Voicing, Regulation & Humidity Control for Pianos in Wisconsin

Fine-Tune the Feel.

Perfect the Tone.

Protect the Instrument.

Your piano might be in tune—but does it sound and feel the way it should? If your piano’s tone is too bright, too mellow, or uneven across the keyboard, or if the keys respond inconsistently, it may need voicing and regulation.

At Bill’s Piano Services, I help piano owners across Northern Wisconsin get more than just proper pitch. I provide expert voicing, action regulation, and humidity control to enhance how your piano sounds, feels, and ages over time.

What Is Voicing?

Voicing is the process of adjusting the piano’s tone by shaping, needling, or hardening the hammer felt that strikes the strings. Over time, hammers become worn and grooved, causing tone quality to degrade or become uneven.

Voicing Can:

• Soften overly bright or metallic notes
  
  
• Brighten a dull, lifeless sound
  
  
• Create more even tone from bass to treble
  
  
• Match tone to your environment (home, church, performance space)
  
  
• Enhance musical expression and touch sensitivity
  
  

This is a highly personalized service. I work closely with each client to understand what sound they’re looking for—and then carefully voice the piano to match that vision.

What Is Regulation?

Regulation involves adjusting the mechanical aspects of your piano’s action—the complex system of keys, hammers, dampers, and levers that turn your finger pressure into music.

Over time, normal playing causes felt and wood to compress, leading to:

• Uneven key height or depth
  
• Sluggish key return
  
• Poor dynamic control
  
• Double-striking hammers or notes that don’t sound cleanly
  
  

Regulation Restores:

• Consistent key response
  
• Proper key travel and depth
  
• Smoother dynamics and expression
  
• Improved overall playability
  
  

Whether you're a casual player or a concert pianist, proper regulation can make your piano feel brand new again.

Humidity Control: A Must-Have in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s changing seasons can wreak havoc on pianos. Shifting humidity causes wood to swell and contract, affecting both pitch and structure. I’ve seen pianos go wildly out of tune or suffer long-term damage just from being placed near a window or heating vent.

Common Humidity-Related Issues

• Tuning instability

• Sticky or sluggish keys

• Cracks in the soundboard or bridges

• Loose tuning pins

• Warped hammers or keybed
  
  

I help clients protect their pianos by evaluating humidity risks and offering tailored solutions.

Tools & Recommendations for Humidity Control

I often recommend installing a Dampp-Chaser Piano Life Saver System, especially for valuable or frequently played instruments. This system regulates the internal climate of your piano, ensuring consistent humidity and helping preserve tone, tuning stability, and structural integrity.

Other services include:

• Room placement suggestions
  
• Hygrometer installation
  
• Seasonal inspection and adjustments
  
• Preventive advice for homes, schools, and churches
  

Who Benefits from Voicing, Regulation & Humidity Services?

How Often Are These Services Needed?

How often your piano should be maintained depends on how and where it’s used:

Of course, if your piano is used heavily or kept in a challenging environment, more frequent care may be necessary.

Comprehensive Service You Can Hear and Feel

When I visit your home, I don’t just tune and leave. I listen to the instrument, ask about your playing style, and check for tonal or mechanical inconsistencies that may be holding your piano back.



If I notice signs of voicing issues, regulation needs, or humidity damage, I’ll explain your options—clearly, honestly, and without pressure.

Serving All of Northern Wisconsin

I travel up to 100 miles from Woodruff, WI to help piano owners with voicing, regulation, and humidity management. Service areas include:

• Woodruff
  
• Minocqua
  
• Rhinelander
  
• Eagle
  
• Park
  
• Phillips
  
• Tomahawk
  
• And nearby towns
  

Client Praise

Let’s Get Your Piano Playing Its Best

You don’t have to settle for a piano that feels off or sounds inconsistent. Let me help you bring out the richness and responsiveness it was built for.