Yamaha key action

[markymark]

I'm getting more concerned about my piano's key action....

I posted about this earlier on but as time has gone on and I have been playing other pianos in the last couple of weeks, I'm starting to get a clearer picture of what has been lacking in my own piano. My school has a Knight upright which has a pleasant and response keyboard action - much better than my own piano. My Yamaha P121N is heavy and rather hard feeling. I've always admired other pianos which have the feel like the keys are cushioned when they are played whether softly or with more force. My keys on the other hand feel heavy and when you press them down, I'm getting way to much impact feel from the keys. Has anyone come across this before?

It is also very hard to play softly while sounding out all the notes, again owing to the heavy and rather unresponsive keyboard action.

What would be the problem?

[chrisvenables]

It's very unusual for anyone to have problems with a Yamaha action - I believe it's the best in the business. If anything, we're more likely to have people saying the action is too easy rather than too heavy. Having looked at the replies to your original post, which are very constructive, you should also check the actual regulation and tolerances and current key weight. If your piano is quite new it may just be settling down and adjusting to its new environment. Different humidity and temperature levels from those at the factory, warehouse, dealer's showroom and then your home can result in the keybed, key bushings and all the wood, felt and leather in the action components expanding and or contracting slightly, so miniscule changes in the position or length or diameter etc of these components can have huge changes to the feel of the action. However, before going to the expense of regulating the action, with the middle pedal in the 'off' position, check that top of the hammers are not being snagged by the the bottom of the celeste felt - if so, a simple adustment of the middle pedal will cure it. There should be a clearance of 10mm or more between the two. If the hammers aren't being snagged, check key weight (if its right, at approx 58 grams, then the following won't apply and you'll need to consider having the keys reweighed and action reg'd to your liking and not Yamaha's!) If not and assuming all your piano's centres and damper lift have been checked, ask your tuner to do a basic action regulation and check, such as:


Applies to Yamaha P121 model:

tighten all screws and align hammers
ease key bushings
level keys and space
set off should be approx 3, 2.5, 2, bass, mid and treble
key depth 10mm
strike distance 47mm
back check 15, 14, 13, tapered
key weight should now be approx 58 grams. (+10 / - 13 grams)

Back to the environment issue, try and maintain a nice even temperature in the room and constant humidity levels of around 50-60%.

After a year have your tuner check the regulation again.

[markymark]

Yeah - it could well be the settling in factor.

I like the keyboard to have more of a bounce in its response. Our school has a Knight which has a delightful keyboard action. Quite, light yet you can literally feel the interaction with the hammers and strings. I came across a similar action on a R. Lipp & Sohn piano when I was in Australia - absolutely brilliant keyboard action and a tone to die for. I can't really say the same about my Yamaha but things have gotten better as time has gone on since that last post.

One thing that is becoming an increasing concern is that the piano seems to be getting louder! I have found myself using the soft pedal to tone it down a bit - not that it's making much of a difference. Playing tre corda and una corda makes no noticeable difference to the listener. Why do you suppose that would be? Would this have something to do with the regulation or prep (or lack of it) from the retailer? Going to the other extreme, if I play too softly, then notes don't sound although volume-wise, things seem more mp than p.

[chrisvenables]

1. The 'loudness' factor. It sounds like the hammers have hardened a little through plenty of playing - harder hammer felt produces a brighter, louder sound. When your tuner does the regulating I suggested, ask him to tone the hammers and maybe lightly reface them if they appear grooved. Good toning, particularly know your piano has been played in, can transform the tone of your piano beyond belief.
2. The soft pedal sounds like it needs adjusting. Have a look inside the top of the piano - when you depress the soft pedal, it should move the entire set of hammers half way to the strings. That is the only effect a soft pedal has on most uprights and a common complaint from many pianists that there is little difference in the sound when depressed. That's why we don't call it 'una corda' on an upright, as it doesn't shift the action (as it does on a grand) so that the hammers only hit 2 and a bit strings instead of 3.
3. The touch - this will improve significantly when your piano is re regulated as per my earlier reply. Your piano was probably well prep'd before delivery, settling in and wear and tear, particularly if the piano is played hard by someone with a sensitive touch and ear means annual servicing is vital .