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How Many Hours Should You Practice the Piano? – The Lines Between Science, Method and Passion

It is a timeless question, a persistent voice in the mind of every pianist: “How many hours must I practice to truly improve?” It springs from a perfectly legitimate desire to measure the commitment required to transform our ambitions into sound, whether that means playing a simple minuet or dreaming of the world’s most prestigious stages. Giulio Cinelli from Pianosolo.it guides us through this classic topic. Read more

Topic: If the string of upright piano is not fully muted after the hammer strikes it.  (Read 989 times)

Offline themaximillyan

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  • Adjusting the Damper for Better Upright Piano Sound.
     In the video, it appears that 'the damper felt head' is not aligned correctly with the string it is supposed to dampen or 
    'the damper felt' is bad condition there.

    If your piano's damper is not effectively muting the strings, follow these steps to fix it:

    1 Check 'the Damper Felt': Examine 'the damper felt' to ensure it's in good condition. Gently press or adjust it with your fingers or tweezers. If it's worn or damaged, replace it.

    2 Adjust 'the Damper Lever': Properly align 'the damper lever' with the string using a screwdriver or the manufacturer's tool. Compare it with neighboring dampers and inspect 'the damper spring' as well. Replace the broken 'the damper spring' there. We may slightly bend it towards the strings if it weakened and it will work again. This might resolve the issue.

    3 Inspect 'the Wippen of the Jack System': Ensure that ‘the wippen and jack system’, responsible for striking the string, are correctly aligned and functioning smoothly. Sometimes, pressing 'the damper spoon' on 'the wippen' slightly towards you can improve more tight damper contact with the string after the key returns to its original position.

    4 Align 'the Damper Felt Head': Occasionally, 'the damper felt head' may not align correctly with the strings due to a loose 'the damper screw'. Use a screwdriver with a long, thin tip to gently adjust 'the damper felt head' on 'the damper wire', then securely tighten 'the damper screw'.

    If, even after tightening 'the damper screw', 'the damper felt head' doesn't sit flat on the string after the hammer strikes it, it may indicate an issue with 'the wood hole' of 'the damper felt head'. In this case:

    1 Remove 'the Damper Felt Head' from 'the Damper Wire'.

    2 Find a Suitable Shim: Locate a thin piece of plastic, cardboard, rubber, or similar material to use as a shim.

    3 Insert the Shim: Place the shim in the hole of 'the damper felt head' was positioned. The shim creates additional friction between 'the hole of 'the damper block' and the damper wire.

    4 Secure the Shim: Ensure the shim is properly installed and secure. Tighten 'the damper screw' to keep the shim in place.

    With the shim in position, the damper felt head should now function correctly.
    Good luck with your adjustments!