top of page

Piano Key Tops
solutions for missing, loose, or damaged key tops

Piano Keys and Key Tops

At their most basic level, each of the 88 piano keys are Class 1 levers (e.g. see-saw), which contain a key stick and a key top.

The key stick, or main structure of a key, is typically made of sugar pine, spruce, or basswood. The 88 key sticks extend behind the fallboard (key cover), remaining predominantly out of sight.

The key top is the exposed piece of thin material which the pianist’s fingers contact. Key tops are adhered to the top of each key stick. Beginning in the early 1800s, natural (white) key tops were made of ivory, while sharp (black) key tops were made of ebony. Around WWII, piano manufacturers began experimenting with early plastics, and by the mid-1980s most ivory production ceased. Ebony key tops are still made today, but are typically only found on higher-end instruments. Instead, most modern pianos have plastic key tops on both black and white keys. While plastics have advanced considerably in the last few decades, modern key tops are not immune from issues.

One piano key with key stick, key top, and key front labeled
Missing and damaged plastic piano key tops

Key Top Problems and Solutions

As adhesive begins to fail with age, it is not uncommon to find older pianos with loose and/or missing ivory key tops. Also, certain eras of Yamaha and Kawai pianos have been known to have premature glue failure. If two or more key tops have already come loose, chances are, others are probably not far behind. Chips, cracks, or other damage to key tops may also occur. It is important to consider your piano’s age and overall condition before moving forward with repairs.

The process for properly reaffixing loose or missing key tops to piano keys is a bit more involved than it may appear, and should only be performed by an experienced technician:

Missing ivory head on piano key top next to an intact key with ivory tail, ivory head, and ivory front labeled

1. Affected key sticks must be removed from the piano to permit access for proper repair.

2. In order to achieve a smooth surface suitable for key top application, the technician will remove residual glue and perform any necessary repairs to the underlying wood.

3. Once an appropriate adhesive has been applied, the key top will be precisely positioned onto the key stick.

4. The key stick and key top(s) must be clamped in a specialized piano key clamp to prevent the key top from sliding or warping during the drying process. Dry time varies depending on adhesive and key top material.

5. When keys are reinstalled in the piano, their heights will be carefully adjusted to be level with neighboring keys.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which areas do you service?
    We service the area denoted in green on the map below. This includes, but is not limited to: Ballantyne, Carmel, Dilworth, Matthews, Myers Park, Quail Hollow, South End, and SouthPark. Please contact us by phone at 704-593-6741 or by email at bradfantpianos@gmail.com to inquire about special accommodations.
  • How often do I need to have my piano tuned? Why does it go out of tune?
    Generally, pianos should be tuned every 6 months or every year, even if they are not being played regularly. Pianos on the concert stage, in recording studios, or in schools may require more frequent tuning and attention. The piano's main structure and soundboard are both made of wood, which expand and contract with climate change and humidity variation. Fluctuations in the wood net an out of tune piano. It is especially important to tune new pianos several times during their first few years to ensure that the string tension and piano structure reach a stable equilibrium. For more information about tuning, please see here.
  • What is a "pitch raise?"
    All modern pianos are designed to be tuned and sound their best at "standard pitch," where A4=440 Hz (A above middle C vibrates at 440 cycles per second). If a piano has not been tuned for an extended period of time (over ~12 months), has been through extreme climate fluctuations, or has been moved, the overall pitch of the piano may be significantly higher or lower than standard pitch. In this situation, the piano will require a pitch adjustment or "pitch raise" to bring the piano’s combined string tension back into a normal range before a standard fine tuning can be performed. A pitch raise and fine tuning are typically performed in the same service appointment, but in very extreme cases, where multiple pitch raises are necessary, a second appointment may be necessary. The need for a pitch raise cannot be determined without assessing the piano in person. For more information about pitch raises, please see here.
  • I'm moving. How can I move my piano safely and when should I have it tuned?
    Moving your piano shouldn't be stressful and you most definitely should not attempt to move it yourself. Hire an insured piano mover, not just any mover! The piano is a fragile instrument and permanent damage can easily be done by an inexperienced mover. Please feel free to reach out if you would like a referral. It's generally recommended to wait about one month after your move to tune the piano, allowing it to acclimate to the new location. This will net a more stable tuning than had it been tuned immediately.
  • Do you repair digital pianos and keyboards?
    We do not service or repair digital pianos/keyboards, and recommend contacting your instrument's manufacturer for a referral to a certified service center: Casio Kawai Korg Roland Yamaha
  • What is a RPT (Registered Piano Technician)?
    The Piano Technicians Guild is a nonprofit organization that regulates the trade of piano technology. A RPT is a piano technician who has undergone and passed tuning, technical, and written exams according the the Piano Technicians Guild standards. The Registered Piano Technician certification is the only official guild certification for piano technicians in the United States. For more information about Registered Piano Technicians, please see here.
  • What type of payments do you accept?
    Accepted forms of payment include: paper check, cash, Zelle, Venmo, Apple Pay, and all major credit and debit cards. For more information about payments, please see here.
bottom of page