If I have my piano tuned regularly, why do I need to have it regulated?
Do all pianos have to be regulated?
How often is regulation needed?
What are the signs that my piano needs regulating?
As a conscientious piano owner, you probably have your piano tuned regularly by a piano technician. You may, however, notice a deterioration of its performance despite regular tuning. It’s important to note that tuning is only the adjustment of the system of strings and pins that determines pitch of each string. Your piano also requires a periodic servicing called regulation, which attends to the mechanical parts which cause strings to sound when keys are played and affect the sound through use of the pedals. The purpose of regulation is to minimise the loss of energy to this system, giving the player as much control as possible over the velocity of the hammer. Regulation compensates 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 desired result is restoration or improvement of the piano’s responsiveness and tone production capabilities available to the pianist. The process to achieve it comprises a number of inter-related steps, each of which requires a separate skill to execute. Ever-present time constraints force technicians to make judgements on which procedures to focus, and what degree of perfection can be attained in the time allowed.
The three systems involved in regulation are the action, trapwork and damper system. The action is the 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 which require adjustments to critical tolerances to be able to respond to a pianist’s every command. The trapwork is the assemblage of lever, dowels and springs that connects the pedals to the action affecting sustain and dynamics. The damper system is the mechanical part of the piano that stops the vibration of the note’s strings when its key is released, and is controlled by the key and pedal system.
If I have my piano tuned regularly, why do I need to have it regulated?
While tuning corrects the pitch of your piano, it is only one component of a complete maintenance program. Regulation attends to the touch and uniform responsiveness of your action, both vital to making each performance pleasurable. In addition, regulation ensures that your instrument is capable of producing a wide dynamic range – a critical factor, particularly in pianissimo passages.
Music is one of the most complex vehicles for expression. Its beauty is reliant upon personal interpretation which employs use of changes in dynamics and tempi. These changes require extremely fine adjustments to respond to the pianist’s nuances and subtle shadings. A smooth, even response throughout the entire range of the keyboard and an extremely quick action capable of playing rapid passages and repeated notes evenly is essential. Outstanding response is essential for a pianist to create an outstanding performance. Pianists of all levels benefit from a piano that is well-regulated.
Do all pianos have 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 setting and compacting of parts sometimes necessitates adjustment.
How often is regulation needed?
The wear and compacting of the piano’s felts and leathers should be periodically offset by a regulation. Pianos that are heavily used should be regulated every two to four years. New pianos should be regulated upon delivery, one year later, and then every few years thereafter. The frequency of regulation is dependent on the intensity and number of hours your instrument is played, and on the micro-climate in the room in which your piano is located. conditions.
The dampers and the back action generally stay in regulation for a long time. However, it is a good idea to lubricate damper wires, bushings, and damper underlever centre pins as part of the regulation.
What are the signs that my piano needs regulating?
If your instrument displays a lack of sensitivity or a decreased dynamic range, it’s a candidate for regulation. If you notice that the keys are not level (some are 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 replacements of parts.
Reconditioning is the process of putting your piano back in good condition by cleaning, repairing, and adjusting your instrument for maximum performance with replacement parts only where specifically indicated. If your piano has deteriorated beyond simple reconditioning, it may need to be rebuilt.
Rebuilding involves complete disassembly, inspection and repair as necessary with replacement of all worn or deteriorated parts. The piano is then reassembled. tested and adjusted to the same or similar tolerance and performance as when it was new.
Your piano is a major investment which deserves to be protected through regular servicing by a qualified technician. Properly maintained, your piano will sound its best and give you and your family a lifetime of enjoyment.