Special Needs

Pianos in certain environments have different service requirements than pianos in homes. Pianos used by piano and music teachers normally get played much more than the average home piano. This causes some action parts to wear faster and need more frequent attention. Hammers need reshaping and voicing, actions need adjustments, and the piano may need several tunings a year to stay in top condition for student recitals and other events. It is important for a teacher's piano to be in good condition since it sets the standard for students who take lessons there.

Pianos in churches and schools have other problems. When a piano is in a room that is only heated or cooled once or twice a week, it can affect tuning stability and cause some mechanical problems. Pianos like a stable environment, with a relative humidity between 40 and 60% and a stable temperature. When the humidity or temperature varies, the wood in the piano can change dimensions causing tuning and action problems. These pianos may benefit by having a climate control system made for pianos installed or at least a quilted cover to moderate these climate swings.

Pianos in large auditoriums or concert halls may need tonal adjustments for the piano to fit the room. This may be accomplished by voicing or replacing the hammers to produce the best sound for the room. Some Artists like to have the piano prepared a certain way to fit their personal needs; or the program they are performing may require a certain tonal character. This may involve custom action or pedal adjustments or voicing.