Piano lock

[Gill the Piano]

Heckschers of Bayham Street London will sell you keys, but you need to know whether it's a hollow key, a triangle or a solid one. Have a look in the hole - if there's a central spline it's a hollow one, if it's triangle - shaped it's..er...triangle, and if it's got nothing but a hole, then it's probably solid.
Before you call them, though, remember there's a minimum charge of a tenner (I think) and also look inside the piano itself, as the keys are often hung on a nail or in a felt pocket at one end inside the piano. Also take the bottom door out (the bit in front of your knees) and look on the floor of the piano.
It might be cheaper to:
a) ask your local tuner if s/he'll sell you a key or
b) tell the little...dears...not to touch the piano
As a tuner, I make a lot of money from childrens' parties...just close the lid and PILE STUFF ON IT. I find that works. Or what worked with my niece and nephew was telling them that whatever they did to the piano, I would do to them later on...
Best of British!

[fumbler]

Hi,

After piling dead weights on the lid.....

put a large blanket, throw or whatever over the piano, the thicker the better: pin it at the sides to hold it on. That should keep most of the flying jelly at bay. Of course excited children running round will come to a dead stop against it, so make sure you are insured.

Rgds.