Piano Tuning 101: All your piano tuning questions answered
Piano Tuning: from a Teacher’s perspective
Piano tuning questions often come up when a piano is first purchased. I am always excited when a new student makes the investment of bringing home a piano. Most piano teachers will agree that an acoustic instrument is ideal to practice on. While electric and digital instruments are becoming more state-of-the-art, nothing can replace the feel, response, and touch of a well-tuned, well-maintained acoustic instrument.
In addition to the touch and feel of an acoustic instrument, the sound is an important consideration. As many hours (hopefully of enjoyment) will be spent at the piano, the student should make sure that what they are hearing is also accurate. Nothing is more disheartening than playing your piece on a piano that is woefully out of tune!
Since owning a piano is such a large investment, it is important to protect it. Consistent piano tuning is so important–not only for veterans, but especially for developing players!
Introducing Andy Adams, RPT…
I am lucky enough to live in the Ottawa Valley, the service area of Registered Piano Technician Andy Adams, a member of the Piano Technicians Guild. Andy has had decades of experience in performing and behind-the-scenes maintenance and servicing of pianos in the Ottawa Area. I trust him to look after my instrument at home. He is knowledgeable, quick, and is generous with that knowledge. He kindly agreed to answer a few interview questions. If you are interested in hiring Andy, or reading more about his work, you can check out his website here: https://pianotunerottawa.com/
Piano Tuning: The Instrument
Why is it important to have a well-tuned, well-maintained piano to play on?
Andy: A well maintained piano will provide MUCH more enjoyment. Not only is tuning important for the sound and harmony, a technician will adjust the capstans and let off buttons when needed to keep the piano operating in a predictable manner that feels good. Your ear will develop to hear the correct frequencies of the twelve notes used in western music. The feel of the piano is even more important, which is surprising considering pianos are all about sound and music. If your piano is not maintained, it is difficult to control. You will find obstacles to playing a simple legato melody of even volume. Trying to play subtle nuances of phrasing and complex dynamics becomes near impossible.
What makes a piano go out of tune?
Andy: The main factor in pianos becoming detuned is time. Changes in humidity throughout the year are responsible. As the humidity increases during the summer months, the soundboard will absorb water and actually increase in size. This swelling causes the bridge to be pushed further away from the tuning pins, increasing tension and thus forcing the pitch sharp or upwards. The winter months see the opposite with a falling or flattening of the pitch. The piano will usually flatten more than sharpen during the year and so pianos will fall a little further down in pitch from year to year.
What are some piano myths that you would like to address?
Andy: The myth of the danger of placing your piano on an outside wall was sound advice (pardon the pun) fifty years ago. When homes were not insulated as they are now, outside walls would be subjected to large temperature (and thus humidity) changes. Nowadays homes are insulated so well that it no longer matters which wall you choose to place your piano against. You can check by feeling the wall with your hand during a cold day. If the wall is noticeably colder than an inside wall, you may not want to place your piano there. Placing an open container of water inside the piano is another myth that should be avoided. It is meant to provide humidity to the piano during the winter months but it is more dangerous than effective.
What are some factors to think about when deciding where to put a piano in the home?
Andy: You want to choose a spot that is easily accessible. Playing music is scientifically proven to bring joy into your life, 7% more if I recall. If your instrument is clean, maintained, and easily accessed, you are much more likely to use it. Avoid direct sunlight, heat vents and cold air returns if possible. Avoid high humidity areas like the bathroom or kitchen (Yes, I have seen pianos in both). You also want to avoid frequently used doorways. In the winter especially, a blast of cold air from the outside is not friendly to your piano.
Piano Tuning: All About the Piano Tuner
What should I look for in a piano tuner?
Andy Adams: When choosing a technician to care for your piano, you want someone with a good work ethic above all. Piano tuning requires patience and attention to detail. Those who excel at it tend to be lifelong learners who are not too proud to admit they do not know it all. Some things to indicate a person has a good work ethic and pays attention to detail are: Is the technician in contact with you after the initial exchange? Are they on time? Do they double check your address and phone number with you prior to the appointment date? Does their website and promotional materials look clean and professional? All of these things demonstrate a person who is organized, cares about your time and pays attention to detail. I would also add that using a Registered Piano Technician should be a minimum.
What is the RPT designation and why is it important for my tuner to have it?
Andy: RPT stands for Registered Piano Technician and is the only accreditation currently available for professional piano tuners. The designation is earned after completing a series of three rigorous tests (one written, one performing practical repairs and one for piano tuning) administered by the Piano Technician’s Guild. The test on piano tuning generally takes 5 to 8 hours alone. These tests are usually attempted once someone has significant experience in the field. I had been tuning pianos for five years before I attempted them. They are difficult and there are many who are not able to gain a passing mark (which is 80%). The designation guarantees nothing other than, at one time, this person was skilled enough to succeed on these exams. The designation indicates, however, that this is a professional who is serious about his craft and willing to invest time and effort to better themselves.
Piano Tuning: The Appointment
What is the difference between tuning and regulation? If I book a tuning, will my tuner automatically do both?
Andy: Piano tuning involves adjusting the tuning pins to change the pitch or frequencies produced by the instrument. Regulation involves making the action “regular” or making each key operate and feel exactly like its neighbour. That means adjusting some of the five thousand moving parts inside the mechanism of the piano. The instrument is made of wood, felt, leather and steel (and sometimes plastic). Changes in humidity will affect all of these as well as wear and tear. A piano tuner will only perform regulation when asked. Regulation takes a long time as each adjustment needs to be performed on all 88 keys. There are over 400 screws to tighten, and they need to be seen to every five or ten years. Often a piano technician will offer piano tuning appointments that allow extra time to address regulation or cleaning. These appointments are longer and cost more.
How long is an average piano tuning session?
Andy: An average piano tuning appointment lasts sixty to ninety minutes.
How often does a piano need to be tuned?
Andy: Every major manufacturer recommends tuning your piano two to four times per year. Once per year is a bare bones minimum to keep your piano from deterioration.
Piano Tuning: All About Maintenance
What are some things I can do to keep my instrument maintained inside and out?
Andy: The most important thing you can do is to maintain as constant a humidity as you are able to throughout the year. In Canada, this will mean air conditioning in the summer and humidification during the winter. We suffer some of the most extreme humidity swings on the planet here in the Ottawa Valley. There are humidity control systems you can purchase that install directly into the piano – they cost about $500-600 installed, or you can use a room humidifier or dehumidifier or both. Keeping plants and other water sources off the piano is a good thing to do. You can keep your piano enticing by cleaning the keys with a damp microfibre cloth followed by a dry one.
Piano Tuning: Some Extra Advice
What are some basic things I should do if I am looking at a used piano? (Action, appearance, even tone, touch-weight, price?)
Andy: Your best option here is to hire a professional to look at a used piano. It is $90 well spent. Failing that, you want a piano that feels good to play, with even touch and the ability to control the sound. You also want a piano that sounds good. Do you hear musical sounds or noise when you play a key? Look for pianos that show parts well lined up, inside and out. Are the keys all perfectly even? Do the pedals look right? Open the lid and see if the inside parts look well aligned.
What kinds of questions do you wish people would tell/ask you when you first work on their piano?
Andy: The only question I need answered before working on an instrument is the level of use. Is the instrument played occasionally? Is there a student in the home playing the piano regularly? Are you teaching on this instrument? The answers to these questions will determine the performance needed from the piano.
A Final Word
Andy’s experience as a performer makes him ideally suited to knowing what a person is looking for in a service professional. It says a lot about his work ethic that he is interested in knowing what you use your piano for before he starts a tuning. Hopefully, when you bought the piano in the first place, you fell in love with the feel and the sound of the instrument. Keeping it tuned and maintained by a well-qualified professional will help you to sustain a lifetime enjoyment of your investment.Andy Adams, RPT can be found at https://pianotunerottawa.com/
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