Additional Services
At the 2010 National Piano Technician’s Guild Convention, Brigham received training from Don Manino. After class, Brigham took the opportunity to ask Don to explain why regulation is necessary to maintain a piano over the course of its lifetime. Listen to the above video clip to see how Don uses a grand action model to explain the essential nature of piano regulation in addition to basic tuning maintenance.
Brigham would be happy to evaluate your piano if you think it has been awhile since it was properly regulated. To read more about regulation, click here.
Category : Additional Services &Brigham's Piano Blog &National Piano Technician's Guild Convention 2010 &Professional Training
As a conscientious piano owner, you probably have your piano tuned regularly by a qualified technician. You may, however, notice a deterioration of its performance despite regular tuning. It’s important to note that tuning is only the adjustment of the system of strings and pins that determines the pitch of each string. Your piano also requires a periodic servicing called regulation, which attends to the mechanical parts which cause strings to sound when keys are played and affect the sound through use of the pedals.
What is regulation and how does it affect my piano’s performance?
Regulation is the adjustment of the mechanical aspects of the pianos to compensate for the effects of wear, the compacting and settling of cloth, felt, and buckskin, as well as dimensional changes in wood and wool parts due to changes in humidity. (more…)
Category : Additional Services &Brigham's Piano Blog &FAQ
So you can’t remember the last time it was tuned, huh? You might need a pitch raise…
Your piano is designed to sound its best when tuned to A-440 (A above middle C vibrates at 440 cycles per second), the international pitch standard. At this pitch, power and tonal range are optimum and your piano will match the pitch of other instruments. When your piano varies from A-440, pitch adjustments are required to bring it back to standard. By always maintaining your piano at standard pitch, you create long-term tuning stability because the strings and structure stay in equilibrium. You also ensure proper ear training because you always hear your music in the correct key.
Why does a piano’s pitch change?
Piano strings change pitch for two primary reasons: the initial stretching and settling of strings when the piano is new, and soundboard movement due to humidity variation. In the case of new pianos, the pitch drops quickly for the first couple of years as the new strings stretch and wood parts settle. It’s very important to maintain any new piano at the proper pitch during this period, so the string tension and piano structure can reach a stable equilibrium. (Most piano manufacturers recommend three to four tunings the first year, and at least two per year after that.) (more…)
Category : Additional Services &Brigham's Piano Blog &FAQ
