As there seems to be a fair amount of confusion on this issue, please allow me to clarify. Piano tuning, by definition, is simply the process of bringing the strings up to standard pitch. That’s it! This, of course, assumes that the piano is tunable in the first place. Some pianos that have not received regular service (at least yearly), may need a second or third tuning over a period of time to hold proper pitch. Other pianos may never hold proper pitch due to slipping pins – or even a cracked plate.
How, then, to know what one is getting into by hiring a technician to tune their piano? A thorough inspection of the piano is the wisest choice, especially with regard to older pianos (50+ years old). It is a fraction of the cost of tuning – typically under $75 – and part of the fee is often credited towards the tuning if it is determined that it will be effective. Not only will the inspection reveal the condition of the strings, but it will uncover other issues that affect playability, such as non-working keys and pedals.