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Thank you for explaining. So what I think you are saying is that you can make a grand feel as light as a typical upright because the weights typically added to

Thank you for explaining. So what I think you are saying is that you can make a grand feel as light as a typical upright because the weights typically added to pianos outweigh the inherent weight of the hammers that the grand would add to the action, giving plenty of leeway to adjust the action.

jacquesm 3y ago
Exactly. The weights (different for each key) plus the total mass of the action (also different for each key) then shows up as inertia as you try to move the key (and you will need some force to overcome any friction) and I think that is where you will find your real difference. Edit: so, I've found an image: https://creativemarket.com/product/15418366-White-wooden-key-stick-of-piano-white-key-of-piano-keyboard-showing-the-side-on-top https://creativemarket.com/product/15418366-White-wooden-key.... If you look at the sides of the key you see two gray circles, those are lead weights, and they, more than anything determine the balance and weight of the key. Note that there also is a weight on the near side of the key! The weights on bass keys will be a bit larger at the back than for the treble side, and the hammers are also a bit heavier. You can still tune a lot in the action, but another major factor is simply friction. If there is lots of play in the pin that the key rides on it can make the action feel 'loose' all the way to unplayable (because the key will rub the keys next to it), and if it rides too tight (or has been twisted out of true) it will work so hard against the felt that you need a lot of force to overcome the friction. This all shows up as perceived weight, but it really isn't. It's just friction. Piano actions are fascinating, apparently simple but they are really small works of art for each and every key. All the parts have to work 'just so' and they then still have to be regulated to get a really even action. One really nasty little thing that can happen is that the pins in the various action bits are corroded, this can cause lots of friction in ways that can be hard to track down to any specific linkage.

jacquesm 3y ago

Exactly. The weights (different for each key) plus the total mass of the action (also different for each key) then shows up as inertia as you try to move the key (and you will need some force to overcome any friction) and I think that is where you will find your real difference. Edit: so, I've found an image: https://creativemarket.com/product/15418366-White-wooden-key-stick-of-piano-white-key-of-piano-keyboard-showing-the-side-on-top https://creativemarket.com/product/15418366-White-wooden-key.... If you look at the sides of the key you see two gray circles, those are lead weights, and they, more than anything determine the balance and weight of the key. Note that there also is a weight on the near side of the key! The weights on bass keys will be a bit larger at the back than for the treble side, and the hammers are also a bit heavier. You can still tune a lot in the action, but another major factor is simply friction. If there is lots of play in the pin that the key rides on it can make the action feel 'loose' all the way to unplayable (because the key will rub the keys next to it), and if it rides too tight (or has been twisted out of true) it will work so hard against the felt that you need a lot of force to overcome the friction. This all shows up as perceived weight, but it really isn't. It's just friction. Piano actions are fascinating, apparently simple but they are really small works of art for each and every key. All the parts have to work 'just so' and they then still have to be regulated to get a really even action. One really nasty little thing that can happen is that the pins in the various action bits are corroded, this can cause lots of friction in ways that can be hard to track down to any specific linkage.