If you’ve just moved a piano—whether across the room or across the country—you might be wondering: Do I really need to have it tuned afterward? The short answer is yes, but there’s more to the story. In this guide, we’ll explain exactly why pianos need to be tuned after moving, what factors affect tuning stability, and what steps to take to get your piano sounding its best again.
Why Moving Affects Piano Tuning
Pianos are precision instruments made from thousands of parts, many of which are incredibly sensitive to changes in environment. When a piano is moved, even if done professionally and carefully, a few things are likely to impact its tuning:
- Humidity Changes: Wood and felt expand and contract with changes in humidity. Moving from one location to another (especially between climates or even different rooms) can throw off the tension of the strings.
- Temperature Fluctuations: Shifts in temperature affect the materials inside the piano—especially the soundboard, which acts like the heart of the piano’s resonance system. A slightly bowed or flattened soundboard will significantly affect the Pitch of each string.
- Physical Jostling: Even careful handling during a move introduces vibrations and small bumps that can slightly shift tuning pins, string tension, or Bridge alignment.
Should You Tune Your Piano Immediately After a Move?
Not right away.
Most piano technicians recommend waiting about 2 to 4 weeks after your piano has been moved before tuning it. Why? Because the piano needs time to acclimate to its new environment. Trying to tune it too soon may result in poor tuning stability and require a second tuning shortly after.
Exceptions:
- Concert Settings: If a grand piano is moved onto a stage for performance, it is typically tuned immediately afterward, regardless of environmental changes. This is expected and done by professionals.
- Digital Pianos: Digital or electric pianos do not need to be tuned at all. Their pitch is digitally fixed and unaffected by environmental conditions.
Do All Moves Require Tuning?
1. Moving Across the House
If the piano stays in the same home, especially on the same floor and in a climate-controlled area, tuning may not be urgently required. However, even small moves can affect string tension slightly, and tuning might still be beneficial—especially if it’s already been 6–12 months since the last one.
2. Moving to a New Home Nearby
Yes—especially if the home has different humidity levels, flooring, or sunlight exposure. Even local moves can create small shifts that result in noticeable tuning drift.
3. Moving Long Distance or Across Climate Zones
Absolutely. This is the most important type of move to follow up with tuning. A piano that leaves a dry, cool climate and arrives in a warm, humid one will experience changes in wood expansion, soundboard shape, and more.
What Happens Inside a Piano During a Move?
Understanding what’s happening behind the scenes can help you grasp why post-move tuning is essential:
- The Soundboard Moves: The soundboard, a large piece of spruce wood, flexes slightly in response to changes in moisture and temperature. This affects string tension.
- Tuning Pins Shift: Although pins are driven tightly into a pinblock, small shifts can occur during transport. A small shift can throw an entire note out of tune.
- String Tension Changes: A standard piano has around 230 strings under 40,000 pounds of combined tension. Even Scale or chord containing a minor third. Often associated with sadness, darkness, or tension.The Savvy Take:...">Minor physical disturbances can affect overall pitch balance.
How Often Should Pianos Be Tuned Generally?
Regardless of moving, most piano manufacturers recommend tuning at least twice a year. However, after a move, that next tuning becomes more important than ever.
If you’re a frequent player, a music educator, or a professional, consider more frequent tuning (every 3–4 months) to maintain pitch consistency.
Additional Tips:
- If you’re moving your piano into a space with high humidity, consider investing in a damp chaser or humidity control system.
- Use a hygrometer to monitor your piano room’s climate stability.
- Avoid placing the piano near radiators, windows, vents, or exterior walls, which can cause uneven expansion or contraction.
What Happens If You Don’t Tune It After a Move?
Leaving your piano out of tune after a move can have lasting consequences:
- Tuning Drift Worsens: Strings will continue to drift further out of tune, making future tunings more difficult and less stable.
- Unbalanced Sound: Some notes will go Sharp or Flat while others stay relatively stable, creating an uneven and unpleasant tone.
- Aural Fatigue: For musicians, playing an out-of-tune piano can be frustrating, unproductive, and uninspiring.
Over time, a piano that goes too long without tuning may require a pitch raise, which is a more involved process to bring it back up to standard pitch.
When Should I Schedule My First Tuning Post-Move?
A good rule of thumb is to:
- Wait 2 to 4 weeks after moving to allow the piano to adjust.
- Schedule your tuning with a qualified technician after that adjustment period.
- If your piano was due for a tuning before the move, go ahead and schedule one sooner—but expect a follow-up in a few months.
How to Find a Qualified Piano Tuner After a Move
If you’re not already working with a piano technician, here are a few tips to find one you can trust:
- Search for technicians affiliated with the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG).
- Read reviews or ask your moving company for referrals.
- Choose someone with years of experience tuning your specific piano type—upright, baby grand, or concert grand.
If you’re located near Nashville, we highly recommend Seale Keyworks—a full-service piano company offering expert tuning, regulation, Melody (top note)...">Voicing, restoration, and even climate control consultation.
Bonus Tip: Bundle Maintenance After a Move
Since your piano is already out of place or recently handled, consider bundling services:
- Tuning + voicing (to smooth harsh or uneven tone)
- Tuning + regulation (to optimize action response)
- Tuning + cleaning (especially if the piano was exposed to dust during the move)
Bundled maintenance ensures your piano not only sounds great but feels and looks like new again.
Final Thoughts
Yes, pianos need to be tuned after moving—but it’s not just about the move itself. It’s about giving your piano time to adjust and then bringing it back to its best. The soundboard, strings, pins, and bridges are all deeply affected by their environment, and even the gentlest move can impact their balance.
If your piano sounds a little off after a recent move, don’t panic. Just give it a few weeks to settle in, then schedule a professional tuning to get it back to sounding rich, full, and expressive.
A well-maintained piano doesn’t just sound better—it lasts longer, holds its value, and brings more joy to those who play it.
Whether you’re an occasional player or a concert pianist, the first tuning after a move is one of the most important you’ll ever schedule.
