Piano Tuning

Why Should I Tune My Piano?

As any piano player understands, it is the fine details of the piano that determine the feel and sound of a particular instrument. This is what makes a piano such a beautiful instrument. All pianos require tuning in order to keep them sounding the best that they can and tuning a piano is as much art as it is science. It requires a special touch, some advanced tools, and an exceptionally fine ear. Our technicians have the latest technology and a deep understanding of the inner workings of pianos.

Changes in temperature and weather are the primary cause of pianos going out of tune and needing maintenance. Moisture and heating affect the sound board, and changes in temperature cause the pins and strings to move ever so slightly, but enough to change the sound.

Pianos need to be tuned after moving, less because they have been shaken and bounced around than that they are in different environments. They are incredibly resilient but need to be touched up whenever there is a climactic change.

The more intensely and harder you play the faster it will go out of tune. The force of the keys and hammers moving cause the tension in the strings to lose equalization. Tuning will return the balance to strings and keys.

The indirect benefit of tuning your piano regularly is if a problem is found, it can be fixed quickly and can help prevent your investment from greater and more extensive damage.

How Often Should I Tune My Piano?

As a general rule, pianos should be tuned twice each year. However you should have your piano tuned as often as you feel it is needed. Concert pianos are tuned before every performance and recording studios have their pianos tuned every couple of days.

You should tune your piano after it is moved, about two weeks after you turn the heat on in the winter and two weeks after you turn it off in the spring.

A piano that is primarily a piece of furniture can go a whole year between tunings and a heavily used one should have it done quarterly.

What Do Manufacturers Say About Piano Tuning?

Steinway & Sons

“…no matter how expertly a piano is tuned, atmospheric variations and the nature of the piano’s construction constantly conspire to bring it off pitch”

Yamaha Pianos

“…a piano should be tuned at least twice a year.”

” Complete piano service should include periodic regulation and voicing in addition to tuning.”

Baldwin Piano Company

” After the first year a piano should be tuned at least twice each year.”