Why is piano tuning necessary?
Since pianos are largely constructed from wood, they are humidity sensitive. Although we won’t go into the specific causes and effects here, suffice it to say that during the damp seasons, the wood swells and the piano’s pitch goes up. Conversely, during the dry seasons, the piano’s pitch goes down. Careful control of humidity in the home will minimize these fluctuations but not eliminate them entirely.
If we combine these fluctuations with the high string tension of the piano (typically several tons!), the pitch of the piano will “go flat.”
Why tune my piano to A-440?
If matching the pitch of other instruments is important, then tuning your piano to A-440 is key. Also, since the piano is designed to provide its optimum power and tonal range at the international standard pitch of A-440, you’ll want to keep your piano as close to this pitch as possible, year round.
How can regular tunings save time and money?
If you haven’t had your piano tuned regularly, it may require pitch raising or lowering. These processes take time and expense to correct. If the piano is neglected for a period of years, drastic pitch raises can cause string breakage.
What will it cost to tune my piano?
The cost of a standard tuning in our normal service area is $150, but see our home page for special offers. A standard tuning is recommended if the piano has received regular tunings and is in good repair. If the piano has not been tuned regularly, and is more than a quarter tone flat, a pitch raise (basically 2 tunings done back-to-back at a substantial discount) will be recommended. If your piano has repair issues, they may need to be addressed before tuning. Please call us with details on your particular case.