What is Regulation and Does my Piano Need it?

Regulation is done whenever we replace the felt under the keys, replace hammers, damper felts, etc.

In simplistic terms, it is adjusting the mechanism to perform optimally.

First, the height of the keys need to be determined.
To adjust the height of the keys, and to level them, you add or remove paper washers under the bkeys, on the balance rail, where the keys pivit.
To adjust the keydip, “how far the key presses down”, you add or remove paper washers at the front of each key, on the front rail.

Is my Piano Worth the Repairs and How Would I Know?

Ring … ring … the phone rings.
Customer: “I have an old piano that hasn’t been tuned in years”…
Piano tuner: groan “Ok?”

Background

You have just inherited your grandmother’s piano or you found a piano on-line but you aren’t really sure how long ago it’s been since it was tuned.

Piano Keys Fading into the Distance

Customer: “It probably just needs a tuning. It still looks good.”
Piano tuner: “Maybe, but what about the inside?”

How Often Does my Piano Need to be Serviced?

Few people actually ask this question, and although we know that pianos need tuning from time to time, pianos are mechanical instruments, consisting out of many tiny parts.
From tiny pins and screws, to large parts like the soundboard, pin block, and the steel frame.
All of these play an integral part in your piano’s ability to bring you enjoyment, and need to be maintained.

Over the next few articles or posts, I will give a brief synopses of the different parts of your piano that you should keep maintained.
If neglected, or over time “with age” these parts can get worn and old, and may need replacing, reconditioning, or may get to the point where “ due to cost”, may not be worth repairing.

What is an RPT?

What is a Registered Piano Technician (RPT)?

The field of piano technology is an unregulated trade. Therefore the Piano Technicians Guild has set its own standards of quality for piano technicians. The Guild has two types of members: Registered Piano Technicians and Associates. Associate membership is open to all individuals 18 years of age and older with a professional or avocational interest in piano technology. On the other hand, the title of “Registered Piano Technician” must be earned by passing a series of examinations.

Does my piano need any servicing? – A summary of what your piano needs from time to time

  • How should I care for my piano’s wood finish?
  • What is the piano’s action and why does it need maintenance?
  • How does humidity affect my piano?
  • What is voicing?
  • How often should I have my piano fully serviced?
  • How do I find a qualified person to service my piano?
Book Now