A piano hammer comprises an elongate hammerhead having a nose portion defining side surfaces and a felt covering extending about the nose portion with tail portions of the felt covering affixed to the side surfaces. The felt covering defines a substantially elliptical peripheral surface from a top region for striking a piano string to front and back regions. An elongated single or dual layer strip is arranged on the peripheral surface of the felt covering in the top region, extending along the front and back regions to points beyond the hammer equator. The layers of this strip or "voicing tape" are made of a synthetic non-woven fabric material, preferably of the type sold under the registered trademark Pellon.