The Art and Science of Tuning
Piano tuning is a deceptively involved process that takes years to learn, and longer to master. Full knowledge of all other aspects of the piano is required to produce a clean, stable tuning. I was trained to reject the notion of "good enough" and to strive for great results. There are no tricks or shortcuts; there are only ways and means to improve your instrument to turn a "good" tuning into a great one. This is what I provide for your instrument.
Hammer Voicing and Tone Adjustment
Felt hammers strike the strings and thus have the greatest impact on the tonal quality of your piano. Hammer felt that is too hard produces an unpleasantly harsh "bright" tone. Felt that is too soft sounds muffled and "dark". Various voicing techniques can bring balance and beauty to your piano's tone that you may not have thought was possible. If the hammers have become too worn, I will advise you on the options available to improve the tonal quality of your instrument.
Action Maintenance
The piano’s mechanical action contains thousands of individual parts. These parts have to work together under extremely precise measurements down to thousandths of an inch. An out of regulation piano results in poor repetition, an inability to play quietly, sluggish keys, and a host of other frustrating issues. A thorough 37-step action regulation can transform your piano, making it a joy to play once again. This is a process that should typically be performed once every 5 to 10 years to ensure the longevity of your instrument.
Repairs and Replacements
Noise, sticking keys, broken parts, and many other problems are (usually) easily solved but can be indicators of broader issues that require attention. Common problems include excess friction between parts, worn out felt, and most often an uncontrolled humidity environment. Fixing the immediate symptom and having a plan for the root cause is the path to success. There are dozens of routine repairs and replacements that happen over the life of a piano, and it is the technicians job to keep you informed.
