Piano Quality Control & Assurance 2

Question 1

When voicing a piano hammer, what does making the felt harder (lacquering) accomplish?

Accepted Answer

Produces a brighter, more penetrating tone

Answer

Hardening hammer felt with lacquer increases density at impact, producing a brighter and more cutting tone.

Question 2

A piano technician checks for 'lost motion' in the action. What does lost motion refer to?

Accepted Answer

Slack between the key and whippen before the hammer begins to move

Answer

Lost motion is the gap between the capstan and whippen that causes delayed hammer response when a key is depressed.

Question 3

Which QC check verifies that all piano keys return to rest position at the same height?

Accepted Answer

Key leveling

Answer

Key leveling ensures all white and black keys sit at a uniform height when at rest, critical for consistent touch feel.

Question 4

During PDI (pre-delivery inspection) of a new grand piano, a technician finds one damper fails to lift when the sustain pedal is pressed. The most likely cause is:

Accepted Answer

Misadjusted damper stop rail

Answer

A misadjusted damper stop rail prevents the sostenuto or sustain rod from lifting that damper's lever fully.

Question 5

What is the purpose of 'let-off' regulation in a grand piano action?

Accepted Answer

Sets the point where the jack trips away from the hammer knuckle before string contact

Answer

Let-off regulation sets how close the hammer gets to the string before the jack releases, enabling pianissimo playing.

Piano Practice Test

Piano Practice Test

Piano Quality Control & Assurance 2