If you own an acoustic piano, it’s crucial to get it tuned frequently by a professional to ensure it lives a long, happy, musical life. Different types of pianos require different levels of attention. Read below to find out how often you should have your piano tuned. Let’s get piano savvy.
Tuning Different Types of Pianos
Uprights
Upright pianos should typically be tuned about once a year. Uprights are normally used in a home setting, where perfect tuning isn’t critical. Still, it’s good practice to tune an upright a couple times a year to ensure longevity.
Grands
Grand pianos should be tuned a minimum of twice a year. Grand pianos used in a concert setting may need more frequent tuning, especially if played on often. In a home setting, grand pianos can be tuned twice a year. But, the more you tune, the longer the piano will last.
Concert Grands
Typically, concert grand pianos that are used for performance should be tuned before every concert. If the concert grand is in a private setting, twice a year may be suitable, but it is good practice to tune a concert grand multiple times a year to keep it healthy and improve its longevity.
Other Factors to Consider
- Climate – If your piano is in a harsher-than-average climate and experiences extreme changes in temperature and/or humidity, it will require more frequent tunings.
- Usage – If your piano is used very frequently (several hours daily) for practice or performance, it may require more frequent tunings.
- Age & Condition – Older pianos (30 years or more) may not hold a tune as well as newer pianos, but it ultimately depends on how often it was tuned over its lifetime. Same applies for pianos in a less-than-good condition.
- Personal Preference – Some people, mostly advanced players or professionals, will notice the slightest imperfections in the tuning of a piano and may want more frequent tunings. In fact, the more often a piano is tuned, the better it will ultimately hold a tune. There’s no such thing as over tuning. Though, unless you’re a piano tuner, it can be quite expensive to tune as often as you may want.
How Much Does Piano Tuning Cost?
On average, you can expect to pay between $100 and $200 for a standard piano tuning. However, prices can vary widely depending on the factors outlined below. In some cases, you may be able to find a tuner who charges less than this, while in other cases you may need to pay more. It’s always a good idea to get a quote from a few different piano tuners in your area to get an idea of what the going rate is and to find a tuner who fits your budget and needs. When it comes to the cost of piano tuning, there are several factors to consider. Some of the main factors that can influence the cost of tuning a piano include:
Location
The cost of piano tuning can vary depending on where you live. In general, larger cities and more densely populated areas tend to have higher prices for piano tuning than smaller towns and rural areas.
Condition of the piano
If your piano is in poor condition or hasn’t been tuned in a long time, it may require more work to bring it back to its optimal tuning. This can result in a higher cost for the tuning service.
Tuner’s experience
Experienced piano tuners typically charge more for their services than those who are just starting out. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a more experienced tuner may be able to do a better job and get your piano sounding just right.
Frequency of tuning
Pianos should ideally be tuned at least once a year, but some people prefer to have their pianos tuned more frequently. If you opt for more frequent tunings, you can expect to pay more overall for piano tuning services.
Type of piano
The type of piano you have can also affect the cost of tuning. Grand pianos are typically more expensive to tune than upright pianos, for example.
How to Find a Qualified Piano Tuner?
When it comes to finding a qualified piano tuner, there are several things you can do to ensure you find a reputable professional who can get your piano sounding its best. Here are some tips:
- Ask for recommendations: One of the best ways to find a good piano tuner is to ask for recommendations from friends, family members, or music teachers. If someone you know has had a positive experience with a particular piano tuner, they may be able to provide you with the contact information for that person.
- Check online reviews: If you don’t have any personal recommendations, you can also check online reviews of piano tuners in your area. Websites like Yelp and Google Reviews can provide you with insights into the experiences other customers have had with particular piano tuners.
- Look for certification: In some countries, there are certification programs for piano tuners. If you’re in the US, for example, you can look for a member of the Piano Technicians Guild, which is a professional organization that offers certification programs for piano technicians. In the UK, you can look for a member of the Association of Blind Piano Tuners, which is a similar organization.
- Ask about experience: When you contact a piano tuner, ask about their experience and training. A good piano tuner should be able to provide you with information about their qualifications, training, and experience.
- Request references: If you’re still unsure about a particular piano tuner, you can always ask for references. A reputable piano tuner should be able to provide you with the contact information for past clients who can speak to their skills and professionalism.
- Get multiple quotes: Finally, it’s always a good idea to get multiple quotes from different piano tuners before making a decision. This can give you a sense of the going rate for piano tuning in your area, and it can help you find a tuner who fits your budget and needs.
Below are links to two great websites to find piano tuners/technicians in your area.
To Sum Up
To sum things up, having your piano tuned frequently is crucial to maintaining its health and longevity. Pianos are made to last generations, but their life can be short if not taken care of properly.