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Commonly asked questions regarding Grand Pianos
1. "Why does my Grand Piano have 'sticking keys' " ?
Keys that stay down, often called 'sticking keys', are most likely caused by too much humidity in the Piano room. The best way to resolve this situation is to make sure the relative humidity in the Piano room is constantly between 40% and 50% relative humidity. Keeping the temperature in the Piano room constantly between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius will help. Keep the Piano away from windows, and doors that open to the outside. If the sticking keys persist, ask a qualified Piano technician to visit and evaluate the situation.
2. “Why are there vibrations coming from my Grand piano when I play it?”
a. Most situations are caused by objects on, or objects near, the piano. While someone is playing the grand, check if objects on the piano are causing the noise. Alternatively check other objects around the room, and on the walls, to see if anything else is causing the noise.
b. If no objects on the piano, and no objects around the Piano room have been causing the vibration noise, ask a qualified Piano technician to visit as soon as possible and evaluate the situation.
3. “Why do the Notes on my Grand piano keep on ringing?”
a. If it is the upper register that ‘rings’, this is normal as there are no dampers to stop the ringing in the top registers.
b. If all notes ring, a qualified Piano technician should visit to evaluate the situation as soon as possible..
4.“My Grand piano was just delivered – why are key heights all uneven, and some keys cannot even be played?”.
Ask a qualified Piano technician to visit as soon as possible, and evaluate the situation.
5.“My Grand piano was just delivered – why do some notes keep ringing, or do not play consistently?”
Ask a qualified Piano technician to visit as soon as possible, and evaluate the situation.
6.“Why do some keys on my Grand piano stay down, when I use the sustain pedal?”
This is due to ‘tight’ keys. If the Grand piano was just delivered, wait 2 or 3 days to see if the situation will normalize, before asking a Piano Technician to check the piano. If after 3 days the situation has not improved, Ask a qualified Piano technician to visit as soon as possible, and evaluate the situation.
7.“Why are some keys ‘higher’ if played very hard, or lifted?”
If the grand Piano is new, this is normal due to ‘tight’ pilot holes. The situation can be adjusted by a qualified Piano technician.
8. “Why do notes ‘click’ on my Grand piano, when played hard?”
This situation is usually is sostenuto pedal-related. Ask a qualified Piano technician to visit as soon as possible, and evaluate the situation.
9. “When I push down the Soft pedal, why does the keyboard ‘move’?”
This is the normal soft pedal function on a Grand piano. This pedal is sometimes called the ‘shift pedal’, as it shifts each hammer to strike fewer strings.
10.“Why does the centre pedal o my Grand Piano not work?”
On a grand piano, the center pedal is either a ‘sostenuto’ pedal, or bass sustain pedal. A senior Piano Consultant, or senior Piano Technician can explain these functions.
11. “Why do the Pedals on my Grand piano seem so stiff or heavy to push?”
This is normal for grand pianos, especially with some brands such as Steinway grand pianos.
12. “Why does my Grand piano ‘shake’ when I play it, especially when I use the pedals?”
This is normal for smaller grands, or on older grands. ‘Shaking’ may be more pronounced if the grand is on Coasters (caster cups), or on carpet. Make sure that the grand sits on an even floor.
* If you would like additional information, we would be pleased to mail you our “The Care of Your Piano” brochure. To request this informative brochure, please phone any of our nine Piano Showrooms, or our Piano Service Coordinator 604-273-3800 (extension 221).
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