Purchasing a piano is a big investment with even the most basic having the potential to run you a couple of thousand dollars. You want to keep the instrument working properly and looking good. If you don't take care of it, all you'll have is a big ugly dust catcher and if you ever decide to sell it, people may think it requires too much work to restore it to a beautiful working piano.

Here are some basic maintenance practices for your piano:

* Routine Tune-Ups- Obviously, you want optimal sound while you play, especially if you are learning. It isn't very beneficial to learn on a piano that is out of tune - how will you ever know what a chord should sound like? Another issue to address during the tune-up is the voicing that involves repairing the felt on the hammers. As the felt wears, it affects the tone of the piano because the hammer is what hits the wire for sound. Finally, the action should be attended to. This is the mechanism that causes the hammer to hit the wire. At a minimum, this tune-up should be done twice a year for optimal sound and performance.

* Climate Control- Yes, store your piano inside. No brainer, right? Well, even inside the house, controlling the climate around the instrument is important. Do not place it beside an air-conditioner or a heater. Fireplaces and open windows are also damaging to the instrument. Humidity and extreme changes in temperature can cause warping of the pieces and other damages to the delicate parts. Direct sunlight not only heats the instrument, but it also fades the wood.

* Frequent Use- To stay in good working order, your piano needs a regular work-out. Just like muscles, if it sits there unused, its parts begin to atrophy, get rusty and even brittle. Frequent use also makes you a better player, which in turn makes you want to play more.

* Exterior Cleaning- Keep the instrument free of dust and debris so that the keys work smoothly. Wipe down the keys with a damp rag and then dry. Cleaning products are not recommended because they can cause discoloration and drying of the keys. For the wood, also wipe down with damp cloth. Do not use your everyday furniture polish - check with your manual for the best product.

* Experienced Technician- For anything other than the most basic maintenance, make sure you hire an experienced and reputable technician. The inner workings of a piano are quite complicated and it takes a lot of training to understand all the nuances of a beautifully sounding instrument.

If you take good care of your piano, it will last for years. You could even make it a family heirloom (they have to start some time). Another motivating factor for taking care of your instrument is that they tend to appreciate in value, particularly the finer ones like the grand. By taking care of it, you and your family can make beautiful music for years to come.