Piano Tuning
Keeping your piano in tune is crucial when it comes to producing a perfect sound. At Pianos in Tune, we provide professional piano tuning for pianos in homes, churches and schools.
Have questions about your piano and how we can service your instrument? Contact us today!
Pitch Correction
We may find that your piano requires a pitch correction, in addition to a Standard Tuning. A Pitch Correction involves tuning your piano twice in one visit. This procedure is usually required when it has been determined that a piano is more than 10% (cents) sharp or flat from standard pitch. The first tuning serves to get all the strings close to standard pitch allowing room for settling during the process. The second tuning is then a fine Standard Tuning, honing all the strings in to standard pitch as closely as possible.
If we determine that your piano is more than 10% (cents) flat or sharp from standard pitch, but for some reason (age of piano, rusty strings or tuning pins, or personal budget) you prefer not to have a Pitch Correction performed, then it is possible to “tune your piano to itself” in a single tuning so that the piano sounds better (not perfect) and is in relative tune at a general pitch other than standard.
In most cases when a piano has not been tuned in a very long time (more than 5 years) and there rusty or old strings and tuning pins involved, we recommend that the piano be tuned to itself and not to attempt to bring it up to standard pitch by performing a Pitch Correction. The reason for this being that there is a greater chance of string breakage when attempting to pull up to standard old or rusty strings that have not had the advantage of regular tuning which keeps the strings close to standard pitch.
Piano Voicing
Piano voicing refers to achieving the desired tone pallette for your particular piano and for each note in relation to the others. Signs that your piano may be ready for piano voicing include: a metallic, harsh, ‘zingy’ tone as part of the note you hear, a quick decrease in volume when a note is sustained, and uneven volume or tone quality from one note to the next.
Piano Regulation
In addition keeping your piano in tune, it is helpful to know that the interior action of an acoustic piano is made up of a complex combination of potentially 9,000 to 14,000 moving parts that must be kept within specific parameters in order to produce the best “touch” or “feel” possible for your particular instrument. Having your piano regulated by an experienced Registered Piano Technician (RPT) will put your piano back to playing and sounding as close to “like new” as possible.
Repairs & Cleaning
The action of any piano is a very complicated mechanism made up of thousands of small metal, wood or felt parts – all of which are susceptible to deterioration as the piano ages. It is usually best to let a qualified piano technician assess and attempt to repair any issue that concerns the interior parts of your piano.
The inside of the piano should only be cleaned by a qualified piano technician as well. Some parts are just fine to be cleaned by piano owners: All of those parts are located on the outside of the piano!
To remove dust from the outside of your piano, use a soft cloth or lambswool duster. To clean your piano keys, you can use warm water and a small amount of dishwashing detergent on a damp rag. Be sure to wipe and not wash your piano keys – DO NOT LET ANY WATER OR LIQUID EVER GET DOWN IN BETWEEN THE KEYS OR INSIDE THE PIANO! Most piano cabinets can be cleaned in the same manner. However, you should stay away from sprays or polishes that are not specifically designed for piano cleaning.
Piano Buyers Assistance
Buying a piano is a lot like buying a car. If you’re not intimately familiar with what’s under the hood and how it should work and sound, you could end up sinking your money into a piano that cannot be tuned or has so many flaws that it cannot be cost effectively repaired.
To make an informed decision that invests your money wisely, call a Piano Technicians Guild, Registered Piano Technician (RPT). When you call or email Pianos in Tune, we’ll talk about what kind of space you have in your home, how you intend to enjoy your piano and what works for your budget. I can advise you what to look for in your initial research and then when you’re ready to make a purchase, we can set up an appointment for me to inspect the piano in person (via phone or email). You’ll feel a lot more confident in your piano purchase when guided by a Registered Piano Technician (RPT).