Many homes enjoy the beauty of a piano. Often a family inherits a piano from a family member, or purchases a used one. Even a lucky few purchase a brand new piano to beautify their homes and for their children to learn to play. What many do not know is that a piano needs to be tuned and serviced every 6 months…even when it’s not being played. Why? Below are a list of reasons that will explain the importance of regular tuning and service.
1. The minute your piano is tuned, it’s already going out of tune! Actually, your piano is going out of tune as it’s tuned. The piano has over 30 working parts per key, so it is a very complex instrument. The strings are under tons of tension and the slightest change in the tuning pins or tension in the strings causes the piano to go out of tune. The 6 month mark is generally when the average ear begins to hear these changes in pitch. The longer you go between tunings, the harder it becomes to fine tune the piano for the most beautiful sound. This is especially important for homes where a student is learning to play. A child is not only learning to play the piano, but they are developing a musical ear and learning the feel of the piano. Correct dynamics can only be achieved with a piano that has been regulated correctly and a good musical ear can only be developed on an instrument that has good tone quality and correct pitch.
2. Weather and Humidity. The wood and strings flex and warp over time. This is accentuated by humidity. If you live in a warm climate or your piano is located in a humid place, it will greatly affect the sound of the instrument.
3. The piano’s value. Bottom line, the longer you go without service, the less your piano is worth. It needs more work to get it back to functioning condition and along the way, mold and dust build, the tuning pins rust and become difficult to stay put and your instrument may no longer hold pitch.
4. Because it’s important. A piano is a beautiful and complex instrument. It’s in your home. Take care of it! It shouldn’t cost a fortune to maintain it, so do your homework before you a hire a technician. Find someone reasonable, who knows what they’re doing. If you live in the Madison-Sun Prairie area- hire me! 🙂
Piano Gal Tuning & Repair 