How often should I tune my piano?

All pianos need to be tuned at least once a year, ideally twice. Pianos that are used for teaching or high-level practice may need to be tuned more often than every six months, and those used for public performance should tuned before every performance. In theory, every piano is less in tune today than it was yesterday, although some pianos will go out of tune faster than others.

Why do pianos go out of tune?

The pitch of each note on a piano is determined by the tension of the string. String tension is maintained by a range of factors in the piano’s structure, including the piano frame and soundboard. Anything which affects the position of these parts will therefore also affect the tension of the strings and cause them to go out of tune. Most commonly, seasonal changes in temperature and humidity are at the root of this (although hard playing can also cause a piano to go out of tune). This is why it’s important to tune your piano regularly: it’s easier than stopping the weather!

Can it harm my piano if I don’t keep it in tune?

While not keeping up a regular tuning schedule doesn’t usually present irreparable problems, it does mean extra work down the line. A piano’s natural tendency is to flatten over time. The longer a piano is left untuned, the more its string tension relaxes. After a while, it can take several consecutive tunings to restore the piano to standard pitch and stability, and if left long enough, a piano may not be able to be brought back to pitch without risk of damage. A piano that is regularly tuned will hold its tune more dependably than a piano that is not.

What is a pitch raise?

A pitch raise involves raising the pitch of a piano which is drastically out of tune. To bring a piano back to standard pitch, the tension has to be increased on its 200-odd strings on a first pass. Given the dramatic increase in tension, the piano will not hold this tuning for long. After this initial pitch raise, a more accurate tuning can be carried out (although the piano may need further tunings in the next 1-6 months to rebuild its stability).

Some pianos, especially those built before the 1920s, may not be able to be brought to standard pitch (this means they can’t be played with recorded music or used to accompany other instruments tuned at concert pitch).

What is the best location for my home piano?

Pianos are sensitive to atmospheric changes, so the best place to position a piano in the home is where it will be least affected by changes in temperature and humidity. It’s best to keep the piano away from direct heating, steam from the kitchen, or damp from an open window. Internal walls tend to be stable areas in a home. Make sure to keep your piano away from damp garages and basements, as prolonged exposure to wet environments will harm a piano.