Thursday, 4 July 2019

Importance Of Pipe Organ Maintenance

By Amy Gray


Many musical instruments are used in churches to bring enthusiasm to their congregations. One of these is a pipe organ. They are used as a musical instrument, decorative furniture, and they partly form a building. Sound production is activated using a keyboard. This drives pressurized air through the pipes releasing sound. Pipe organ maintenance requires utmost care since they are complicated.

For the device to produce top quality sound, regular checkups are conducted. They should be tuned twice a year mostly at the end of cold and warm seasons. This will reduce potential damage to the organs sound quality. Since temperature change affect instrument function, the original pitch should not be tampered with while tuning.

Playing every note at different but frequent time intervals helps maintain increasing durability. This applies to the instruments that are not regularly used. Doing this prevents dust particles and any other dirt entering the pipes and parts that rely on wind conduction. Ensuring the needed degree of humidity is in existence is a crucial way machine maintenance.

Perishable materials such as crucial covering and leather need to be renewed. The organ treatment uses proven impregnation solutions. This includes dismantling the soundboard whereby the opening of note channels is first done. In case the damage is severe, the damaged parts will get changed for new pieces. Some elements can be reconstructed precisely like the original copies. If the instrument is a piece of furniture or a museum artifact, an electric blower must never occur.

Temperature change affects the organs sound quality. Proper care needs to be taken in rooms that are heated. The temperatures fluctuation is supposed to be maintained to prevent the wood from drying. Insecticides can be used to get rid of insects that damage the wood. Leaving alone the equipment while ensuring proper conditions are provided is the ultimate step to making the device last longer.

Choosing a trusted organist is the most important way to maintain any pipe instrument. They should have a proper understanding of the instrument and appreciate the duty laid upon them. Observation, assessment, and reporting any problem should be done thoroughly and in time to avoid more damage.

Since the pipes are made of alloys of lead and tin, they are very delicate when handling. Simple knocks or bumps can cause major dents destroying the quality of the instrument. One should, therefore, handle them carefully to minimize damage. Thus, owners or technicians can avoid incurring a massive loss.

Organs dated back in the 17th century form an oxide layer on the metal pipes surface, making their color change to a black tone, and they also become stiffer like the shell of a crab. One should leave them as they are for polishing them will make them making lose their historic sound quality completely. Touching them with fingerprints tarnishes their surface. It could also activate rust, making them look ugly. Some shops use a clear varnish to finish the pipes. Rust is therefore put at bay reducing the cost of maintenance. Entrusting the passage of time is one of the best moves.




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