What does it mean to tune a piano?
Making small adjustments to the tensions of the strings to properly align the intervals between their tones.
How often does your piano need tuning?
Once or twice a year, depending on the quality of construction, changes in humidity and how actively the piano is used.
How is my piano tuned?
The process involves adjusting each string to pass two tests. First, each string must sound in tune with every other note on the keyboard having the same name. These interval relationships are called octaves. The second test is that each note in the area on either side of middle C, when compared to a note that is a fourth or fifth above, or below, should have the rhythm of a heartbeat. The relationship of all fourths and fifths must stay consistent throughout the keyboard and act as a guide to an equal and balanced temperament regardless of octave range.
What if my piano hasn't been tuned in a long time?
If a piano is neglected, the balanced tension between the strings and the soundboard is distorted. A pitch raise is then required before a fine tuning is possible.
How does humidity affect my piano?
Pianos are affected by the changing seasons as well as the heating and cooling used in your home. Soundboards are made of Sitka spruce, a wood that is porous and lightweight. These qualities make it vulnerable to dramatic changes. Summer humidity swells and enlarges the crown shape; winter dryness causes the soundboard to shrink and flatten. Keeping indoor humidity levels stable will minimize tuning needs - two tunings per year are typically required for pianos that are frequently played.
What is regulation?
Adjusting the mechanical action to ensure each component functions properly.
Why would my piano need regulations?
Pianos are made of wood, wire, felt and leather. Over time, hammers (the felts which strike the strings) become compacted, wear down and become grooved. Felts under the keys and in action parts lose their supple qualities, change shape and get dirty. Leather decays. Regulation should be performed on a piano in normal use every five to ten years. New or rebuilt pianos need regulation after the first six to twelve months of use as the new felts settle.
How will regulations affect my piano?
When regulating a piano, a piano technician performs numerous adjustments on each note. Each part is inspected, tightened and restored to original factory settings. These adjustments affect how the keys feel when you play them and how sensitively the piano responds to your touch.
What is voicing?
Altering the texture and shape of the hammers to refine the sound quality.
Why would I have my piano voiced?
Voicing your piano suits the sound to your taste. Voicing will change the character of the piano's sound and even out differences from note to note so the volume and tone quality of adjacent notes are similar, allowing you to play a scale with even pressure on each key.
Voicing may include reshaping, hardening or softening the hammers, aligning strings to hammers, tuning and/or action regulation. The basic principle is that a hard and pointed hammer will cause a brighter or louder sound; softer and flatter hammers will sound more subdued or mellow.
Voicing may include reshaping, hardening or softening the hammers, aligning strings to hammers, tuning and/or action regulation. The basic principle is that a hard and pointed hammer will cause a brighter or louder sound; softer and flatter hammers will sound more subdued or mellow.
What does restoration entail?
Restoration consists of replacing all materials that have worn out and recreating the quality present when the piano was first manufactured. Strings, tuning pins, pinblock, hammers, damper felts, and action components are replaced, and new bushings are installed inside the keys. Any cracks in the soundboard are repaired, bridges are recapped if needed and plates/harps and soundboard are refinished.
What are the refinishing options?
Jeffrey developed a refinishing method using varnish - a much less toxic process than traditional lacquer. Varnish offers many advantages for both aesthetic and environmental reasons. Superior to lacquer for its durability, varnish is adaptable as an overcoat on existing finishes and is extremely versatile for coloring.
You may choose from either sprayed satin or hand-rubbed waxed finishes. Sprayed finishes are left with an open pore surface, are very durable and offer an economical advantage. Uprights are often a candidate for this process. Grand pianos typically have hand-rubbed finishes with a closed pore surface, incorporating a process of wet sanding and oil abrasives. A durable wax coating completes the process.
Removal of old finishes is accomplished by a process of applying water based chemical strippers and rinsing with acetone. All waste material is captured with no adverse impact to the environment.
You may choose from either sprayed satin or hand-rubbed waxed finishes. Sprayed finishes are left with an open pore surface, are very durable and offer an economical advantage. Uprights are often a candidate for this process. Grand pianos typically have hand-rubbed finishes with a closed pore surface, incorporating a process of wet sanding and oil abrasives. A durable wax coating completes the process.
Removal of old finishes is accomplished by a process of applying water based chemical strippers and rinsing with acetone. All waste material is captured with no adverse impact to the environment.