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Joined: May 2009
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OP
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,676 |
Hi,
My parents have a Schimmel upright piano, and the keys are really spongy. They are heavy, and its really hard to get good dynamics out of it (its very hard to play p, and almost impossible to play pp, I end up missing notes, because I either press to soft, or play suddenly mf because I try to correct it etc.) I thought there might be something wrong with the hammers or something (the piano is over 20 years old), that they have become too hard, but it just had an inspection from a piano tuner (I wasn't there to ask this same question), and she said the piano was in excellent condition.
Cheers,
Victor
Last edited by vvanrij; 10/11/09 11:43 AM.
Currently working on: Perfecting the Op 2/1, studying the 27/2 last movement. Chopin Nocturne 32/2 and Posth. C#m, 'Raindrop' prelude and Etude 10/9
Repetoire: Beethoven op 2/1, 10/1(1st, 2nd), 13, 14/1, 27/1(1st, 2nd), 27/2, 28(1st, 2nd), 31/2(1st, 3rd), 49/1, 49/2, 78(1st), 79, 90, 101(1st)
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 852
500 Post Club Member
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Posts: 852 |
Victor...
The pivot points (balance pins) and/or the front key pins will need to be lubricated first before any further work is done.
My guess is that some of the feeling you are having is from that area.
It is something that a competent tech can do...
The balance holes might need to be eased/reamed out if they are tight..the keys should drop freely after being lifted slightly at the front.
These adjustments are not as easy as it sounds and can be subtle...an over zealous approach will make everything too loose.
This is a start...then a tech can dig in a little more to see where the excess friction is coming from....
Any tech that says an instrument is in 'excellent condition' with the issues you describe is probably either a beginner, naive or incompetent.
Peter Sumner
Concert Piano Technician
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Find a qualified piano technician.
x-rpt
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Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
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Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
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If the piano is 20 years old and nothing other than tuning has been done to it, you need to get it regulated before you can even evaluate anything about the action.
Semipro Tech
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Joined: May 2009
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OP
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The piano has never in my life (I'm 22) been regulated, and the piano has been moved over 5 times. But thank you for the confirmation, now I am sure that it wasn't me, but it is the piano that really plays odd.
Currently working on: Perfecting the Op 2/1, studying the 27/2 last movement. Chopin Nocturne 32/2 and Posth. C#m, 'Raindrop' prelude and Etude 10/9
Repetoire: Beethoven op 2/1, 10/1(1st, 2nd), 13, 14/1, 27/1(1st, 2nd), 27/2, 28(1st, 2nd), 31/2(1st, 3rd), 49/1, 49/2, 78(1st), 79, 90, 101(1st)
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