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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. (Please note that a
cheap guitar tuner will not tell you if your piano is in tune; these will listen to the wrong partial and do not allow for
a piano's inharmonicity.) There are a lot of mediocre piano tuners, both tuning by ear or machine. All of the really terrible
piano tuners I have known 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. What should
I do to prepare for a piano tuning? It is helpful if you can clear off the top of the piano before I get started. A piano does not need to be
moved away from the wall, as long as there is room to open the lid. I do not need any extra lighting, just normal room light
is fine. My main requirement to do a good job is quiet. Normal conversation is fine, but please do not schedule a tuning when
the vacuum, the leaf blower or the stereo are going to be used. What
if I have to cancel my appointment? I generally require 24 hours notice
for all non emergency cancellations, but the more notice you can give me the better. If I can't fill the lost time or I turned
away other work for that time slot, I may bill a $45 failed appointment fee. If you are not sure whether you are going to
be called in to work or made to stay late, it is better that we do not commit to an appointment time.
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 many years, it will definitely need to be tuned twice to stabilize it. This is because the first tuning will go out immediately.
I can do two tunings, or passes, in a single appointment. Here in Michigan, most tunings require two passes, even if the piano
is tuned regularly. This is due to the seasonal humidity changes. Even if it is only slightly off pitch, two passes will make
the tuning more accurate and stable. A second tuning is recommended sooner that normal after an extreme pitch raise, to compensate
for years of neglect.
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 (a 3 legged table will never wobble). 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. Is there more than
one way to tune a piano?
The way pianos are usually
tuned today is slightly different from how they were often tuned in the 18th or 19th centuries. Twelve mathematically equal
semitones, known as "equal temperament", has only been universally 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.
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.
What areas do you service? I do tunings for the entire Detroit metro area. I do not charge extra for travel, but if you are very far away
from Grosse Pointe, we may need to book your appointment well in advance. If you are in northern Oakland County, northern
Macomb county or downriver, I may only get to your neighborhood once a month or so. If you are in a hurry and close to an
hour away from Grosse Pointe, you might do better to go to www.ptg.org to find a qualified technician in your area.
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