Consider this, most pianos have more than 200 strings (wires), each one has a particular pitch and frequency.
These strings control the sound quality of your instrument, meaning its proper care is fundamental.
When regularly adjusting your piano:
1. You actively help to keep the it in good pitch.
2. You prevent damage and the need of costly repair work.
3. You maintain the value of your piano.
Musicians understand the piano is an extension of their art expression and their main tool to perform in any scenario.
For apprentices or students, it helps a lot to learn with an instrument that produces beautiful and pitch perfect sounds.
What is tuning, exactly?
Good question, so let’s get the basic notion for it.
Tuning a piano is the process of calibrating its strings, altering their vibration frequency and aligning the intervals between its tones, setting their pitch to the standard A440.
In other words, piano tuning means to set the tension on the strings inside the piano to assure that when they vibrate, they produce the frequencies that generate the harmonious sounds that inspired you to own a piano in the first place.
Why do pianos go out of tune?
The main reason for your instrument to go out of tune is the variation in temperature and humidity. Pianos are made of wood, which can absorb moisture in humid areas and expand. This expansion alters the tension of the strings.
The lack of use is another reason, so if you have a barely used piano, make sure to have it tuned before it is played. That way, your event will surely be a success.
Why do I need piano tuning?
Easy, you need piano tuning to keep it in good shape, avoid underwhelming lessons, as students, or a bad performance as musicians, your instrument must be properly tuned always.
You will need a technician to perform this. Usually with tools like the tuning lever or hammer and tuning forks to help them do a proper job.
How often do I need tuning?
As a general rule, most pianos should have a tuning session a minimum of 2 times a year.
Over time, the strings can stretch due to tension, which can cause the piano to go out of tune.
When your piano is regularly tuned, subsequent tuning services are easier to perform, the condition of the piano is better kept, and its value is maintained.
Keep in mind that if your piano is exposed to temperature or humidity fluctuations, it could require tuning up to 4-6 times per year.
Is piano tuning expensive?
On average, the price of adjusting your instrument varies from $65 to $225, but when your piano needs multiple tuning sessions or repairs, the cost can be increased by several hundred dollars.
The technician or tuning specialist will make an evaluation first to verify the state of your piano, so they can establish the correct price.
Concluding, regular tuning can save you money, because you would not need to have corrective actions that can inflate costs.
If you need to have your piano tuned, I can help! You can schedule a tuning service or get in touch with me, go to the contact page to do so.