PIANO TUNING:
The approximate 200 strings on your piano exert about twenty tons of tension on the plate and frame, and about 600 pounds of downbearing on the bridges and soundboard.
Seasonal changes in the humidity, as well as continuous changes in the static tension cause all pianos to go out of tune. Several factors are considered when deciding how often a piano should be tuned that include the age and condition of the piano, environmental conditions, goals of pianist, and budgetary constraints.
PIANO REPAIR:
Your piano is a mechanical instrument made up of 9,000 to 14,000 parts, most of which are wood or felt. Being a mechanical device, your piano may need repairs on occasion. Felt and leather parts wear, and wooden action parts can break, even on the most expensive pianos. I have training and experience necessary to handle most field repairs your piano may require.
ACTION REGULATION:
Your piano will need periodic adjustment called regulating. Parts swell and shrink as the humidity changes, wear out with use, or fatigue with age. Dirt and grit prematurely wear out felt, leather, and wood action parts. Regulating and cleaning prolongs the life of your piano. Proper regulation is necessary for the best performance of your piano! A well regulated piano is a joy to play, because it is more even and responsive to the demands of the pianist, enabling a full range of pianistic expression.
VOICING (TONE REGULATION):
Voicing is also called “tone regulating” and is really the final part of regulating and fine tuning the piano. Voicing the piano involves many aspects including proper string termination, string leveling, hammer shape, hammer fit to the strings, and adjusting the density of the hammer felt to achieve a full, smooth, and pleasing tone in the piano.
CONCERT PREP:
Because the requirements artists place on performance instruments are more critical, concert pianos have special service needs beyond those of the average piano. I have training and experience necessary to satisfy the discriminating artists who play Baldwin, Steinway, and Yamaha pianos on the concert stage.
DIGITAL PLAYER SYSTEMS:
Player piano systems have unique service requirements for both the acoustic piano and the electronics that drive it. Particular attention must be given to the regulation of the action in addition to solenoid calibration and proper MIDI function. I have training and experience necessary to service the following player piano systems:
Baldwin ConcertMaster, QRS Pianomation, and Yamaha Disklavier.
OTHER SERVICES:
Humidity Control can help stabilize your piano’s relative humidity to around 45%, which is ideal. A stable climate for your piano will improve tuning stability and action performance in addition to enhancing your piano's useful life. Internal Humidity control works best when the external relative humidity and temperature in and around the immediate area surrounding the piano is appropriate.
Appraising a piano’s condition and fair market value may be useful and is sometimes requested for personal, insurance, estate matters, and other reasons.
Purchase Consultations may assist the piano buyer in making a better buying decision, especially when considering the purchase of a used piano.
