What is the cause or nature of the string/hammer interaction behind a "kissing tone"? How does one correct it? Is this a phenomenon which will diminish with time, remain the same or increase in noticeability with time? Thanks.

No responses, so I'll try again. Or is there no one familiar with this terminology of "kissing sound" or "kissing tone" who can explain?

If it is a hear able issue it can probably be dealt with to some degree. Other than that I've no idea of what you may be referring to. That is not a method of describing tone I've heard in my 30 years of piano work.

If the letoff isn't regulated correctly, the hammers might be stopping on the strings or rebounding onto them quickly, creating a string-kissing sound. This is my guess, in which case a simple regulation by your technician will correct it. This will probably get worse rather than better if not addressed, but it's no big deal!
Your description really isn't very discriptive though!

I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the damper felt rubbing on the strings as they are lifted by the key/pedal....?

In any case, it's hard to diagnose this sort of thing on line. Has the MPA visited your Shigeru yet? If so, was he able to sort it out?

I think that is what this person means. Swishing sound.

Dear Dave, The MPA stated it was a "string interaction" sound which has been translated to the term "kissing tone" by DM. My tech has never heard this term. This was not addressed at the MPA visit, but this is apparently the "diagnosis". The sound as I hear it is most annoying in G2 to E4 in every note. My description is the hammer sounds like it is hitting a coiled string imparting a "bwoin" sound. I'm reminded of playing on a bedspring rather than a straight string. This is not apparent at all at C5 and above which is beautifully clear/clean. Yes, it is heard without the pedal. I have wondered myself if it is related to dampers. I would like to have this problem fixed, but feel I should understand what it is and have someone who knows what this "kissing tone" is about before we launch on a fix. That's why I'm asking if any other techs use, understands the term and what is physically going on. Any clarifications are appreciated.

What my old upright had as a weird noise was a 'metallic white noise curtain' when stepping on the damper pedal, especially fast. Likely it was the sound of all dampers departing from the strings and 'plucking' slightly all (or most) strings. It wasn't very loud, but louder than a pianissimo from the keyboard.

I too have never heard this term used,; however, I have encountered a similar sound before.

Question, how old is this Shigeru Kawai? What kind of use does it receive?

Does this piano have 3 string copper wound unisons? Or does it go from 2 string copper wound unisons right into 3 string plain wire unisons? I would have the technician first check to make sure the strings are level and then moved on to the dampers. I am sure he can role out certain causes by trial and error.

Diagnosing certain noises in a piano can be troubling, even to the most experienced of technicians.

Suzukimom,

Much, if not all, of the area you describe is the "tricord" damper area. This is the area where the dampers have "fingers" that go between the three strings, though I forget exactly where the break between bicords and tricords is on the sk-3. The "fingers" can create a brushing, or swishing sound.

Try playing one of the offending keys, then push the sostenuto pedal to hold the damper of that note up and out of the way. Play the note again and see if the tone is the same. This may help to isolate the issue.

I'm not really asking for a "diagnosis" since the "diagnosis" was rendered by an MPA as a "kissing tone". I'm more wondering if others know the term and can explain the physical interaction of string with hammer or damper which results in the sound. I should clarify that this sound is not present when the pedal is depressed and dampers are up. It is present without using the pedal.

Hi Suzukimom,

It is the dampers rubbing on the strings as they pull up and out of the way so the notes can sustain. Without the pedal depressed, the keys have to lift the dampers, which in turn cause some friction, which translates to noise.

The fingers of the dampers in that middle keyboard area have to lift up and out of range of the vibrating string, which can cause a small amount of "whoosh" noise.

The dampers in other parts of the piano don't have the same issues because the blocks in the treble rest on top of the wires and don't rub, while the bass has single wedges that have better clearance.

When the pedal is depressed, they are already out of the way, which is why the noise is not present during play with the pedal.

Does the sound also happen to a somewhat greater level when you depress the sustain pedal without playing any notes? The faster the pedaling the louder the sound?

I believe we are trying to properly diagnose the cause so we can determine the proper course of action for proper repair.

Have you sat down with your tuner/tech so he/she can hear the problem and recommend a course of action?

Good luck!

Thanks for discussion. I really don't have any expectation that my words could effectively communicate sound for online diagnosis. Looks like except for perhaps our non-mongoose, no one uses the term.

Dave, Likely not dampers - see PM.

Dale, Sound does not occur when depressing pedal without playing note. Heard only upon playing a note (the "bwoin" really sounds as if the note is "curly" and not coming out "straight"). Was told it was a "string interaction", presumably with the hammer tip.

Chris, You are right, my tech will come back in 4 months to listen and try to deal with the issue. I just wanted to understand the term "kissing tone" in advance of my tech's visit.

Maybe a little string leveling is in order. Just a thought.