To keep your piano in good working order, it may sometimes need more than just tuning – it may need fixing too. Here are some of the most common problems that require piano repair:

Piano Repair: Sticking/sluggish keys

The most common problem arising in a piano (besides being out of tune) are keys that either don’t work at all, or work the first time they’re played, but then fail.

Fortunately, better than 90% of the time (in my experience), this is something that is very simple and inexpensive to fix.

In the other 10% of cases, usually a part is either broken or missing. For example, a hammer may have broken off. However, these issues can also be taken care of to the customer’s satisfaction and in a reasonable timeframe. They just may require a little more effort.

Piano Repair: Buzzing and rattling sounds:

Almost as common an issue as keys not working are the strange and unsettling sounds occurring when some of the many hundreds of screws inside the piano have become loose.

Figuring out just where the errant sound comes from is the hardest part of this particular problem. Once the culprit has found, though, the solution is simple: Usually, tightening the loose screw(s) is enough to permanently banish the unpleasand sound effects.

Many grand piano customers have experienced the joyful sound of music coming from a pen or pencil resting on top of the strings. No explanation is needed for how that happens or how to fix it.

Damaged/chipped or dirty ivory keys

Many older pianos still have their original ivory key-tops on them. It is common for some to become chipped after decades of use. Southern Piano has a large inventory of recovered ivory key tops, which allows us to match most any set of keys. It is worth noting, however, that if a large number of ivories have been damaged it may be less costly to have all the keys replaced with new keytops instead.

Ebony key tops

A less common than ivory repairs but still a very fixable problem presents itself when any of the sharp keys on a piano become missing or damaged.

Dirty keys

After decades of use, the keys become dirty. Sharps become dull and covered in caked grit and grime. Ivorys darken at the edges and begin to yellow. Careful cleaning can help restore the keys to something resembling their original state. Even some of the yellowing in the ivories can be reversed.

As you can see, most piano repair needs are fairly straightforward and can be taken care of quickly.