Even if a piano is not being regularly played, it still requires regular inspection and maintenance (at least every 2 years) to make sure that the climate and/or vermin are not damaging the felts, springs and metal hinge pins in the action.

If it is being played regularly, then the piano needs to be regulated once a year or so. This involves adjusting the regulating screws in the action to take up the slack introduced by wear from the constant repetition through playing. This can usually be done in an hour.

We also do a lot of new piano initial setup work for retailers in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, and I am an accredited warranty technician for Yamaha, Kawai and Alex Steinbach (Samick) pianos.

Here is an example of the required check list for a new Yamaha piano fresh out of the crate:

CHECK LIST

• TIGHTEN FRAME BOLTS/SCREWS
• SETTLE STRINGS ON BRIDGE
• HAMMER TO STRING ALIGNMENT
• KEY EASING
• SCREW TIGHTENING
• KEYBOARD ADJUSTMENT
• STRIKING DISTANCE
• LOST MOTION/OVER MOTION
• KEY LEVELLING
• KEY DEPTH
• LET-OFF
• BACKCHECK REGULATION
• DAMPER REGULATION
• PEDAL ADJUSTMENT
• TUNE TO A440
• VOICING