rack the
varnish, warp the wooden parts, crack the sound-board, cause parts to
come unglued, etc. On the other hand, too much moisture will rust the
steel parts, strings, etc.; so the "happy medium" is the condition to
be desired. As to keeping pianos closed, a question you will often be
asked, we think it is better to keep them open at all times than to
keep them closed at all times; because, if they are kept open they are
subjected to the changes of the atmosphere, which will rarely permit
the piano to become either very damp or too dry. In a word, a room
that is healthy for human beings is all right for the piano.

~Seasons for Tuning.~--The prevalent idea in regard to this matter is
that pianos should be tuned either at the beginning of cold or of warm
weather. In our experience, we have found that it makes no difference
when the piano is tuned if it is kept in the living room. If, however,
a piano were tuned upon a warm day in the fall and then allowed to
remain in a room in which the temperature suddenly fell to zero, we
could not expect it to stand in tune; and much less, if the room is
heated up occasionally and then left for an interval at the mercy of
the weather. Persons who treat their pianos in this way should have
them tuned about four times a year.

INDEX.

Action, 17
brackets, 24
of grand piano, 37, 38, 62
of square piano, 32, 34
removing, square and grand, 38
replacing, square and grand, 39
requisites of, 17, 18
top, of square piano, 34
trap, of square piano, 19, 34

Advantages of two-octave temperament, 171

Ancient instruments, 13

Back check, adjustment of, 49
and back catch, 18, 27, 28, 33, 37
wire, 27

Balance pin, 21
rail, 21

Bearing bar, 17

Beats, waves, and pulsations, 73, 150
of unison, octave, and major third, 154
cause of, 77, 150

Black lead, use of, 64

Block rail, 27, 51

Bottom or capstan, adjustment of, 48, 99
or key rocker, 23, 33, 48, 56, 57

Bracket bolts, 25

Bridle, 28
putting in new, 50
wire, 28, 50

Bridges, 16, 17
split, 173

Building of upright piano, 16

Butts, 28
and flanges, repairing of, 59

Capstan, 24, 48

Cause of beats 27, 150

Center-pins, 25
putting in new 52

Clicks at release of key, 51, 52

Compromises, the, 99, 100

Continuous mute, 89

Damper lever, 29
felt, softening, 54

Damper, of grand piano, 37
of square piano, 36, 60
rod, 30
rod, squeaking of