Author Archives: benfairlightedwards

Sometimes dampers wobble as the key is pressed, especially on a hard blow, and can actually produce an audible vibration (a strange and annoying sound). Dampers with extended wires (usually at tenor/bass breaks) are particularly prone to this. There are … Continue reading →

Many quality keyframes have Dome Screws to adjust how the frame rests on the keybed. Most dome screws are adjusted using a tuning hammer or special key. Many Piano People do this on the work bench, using a straight-edge; some … Continue reading →

Size isn’t everything in the piano world….Because, though these hammers had a very good felt length and the correct width, they were far too HEAVY. This early model O Steinway also lives in a Romney Marsh church, so stiff keys … Continue reading →

Harpsichord voicing, like FortePiano (Early Piano) voicing, is much more closely linked to the instrument’s regulation. The process and principles of voicing, though, are the same for any instrument: giving form and equally graded variability to each and every note, … Continue reading →

Sometimes, where hammers are angled on the shanks and there is little room, cutting bevels across the felts is the only way hammers will travel freely.         Having the right knife to do the cutting is essential … Continue reading →

Once hammers are nicely profiled* they can be ironed. Ironing is not merely cosmetic: it ties in the exposed fibres, protecting the felts from dirt & dust. *Ironing can also be used as a temporary (and very mild) way of … Continue reading →

Sensible angles are built into this new Blüthner Concert Grand (compare the troublesome angles on a Grotrian Steinweg – February 25, 2014). So, the tune-ability – hence tuning stability – of this piano is very good. Not so, however, its … Continue reading →

Burning hammers is a technical term: using a flame (or other warming) to alter the angle of each hammer on its shank. Burning is done after Travelling. Travelling can only be done when hammer centres are working properly (more on … Continue reading →

Sometimes (as here on this Blüthner concert grand) new hammers are glued on, fitted only approximately to the strings and, it seems, the piano shoved out the workshop door – as if that were all that needed doing…. But new … Continue reading →

Once the hammers are aligned to the strings (and travelled & burned) – and, of course, the keys levelled & spaced (with any required straightening, via steaming or planing) – the checks can be aligned to the hammers (hammer tails), … Continue reading →