Does your piano need to be regulated?
Do you find it difficult to control your playing in soft passages of music? In faster passages do you find you cannot quite pull off that trill the way it is on the CD? Do you just find it impossible to repeat notes at speed? If you're experiencing these problems and feel as though your piano is not responsive to the touch (when the instrument just doesn't react the way it should, or the way the player expects), it is most likely your piano needs to be regulated.
What is regulation?
Over time, with temperature variations and the playing of the piano, the constant swelling and shrinking of the wood, compacting of cloth and felt, the wearing of pins on which the hammers and other parts pivot, your instrument may start to feel 'sluggish' to play.
Regulation is the adjustment of the thousands of mechanical parts of the piano to bring the instrument back to its optimum playing condition.
Other signs to look out for are:
- If you notice that the keys are not all level (some are higher or lower than others)
- If the keys stick and do not move up and down freely
- If the touch is uneven throughout the piano
Periodic regulation
All upright and grand pianos need periodic regulation to perform at their best. Frequency of regulation depends upon a number of factors such as its exposure to humidity and temperature changes, amount of use and the quality of the piano. However, here in the UK we are lucky that huge changes in humidity do not occur, so a general rule of thumb would be to have your piano regulated every 5 years.
To get your piano regulated call The Piano Doctor on028 9581 0310 or
07763 751 581
Telephone:
028 9581 0310
Mobile:
07763 751 581
Email:
info@thepianodoctor.co.uk