I found this site by chance while looking for information regarding piano maintenance.
I live in a family of musicians: my wife is a pianist and singer, my daughter is a pianist, and I am... a violinist.
I am also passionate about DIY, so I thought I would attempt to perform maintenance on the pianos at home.
In this video, despite the decent pianist (my daughter), it is noticeable that the piano needs maintenance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H3oNiRZLqA
I will probably spend the next few days reading all the precious information present on this site, so that I can share it with all of you. I can't wait to start.
Thanks to everyone and in particular to Maestro Paolo Ferrarelli and Maestro Simone Renzi.
Hello Enrico and welcome to this precious discussion forum.
Sincere compliments for the skill with which your daughter plays the piano; I am very struck by the naturalness and tranquility with which she plays and furthermore from memory!!! well done!
From a first listen, it does not seem to me that your piano has any particular problems: it has one key (perhaps more) that does not return completely to rest but above all it needs to be tuned. You will see, after a good tuning, the piano will have a warmer and more engaging tone and will increase the satisfaction of whoever plays it.
Well done, Anastasia. Talent shines through. Congratulations, we hope she reaches great pianistic goals. Study, study!!!!!
Dear Enrico, welcome and thank you for the compliments. Your piano would need special attention, especially since the little pianist's musical education is very important. The Samick is a decent piano, but it becomes harsh and insensitive if poorly regulated, out of tune, and above all, not voiced. It is obvious, as the piano tuner would say, that the general leveling of the keyboard (an intervention which, moreover, is part of the "mechanical regulation") is important. The cause of the sudden misalignment of some keys (one in particular) must be identified, and the specific regulation settings dictated by the manufacturer must be checked and restored. A good tuning (perhaps more than one) and then careful voicing of the hammers will restore the instrument's former "sonic brilliance."
These days I have seen some parts on this site that help me better understand what my piano needs.
I believe I have understood, therefore, that although it still "works okay," it needs some revisions due to normal wear and tear: the hammers are marked by the strings quite deeply; the keys wobble a bit too much horizontally (even if they do not touch each other).
Furthermore, when touching the keys lightly and slowly, they make a very slight noise and do not move fluidly. Upon dismantling the keyboard, I saw that this is due to abnormal friction with the pins, which do not seem to be lubricated with graphite (even though they are stained black) on the part they touch.
Finally, regarding the key that would not return to rest, I managed to fix it a few weeks ago: it was due to abnormal friction on a hammer pin. I solved it by "rubbing" the pin felt with a mini screwdriver; the felt became a bit "worn down" and now the hammer is free to move without play.
Did I take a risk? Perhaps, but it turned out well.
This is not the right place, but be careful not to take risks. The lack of smoothness in the action stems from composite and interdependent factors. Experience is necessary to obtain good results. One risks permanently damaging the hammer rail and more. Only through a careful examination, performed with competence, can one trace back the causes and the interventions to be carried out. Some small problems can be resolved with "do-it-yourself," in fact, I myself encourage pianists to understand how they can intervene. For major interventions, a competent Technician is required, who, as I often do, explains everything they do clearly. Unfortunately, some maintenance interventions should not be delayed too long, at the cost of spending more when reaching the limit of poor functioning. Furthermore, the pianist progressively becomes accustomed to these malfunctions, compensating for the inefficiency of the action and the poor sound emission with "added tension."
