Frequently Asked Questions
Click the links below for full details
​


1. "I just got a new piano. Once it's in its new location, how long should I wait before I have it tuned?"

It's best to let a piano acclimatize to its new environment for at least a week or two before having it tuned.  This is because the moisture content of the wood within the piano will likely change because of the differences in humidity between its old location and its new home, and this in turn will cause changes in the pitch.

2. "Does moving a piano within the same room or from one room to another in the same house affect the tuning?"

Not usually, unless there are pronounced differences in the humidity within the room or between rooms.  As long as the piano can be moved smoothly the tuning shouldn't be affected.  Avoid jarring the piano over tiled flooring - the vibrations can affect the tuning stability.

3. "What can I do to help my piano stay better in tune?"

  1. ​Your best defence against de-tuning is to invest in a Dampp-Chaser humidity control system, a dedicated humidifier/de-humidifier assembly which is designed specifically to create a micro-climate within the piano itself.  High humidity changes between seasons affect the moisture content of the wood inside your piano, which in turn alters the pitch.  The Dampp-Chaser system maintains a consistent humidity level inside your piano year-round, which improves tuning stability and extends the life of the instrument.
  2. Try to keep the humidity levels in your home as consistent as possible; many newer furnaces have some form of humidity control built-in, and this goes a long way toward keeping your piano in good shape.
  3. If you have a humidifier in the same room as the piano, place it as far from the piano as possible to prevent any condensation from building up in or around the piano.
  4. Place your piano against an inside wall if at all possible; the temperature shifts will be less pronounced there.  Avoid the 3 major "danger zones":​
  • In front of a window;
  • Over or against a vent;
  • Against an outside wall.

4. "Does placing an open bowl of water on the inside of the piano help it to stay better in tune?"

No, and there is always the danger of the water spilling on the inside of the piano, and water can cause severe (and often irreparable or expensive) damage to the interior mechanics and strings (so be careful if you have any potted plants on the top lid!).  The presence of water close to copper and steel can also produce rust, particularly in the strings and tuning pins.

5. "How long can I expect a tuning to last?"

This depends on a number of factors: relative humidity, piano condition and placement, and time of year.  If your piano has been reasonably well-maintained and has held up well after servicing in the past, it should hold its pitch for at least a few weeks before some of the strings may start to "creep" out of tune.  How often (and how aggressively) a piano is played can also affect how quickly it will go out of tune.

6. "I just bought a used piano. Can you recommend any good movers?"

Dorcy's Piano Moving

Precision Piano Moving and Storage


7. "When / how often should I have my piano tuned?"

At least once a year is best, since humidity changes are what affect the tuning stability of a piano more than any other factor.  Unless your house or your piano has a dedicated humidity system, avoid having a tuning performed in the transition period between seasons; you may notice that your piano goes out of tune again very quickly because of humidity changes.  Some pianos will hold a tuning better than others, and may not need to be tuned as often.  Ultimately it is a matter of preference; if the sound that your piano is producing is making your skin crawl, it's time to have it tuned again.

8. "What's the best way to determine the value of my piano?"

A piano's value is as a musical instrument and not as a piece of furniture, which is why its worth doesn't increase with age.  A quick way to determine the relative value is to perform an Internet search for pianos of similar style and age.  A qualified piano technician or piano dealer can also help you to determine the approximate age, condition and resale value of a used piano.

9. "How much would it cost to have my piano rebuilt or refurbished?"

A new set of hammers costs about $800 to install; a new set of tuning pins and strings costs about $1500 to install.  The cost of those two services alone would buy a new entry-level piano, so if you're thinking of having major repair work done on your piano, be sure that you're willing to invest the time and money it will take to rebuild it.  The cost of a complete rebuild can run into five-figures and take weeks of work, which is often only worth the investment if the piano has significant sentimental value.

10. "I'm shopping for a used piano - what should I look for?"

Quality of sound, workmanship and overall condition are perhaps larger factors to consider than in looking for a particular brand.  Here are a few things that you can check when shopping for a good used piano:
  1. Open up the top lid on an upright or remove the music desk on a grand and have a look for rust around the tuning pins and the strings; this can often indicate that the piano has been exposed to extreme moisture conditions and may have internal water damage.  The piano will likely be difficult or impossible to tune without breaking strings.
  2. Check the hammers and look for deep string grooves (>2mm); if the hammers have been re-shaped previously and there are deep grooves, the piano will likely need to have a new set of hammers installed.
  3. Check the bridges - the wooden "rails" attached to the soundboard over which the strings cross towards the back or bottom of a piano.  If there are cracks in the bridges where the pins that hold the strings enter the wood, it's unlikely that the piano will stay in tune for very long, and bridge repairs can be very costly.
  4. How uniform is the pitch?  As you play up and down the piano do the pitches ascend and descend evenly, or do they sound like a random series of notes?  This will give you a rough idea of pitch stability, especially if the piano hasn't been tuned in a while.
A qualified piano dealer or piano technician can also provide a second opinion if you find a likely candidate.
UA-128188635-1