All About Regulation

Piano regulation! What is it? Why does it matter? How long does it take?

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that I often get about regulation.

"What is regulation?"

This is a piano "action", which is made up of a majority of the piano's parts.

First of all, we have to understand how a piano works. When you play your piano, you press down on the keys. The keys interact with a series of parts that cause the hammer to hit the strings, playing that note. Every piano has thousands of moving parts that all have to be aligned and working properly for the piano to play well.

Regulation is a wholesale adjustment process that includes many steps (~20-30+ hours of labor). As pianos are played, their parts wear and compress. During regulation,  technicians make hundreds of adjustments to bring the parts back to their original specifications. This can improve your piano’s performance, touch, and tone quality. 

"How often should regulation be done?"

The frequency of regulation is determined by the piano’s age, condition, and how often it is used. Pianos that receive heavy use (getting played multiple times a day, and/or multiple times a week) in places like universities, churches, etc. should receive regulation every 5-10 years. Pianos that receive light or moderate use (getting played a couple times a month, and/or a couple times a year) should receive regulation every 10-20 years.

How old is your piano? Do you know the last time it was regulated? Older pianos often need regulation more than newer ones, because their parts have worn in over time.

"How do I know if my piano needs regulation?"

Take some time to sit down at your piano and reflect on how it feels to play. How does it physically feel to push down the keys? Is it easy or hard? Are some sticking or making noise? How is the dynamic control of the piano? Is it easy and reliable to play very quietly? Do you have to work really hard to play very loudly?

Here are some signs your piano may need to be regulated:

• You can’t remember the last time it was regulated.

• You have to work really hard to play loud.

• The piano hurts to play.

• It’s hard to play quietly.

• It’s hard to repeat notes quickly.

Sometimes our brains can confuse things we are hearing instead as things we are feeling. If you aren’t sure if you are feeling or hearing something, try isolating your senses. Try closing your eyes while you play, or wearing headphones/earplugs to reduce noise levels.

"How long does regulation take?"

The process of regulation is often customized for your piano’s needs. Regulation is an in-depth process, and it takes time to do correctly. I’ve done regulations that have taken 8 hours, and some that have taken 40 hours. If you think your piano needs regulation, ask a local technician for an inspection and time estimate for the work. It is very common for regulations to be scheduled in “all-day services” or for a piano to be sent into a workshop since it is an in-depth process.

A regulation may take longer if:

• There are repairs that need to be made.

• The piano needs to be cleaned.

• The piano hasn’t been regulated in a very long time.

Pianos are (kind of) adjustable!

It’s important to know that sometimes your piano can be adjusted to accommodate a different kind of “feel” while playing. If the keys feel “very heavy” or “very light” while playing, this could be adjusted with regulation or even rebuilding. A skilled technician can make micro-adjustments to the action. 

It is important to note that if your piano hasn’t been serviced in a long time, regulation may not be the solution to the issues you’re experiencing. Please check with a technician for individual advice.