With every new hobby or activity you take on, there’s always a learning period, a time when you have to pick up the buzz words and understand what they mean.
If you’re new to the piano world, you may have heard the term “regulation” used a time or two. Regulation by definition means establishing laws, rules, or policies. That’s how most of us understand the concept in the real world.
With regards to your piano, regulation means to reestablish the proper adjustment of the action. This is the mechanism that connects the piano keys to the piano hammers. Action occurs when the piano keys are struck and the hammers connect with the strings. 
This process is one of the most crucial parts of piano operation. It’s also one of the most delicate processes in the piano. The piano has hundreds of moving parts, each with its own important role. If one piece is out of operation, off in just the tiniest of ways, it impacts the sound.
The piano actions are made mostly of wood and wool felt. That means the environment can impact the condition of the actions every day. If the piano is in a humid area, the felt can lift away from the wood. If the piano is in a dry climate or is subjected to harsh sunlight, the wood can warp. Each of these parts swells and contracts over and over again, with every change in temperature.
While many think the more you play, the faster you’ll need to provide your piano with a little TLC, in reality the two aren’t always connected. Playing the piano regularly does put added stress on the movements, the hammers, the strings, and the felt. But in some cases, standing still can impact the piano equally so, just in a different way. Like everything, over time, your piano will wear.
Regulation is designed to bring a piano back into working condition. Proper adjustment is done in terms of hundredths of an inch in most cases. That means each adjustment may be barely visible in terms of movement, yet can make a world of difference in the sound.
If your piano is more than ten years old, your piano is probably in need of some regulation. Parts wear out. Things go out of adjustment, similar to your car. And like your car, periodic maintenance is needed to keep it in good working condition.
If you suspect something is wrong or you would like to get an expert opinion, give us a call.
