|
Common questions about piano maintainence
How often should my piano be tuned?
All pianos need tuning
on a regular basis, primarily because the piano’s soundboard is made of wood and is subject to seasonal expansion and contraction.
Most manufacturers recommend 2-4 tunings per year. In a concert hall setting, a piano may be tuned much more, such as once
a week or more. In the home, some people are satisfied with once a year. I can help you determine an appropriate schedule
for tuning your piano, based on your particular type of piano, type of usage, and humidity variation in your environment.
If your piano goes out of tune rapidly, it may benefit from a climate control system installed in the piano, or better humidity
control in your home.
Is it better to tune by ear or with an electronic tuning aid?
With proper skills, either
method can get the same results. Many great tuners tune by ear with only a tuning fork, and many great tuners use an electronic
tuning aid (professional quality, not the cheap ones you see in music stores). There are a lot of mediocre piano tuners, both
tuning by ear or machine. All of the really terrible piano tuners I know of tune by ear; it seems as though the machine will
at least get it in the ball park, regardless of skill level. A good tuner uses skill and listening, whether assisted by a
computer or not.
How do I know if a tuner is qualified to tune pianos?
The only sure way is see if they have
passed the standardized test to become a Registered Piano Technician. Check out www.ptg.org. If they are not on this list,
they may not be qualified. If a tuner advertises "certified" it only means they gone to some trade school or correspondence
course, which may have various standards.
Is there more than one way to tune a piano?
The way pianos are usually
tuned today is very different from how they were tuned in the 18th or 19th centuries. Twelve mathematically equal semitones,
known as "equal temperament", has only been commonly used for about a hundred years. (Contrary to many books, Bach popularized
not "equal" temperament, but "well" temperament.) I offer the option of tuning in the Equal Beating Victorian Temperament,
invented by Bill Bremmer in the late 20th Century. This tuning is suitable for all modern as well as classical music, and
creates a purer sound in many keys than equal temperament. Of course I can tune equal temperament if you prefer.
A piano
can also be tuned with various amounts of "stretch", where the bass is tuned lower and the treble sharper, to accommodate
the inharmonicity of piano strings. This will not be done correctly if one tries to tune using an inexpensive electronic tuning
device.
How much does a piano tuning cost, and how long does it take?
I charge a flat rate of $95 for a tuning.
I can finish a tuning just over an hour. Except in rare cases, I tune to A=440 concert pitch. I do not have an extra charge
for a pitch raise.
What is a pitch raise?
When a piano has not been tuned for years, it will definitely need
to be tuned twice to stabilize it. This is because the first tuning will go out immediately. Here in Michigan, most tunings
require two passes, due to the seasonal humidity changes. Even if it is only slightly off pitch, two passes will make the
tuning more accurate and stable.
Does a piano need tuning after it’s moved?
It depends. Unless the piano has
structural problems such as loose tuning pins, the move itself usually has little or no effect. However, pianos are very sensitive
to changes in climate and humidity. It’s a good idea to get a tuning a few weeks after a move, giving the piano time to adjust
to the new environment, especially when moving to a different climate.
One other way a move can affect tuning is when the
floor is not level. This does not apply to grand pianos because they stand on three legs. When a vertical piano is moved and
the four wheels are not on the same plane, the uneven forces may shift the tuning a small amount.
What is Voicing?
While
tuning involves the strings, voicing involves primarily the hammers. Voicing is as important as tuning to achieve the proper
sound. It refines the sound to a higher degree than tuning alone. An example of a piano needing voicing is when discordant
sounds are produced because the hammers which strike the strings become overly hard or worn; reshaping, needling or aligning
the hammers can improve clarity of tone. I often include minor voicing when I tune and find it makes a huge improvement to
the overall sound. Voicing can also be used to completely change the character of a piano, such as making your piano sound
brighter or darker by hardening or softening the hammers.
What is Regulation?
Adjusting and refining the touch
of the keyboard mechanism (“action”) is known as regulating. An action that plays evenly and responsively is a joy to play.
An unresponsive action that “plays like a truck” may frustrate even a beginner. A good sign that your piano needs regulation
is when you try to play very softly and no sound comes out at all. Often one or two simple adjustment will drastically improve
the touch. More extensive regulation may include cleaning, polishing, lubricating, aligning, tightening or adjusting the various
parts of each of the 88 keys.
What is the best thing I can do for my piano?
Regular service is of course important
for your piano. So is keeping the environment stable. Seasonal humidity fluctuations cause pianos to go out of tune more rapidly,
especially here in Michigan. Installation of a climate control system inside the piano will prolong its life, help keep it
in tune longer, and prevent many other future problems. I recommend using a Piano Life Saver system by Dampp-Chaser, which
has a humidifier and dehumidifier. I can install this invisibly in any piano.
|
