Regulation & Touch Control
What pleases a pianist is when the piano has good touch and tone.
Wear and time changes the numerous adjustments and the condition of the wood, felt, and leather of the parts.
The piano gradually changes.
- The action or mechanism, becomes less responsive.
- The piano can become more difficult to play. Less responsive.
- Notes won’t repeat as easy.
- It becomes harder to trill or play softly.
- There is a loss of power and control.
- The touch becomes uneven from note to note.
- The tone changes as hammers wear and the strike point becomes flattened, grooved, and hardened.
From a rich warm tone the piano becomes bright, harsh, and uneven.
What often happens is that the pianist adjusts to the gradual changes and loses sight of just how well the instrument could be playing.
At the Steinway factory in NY for the week long regulation class.
How Does it Work?
Regulation of the action restores the touch and response of the piano close to what it was when new. As the key is depressed many things happen in the action. Each part travels a certain distance to perform at their best. There are many adjustments per note. Parts are aligned and trued. Distances and timing of parts are adjusted.
The damper system also needs adjusting. The proper lift timing with each note as well as even damper movement with the sustain pedal.
Depending on what is needed, the regulation and service can take one to four days.
Parts may need to be repaired at this time. Hammers are filed to restore the shape and are voiced to bring back a pleasing tone.