Why Does A Piano Need Regulation?

When we think about piano maintenance, tuning usually comes to mind. But there’s another type of intervention that’s just as essential: regulation. This isn’t about fixing mechanical failures (the kind that stop the piano from playing altogether), but rather about making precise adjustments that restore the instrument’s responsiveness, finesse, and playing comfort.

Over time, all pianos fall out of regulation. Wood shifts, felts wear down, springs weaken, parts gradually shift. And often, we get used to these changes without realizing it — until one small adjustment transforms the playing experience.

Regulating the keyboard's height...

So what exactly is being regulated?

A piano is a complex mechanism, made up of thousands of moving parts. There are many possible adjustment points.

Among the most common: hammer blow distance, pedal regulation, side play in the keys, let-off, jack position, spring tension, key height, damper timing — and many more.

Here, I’ll focus on the most frequent regulations — the ones that make the biggest difference in how the piano feels to play. Each adjustment helps restore not only precision and balance, but also the full sound potential of the piano. A well-regulated piano becomes more enjoyable to play — and often, you rediscover your own instrument.

The flaws we get used to...

Let’s look at a few examples. Over time, small irregularities appear… and we eventually accept them as normal. You may have experienced some of the following:

• When you press a key, there’s a bit of slack — a slight “float” before the hammer actually moves.

• The sustain pedal feels soft and unresponsive.

• Some notes lack precision. Repetition, trills, and fast passages become difficult. Sometimes, notes "bounce" or misfire.

• The keyboard becomes uneven — in height or depth. Some keys sink deeper than others or move side to side.

• The touch weight varies from key to key, making some feel heavier or lighter than others.

All of these are minor flaws we tend to tolerate, thinking it’s just the piano aging… when in fact, a good regulation can change everything.

A few typical adjustments — and what they improve

Here are some common regulation tasks, and what they help correct:

• Hammer  distance (on grand pianos): This is the resting distance between the hammer and the strings. The hammer line must be even. If not, some hammers will strike with more force than others, making those notes louder or more abrupt.

• Let-off: If the let-off distance is too long or too short, touch control and repetition suffer. Proper let-off allows for responsive playing and fine dynamic control.

• Damper timing: Dampers should lift evenly when using the sustain pedal, and individually they should begin to lift about halfway through each keystroke. If the timing is off, it causes inconsistencies in sound and feel from note to note.

• Lost motion adjustment (on upright pianos): This eliminates vertical slack beneath the keys — that soft, vague feeling typical of older uprights. With proper adjustment, the hammer begins to move as soon as the key is pressed.

• Key dip: If the dip is too deep, it becomes tiring; too shallow, and it reduces control. It’s also a common cause of fluttery or unstable notes.

• Pedal regulation: Proper resistance in the pedals improves phrasing, resonance, and overall sound control.

...and many other subtle adjustments that restore life to your instrument.Even small corrections can significantly improve touch precision, playing comfort, and even sound quality.

In short

A well-regulated piano is more enjoyable to play — and more faithful to the pianist’s intentions.

These adjustments are often simple, quick, and affordable… yet they make a real difference.

A good piano technician will usually spot what needs to be done. But don’t hesitate to ask — especially if your technician is a pianist too: they’ll quickly understand what you’re feeling and know how to help.

👉 Contact

Has your piano lost some of its brilliance or responsiveness? I’d be happy to take a look, explain what can be improved, and advise you on the most suitable regulation work.

There’s a dedicated page about regulation on my website — feel free to check it out!

Need help? Contact me using the form — I’ll be glad to help.

See you soon!