FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you have perfect pitch?
I have a pitch sense that is much better than normal, but it’s not infallible. Some writers on “perfect pitch” or “absolute pitch” say that’s impossible and either you have it or you don’t. My experience suggests otherwise. Some very interesting research is now in progress in California on the subject of perfect or absolute pitch – but I am not part of the study!
What got you interested in this business?
As a violinist with excellent pitch, I was fascinated as a child by the inherent “out-of-tuneness” of the piano (resulting from compromises between our musical system and mathematical ideals). String players can flavor and correct their pitch at will, but pianists must depend on someone else and they’re stuck with whatever state the piano is in. I was also attracted by the option of running my own business and working directly with musicians and music-lovers. The challenge of diagnosing and correcting things that are broken or malfunctioning (the piano has over 10,000 parts) appeals to my Inner Handywoman.
How often should I have my piano tuned?
For most people, the short answer is, “more often than you have been!” To be specific, once per year is a basic minimum and an easy rule to follow. Many factors affect how often a given piano will need to be tuned: age, brand and model, climate, type and frequency of use, and discrimination of the player. Don’t wait until it sounds bad to you.
When is the best season to have it tuned?
Traditionally (before Climate Control), pianos were often tuned in the Fall and again in the Spring. Changes in temperature are unimportant compared with the accompanying changes in relative humidity (RH), which can affect tuning drastically. Installation of a Climate Control System protects your piano year-round from these types of extremes and usually reduces the need for very frequent tuning. If you tune once per year, it’s best to keep the service in the same month each year.
Do I need to have the piano tuned after it’s moved?
Yes. However, the change in tuning produced by a move is often not as great as that produced by seasonal shifts in relative humidity. It just captures your imagination more.
Our piano is hardly ever used. Why should we keep it tuned?
The piano strings exert 20 tons (40,000 lbs.) of pressure on the cast iron plate. Seasonal swelling and shrinking of the piano, plus a small amount of string stretching, cause it to go flat over time even if it’s not being played. Because string tension is so great, a small change in pitch is a very big deal on a piano. Large changes cannot be accomplished all at once or with any stability (see “pitch raising.) Regular tuning simply costs less than trying to make up for neglect. In addition, if a technician does not see your piano, she/he cannot notice any repair situation that may be developing. Regular service maintains the value of your instrument.
Why does “pitch raising” cost more than a regular tuning?
It’s difficult, physically and mentally, and it takes much longer than regular tuning (roughly twice as long). Large changes in string tensions in one portion of the piano cause unpredictable fluctuations throughout other sections.
Why not just tune to the lower pitch?
Three reasons:
1.
Your child will receive incorrect ear training, because your piano sounds so different from the teacher's piano.
2. You will not be able to play other instruments along with your piano.
3.
The piano is designed to sound best at standard pitch.
Is it bad to put the piano on an outside wall?
This prohibition dates from a time when homes were not very well insulated and the outside wall might produce wide swings in temperature and relative humidity, making the piano unstable. However, modern homes are well insulated and this is not much of a concern. It’s more important to avoid room elements such as leaky windows or doors, direct sunlight, radiators, fireplaces, fans, air conditioners, and air return vents (both hot and cold). For a piano in a challenging environment, installation of a Climate Control System is an excellent way to achieve more stability.
Why does my child need a real piano for his/her lessons, instead of a digital keyboard?
A real piano has several benefits: the weight and resistance of the action (keys, hammers, and parts in between) strengthens and trains the fingers of the pianist, and the acoustical vibration of the instrument conveys energy back to the player. Plus the piano looks better in your living room! Even if the digital keyboard has a full set of 88 keys, it cannot match these benefits, especially for an intermediate or advanced player. Digital instruments have come a long way and definitely have their appropriate uses. But they will never substitute for “the real thing.”
What is that little computer I see some piano tuners using while they tune?
A large number of piano tuners now make use of electronic (visual display) tuning aids such as Sanderson Accu-Tuner, Reyburn Cyber-Tuner, or TuneLab, in addition to strictly aural systems of listening. Experiments by the Piano Technicians Guild have shown that each method produces comparable results when used by a competent professional. Use of pitch references or tuning aids designed for instruments other than pianos does not lead to a successful tuning.
What's the difference between a piano tuner and a piano technician?
"Piano technician" is a more modern way of referring to a professional who services your piano. The term recognizes that many services other than tuning are necessary to maintain the instrument properly. Be sure to ask your prospective tuner or technician whether she/he offers services like repairs and voicing in addition to tuning.
How could I learn more about becoming a Piano Technician?
There are many methods of study and lots of opportunity. It takes time and a lot of hands-on experience to become good. Please visit www.ptg.org, the website of the Piano Technicians Guild, for more information.