Regulation & Touch Control

What pleases a pianist is when the piano has good touch and tone.

Wear and time changes the numerous adjustments and the condition of the wood, felt, and leather of the parts.

The piano gradually changes.

• The action or mechanism, becomes less responsive.
• The piano can become more difficult to play. Less responsive.
• Notes won’t repeat as easy.
• It becomes harder to trill or play softly.
• There is a loss of power and control.
• The touch becomes uneven from note to note.
• The tone changes as hammers wear and the strike point becomes flattened, grooved, and hardened.

From a rich warm tone the piano becomes bright, harsh, and uneven.

What often happens is that the pianist adjusts to the gradual changes and loses sight of just how well the instrument could be playing.