(Updated June 30th 2023) I get lots of questions about sticking keys. Some people think sticking keys means there is something horribly wrong with their piano, but that’s not always true. Nearly every piano I’ve serviced had at least one key that was a little slow.
Even new pianos have sticking keys
I’m often the first technician to address a piano after it’s been unboxed and placed on the showroom floor, fresh from the factory. The first things I do is check for sticking keys, and there’s almost always a few that could be improved. See? Even new pianos can have little things that need to be ironed out.
I have a fine tuned process for going over a new piano to make sure everything is working as it should. Most new pianos, whether they come from Indonesia, Japan, Germany or New York are very close to perfection right out of the box! But for all the little things that happen during transport, or to catch anything that was missed, I will be there to make it right.
What about older pianos?
Sometimes on an older piano half of the keys stick, and occasionally all of them do. Knowing why this is happening is important. Does the piano need to be completely restored? Is it verti-grease? Does it just need lubricated? Should the piano be hauled away and recycled? If your piano hasn’t been serviced in a long time, let us help you determine the cause of your sticking keys and if it’s worth repairing.
If you live in a climate with big humidity swings (like here in Chicago), one day with the windows open could be all the piano needs to start misbehaving. However, when your piano is serviced every 6 months, sticking keys should appear infrequently. We will check thoroughly for sticking keys every time we are in front of your piano, and will also point out anything else you should be aware of. Pianos are very technician dependent, but the payoff of a perfectly functioning piano is satisfying in a way that no virtual piano can ever be!
If you would like us to evaluate your piano virtually before you make an appointment, email caleb@chicagopianotuners.com or text anytime at 312-785-9393. If you’re ready to book, please proceed to the scheduler below.
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