Piano hammers play a pivotal role in producing the beautiful and resonant tones that pianists cherish. Over time, the felt covering on piano hammers can become hardened, affecting the instrument’s sound quality. When faced with hard hammers, pianists may wonder if there is a way to soften them and restore the piano’s warm and expressive tone. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind hard piano hammers and provide guidance on how to soften them.
Understanding Hard Piano Hammers
The felt covering on piano hammers is made of a dense wool material that is designed to strike the strings with precision and create a rich and harmonious sound. However, over years of use, exposure to humidity changes, and playing dynamics, the felt can compact and harden, resulting in a harsher and less resonant tone.
Reasons for Hard Piano Hammers
Several factors contribute to the hardening of piano hammers:
- Usage: Frequent and heavy playing can compress the felt on the hammers over time, causing it to become compacted and hard.
- Climate and Humidity: Changes in humidity levels can significantly impact piano hammers. High humidity can cause the felt to expand, while low humidity can lead to contraction and hardening.
- Age: Older pianos are more likely to have hard hammers, as the felt naturally compresses with age.
- Maintenance: Neglecting regular maintenance and voicing (the process of shaping and needling the hammers to achieve the desired tone) can contribute to hammer hardening.
Methods to Soften Hard Piano Hammers
Softening hard piano hammers is a delicate and intricate process that should be entrusted to a qualified piano technician. Here are the steps a technician may take to address the issue:
- Assessment: The technician will carefully assess the condition of the hammers to determine the extent of hardening and whether softening is possible.
- Humidification: If dryness is a contributing factor, the technician may recommend humidifying the piano’s environment to restore moisture to the felt. This can help the felt regain some of its resilience.
- Needling: The technician may use needles to carefully penetrate the hardened felt, which can break up compacted fibers and allow the felt to regain some of its original texture and softness.
- Voicing: After needling, the technician will proceed with the voicing process. This involves carefully shaping the hammers and adjusting their hardness to achieve the desired tone. Voicing can involve softening or hardening specific sections of the hammers to create a more balanced and pleasing sound.
- Replacement (if necessary): In severe cases where the hammers are beyond repair, the technician may recommend replacing them with new hammers.
It’s crucial to note that while softening hard hammers can improve the piano’s tone, it may not fully restore the hammers to their original condition. The extent of improvement depends on the severity of hardening and the skill of the technician.
Conclusion
Hard piano hammers can affect the instrument’s sound quality, making it less resonant and pleasant. Pianists who notice a change in their piano’s tone should consult a qualified piano technician to assess the condition of the hammers and determine the appropriate course of action. With proper maintenance, voicing, and, if necessary, needling, pianists can work to soften their piano hammers and enjoy the rich and expressive tones of their instrument once more.
