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PIANO REPAIR TUNING AND RESTORATION

keyboard

BEFORE AND AFTER

TUNING

 

PIANO TUNING  may sound like a very simple task, but in reality it is quite a feat. Each piano has approximately 230 strings with about 200 lbs of tension on each string. Each string is wrapped around a pin which can be turned to tighten or loosen the individual string. It is understandable from common knowledge that tighter the string, higher the note! There is no fixed way to tune a particular piano.

 

In fact, the best possible frequency of one piano will most definitely be different from another piano. So piano tuning is more dependent on the trained ears of a musician than a to-do book which teaches you how to tune a piano. It always pays off to remember that no two pianos can ever have the same solution to attaining their best possible sounds.

How often does a piano require tuning?

Some people say their pianos require tuning once in 6 months, while others say they need to fix theirs about once a year. In reality, there is no fixed time duration to tune a piano. It depends on the trained ears to determine when a piano needs to be tuned.

 

For example, in case of professional performances and recordings it is not uncommon for a piano tuning to be done almost twice in a busy week. Piano manufacturers recommend tuning a piano every 3 to 4 months. The close frequency of tunings on a new piano helps stabilize the strings. Once the strings stabilize pianos can do with tuning every year.

 

Humidity fluctuations is the number one cause of changes in piano tuning. When the soundboard, pinblock and bridge are in a moist environment, the wood cells absorb the moisture and swell up, and as they expand they pull the strings tighter, causing the piano to go sharp. Moving always knocks a piano out of tune.

 

Tuning pianos that are prized by their owners are tuned regularly, usually once every six months for domestic pianos, and always just before a performance in concert halls.

How long does it take to tune a piano ?

If a piano is tuned on a regular basis it will take approximately 1-1.25 hrs...neglected pianos can take more time and may incur extra cost. Especially if any keys are not functioning properly.

Richard the “Piano Guy”

905-325-6949

905-325-6049

pianoguy52@hotmail.com

piano tune card
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