FOUR AREAS OF PIANO CARE by Steve Hornbeck |
Pianos are mechanical mechanisms that have the capability to produce a vast array of tone, volume, and pitch. Materials include wood augmented by a several hundred pound cast iron plate, lots of felt, springs, screws, and a couple hundred strings. Add some chemicals like glues, lubricants, lacquer or polyester and maybe a rubber grommet here and there and you have the makings of a piano. Unfortunately, for the piano owner, most or all of these materials wear to some degree and need to be maintained and/or replaced. However, if a piano is taken care of, it can be a source of enjoyment for many years.
One of the best reasons to keep a piano maintained is the simple fact there’s not a lot of difference between a $50,000.00 piano and $50.00 "special" if they both experience neglect. You will enjoy your instrument more if you keep it maintained. Four basic areas of piano maintenance include: repair, tuning, touch regulation (sometimes referred to simply as regulation) and tone regulation (sometimes referred to as "voicing").
REPAIRREPAIR is just that! When parts become worn or broken they should be replaced or repaired. There is no set rule to determine whether a part needs replacement or repair. For instance, does a broken string need replacement or will a repair meet the need? Each unique situation will influence your decision to replace or repair. Your technician can present choices, pros and cons of specific choices; but in the end, only you should make the decision.
TUNINGTUNING, the well-known member of piano service, consists of changing the string tension using a wrench type tool called a tuning hammer. Most people (including "Tuners") use the word tuning when they mean service. Try not to fall into that chasm. There are many different ways to approach tuning. There is no best way as long as the desired results are achieved.
TOUCH REGULATIONAdjusting the way the piano responds pretty well describes TOUCH REGULATION. Adjustments from the height of the key, through adjustments in the action, and down to the travel of the pedals comprise a few of the hundreds of changes one makes in regulating a piano. An example of how precise the action can play: paper punchings or shims are found under the key in two places. One determines the height. The other determines how much the key will travel before it "bottoms out". Sizes vary from several cardboard thicknesses all the down to the thickness of tissue paper.
TONE REGULATIONTONE REGULATION, or voicing, is the icing on the piano service cake. All other areas should be in good shape before voicing begins. In fact, all other areas affect the voice of the piano to some degree. Examples: if dampers are worn and hard (indicating replacement), after the key is released, the note will "buzz" when the damper seats back on the string. (Dampers are the pieces of felt which stop the vibration (sound) when the key (or pedal) is released.) If the piano is out of tune, the lack of clarity will distort the tonal "picture" of the note. Also, if the piano is out of regulation, the loss of power and control will lessen the dynamic range of the note. All three examples affect the tone. Ideally, the goal in tone regulation is to give the piano the greatest range in tone or volume without any sound distortion. Primarily, the goal is achieved by changing the density of the hammer with needles and/or chemicals.
Pianos are not maintenance free. The change in the seasons, use and time affect the instrument. A stable environment is the piano’s best friend. Air conditioning and humidity control will extend the life of a piano. Avoid drafty areas and direct sunlight. As a wise tuner from the United Kingdom so aptly put it, "Treat your piano as you would your favorite aunt." I couldn’t have put it any better.
Steve Hornbeck, Piano Technician
Office: 248-332-6576 |
| TEACHERS | VOICE MAIL | HOME | LOCATION MAP |