Piano Forum

Topic: Lazy dampers on a grand piano  (Read 2577 times)

Offline diomedes

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 477
Lazy dampers on a grand piano
on: August 24, 2015, 01:02:17 PM
I found an auditorium to give a hearing of my recital program, the piano is rather good, however after testing it for some 15 minutes a cluster of notes down 2 octaves from middle C have dampers that stay up after you play the note with a very firm staccato. Its about 3 notes E, F, F sharp.

Is it an easy fix or a technician is required?
Thanks
Beethoven-Alkan, concerto 3
Faure barcarolle 10
Mozart-Stradal, symphony 40

Offline silverwoodpianos

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 413
Re: Lazy dampers on a grand piano
Reply #1 on: August 24, 2015, 01:18:41 PM
Is it an easy fix or a technician is required?

Yes to both questions.
Dan Silverwood
 www.silverwoodpianos.com
https://silverwoodpianos.blogspot.com/

If you think it's is expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.

Offline diomedes

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 477
Re: Lazy dampers on a grand piano
Reply #2 on: August 24, 2015, 01:58:57 PM
Thank you for the quick reply, interestingly I included that in my inquiry email, I got a very laconic reply that either ignored my observations on the condition of the piano, or didn't understand them in addition to ignoring my statement that the event was non profit, therefore quoting me for the significantly higher rate. I'm unsure what to do...
Beethoven-Alkan, concerto 3
Faure barcarolle 10
Mozart-Stradal, symphony 40

Offline indianajo

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 1105
Re: Lazy dampers on a grand piano
Reply #3 on: August 24, 2015, 11:58:41 PM
Not sure a concert venue will let you mess with their grand, but on my home piano, a 1982 Sohmer console, and on the 1950's piano at a church, I fixed the slow dampers by sticking a pick twice in the top end of the damper felt.  It takes longer to open the covers up than it takes to stick the pick in the felt.  Fluffing up the felt fixed the problem in both cases, six months ago on my home piano.  the Sohmer has no damper screws- the church Hamilton does, but I didn't have a tiny screwdriver long enough to reach it that week, but I did have a pointy awl on my pocket knife.  If you knock the damper felt off (I did removing and replacing the action to replace a wire) they stick on again with elmer's white school glue.  But elmer's has to dry a few hours without use. 
For more information about this topic, click search below!

Piano Street Magazine:
World of Piano Competitions – issue 2 2024

The World of Piano Competitions is a magazine initiated by PIANIST Magazine (Netherlands and Germany) and its Editor-in-Chief Eric Schoones. Here we get a rich insight into the world of international piano competitions through the eyes of its producers and participants. Read more
 

Logo light pianostreet.com - the website for classical pianists, piano teachers, students and piano music enthusiasts.

Subscribe for unlimited access

Sign up

Follow us

Piano Street Digicert