Reconditioning & Maintenance
As a conscientious piano owner, you probably have your piano tuned regularly. Over time however, you may notice a deterioration in how the piano feels to play, i.e., the touch may not be as responsive, quick repetition might be difficult or it could be that playing soft passages with control has grown tough. It's important to note that tuning is only the adjustment of strings and pins that determine pitch. Your piano also requires a periodic mechanical servicing called regulation, which attends to the parts which cause strings to sound when keys are played.
What is regulation and how does it affect my piano's performance?
Regulation is the adjustment of the mechanical aspects of the piano to compensate for the effects of wear, the compacting and settling of cloth, felt, and buckskin, as well as dimensional changes in wood and wool parts due to changes in humidity.
The piano action is the internal mechanical part of the piano that transfers the motion of the fingers on the keys to the hammers that strike the strings. It is comprised of over 9,000 parts (more moving parts than an automobile!) which require adjustment to critical tolerances to be able to respond to the player’s touch and varying pressure on the key to create variety in loudness and tonal color.
What is regulation and how does it affect my piano's performance?
Tuning is only one component of a complete maintenance program. Regulation attends to the mechanical aspects of touch and uniform responsiveness of the key which is vital to making play pleasurable.
Do all pianos need to be regulated?
All upright and grand pianos need periodic regulation to perform their best. Frequency of regulation is dependent upon amount of use, exposure to climatic changes, and the instrument's quality, age and condition. New pianos may require regulation in their first year because settling and compacting of parts sometimes necessitates adjustment.
How often is regulation needed?
Only you and your technician together should decide how frequently your piano needs regulation. Several factors can contribute to this. The intensity and number of hours your instrument is played, and climatic conditions are all determinants. A piano kept in relatively consistent conditions which are neither too wet nor dry, optimally at a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 42 percent relative humidity, will require less adjustment.
The quality of the instrument itself also can affect frequency of regulation. Some manufacturers decrease costs by not going over the regulation and voicing processes in the factory as much as needed. Reputable retailers sometimes do the necessary regulation themselves prior to selling the pianos, but others do not.
Also, performance instruments may require some regulation before each use, due to the higher demands placed on them.
What are the signs that my piano needs regulation?
If your instrument displays a lack of sensitivity or a decrease of dynamic range, it's a candidate for regulation. If you notice that the keys are not level (some higher or lower than the rest), the touch is uneven, or that the keys are sticking, the need for regulation is indicated. However, a sluggish action or deep grooves in the hammers indicate the need for reconditioning or repair. Ask your technician to show you what needs adjustment on your piano.
No amount of practice can compensate for a poorly maintained action. Poor legato touch, chord playing where all notes of the chord don't speak clearly, a gradual loss of subtlety in phrasing and an inability to execute quick passages or note repetitions evenly may be the fault of the piano -- not the player.
Why is reconditioning or rebuilding of the mechanical systems sometimes necessary prior to regulation?
Prior to regulation, your technician will assess the condition of your instrument. If it has badly worn parts or if there has been corrosion or moth damage, the piano may not be able to be properly regulated without some repair or replacement of parts.
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