Piano Services

Sound occurs when air is set into motion rapidly. Humans can hear sound if those cycles occur anywhere from twenty times each second to about twenty thousand times each second.

When a piano string is set into motion by you pressing a key, it vibrates up and down repeatedly. If the note A above middle C is properly tuned, that string will vibrate 440 times in one second. That’s what A-440 means.

Every note on a piano is tuned using A-440 as the starting point. A-440 has been accepted as the universal standard for most of the century.

Before that, there was no standard at all. If you go way back in time, every village used a prominent local instrument, such as a church organ, as the standard for tuning its musical instruments.

Piano strings change pitch for two primary reasons: the initial stretching and settling of strings when the piano is new, and soundboard movement due to humidity variation.

When the soundboard reacts to changes in humidity, strings tighten and loosen as the soundboard reacts to the climate. Sometimes the pitch will rise above the standard A-440, but usually it will drop.

This means that each string needs to be tightened considerably to bring it to pitch. But as each string is tightened, it causes the pitch of previously adjusted strings to change as tension increases. A special technique called "pitch raising" can then be done to raise the strings to their correct tension levels. A pitch raise is essentially a special tuning procedure designed to leave the piano approximately in tune.

The next step is to do a more accurate tuning. Sometimes that can occur in the same visit. Other times, it might require a second or even a third visit. In general, the longer a piano has gone without regular service and the greater the change in humidity levels, the more visits may be required.

Your piano is a major investment which deserves regular servicing to keep it working well and preserve its value. By always maintaining your piano at standard pitch, you create long-term tuning stability because the strings and structure stay in equilibrium. You also ensure proper ear training because you always hear your music in the correct key.

Most piano manufacturers recommend having a piano tuned at least 2–4 times a year, depending on its age, how often it is played and the environment in which it is kept.

Here’s a quick guide to help:

1. New Pianos: These should be tuned every 3–6 months during the first year. As the strings and components settle, more frequent tuning ensures stability.

2. Regular Use: For most pianos in stable environments, tuning twice a year is ideal. This helps cater to seasonal changes in humidity and temperature which can affect string tension, making regular maintenance essential.

3. Concert or Studio Use: Pianos used in performances or recordings should be tuned before every session to deliver the most precise and reliable sound.

If your piano has not been seen to for a number of years it is more likely that it will require a slightly longer appointment. I would recommend booking a corrective tuning with service.

You can tell if your piano needs a service by noticing a few key signs. If the piano sounds out of tune, has sticking or sluggish keys, squeaky pedals, or notes that continue to ring after being played, it’s likely time for maintenance. Changes in tone, such as a harsh or overly bright sound, can also indicate the need for voicing or regulation. Regular servicing keeps the piano in good condition, so if it’s been 2 years or more since the last check-up, it’s worth scheduling a service to ensure everything is working smoothly.

If you are still unsure please feel free to get in touch and I will be happy to assist.

• Standard Tuning:
  Standard tuning refers to adjusting the piano to the internationally accepted pitch standard, where the note A above middle C (A4) is tuned to 440 Hz. This ensures the piano is in line with the correct pitch for most musical instruments and recordings, providing consistency when playing with others or alongside recordings.

• Fine Tuning:
  Fine tuning is the process of making precise adjustments to the tension of each string after an initial tuning or pitch correction. It involves small, exact changes to each note to ensure the piano sounds perfectly in tune across all registers. This is typically done after the piano has been brought close to the desired pitch to fine-tune the accuracy.