Piano Guidance
Photo by rikka ameboshi Pexels Logo Photo: rikka ameboshi

How do you fix a fallen piano key?

Keys can stick one day and then not stick the next day due to the temperature and humidity changes. However, if it does not return to the top, hold the key about half way down, then push hard on the keys immediately to the left and the right. Repeat this action several times, then release the original key.

Which song is the hardest to play on piano?
Which song is the hardest to play on piano?

Here is our countdown of the 10 most difficult pieces of piano music in history. Liszt – La Campanella. ... Ravel – Gaspard de la Nuit. ... Conlon...

Read More »
What happens if you press Alt F4?
What happens if you press Alt F4?

Alt + F4 is a keyboard shortcut that completely closes the application you're currently using on your computer. Alt + F4 differs slightly from Ctrl...

Read More »

It’s inevitable: eventually, you’ll need to fix piano keys that stick. To help you learn how to fix piano keys that stick, we’ve broken down the why’s and how’s of sticky piano keys, as well as how you can fix and prevent further annoyance!

Blame Sticky Keys on Mother Nature

An acoustic piano is mostly an instrument of nature. It’s filled with wood, felt, glue, and cast iron, with over ten thousand individual components. Astonishing, right?

Because of all the wood, pianos tend to perform best at a controlled temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 42% humidity. If not kept properly temperate, your piano’s components may swell or contract when exposed to extremes. This expansion and contraction are the primary cause of piano keys sticking. Piano action parts are regulated to within one thousandth of an inch, so it doesn’t take much to cause one of its mechanical parts to stick (or be sluggish) in operation. Many times, if a key sticks, it is specifically because the wood and felt core has swollen.

How to Fix Piano Keys that Stick: Test and Fix

To test to see if a swollen key is causing stickiness, push and hold down the right-most pedal (also called the sustain pedal). Then, while holding the pedal down, play the key lightly. Did the key come back all the way up to its original up position? If so, it is not presently sticking. Keys can stick one day and then not stick the next day due to the temperature and humidity changes. However, if it does not return to the top, hold the key about half way down, then push hard on the keys immediately to the left and the right. Repeat this action several times, then release the original key. Now repeat playing the key while holding down the sustain pedal. Does it return all the way back up now? If it does, then you have remedied the sticking key.

Still Stuck?

The next time you have a tuner technician out to service the piano, have them review the keys you repaired to confirm all is the way it should be. And if the key still does not return, it is likely that the issue is not the key itself. There are several other possible reasons for restricted action, preventing a note from playing properly. If you’re looking for a tuner you can trust, contact the team at England Piano to discuss your servicing needs. We provide all sorts of piano services including tuning, regular service, regulation, voices, rebuilding, restringing, refinishing and more. Oh, and fixing sticky keys. Call us today at 770-451-1725, and we can help you learn how to fix piano keys that stick.

Can I learn piano at 30?
Can I learn piano at 30?

Learning to play the piano as an adult can be intimidating. Many people limit themselves because they think they are too old or that it's too late...

Read More »
Is night shift hard on your heart?
Is night shift hard on your heart?

People who work night shifts are at increased risk of developing an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation...

Read More »

Why do black keys on the piano have two names?

Black keys to the left of a white key are lowered in pitch and have a flat symbol for an accidental. Black keys, therefore, actually have two possible names depending on whether you are raising or lowering the white key pitch. This is called enharmonic spelling.

people.vcu.edu - Keyboard - Intro

The piano is an indispensable tool for musicians and is particularly useful for visualizing theoretical concepts. I strongly encourage all of you to acquire as much keyboard facility as possible and to use this tool to help learn and reinforce the material presented in your theory classes. The piano keyboard consists of white and black keys. Notice that the black keys are grouped in two's and three's and the white keys play the notes A-G. The most commonly used reference note is C which can be located just to the left of the group of two black keys. The black keys play pitches halfway between the white keys on either side. Black keys to the right of a white key sound higher and those to the left, lower. The names of the black keys are derived from their neighboring white keys. Black keys to the right of a white key are raised in pitch and have an additional symbol called an accidental which, for raised notes, is a sharp. Black keys to the left of a white key are lowered in pitch and have a flat symbol for an accidental. Black keys, therefore, actually have two possible names depending on whether you are raising or lowering the white key pitch. This is called enharmonic spelling. What would the two names for the following notes be? (Roll your mouse pointer over the keyboard to see the answers.)

How many times should you click a gas cap?
How many times should you click a gas cap?

Many manufacturers recommend tightening the fuel cap until it clicks three times, which is just a random number to make sure the cap is tight. Feb...

Read More »
Where can I find piano sheets for free?
Where can I find piano sheets for free?

5 Best Websites to get Free Piano Sheets IMSLP. IMSLP, also known as the International Music Score Library Project Petrucci Music Library. ......

Read More »
Which gender buys the most music?
Which gender buys the most music?

With the perceived importance of the good old '50 quid man' on record sales, you might be surprised to know that, according to new research by IPC...

Read More »
Are free pianos worth it?
Are free pianos worth it?

The truth is that almost all pianos that are given away for free are not worth the cost of having it moved into your home. If the piano has...

Read More »