The Art of Piano Maintenance

Dealing with Broken Strings

Like all stringed instruments, the strings of a piano might occasionally snap during tuning, especially during intense tightening procedures such as a pitch raise. Most piano notes, excluding those at the very low end of the bass range, are produced by two or three strings struck simultaneously. Consequently, some individuals may opt to delay replacing broken strings, but should they desire immediate replacement, I can address this promptly for treble strings. These can generally be replaced instantly. However, bass strings require a tailored approach. The damaged string must be sent to a specialist who crafts a replica to replace it. The cost for a treble string replacement stands at £20, while a bass string replacement is £35.

Regrettably, new strings, much like their counterparts on other stringed instruments, do not retain their tuning for an extended period. As such, you may observe the new string starting to detune fairly swiftly. Should this occur, I can revisit to rectify the tuning. However, this does incur my minimum call-out fee. If your location is close to mine, I would be more than willing to offer this service at a reduced rate. I fully understand that string replacement can become a costly affair, and I aim to make it as convenient and affordable as possible for you.

Addressing Sticky Keys

A prevalent concern among piano owners pertains to the occurrence of sticky keys - those that exhibit a slow return or, in some cases, fail to return altogether after being played. Various factors can contribute to this phenomenon in a piano's keys. However, upon identifying the precise issue, it's generally straightforward to rectify.
Most often, such repairs are performed at no additional charge. However, if this issue pervades a substantial portion of the keyboard and demands an extended repair duration, there may be a nominal fee involved. Rest assured, the objective remains to ensure that your piano's performance is restored to its optimal condition with minimal disruption to you.

Allowing Your Piano to Adjust to a New Location

Following the relocation of a piano, it's typically recommended to give it some time to adjust to its new environment before tuning. This period of adjustment is critical, as pianos are sensitive to variables such as temperature and humidity. Allowing your piano a few weeks to acclimate to its new setting before getting it tuned. However, if time is of the essence, even a brief span of a few days can significantly aid in its adaptation, leading to more accurate and enduring tuning results.

The Importance of Regular Piano Tuning

In the same way people benefit from regular check-ups, so too do pianos to ensure their optimal performance. To keep them sounding their best, a semi-annual tuning is advisable. This regularity helps counteract the subtle, yet impactful, changes brought on by shifting seasonal conditions. For pianos that receive heavy usage, more frequent tuning may be necessary to maintain their acoustic excellence.

Regulating

Often a piano will suffer from occasional minor problems - creaks, squeaks, and wear and tear that affect the keys and action inside the instrument. These tend to diminish the pleasure of playing the piano, whether by weakening the tone, or by causing the mechanism to function badly. Poor regulation of the mechanism can also be responsible for a variety of problems in a piano's performance. However, these issues can very often be solved with small adjustments, and may be cured relatively quickly, without recourse to moving the piano to a workshop. I'm afraid I'm not trained to repair electric pianos.