A-1 Pianoman
Piano Tuning
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FAQ's:
How often should I have my piano tuned?
As a rough rule of thumb, as often as you feel necessary, but a minimum of twice a year.
Experience has shown different pianist's have different needs.
Touring Professionals -Daily
Studios- Before each recording session
Professionals- 4 times a year. ( Each season change).
Serious hobbyist's -2 times a year.
Hobbyist (Christmas pianist)-Once a year
Piano Teachers- It varies.
Piano as a living room ornament-Once every 5 years to never.
Experience has shown different pianist's have different needs.
Touring Professionals -Daily
Studios- Before each recording session
Professionals- 4 times a year. ( Each season change).
Serious hobbyist's -2 times a year.
Hobbyist (Christmas pianist)-Once a year
Piano Teachers- It varies.
Piano as a living room ornament-Once every 5 years to never.
"...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."
-Steinway
expertly a piano is
tuned, atmospheric
variations and the
nature of the piano's
construction
constantly conspire
to bring it off pitch."
-Steinway
Over the years I have developed my own simple
method of tuning. I use a sophisticated computer
to set the temperament across the entire piano.
Then I do the unisons by ear, followed by a series
of checks I perform.
Some people express concerns of using a
computer to tune, and think aural tuners are best.
But this thinking is antiquated. If you were to learn
how to tune a piano yourself, and after many
hours of studying, and perhaps hundreds of
dollars for lessons, and many, many more hours
of practice you'd be ready to take your test. Only
then to discover that the examiners would use a
computer to check the accuracy of your tuning.
method of tuning. I use a sophisticated computer
to set the temperament across the entire piano.
Then I do the unisons by ear, followed by a series
of checks I perform.
Some people express concerns of using a
computer to tune, and think aural tuners are best.
But this thinking is antiquated. If you were to learn
how to tune a piano yourself, and after many
hours of studying, and perhaps hundreds of
dollars for lessons, and many, many more hours
of practice you'd be ready to take your test. Only
then to discover that the examiners would use a
computer to check the accuracy of your tuning.
What's concert pitch?
A-440 (The A above middle C- the string vibrates back and forth 440 times per second) is a
universally accepted pitch to which all instruments should be tuned. This ensures that when
instruments play together, they will all be in tune to each other.
Pianos are manufactured to sound their best when tuned to A-440.
universally accepted pitch to which all instruments should be tuned. This ensures that when
instruments play together, they will all be in tune to each other.
Pianos are manufactured to sound their best when tuned to A-440.
What's a pitch raise?
When your piano has not been tuned for a long time, and for every year that passes, the pitch
will drop ( no longer at A-440). The further the pitch drops, more work will be required to bring it
back up to pitch, a pitch raise.
When more work is involved the cost goes up. Also, the stability will be in question. Meaning it
might not hold the tuning, and may require several tunings to become stable once more.
will drop ( no longer at A-440). The further the pitch drops, more work will be required to bring it
back up to pitch, a pitch raise.
When more work is involved the cost goes up. Also, the stability will be in question. Meaning it
might not hold the tuning, and may require several tunings to become stable once more.
Bigger the piano, bigger the sound.
Any grand smaller than a 6' you start sacrificing sound quality.
A large upright is about the same as a 6' grand.
Know the good brand names.
If they made good uprights, they didn't necessarily make good grands. And Visa Versa.
There's no such a thing as a free piano.
Most older pianos need at least a $1'000 dollars of work, at least.
If you are looking to purchase a piano that has not been tuned for years, have it inspected.
Tuning is not the only thing to be regularly maintained on a piano, again have it inspected.
Having a piano inspected is not throwing away money, it can save you lots of money.
For example, lets say you get a free piano. You hire a mover to deliver it to your home, for lets
say a $150.00. Then you wait a couple of weeks and schedule a piano tuner to come out,
$120.00. He inspects your piano only to discover that the tuning pins no longer hold the tension
of the strings. "I'm sorry Ma'am , this piano is un-tune-able without invest a thousand dollars to
rebuild it". However, the piano tuner feels sorry for you and only charges $60.00 for the
inspection. You then have to hire a mover again $150.00. Plus a dump fee, $60.00.
The cost of your free Piano?
$420.00 plus the headache, and you again have no piano.
Any grand smaller than a 6' you start sacrificing sound quality.
A large upright is about the same as a 6' grand.
Know the good brand names.
If they made good uprights, they didn't necessarily make good grands. And Visa Versa.
There's no such a thing as a free piano.
Most older pianos need at least a $1'000 dollars of work, at least.
If you are looking to purchase a piano that has not been tuned for years, have it inspected.
Tuning is not the only thing to be regularly maintained on a piano, again have it inspected.
Having a piano inspected is not throwing away money, it can save you lots of money.
For example, lets say you get a free piano. You hire a mover to deliver it to your home, for lets
say a $150.00. Then you wait a couple of weeks and schedule a piano tuner to come out,
$120.00. He inspects your piano only to discover that the tuning pins no longer hold the tension
of the strings. "I'm sorry Ma'am , this piano is un-tune-able without invest a thousand dollars to
rebuild it". However, the piano tuner feels sorry for you and only charges $60.00 for the
inspection. You then have to hire a mover again $150.00. Plus a dump fee, $60.00.
The cost of your free Piano?
$420.00 plus the headache, and you again have no piano.
I'm looking to buy a piano- any advice?
Our prices for 2008
Tuning................$120
Pitch Raise.........$60
Inspection..........$60
"Music expresses
what cannot be put
into words and yet
cannot remain silent".
-Victor Hugo
what cannot be put
into words and yet
cannot remain silent".
-Victor Hugo
"Playing the piano
(harpsichord) is easy,
you just put your
fingers on the right
keys at the right time
and it plays itself."
-J.S Bach
(harpsichord) is easy,
you just put your
fingers on the right
keys at the right time
and it plays itself."
-J.S Bach
Seattle (206) 405-1993 Bellevue (425) 646-1033
!!!Please believe me,there's no such thing as a free piano!!!
"Prices are adjusted for remote areas".
The North Pole
