In most cases, a soundboard crack does not harm piano tone. Buzzes and rattles can enter the picture when the ribs glued to the back of the soundboard become loose.

Soundboard design is extremely complex. A good soundboard will have “crown” similar in concept to the arched top of a violin. The downbearing of the strings across the bridges is substantial so in many (most!) old pianos the crown has collapsed and with the disappearance of crown the piano’s singing tone and ability to sustain a tone has also disappeared. As with worn hammers and action parts, it is appropriate to replace a defective soundboard in the course of a restoration project.

Swollen action parts, corroded or dirty key pins, or foreign objects wedged between or caught under the keys can cause sticking keys. In some older spinet pianos, plastic “elbows” can break and the keys are then no longer connected to the action. Sometimes the key itself can break. Repairs of this type are usually straightforward.

In most grand pianos the middle “sostenuto” pedal can capture and sustain individual notes. In vertical pianos the middle pedal usually lifts the bass dampers and allows sustain of notes in the bass section. In some cases, the middle is a sales feature and serves only to keep the other two apart!

Pedal systems are generally trouble-free but problems can creep in. The levers (trapwork) can go out of adjustment and screws can come loose. Sometimes structural problems can be the cause of pedals not working but usually a simple adjustment will restore proper pedal function.

Near the end of the keystroke, the hammer must release from the driving force and fly free to strike the string. If this “escapement” is not properly adjusted, the hammer can block against the string making a very unmusical sound or a note that goes “bonk.” The opposite situation of escapement occurring too early dramatically reduces the dynamic range available to the pianist. Either situation accelerates the wear and deterioration of the action parts. Maintaining proper action regulation will make playing your piano more fun and extend the life of your piano.

Piano string vibrations are stopped by a felt damper. A missing damper felt, an out-of-adjustment mechanism, worn or compacted felt, or a broken spring are a few possible reasons the tone will continue to ring after you release the key.

Before the days of central heating and air conditioning, a jar of water helped stabilize the humidity inside pianos. Today, a more practical and effective method of climate control is available. Ask your technician about the Piano Life Saver™ system available for your piano.

Each of the 200+ strings in your piano pulls at about 180 pounds of tension. Over time and through the cycle of seasonal changes, this tension falls, letting the pitch fall below the standard A-440 (the note A above Middle C vibrates at 440 cycles per second). To keep your piano sounding its best and making it possible to play with other instruments, have your technician maintain the pitch of A-440.

Every time a hammer strikes the strings, the hammer felt compacts and gets harder. The felt also wears away, changing the strike point from curved to flat which blocks harmonic development in the vibrating string. Over time and use, the tone becomes overly bright. A qualified technician can “voice” your piano’s hammers to restore a sweet sound that’s pleasant to listen to.

The wood, felt, and buckskin in your piano action change dimension because of environmental changes. They wear through use and compact over time. These changes cause the action to go out of “regulation”. Fortunately, a qualified piano technician can make adjustments to correct for these changes.

Out-of-tune notes have a wavering quality, or sound “dizzy”. Most notes in the piano have more than one string for a stronger, warmer tone but if these strings do not have exactly the same frequency the note will waver. A well-tuned piano sounds clear and steady.

Many factors can radically affect the satisfaction you feel with your piano. A sluggish or poorly-regulated action, harsh tone quality, or pedals that aren’t working properly can leave you frustrated.

Because your piano is made primarily of wood, a change in humidity causes a pitch change. The piano’s structural condition or the environment in which it is located can affect tuning stability but in most cases, your piano will stay in tune until the season changes.