Regulation
& voicing
Besides
piano tuning which
deals with the pitch there are 2 other components of musical performance that
need to be adjusted periodically: tone (voicing) and touch (regulation).
Piano
keys and actions were designed to be adjusted, as the parts are affected by wear
and changes in humidity, and will change from their proper adjustments. The
regulation of a piano is dependant on the amount of use that it receives.
Constant playing will settle the levelling of the keys, changing the
responsiveness of the action to the keys, and creating a different feel or touch
to the player. A piano in poor regulation is hard to play, and the tone (see
voicing) is also affected.
Piano
voicing is ensuring that the tone of the piano is
consistent from note to note.
Achieving a balanced sound, whether it is bright, medium, or mellow, is the
ultimate aim in piano voicing. Unlike tuning, which deals primarily with
adjusting the tension of the strings, voicing deals with the piano hammers and
their relationship to the strings.
Voicing
the hammers is dependant on the piano being in good regulation, with all the
hammers hitting the strings evenly. Voicing is also
dependant on the piano being
in tune. Piano voicing changes as hammer felt changes, through playing, which
flattens and grooves the felt, or aging, where the felt loses moisture and
becomes hard and brittle.
Regulation
& Voicing, like tuning are a part of ongoing piano service, and should be
addressed with each visit by a technician to keep a piano sounding in top
condition.