Hi everyone! I'm having big problems with the keyboard of my Kawai upright piano... I'll try to be as clear as possible: I watched Maestro Ferrarelli's video tutorial on adjusting the action of an upright piano - very useful - and I noticed the "play", the movement of the entire mechanism when the key is lightly touched, like a void under the finger; in fact, I can't play fortissimo, or rather, as explained in the video, the key seems to lack adequate power relative to the touch. The biggest problems occur during fast passages... playing becomes very tiring, as if the keyboard weren't "snappy" enough; for example, I can play Bach or Beethoven decently, but playing Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 is practically impossible! Furthermore, all the keys, when pressed, are very noisy and often give me a sensation of "plasticity". What could this depend on? And in your opinion, is it something that can be resolved? I thought it might be an adjustment problem, or the fact that the hammers are very worn, but I don't know if that has anything to do with it...
Hi Riccardo, tell us a bit, are the hammers very grooved because you played a lot, or because you bought the piano used or anyway you inherited it from a relative who had already been playing for a few years?? besides the hammers, other felts could also be compressed and therefore all distances need to be rechecked and readjusted (before tuning you should always ask for a check of the mechanical efficiency or at least a one-off check)
The key dip must be checked. When it is insufficient according to the manufacturer's specifications, it is difficult to achieve the range between piano and forte. You also need to check the friction and the regulation. The looseness depends on incorrect regulation. The wear of the hammer rail is normal after a few years. First, you must regulate, tune, and voice. Then move on to checking the center pins. You need to see if the instrument has been in a humid place. Let me know
HA
Historical author
Reply 4 by Historical author
Hi Riccardo, first of all, compliments on the repertoire you play.
I read from your post that your piano lacks power, strength, and reliability on the repetition.
I advise you to contact your trusted technician and have the friction and mechanical regulation checked.
Hi Riccardo, tell us a bit, are the hammers very grooved because you played a lot, or because you bought the piano used or anyway inherited it from a relative who had already been playing for a few years?? Besides the hammers, other felts could also be compressed and therefore all distances must be rechecked and readjusted (before tuning you should always ask for a check of the mechanical efficiency or at least a one-off check)
We await further advice.
Hi Andry, I bought the piano used, it is about twenty years old and I don't know which, if any, interventions have ever been made on the mechanics... I opened the piano and noticed that indeed "small holes" have formed in the felt where the hammers rest at rest... perhaps this has compromised the mechanical action by increasing the hammer-string distance? Thanks for the advice
pianoexpert wrote:
You need to check the key dip. When it is lacking according to the manufacturer's measurements, it is difficult to achieve the excursion between piano and forte. You must also check friction and regulation. The gap depends on incorrect regulation. Hammer rail grooving is normal after a few years. First, you must regulate, tune, and voice. Then move on to checking the center pins. You need to see if the instrument has been in a humid place. Let me know
Thanks Paolo, in fact I have the sensation, when I try to obtain the fortissimo, that the finger goes to "hit" against the key and that it does not support it adequately...
Pianoaccordatore wrote:
Hi Riccardo, first of all, congratulations on the repertoire you play.
I read from your post that your piano lacks power, strength, and reliability on the repetition.
I advise you to contact your trusted technician and have the friction and mechanical regulation checked.
Then tuning and eventually voicing.
Thanks Pianoaccordatore, exactly, I also have difficulty with the repetition: for example, still regarding that rhapsody, I find it difficult to play the initial attack, i.e., the two C#s, with the promptness and power I would like from the piano, but a doubt arises: could it also depend solely on the fact that it is an upright? Next year I would like to undertake conservatory studies after finishing classical high school; do you think an upright (well-maintained) could also be suitable for eighth-year pieces (or even diploma pieces), or will I necessarily have to move to a grand piano? Thanks in advance
Dear James, what you are saying is right and valuable, but I believe that in this case it is simply not possible to achieve pianistically that "minimum" that even an upright piano must render well. Naturally, the action of a grand is more responsive, but even a good upright, well-regulated, can do its part. Anyway, your words are absolutely correct.
bye Paolo
P.S. In Frankfurt at the Steinway House they have a Mod.K upright that I would buy for myself because of how well it sounds and works!!!!!. (about ā¬37,000.00!!!!)
Dear Paolo... but how much does it cost!! what does this Steinway & Sons mod K upright have that is better compared to the competition, given that one has to shell out such a significant amount??
