Piano keys are unusually hard..?

[stelle]

Hello

I have a New Bernstein Avanti upright Piano, Everyone who plays it says that the weight of the keys are unusually hard..

Is this a bad thing or a good thing for finger strengthening?

Is adjusting the weight of the piano keys an option for me (piano technician)?

ALso, we have an evaporative cooling system, so when we use it the humidity in the house is very high, before it comes to summer, (3 months) is there anything i can do or get to counteract this?

Thanks,

Estelle

[quantum]

Heavy weight is good for building finger stamina.  However, the weight preferences are a personal choice.  Some like lighter, some like harder.  

Yes, ask your tech about changing the weight if you think it is necessary.  Remember, this is your piano, not your friends piano.  So you have to choose a weight that is suited to your playing.  

For humidity you can try a room dehumidifier and monitor with a thermometer/hygrometer.  For better control you may wish to consider an internal climate control system installed in your piano. Ask your tech about this. 

[stelle]

THanks Quantum!

Youre right, it is my piano

I dont mind the heavy keys, i actually liked the piano because of its weight, but its a little hard to trill because theyre so heavy BUt if i learn to trill on my piano ill be able to do it on any piano i guess

Ill look into both options that uve mentioned!

Thanks again!

Estelle

[keys60]

Playing styles vary. I'm hoping its safe to assume you've played this piano for a while before purchasing and liked the feel and tone. That's really all that matters. Your friends piano may be older with a well played in action or simply lighter by design. If that's what they prefer. Good for them.

Ditto on the dehumidifier. Try to keep the ambient humidity stable though. A constant humidity is better for the piano than a wildly fluctuating one. Buy a humistat to monitor.

[stelle]

Hi keys60!

Thanks for the reassurance 

Yes i do like the feel and touch, it was just that EVERYONE who played said it was HARD , but for me its quite normal

Does the dehumidifier use a lot of electricity if i have to always keep it running 24/7? or just a couple of hours a day?

Thanks!

[quantum]

Run the dehumidifier with the aim of keeping a constant humidity level.  That is why it is important to monitor the humidity, especially if the device does not do this automatically.  If you need to run the dehumidifier 24/7 in order to keep a constant humidity, then that is the way it has to be. 

Not sure on the electrical demands of the dehumidifier.  Google around for the specific model you want to know. 

My situation is quite the opposite, as I need to run a humidifier constantly in winter as the air becomes very dry. 

[stelle]

i See

Ok, i will have a look around and do more research on what to get!

Thanks for your help~

[lostinidlewonder]

I grew up on a Bechstein with very heavy action. I never knew any difference until I played on a Yamaha and thought the keys where like a toy piano because they where so light. I never regretted playing on a heavy action piano, it did take me time to play p ranges on a softer keyboard but the advantages such as stamina, strength and pushing through fatigue barriers taught me a lot. Nowadays I practice notes and general expression on a light action digital which allows me to play for hours without any excess physical stress.

[stelle]

I never knew any difference until I played on a Yamaha and thought the keys where like a toy piano because they where so light.

ive noticed the same thing too! AND also, like u said, that playing P on any other piano requires a lot more control, i usually practice 'controlling' on my digital as its a much lighter action than my upright, i have to be careful not to 'thump'

Im thoroughly convinced that heavier is better than light(for me)- two thumbs up for finger strengthening, stamina and agility! i have yet to play until my fingers actually feel fatigued, funnily i can play and practice for two hours without feeling tired, i try to practice at least that amount each day, within a busy schedule