Does anyone know how best to open up the keyboard of a Clavinova? (I am not referring to the stand) I have managed to dispatch two pencils through a little gap just beneath the sliding lid and, although it has made no difference to the operation of the keyboard, I would like them out.

There are 3 possibilities:

- remove the sliding lid
- remove the top panel
- remove the back panel

I can only see 3 screws holding the back panel in situ, but having removed them the panel still will not budge. You would think it possible to remove the lid but I haven't been able to spot the method. Any clues would be gratefully received.

I have various paper clips down mine - one was rattling for a while and I jiggled the piano around (not easy, heavy thing) and it stopped rattling so I'm just leaving well alone . . .

You need a surgeon - try Robodoc !

The top of my Clav doesn't look like it's designed to come apart... how on earth did you get pencils up there? it's an upward curve? Badly-behaved youngster who also puts bread in the DVD player?

No help whatever, I am afraid, but just trying to give you all a laugh.

A couple of years ago, my tuner called me into the music room, glared at me over the top of my Yamaha 6 foot grand piano (cost £4,000 when I bought it in 1980, about £14,000 to replace now) and informed me, "You have had a mouse living in this piano."

Now, I live with my wife and 4 cats. Ok, so Chris will not do much about the mice, but I can expect the cats to sort out any ongoing mousy situation. The piano works between 4 and 8 hours a day, depending on my commitments. Peaceful inside the piano it is not.

"Don't be silly" I retorted.

Tuner showed me the evidence. Several piles of chewed pencil eraser and several more piles of tiny-mammal pooh.

I had stern words with those pussy-cats. No idea what became of the mouse.

Should we all campaign for unopenable pianos?