using regular incandescent lighting in place of daylight can help improve the appearance of your instrument. When purchasing a desk lamp or hanging a lamp from the ceiling, make sure that the light is of a good quality and doesn’t contain a lot of warm up time before it reaches its full potential. Incandescent lighting is much more suitable for this purpose than fluorescent or halogen lamps.
Play In The Right Mood
When playing in the mood, it’s important to set the right atmosphere in the room. You don’t want to play in front of a bunch of noisy kids or other adults who might want to join in. Instead, choose a room in your home with some soft fabrics and low lighting to create a calming and intimate atmosphere where you can play without disturbance.
Keep It Lively
If you’re aiming for a traditional appearance, keeping a lid on the atmosphere in the room will help keep the attention level high. But don’t be afraid to have some fun with it either by playing songs that you know your guests will enjoy or switching to a jazz or classical playlist to create a different vibe. Just remember to keep the volume low enough so that nobody gets too rowdous.
Tiered Color Scheme
Black is a classic color scheme for pianos with several benefits. It’s not too flashy or bright, so it works well with most décor styles. But most importantly, it blends well with most colors and provides a smooth transition from one color to the next. If you want to keep track of which keys to play at a given time, a simple color coding system will help you identify them quickly in the dark!
For example, you could use red for the Cs, blues for the Es, and greens for the Is and As. You’ll quickly see the differences when played in the dark thanks to the bright contrasting colors! Of course, there are no wrong answers here — it’s all about personal preference.
Pianos In Good Condition
In addition to all of the above, your piano should look clean and well-maintained. Just like any other piece of furniture or appliance, a clean and tidy appearance speaks volumes about its owner’s pride in their instrument and their respect for the craftsmanship that went into making it.
There are several things that you could do to keep your piano in good condition, such as having a regular service performed by a professional, keeping a clean environment around it, and storing it in a climate-controlled area.
Now that you’re equipped with the basics of making your piano look great, it’s time to put these tips into practice. Why not have a go at it yourself? You’ll find that playing in the dark isn’t as difficult as you think it is. All it takes is a bit of patience and some old-fashioned elbow grease!