Piano Voicing

The sound of a piano can be drastically altered by voicing the hammers. This process can be lengthy and is best done over a few sessions so that it is not taken to extreme.

Piano hammers are made out of highly compressed woollen felt. The harder and tighter the compression of the felt, the louder and more metallic the piano will sound. If the hammers are very soft, the sound will be mellow and quiet. Voicing involves using needles to soften hammer felt, or chemicals to harden the felt depending upon the required result.

In the piano factory, pre-voicing of hammers is standard. However, the extent of voicing done before shipment can vary between brand and model. Higher priced pianos will have more work done in the factory by an expert voicer than the cheaper models of piano. You usually get what you pay for!

Every piano will sound slightly different depending upon the amount of voicing done on the hammers. If you hear a particular model of piano in a showroom that you like, make sure that is the one you buy, as the same model out the back may sound completely different!

Voicing can also move ugly sounds in individual notes such as metallic sounds and some leaking harmonics, although these can be caused by other problems.

Listen carefully to your piano, many pianists will play and not hear the sound they are producing. Do you like how it sounds? Is it too loud for the space? Can your right hand be heard over the bass notes? Do any particular notes stand out from the rest and why?

Another point to consider is furnishing of your piano room. Many hard surfaces will make the soundwaves bounce around creating loud and harsh sounds. Putting a carpet underneath or behind a piano can soften its tone. Also, a heavily furnished and curtained room will absorb more sound than sparse furnishing and blinds.