Piano tuning
Professional and friendly piano tuning
A piano should ideally be tuned every six months, depending on how much it is played, with tuning needed more often if it is played more regularly. If you have a new piano or you have moved it’s location, it is important you have your piano assessed and tuned to make sure you get the very best out of it. A host of thigs can affect your piano from the humidity and temperature of its setting to the length of time it has been since it was last played.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns or questions, I will always give the best advice possible.
Piano tuning
If your piano sounds out of tune or a bit flat, you can rely on me to help you get the very best out of your piano.
Before long, you will be tickling those ivories again.
I work with a great range of clients across the area.
- Private customers
- Independent piano teachers
- Schools
- Colleges
- Universities
- Concert halls
- Hotels
If you have a piano, I can help you.
Discounts available for two or more pianos.
A range of clients
Piano repairs
Based in Liverpool, I also provide professional piano repairs across Wirral, Chester, Warrington, Southport, Ormskirk and St. Helens, Isle Of Man and North Wales.
With years of experience in the industry and working with a vast range of clients from concert halls and educational establishments to the [piano in your home, you can rely on me.
FAQs
What causes a piano to go out of tune?
There are numerous reasons that makes a piano go out of tune:
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Changes in temperature and humidity levels. As a piano is largely constructed from wood and metal, these can expand and contract in relation to changes in heat and humidity. Even minute changes affect the tuning stability.
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Heavy or frequent use of the piano will gradually knock the piano strings out of tune
Can my piano be tuned to concert pitch A440? If it can't be, why not? Is it important?
If the piano strings are in good condition, the piano is almost certainly able to be tuned to concert pitch (A440).However if the pitch level is quite a way below A440,sometimes it cannot be tuned up to concert pitch. For example the strings might be rusty or very old and they would not be able to withstand the additional tension. In such a case the piano may be tuned “to itself” at a lower pitch. This is perfectly acceptable if the customer is happy to play the piano at a lower pitch.
How often should a piano be tuned?
The frequency of piano tuning depends on how much use it gets, what temperature changes it has to withstand and the overall condition of the strings, tuning pins etc. Ideally it is recommended to get a piano tuned every 6 or 12 months, sometimes even more frequently if it gets played a lot.
How much is the cost of piano tuning??
The price for a local piano tuning is currently £55 (2021). This can increase slightly if taking into consideration: travel time, bridge/tunnel tolls, distance. If the piano is a way below concert pitch and is able to be tuned up, then it requires a “pitch raise” and the price would be £95 because of the extra time/labour involved.
What's the best positioning for the piano in the home?
The ideal position for the piano in the house is on an inside wall, away from direct sunlight and central heating because exposure to too much heat will make the piano go out of tune quickly and potentially damage the piano.
How do I best look after my piano?
Have the piano in a good position in the house, get it tuned regularly, don’t place drinks or liquids on top of the piano as any spillages could damage the casework, keys hammers or strings etc. Occasionally you can give the keys a wipe over with a slightly damp cloth and then dry off with a dry cloth.
Can wheels be fitted to an upright piano?
If your piano has broken or missing castors, they can be replaced with a new set. Some pianos are not designed to be able to have castors fitted because it might make the piano unstable and unsafe.
What causes sticking keys?
Dampness in the air can cause the felt key bushings to swell and become too tight to move freely. Sometimes debris can fall between the keys causing them to stick.
What causes a sticking "action"?
If the atmosphere if too damp or humid it can penetrate the felt bushings of the hammers and other moving components of the action and causes it to stick. Also things can eventually wear away like bridle straps, springs, bits of leather and they would need to be replaced.
Why do piano string break?
A piano string might break because it has become rusty or very old and has reached its lifespan of strecting.
Individual strings or full sets can be replaced.
Individual strings or full sets can be replaced.
Can the 'tone' of the hammers be changed?
Hammers that sound too harsh or bright can be “voiced” and made to sound a bit mellower using special toning needles.
