Advice

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coolpianos@aol.co.uk

Telephone: 01993 774554

Fax: 01993 774679

Mobile: 07815078308

Advice

We have listed a number of Frequently Asked Questions with the answers that we hope you will find useful

1. What does "overstrung" mean?

2. What are dampers?

3. What does "underdamper" mean?

4. How often should my piano be tuned?

5. How do I look after my piano casework?

6. What should I use to clean my piano keys?

7. What is concert pitch ?

8. What do the pedals do on an upright piano?

9. My piano tuner has told me that my piano needs regulating. What does this mean?

10. Why do I need a piano with a cast-iron frame?

1. What does "overstrung" mean?

Overstringing or cross-stringing is the type of stringing prevalent on all modern pianos, and gives a broader tonal range and extra power as opposed to the old-fashioned straight-strung style. The longer bass strings are set at an angle over the treble strings to make the best use of available space.

2. What are dampers?

The dampers are pieces of felt which stop the strings from continuously sustaining. Once the key is released the damper moves back on to the string to prevent the note sustaining.

3. What does "underdamper" mean?

The dampers sit below the level of the hammers, as opposed to the old-fashioned 'overdamper' system where the dampers sit over the top of the hammers and are controlled by long wires connected to the levers.

4. How often should my piano be tuned?

A minimum recommendation of twice a year, but usually three to four times a year.

5. How do I look after my piano casework?

Use a furniture polish which is free from silicone e.g. beeswax polish.

6. What should I use to clean my piano keys?

We recommend "keybrite" which can be purchased from Mildrenpianos.

7. What is concert pitch?

It is the frequency to which instruments are tuned, usually seen written as A440 Hz (this means note A just above middle C is tuned to 440 cycles per second).

8. What do the pedals do on an upright piano?

The right hand pedal (simultaneous lift pedal) lifts all the dampers clear of the strings so that every string can resonate.
The left hand pedal (half blow pedal) repositions the hammers closer to the strings, so reducing the power of the note.

9. My piano tuner has told me that my piano needs regulating. What does this mean?

Piano regulation involves setting up the piano action and keys to provide an even touch for every note which will improve note repetition and control of volume.

10. Why do I need a piano with a cast-iron frame?

The frame is the structure which covers most of the area inside the piano, usually painted gold. The iron frame is necessary to withstand the huge amount of tension created when the piano strings are pulled up to 'pitch'. The tension is approx. 20 tons in an upright piano, 30 tons in a concert grand!
The first iron frames date from c.1820 but the first full iron frame was patented by Chickering in 1843 though not widely adopted for some years.

Telephone: 01993 774554

Fax: 01993 774679

Mobile: 07815078308