Since their invention in the mid-1700s, pianos have held a prominent place in many homes. Both decorative and functional, pianos are one of the most natural ways people keep music in their lives.
However, like any instrument, pianos — especially older pianos — require maintenance for age-related problems. From sticky keys to muffled voicings, pianos can exhibit a variety of evidence you should contact a qualified technician to make required repairs. For the novice, it can be overwhelming to realize that several different factors can cause one symptom. Recognizing these issues, along with understanding essential piano components, is a vital part of instrument ownership.
With a solid understanding of common problems and symptoms, proper repairs and maintenance can prevent minor issues from becoming more pronounced. However, owners should also keep in mind that pianos are delicate instruments — making adjustments without the aid of a professional could exacerbate a problem or even ruin the instrument.
Eight Common Piano Problems to Look Out For
Luckily, with an awareness of the most common symptoms, you’ll be able to accurately describe any issues to a technician, giving them a great idea of where to start and what might be involved in a repair.
1. Stuck or Sticky Keys
One of the most common problems piano owners notice is sticky or stuck keys. When a key does not return to its resting position, it usually indicates friction somewhere in the key or action mechanism.
Sometimes a key may move freely again after a slight adjustment, but that does not necessarily mean the underlying issue is resolved. Even if the key returns to normal temporarily, a sticking key can still indicate a developing mechanical problem that should be inspected by a technician.
Some common causes of sticky piano keys include:
• Physical Obstructions: Small objects, dust, or debris inside the piano can interfere with the movement of the keys or action parts. Even a small obstruction can prevent a key from returning properly.
• Humidity Issues: Because pianos are primarily made of wood, humidity changes can significantly affect how the parts move. Excess moisture can cause wooden components to swell, which may lead to keys rubbing against the keyframe or other action parts.
• Tight Key Bushings: Piano keys pivot on two pins known as the balance pin and guide pin. These pins pass through felt-lined openings in the key called key bushings. If the bushings become swollen from humidity or were installed too tightly, the key may not move freely and can stick during play.
• Warped Key Slip: In some cases the key slip (the long piece of wood directly in front of the keys) can become slightly warped. This creates friction between the key and the slip, preventing the key from returning smoothly.
2. Damaged or Dirty Keys
Piano keys naturally change appearance over time. The most common cause is not age but skin oils and dirt from regular playing. Over time these oils collect dust and create a gray or brown film on the key surface that simple wiping will no longer remove.
Ivory keys behave a little differently from plastic keys. Because ivory is slightly porous, it tends to yellow when kept in darkness. A piano that remains closed for long periods may yellow faster than one that is played regularly and exposed to indirect light.
Basic habits can slow this process. After playing, wipe the keys gently with a soft dry cloth, and keep the fallboard closed when the piano is not in use.
Some people attempt to clean keys with household cleaners or rubbing alcohol, but this can damage the key surfaces. Alcohol and many solvents can dry out the material and cause the ivory or plastic key tops to crack or loosen.
If piano keys become heavily discolored or damaged, a technician can often clean, polish, or replace the key tops to restore their appearance.
3. Rattling or Buzzing Sounds
Buzzing or rattling noises are one of the most common concerns piano owners notice. These sounds are rarely caused by the strings themselves, but can be. In most cases, a small component somewhere in the piano has worked loose.
A piano contains thousands of moving parts, and even a minor shift can create a noticeable vibration. A loose action screw, missing felt cushion, worn hammer flange, or vibrating damper component can all produce a buzzing sound that seems much louder than the actual issue.
Sometimes the noise is not inside the action at all. Music desks, fallboards, pedals, or objects sitting on the piano can resonate with certain notes and create a rattling sound. Because the piano’s soundboard acts like a large amplifier, even small vibrations can become very noticeable.
Many owners worry that a buzzing sound means the soundboard or strings are damaged, but that is rarely the case. Most buzzing issues are minor regulation or adjustment problems that can be corrected during routine service.
If you notice a rattle tied to a specific key or note, avoid continued heavy playing and have the piano inspected. Addressing the issue early prevents unnecessary wear and helps keep the instrument functioning properly.
4. Piano Won't Stay in Tune
Proper tuning stability is essential to a piano’s performance. Unlike many instruments, however, piano tuning requires specialized tools and precise adjustments. A piano contains over 200 strings under tremendous tension, and even small changes in the instrument’s structure can affect pitch.
With regular maintenance, a piano should not fall out of tune nearly as frequently as many other instruments. However, changes in humidity and temperature can cause the piano’s wooden components to expand or contract. One of the most common causes of premature detuning is movement in the pin block, the wooden structure that holds the tuning pins.
When the pin block swells or shrinks due to environmental changes, the tuning pins can shift slightly or lose their grip. When this happens the pins may no longer hold tension properly, causing the piano to drift out of tune even after it has been adjusted.
For this reason it is important to have a qualified piano technician inspect and service the instrument regularly. Attempting to adjust tuning pins without the proper tools or experience can lead to expensive damage.
Many people are unaware that touching the strings or tuning pins with bare hands can cause oxidation. Oils from the skin can quickly lead to corrosion, which weakens the strings and increases the risk of breakage.
Without the proper tools and knowledge of the correct torque, it is also possible to damage the tuning pins or the pin block itself, which can require significant repair work.
5. A Note or Group of Notes That Doesn’t Sound Right
Another easy-to-recognize but difficult-to-diagnose problem is when keys fail to sound a note. This is almost always a string or hammer issue, but diagnosing this problem can be difficult because other issues could also cause it, which is why a professional piano technician is so vital. Moreover, the repairs involve working with the metal mechanisms inside, which can bring with it additional problems.
If your notes fail to make a sound, your technician will likely check for:
- Broken or Misaligned Hammer Mechanisms: It seems obvious, but if the mechanism that strikes the string is either broken or missing the string, there will be no sound. The technician will replace or realign the hammer, depending on the condition of the mechanism.
- Broken or Torn Strings: If the string is on the verge of breaking or has already broken, the hammer may not make solid contact and the string may not vibrate correctly, which will result in a lack of sound.
- Tuning Issues: One other possibility is that the string has fallen way out of tune. In this case, the hammer makes contact, but the string does not have enough tension to make a sound. If this is the case, especially with only one note, it could mean the tuning pin has come loose and will require repairs.
7. Sustain Pedal Isn’t Working
On the other end of the spectrum, sometimes you’ll notice your notes don’t retain resonance once you lift your fingers from the keys, even when you have the sustain pedal pressed firmly to the floor.
Thankfully, the issue is generally easy to find since it almost always entails the sustain pedal itself or the attached lever, meaning it may require an adjustment to the pedal action or a realignment of the lever that controls the dampers. In rare cases, the lever itself will cause the assembly to be misaligned. In any case, your technician should be able to give you a better sense of what adjustment they need to make when they look at your sustain pedal.
8. Piano Sounds Muffled
Another unfortunate piano problem is poor voicing by the instrument. It isn’t that the notes don’t play or that they’re out of tune — they just don’t have the clarity and harmonic tones that give a piano its unmistakable sound. If you are planning to have your piano voiced, it will also need a high-level tuning before the voicing adjustments.
If the voicing is muffled this case, you probably have one of two problems:
- Hammer Displacement: The density and resiliency of the hammer’s head will make a significant impact on how your instrument sounds. In the case of a muffled sound, you will need more dense replacements to deliver sharper sound. In other situations, the heads can be too dense and cause a harshness in the tone, in which case they can be softened rather than replaced.
- Action Alignment: The action is the overall striking mechanism. If the striking mechanism is out of alignment, the hammers will not make direct contact, and your piano will have a weak or muffled tone.
As always, it’s critical to have a skilled technician examine the piano and make the proper adjustments. A trained ear can return the vibrancy and color to your old piano, but a novice can easily further disrupt the action.
LET BRADFIELD PIANO BE YOUR PIANO REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS
It’s hard to believe that so many components come together to make one unified sound. Due to their complex and temperamental nature, pianos require a good deal of knowledge for both ownership and proper care.
With adequate maintenance and repair, your piano can bring a lifetime of joy and beauty. Avoiding situations that will lead to issues in the first place is integral to safeguarding against future problems. While age and wear will ultimately affect your instrument, neglect, improper conditions and avoidable accidents will cause your piano to require service earlier than expected.
The two pillars of piano repair are to address any issues before they become more significant and to have qualified technicians make any adjustments. It is easy to put off smaller, less noticeable problems, but mechanical or wear-related issues become worse over time — often causing larger issues down the road. Meanwhile, trying to correct the problems on your own can damage the instrument as much as it can improve it.
Building a relationship with our skilled technicians can be a valuable decision in maintaining your investment in your piano. You will be able to find the advice and skill you need as soon as it becomes clear that your instrument needs servicing. Contact us today to learn more about our services or schedule a maintenance visit.