Q. How often should I have my piano tuned?

 

Most pianos should be tuned twice yearly, but many pianos may need tuned more frequently if they are in constant use. This is often the case for recording studios, performance venues, concert halls, and schools. A piano’s pitch should be kept around A440 to stay in tune with other instruments and recordings.

 

Q. How long does it take to tune a piano?

 

The first visit will take 2-3 hours or more depending on services provided (i.e. a pitch raise). There are 220 plus strings on a piano and they may require adjustment more than once. A piano tuned on a regular basis usually takes about 1.5 hours.

 

Q. How much does it cost to tune a piano?

 

The standard tuning fee starts at $100.00 for any piano that is close to pitch. If the piano requires a pitch raise (explained below), the rate starts at $150.00 .

 

Any additional repair cost can be discussed on an as needed basis.

 

I accept cash, check, Venmo, and Paypal.

 

Q. Why does my piano go out of tune?

 

A piano should be maintained at the international pitch standard of A-440. A-440 stands for 440hz or 440 cycles per second. For pianos this means that the strings of the “A” note above middle “C” vibrate at 440 cycles per second.

 

Pianos go out of tune for a variety of reasons. They are sensitive to climate change, temperature and humidity levels. When moisture levels increase, such as in the summer, pianos often go sharp. This is because wood is the piano swells The opposite is true when moisture levels decrease  in the winter.

 

Pianos also go out of tune from frequent or hard playing as piano hammers impact the strings . In addition, pianos may also go out of tune because of a condition where the pin block (wood, usually a thick maple block under the tuning pins) becomes weak over time and loses the ability to hold a necessary amount of torque at the tuning pins in order to prevent slipping.

 

Q. What is a pitch raise and when is a pitch raise necessary?

 

A pitch raise is usually needed if the piano is more than 15 cents off of standard tuning. When a piano is more than a little out of tune, tuning it causes a significant change in the pressure on the piano. If the technician simply begins tuning each string one-at-a-time, by the time he gets to the last string, the total tension on the piano will have changed so much that the first strings are out of tune again. To avoid the problem, the technician has to tighten each of the strings individually (raise their pitch) close to their eventual tension. Once the total pressure on the piano is close to its proper level, he can go back a second time and tune each string more precisely.

 

Q. After moving my piano, how long should I wait before I have it tuned?

 

Usually a wait of 3 weeks is enough time before having your piano tuned. The waiting period allows the piano to resettle and adjust to the humidity level of your home.