Each piano has its own characteristic in the way it sounds and the way it feels, sometimes referred to as the touch. The touch is how the keys feel when the piano is played. On some pianos the keys are easy to play, while on other pianos the keys need a little extra push or force to play. An easy touch is not necessarily bad, and neither is a firm touch. It’s all a matter of personal taste.
The Touch
If you don’t like the way the keys on your piano play, ask to see if anything can be done about it. In some instances the touch of the piano can be adjusted with a process called regulation. This is where the technician makes approximately 20-25 adjustments on each key. It’s a process that should be done to a piano after it has been played for about 5 or 6 years.
Regulating
Regulating is an exacting art that requires patience and persistence where the technician makes approximately 20 – 25 adjustments on each key. For pianos that are played on a regular basis, it’s a process that should be done about every 5 or 6 years.
While there are similarities, there are differences between upright regulation and grand regulation. For a more comprehensive explanation of the differences, please look at what is involved in upright regulation and grand regulation. Mr. Blees has over 30 years of experience regulating the actions of every make and model, and will make recommendations about what your piano needs.
The Tone
Just as the touch of the piano is unique for each piano, the same is true for the way the piano sounds, referred to as the tone. This is not the same as the tuning. Tuning is a process of adjusting all the strings so that they are in harmony with each other. The tone of some pianos is very mellow, while the tone of other pianos is very bright. Just as a heavy touch is not good or bad, a bright sound is not bad, and neither is a mellow sound. Again, it’s all a matter of personal choice.
What voicing does is make the tone of all the notes sound the same. After the piano is tuned, the technician carefully listens to each note. The tone is then changed by a process of filing and sticking needles into the felt of the hammer, or adding lacquer or other solvent to the top of the hammers. Although voicing is usually done to a piano to assure that all the notes sounds the same, it is not intended to change the overall tone of the whole piano. In some instances, however, this can be done, but it is a difficult process, and should only be considered under extreme circumstances.
Voicing
Voicing is a very exacting process, which takes a lot of skill and experience. While regulating your piano should be done once every 5 or 6 years, a piano should be voiced at least once every two or three years, depending on how much the instrument is played. But before the piano can be voiced, it needs to be regulated. The whole process can take up to 8 hours, depending on the overall quality of the piano and how long it has been since the piano was last regulated and voiced. Again, Phil Glenn is a Steinway factory trained voicing specialist, and has the knowledge to voice any piano.
Protecting Your Investment
Tuning the piano is like adding gas and oil to the car. Regulating and voicing are like changing the oil and filter and lubing the ball joints. They should be done on a regular basis to keep the piano playing and sounding its best so that you will get the most enjoyment out of your piano, and to protect your investment.
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