Strange Piano Noises: Five Common Sources

Published: 9/20/2026 5:43:05 AM   Clicked: 4

Hearing a creak, a metallic rub, or a faint tapping sound while playing is something most piano owners run into at some point. The causes vary quite a bit, but here are the five most common ones worth checking first.

First, a loose pedal linkage, which tends to creak faintly when the pedal is pressed. Second, wooden key pivots that have shrunk slightly from dry air, creating a bit of play against their centre pins and producing a faint rubbing sound when a key is pressed. Third, dust or debris resting on a string, which produces a buzz only when that particular note is played. Fourth, slight warping of cabinet panels or the supporting frame from temperature and humidity changes, causing structural parts to rub against each other. Fifth, loose screws on fittings like the music desk or keyboard lid, which rattle when the piano vibrates.

If the noise only happens on one or two specific notes, it's more likely a localised key or string issue, and you can start by opening the lid and checking with a torch. If the noise is more general and not tied to a particular pitch, loose cabinet parts or fittings are the more likely cause. When the source isn't obvious, it's best to have a technician come and take a look rather than dismantling anything yourself, which risks damaging other parts in the process.