What does "tickle the ivories" mean ?

Question

I used to hear old people say this when I was a kid, I think it means sex but was never sure, does anyone know ?

It was hard to decide with all the great (and some very funny) answers, I got more than I bargained for...

I chose this answer because it seems capture the feeling when they look into each others eyes, smiling, and quote "tickle the ivories tonight" although someone else added "singing" and playing piano.

Answer 1

To play the piano very skillfully and, as you can imagine, happily in front of an audience. It is the exhibited quality of the playing that may suggest something sexy.

Answer 2

The term "Tickle the Ivories" means playing a piano; the white keys use to be made of ivory.

Answer 3

Nothing to do with sex. It means 'to play the piano'. The white keys on pianos were once made of ivory.

Answer 4

White keys on all pianos used to be made of real ivory - and "tickle the ivories" means to play the piano, which both my mother and grandmother did beautifully!

Answer 5

It means to play the piano. The keys were originally made of ivory and ebony. Ivory is the tooth material found in elephant tusks and ebony is a type of tree from South America.

Answer 6

It means playing the piano. I have a century old restored piano, and the keys really are made of ivory.

Answer 7

Hee hee that's funny. You thought old people were talking about sex when they were talking about playing the piano. The white keys of a piano are made of ivory. The black keys are ebony.

Answer 8

Play the piano

Answer 9

Play the Piano!!

Answer 10

Play the piano. White piano key having previously been made of Ivory. I actually thought it was tingling the ivories so you have taught me something...ta