What happens when one of my strings on my piano snaps?

i have a sorta old piano, from london called a metzler....ive got a thingy to tighten the strings but im scared it might snap, its only one string that i need to bring up (first E flat above middle C) and i was just wondering, what happens if a string snaps on the piano? any dangers...to myself....to the piano?








(i might call the tuner ....)

What happens when one of my strings on my piano snaps?
When even just a single string on a piano snaps it alters the tension on the frame and therefore all the other strings, even if only slightly. The result is that you have a piano which is slightly out of tune. Leave it without any attention for any length of time and it will strain the frame, putting it further out of tune. Leave it even longer and not only are you in for a re-stringing job you're in for a major re-tuning job if not a major service. Even doing a single new string will require more than one tuning as it will stretch over a short period of time and need tightening after it's settled.


The moral of this story is this: Get it tuned (which will include re-stringing as necessary) by a qualified piano tuner - and start saving: A visit from a good tuner just to re-tune will cost you in the region of £50 in London, and it's a false economy to try it yourself, even if you've got "a thingy to tighten the strings..."


By the time it's all done 'though, you've got yourself a nice musical instrument which you will enjoy playing.
Reply:I play guitar and a string breaks sometimes
Reply:I'm guessing here but it would probably go "TWANG!!!!"
Reply:If it's an old one, better get a tuner. A snapped string can be replaced, but... it doesn't sound just like the rest even if the whole piano is re-tuned.
Reply:when it snaps, you need to get it fixed.
Reply:None of the notes on your piano, except the very lowest, are sounded by a single string. They all sound by two (middle registers) or three strings (upper registers).





The strings are each set at the top by anchor to a tuning key, then pass through an anchoring stud at the other end. So two strings are physically the same string.





In some cases the "two" strings for a particular note are physically the same string. If you break one of these the particular note will not sound.





In some cases two of three strings for a particular note are physically the same string. If you break one of these you still have one sounding- so you would get a very weak sound.





Up and down your soundboard you will find some string is tuned to one pitch left of the stud and to the half step higher on the other side of the stud. If this string breaks, you will likely have another string to sound the note that you strike, but the sound will be weaker.





Trying not to be too technical --


But you probably really do want to call the piano tuner. It costs to tune a piano, but the costs and trouble of replacing broken strings is probably more painful.





As to your second Question: If the string snaps, and swings - as it might since it is under tension. It could cause some pain and scarring if it hits you. If you have any doubt wear goggles and other face protection.





If you have the tuning key, and you are accomplished musician enough to hear the pitch accurately so as to not overtighten the string - you might pull it off - but generally speaking - "Call The Piano Tuner" - is the best advice for everyone.
Reply:You play out of tune !!!
Reply:ur piano wont be as good
Reply:Call the piano tuner and tell him that the string needs tightening
Reply:if it snaps that key will not work





you can replace that string after it breaks





shouldn't have any other problems