Help with harsh sound in room

[vladhorwz]

I have a 6'1 grand, my livingroom is big but not huge, I took the rug out from under the piano because it was ugly, and now my piano sounds so harsh.  Any ideas??  Would be greatly appreciated.  I have the noise reducing foam but my girlfriend won't let me put it in the livingroom because it is ugly.  Has anyone ever taped one to the bottom of their piano?  Uggh I can't take it.

[m1469]

Actually, I do know of somebody who has taped the foam to the underneath of the soundboard.  It was cut and fit into the individual grooves between the frame.  I can't say that I know whether it helped or not, but, I suppose it's worth a try, eh ?  I can't really think of anything else.


m1469

[thalberg]

One friend of mine put insulation inside his piano--he just set it in there.  I wasn't there so I don't know how he did it, but try it.

[vladhorwz]

Thank you two

[zlh]

Buy a nicer looking rug?

[thalberg]

Oh, yes, absolutely.  Lowe's and Home Depot have lovely rugs for reasonable prices.  I got a big, oriental-type rug at home depot for $60 and placed it under my piano, and every person who entered my apartment complimented me on the rug.

[jeremyjchilds]

I had the same problem, (well, loud, not harsh..)

I cut piaces of fiberglass insulation and set them into the back between the posts. It softened the tone a lot when I backed the piano up into the wall.

I would recommend it..

[c18cont]

I have always worked with the interior decor, and learned in Acoustics in college that the method is one good method of several...,

You just add and subtract absorbtion items 'till it sounds good to you, like throw rugs as well as carpet, and pillows, up. furn. as opposed to bare wood/metal, tile and paint changes, and addition of cheap "acoustic" ceiling tiles, also perhaps on one wall...etc....

John

[donjuan]

Well, you could try all these things as mentioned, or you could have your technician voice the piano to your liking, reducing the brightness of the tone through the use of steam treatment.  Steam treatment is temporary, but you can then find out what it's like to have the tone you like.  When the steam effects wear off over the next few months and you decide you like the tone less bright, ask your technician about needle treatment on the felt.  This is more permanent and you may not have to have the procedure repeated for a good many years.

Just remember: It's easy to soften the hammers, but if you go too far, you will be tempted to harden them using chemicals.  This treatment is permanent and can screw your piano up forever, so make sure you have a lot of faith in your technician before doing anything. 

haha maybe you should just do what everyone else says   But I just recommend these methods since you and your girlfriend are so concerned about the look of the room and the piano.  You should see my Grand piano - I have an old stained hemp mat sitting under my bench so it doesnt leave marks on the carpet..

[vladhorwz]

Thank you all, excellent ideas....