FAQ

A.

For most home pianos a typical recommendation is every six months. It is certainly possible to extend that time frame as long as the piano is very stable. There are many factors to consider when deciding upon the frequency of tuning; among them are humidity, climate changes and the regularity of use. Brand new pianos require more consistent tunings as the strings become stable, and some players have a sensitivity that may warrant additional tunings.

A.

If a piano has settled into a lower pitch due to infrequent tuning, it cannot be tuned in the same manner as a piano that received regular service. The string tension must first be restored with a process called “pitch raise” tuning. This process increases the risk of string breakage, and the subsequent fine tuning may not be as stable following such a large adjustment.

A.

Yes. The piano is a complex machine with thousands of moving parts, many of which will wear down, change shape and lose adjustment. If you only tune the piano but pay no attention to its other service requirements chances are it will begin to develop issues that make it harder to play and less pleasing to listen to. Over time these minor annoyances can develop into serious problems.

A.

Yes! By installing a humidity control system known as a Piano Life Saver or Dampp-Chaser you can maintain your piano’s soundboard at an ideal 45% relative humidity. This will keep the piano sounding better between tunings, help keep the action or touch response consistent and prolong the life span of the piano. Changes in weather and humidity cause the piano’s wood to expand and contract seasonally which not only throws the piano out of tune, but weakens the wood’s cellular structure eventually causing serious damage. Many people assume a room humidifier will be a better solution, but room humidifiers can cost more to purchase and operate and achieve inferior results in most cases. The Piano Life Saver is both practical and effective because it only needs to regulate the small “micro-climate” of air immediately surrounding the piano’s soundboard.

A.

Keep the piano out of direct sunlight to avoid damaging UV rays.

Keep beverages away from the piano at all times.

If pianos have exposure to excessive humidity they can become difficult or even impossible to play. Action parts can absorb moisture causing the keys to stick or become sluggish.

If possible, keep pianos away from fireplaces and heating/cooling ducts. Excessive dryness causes tuning pins to become loose, the keys to rattle, wooden parts can shrink and glue joints can crack and break.

Keep the lid closed on a grand piano when not in use. If you must leave the lid open consider a felt string cover for protection.

A.

The first thing to do is educate yourself! The more you know about pianos, the more proficient you’ll be when it comes to choosing the right piano dealer, the best piano and a skilled technician who provides competent service as well as understanding your needs as the piano’s owner. I recommend that you start by reading The Piano Book, by Larry Fine, then visiting his website.

If considering a used piano, I cannot stress enough the importance of having the instrument professionally evaluated prior to committing. Even a free piano costs money to move into your home and many make the pricey mistake of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to bring the bargain piano back into decent working condition once disappointing problems are found.