Keys not very responsive

darrenstrange · Post by **darrenstrange** » 18 Mar 2004, 14:24

Hi peeps

I'm a total novice at playing, and have just bought my first upright. Its a George Russell, and looks really clean inside and immaculate outside. Its just been moved to my house. The problem is, that the keys don't feel very responsive. I mean, if you quickly tap the keys, as if you were playing a scale up and down really quickly, some notes don't seem to play quick enough. Its like its always a fraction of a second behind. Does this make sense!??!

The thing is, I went to a piano dealer and had a quick fiddle with a Steinway and other great makes, and now I think I've been put of by my little cheap thing! The keys play soooo beautifully and feel very springy, wheras mine feel tired and slack.

I know I can't compare my upright to such great pianos, but is there a way that I can get the keys to respond quicker and have a bit a life injected into them?

Also, I've not had it tuned yet (I've been told I need to leave it for a couple of weeeks?) - will tuning it help?

Any advice/help most appreciated

Cheers

Darren

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 18 Mar 2004, 20:53

Yes you should leave it for 3 - 4 weeks to settle into the new environment. Now Russell make has both over dampers and under-dampers. Over-damper tend to be lighter in touch when regulated when minimal friction is present however; repetition is not as good as an under-damper action.

When your tuner comes asked him/her if the action seem sluggish and what they recommend it may be that the action only needs regulating However, it could need re centring and worn parts replacing to get the maximum out of the piano action the cost will depend on what type of action and how much need to be done a full regulation can take up to 3 hours on a under-dampers a little less on over dampers

Barrei,

darrenstrange · Post by **darrenstrange** » 18 Mar 2004, 22:43

Wow thanks for the info. I'll let it settle and get advice from the tuner. Do tuners 'regulate' actions or is that a different game altogether?

Thanks for your help mate

D

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 19 Mar 2004, 09:18

All depends on their training if they arte calling themselves a Technician then they should be able to regulate a piano

Barrie,