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How often should my piano be tuned? (Click here)
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The approximate 220 strings on your piano exert about 40,000 pounds of tension on the plate
and frame, and about 600 pounds of down bearing on the bridges and soundboard. Seasonal
changes in the humidity and temperature, as well as the normal, continual decrease of static tension, causes all pianos to
go out of tune.
Depending on where you live, the degree of humidity and temperature change from season to season, how much the piano
is played, and the quality and condition of your piano, your piano could need tuning two to four times yearly.
During each service call our technician will check and tighten the pin block bolts as needed (and rim bolts in grands),
check and tighten the bench bolts, and inspect your piano for repairs and adjustments that
might be needed or recommended.
Common issues associated with tuning
Pitch raising
(Coarse tuning)
When a piano has not been tuned according
to the manufacturer's specifications, additional tuning may be necessary to bring it into tune. This is the most
common thing a piano tuner encounters in the field.
Through "Tension Analysis" (see below)
we are now able to measure whether or not your piano needs this extra procedure.
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Clicking the link above will take you to information regarding computerized diagnostics of the piano.
Humidity control can be one of the most important issues in keeping your piano free from damage over time.
It is concerned with a stable moisture content in the piano that affects both wood and metal.
Wood will change dimesions with it's moisture content and will swell in high humidity and shrink in low
humidity. The different type of woods used in the manufacture of pianos need a humidity of around 42% to produce a stable
wood moisture content (WMC) of 8% to 12%. This is a WMC that is ideal for what jobs each wooden part is designed for.
What many don't realize is that it is called "Relative Humidity" because it is related to temperature. A
change of 15 degrees F can either double your relative humidity or cut it in half.
I like to see evidence of the need for a system before I recommend one. Each time I tune a piano, I record
the temperature and humidity. This way I have a history and can use these readings to help make a decision. By rule of thumb,
I start leaning towards a system when I see a change in humidity of 10%. By 20%, everybody knows there is a problem.
In the Portland area I have measured humidity as low as 23% (where the glue joints on piano parts are breaking
from the shrinkage) and 78% (the piano is stuck and nothing moves).
You may have already invested thousands of dollars in a fine piano, a humidity control system costs
very little in comparison, why not protect it?
Considering the damage that can occur to your piano from humidity changes, a humidity control system
can be the best insurance policy for your piano.
"A piano functions best under fairly consistent conditions which are neither too wet or dry, optimally at
a temperature of 68 degrees F and 42 percent relative humidity. "
Changes in temperature will affect the metal parts in your piano. The strings and cast iron plate can
change enough to make the piano go wildly out of tune. Heater vents, air condioning, placement of the piano in your home and
direct sunlight can murder the best tuning a technician can give.
Electronic tuning devices (ETDs) can even measure changes in pitch from just touching a string with your
finger. Your body heat is higher than the ambient air temperature in the room and makes the string expand or elongate making
the pitch lower. This is a small change and when the temperature of the string returns to room temperature after a couple
of minutes, it will return to the original pitch.
During tuning, tension is equalized along each segment in a string. These segments have different purposes,
and are separated by friction points where the string makes a turn. The friction points are important in that they are responsible
for keeping the piano in tune. When large changes in temperature occur, the stings and plate change enough for the friction
points to shift, causing the piano to go out of tune. It is then necessary to re-tune the piano.
When temperature control cannot be achieved, such as during the winter in a church where it is heated once
a week for services, I recommend that the piano be tuned at service temperature (the temerature it is during the church service).
This enables the dimensions of the metal to be similar and the pitch to be closer to when it was tuned.
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Voicing
Voicing is also called “tone regulating”, and is really the final part of regulating the piano. Although it involves many aspects, voicing includes adjusting the piano’s hammers to achieve a full,
smooth and pleasing tone in the piano.
Phone: 503-381-8289
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