Metro Music Makers encourages all of it’s piano students to have their pianos tuned regularly. We have partnered with local piano technicians to provide that service. If you are interested in having your piano tuned, please email Metro Music Makers at: info@metromusicmakers.com or call us at 678-637-7293. Piano Tuning FAQ:

What is Piano Tuning?

Piano tuning is the adjustment of the strings inside of the piano. Piano strings are under extreme pressure and over time the pressure can loosen and cause a piano to be out of tune. Tuning stretches the strings to their ideal pressure and pitch to allow for the best possible sound from a piano.

How often should a piano be tuned?

Twice a year, or every six months, is the best interval of time to go between tunings. Changes in temperature and humidity causes pianos to go out of tune. Having your piano tuned every six months will correct any changes in pitch made by the changing seasons.

What causes a piano to go out of tune?

The two largest contributors to detuning pianos are tempeture changes, and changes in humidity. Also the placement of the piano in your home will be a factor in your piano going out of tune. Try to avoid having the piano anywhere near a window with direct sunlight, heating and cooling vents, and exterior walls. Pianos are made mostly of wood and even the slightest change in temperture can cause the wood to expand or contract. These small changes can drastically change the stress and pressure on the strings causing the piano to go out of tune much faster than usual.

What is pitch correction?

If the piano has not been tuned for over a year or more you may need a pitch correction. Having too large of an interval of time in between tunings can cause the piano to become flat, or very under pitch. When the strings of the piano have fallen under pitch it may take two to three tunings to stablize the pitch and pressure of the strings.

What happens when notes will not play?

This could be a number of different problems. There are over 12,000 parts to any given piano. If any of these parts are either broken or out of alignment, the piano will not play properly. Some repairs can be very minor, as in a loose screw of spring out of place, and some repairs can be quite large, as in broken action parts, broken keys, or missing strings. Only after an inspection can a diagnosis be given.

Why do pianos need to stay in tune?

Pianos are made to perform their best when they are maintained regularly and the pitch is set and held at A440. Pianos that are out of tune or have keys that don’t work can be very discouraging to a student of any level. It is difficult to be inspired to practice when a piano does not respond to touch or sound pleasing to the ear. This is very important to beginner students where as this may be their first impression of a piano. If the piano does not play easily or sound good to them, they may not be as interested in continuing to play the instrument.

What is regulation?

All of the working parts inside of the piano are called the Action. This is a sophisticated assembly of wood, felt, cloth, springs and metal that when a key is pressed a sound is produced. Over time the felt, cloth, and metal can deteriate and cause the keys to not play a given note. A regulation is the repair made to all of the action parts to have the piano perform at it’s best with a very responsive touch. A regulation is a major repair and should be done every 5 to 7 years or as needed.

What do I do when the piano is being tuned?

Clear any books, pictures, lamps, or any other objects off of the piano. A tuner will need to open the piano to reach the strings. Have an area that the Tuner can work in and set the pieces of the piano on the floor while tuning. Typically the music desk will need to taken off of the piano as to acess the strings. Try to not vacuum or have a t.v. or music playing in the house while the tuner is working. Tuners have to listen very carefully to the notes of the piano and other sounds or noises can be very distracting. You are very welcome to watch the tuning procedure and ask questions. Pianos are usually closed during practicing and it is very interesting to see the inside of the piano and how it works.

How long does it take to tune a piano?

Most pianos can be tuned in under two hours. Pitch corrections can take up to three or even four hours. Regulations can take anywhere from eight to ten hours.