Voicing

When a piano hammer strikes the strings, sound is produced. The condition and quality of the hammers and their hardness or softness determines the tone of the piano. A hard hammer produces a louder, brighter, harsher tone, while a soft hammer produces a softer, warmer, darker and more muffled tone color. In voicing a piano, hammers are either hardened by using chemicals or removing outer felt or softened by inserting needles into the felt to soften and make more resilient. Voicing is a very complex art that takes a great deal of experience and skill, both in how to manipulate a particular hammer and the ability to hear nuances at different volumes. Voicing is perhaps the most powerful tool in making a mediocre piano great!