Chicago Piano Tuner FAQ
How long does it take to have a standard piano tuning?
It typically takes about 1.5 hours. However, could take 2 hours if your piano is in poor shape.
How often should I have my piano tuned?
Most pianos should be tuned at least once year. However, recording studios, concert halls, clubs, schools and fine pianists often will get their pianos tuned more frequently because the instrument is in constant use.
Why do pianos go out of tune?
Temperature and humidity are the main causes of pitch change. This is because the piano's main acoustical structure, the soundboard, is made of wood. While wooden soundboards produce a wonderful sound, they also react constantly to climate changes. As the relative humidity goes up, the soundboard swells, increasing its crowned shape and stretching the piano's strings to a higher pitch. Then during dry times the soundboard flattens out, lowering tension on the strings and causing the pitch to drop.
How is a piano tuned?
Although there are only 88 keys, a piano has over 200 strings - one per note in the low bass, two per note in the upper bass, and three per note in the treble. The average tension per string is approximately 160 lbs. The combined tension of the strings is 15 to 20 tons, or almost 30 tons in a concert grand piano. The strings gradually increase in thickness and length from treble to bass, and bass strings are also wrapped with copper. Most of the piano has 3 thick steel strings at high tension struck by a felt hammer. These are called ‘Trichords’. The Piano Tuner places a wedge between 2 of the 3 strings and tunes them one string at a time. The other 2 strings are then tuned to exactly the same pitch. These are called ‘Unisons’. The higher end of the bass has 2 copper wound strings tuned together in ‘Unison’ and the low bass has 1 thick copper wound string, a ‘Solo’ string. All of the strings are held at high tension by a 2 inch long tuning pin which has been hammered into a large laminated block of wood until the pins are very tight. The Piano Tuner turns these pins with a tuning crank, just like a guitarist turns the pin that the guitar strings are wound around, until it is in tune.
How do I look after my piano?
Have your piano tuned at least once a year and dust it regularly. It's that simple!
It typically takes about 1.5 hours. However, could take 2 hours if your piano is in poor shape.
How often should I have my piano tuned?
Most pianos should be tuned at least once year. However, recording studios, concert halls, clubs, schools and fine pianists often will get their pianos tuned more frequently because the instrument is in constant use.
Why do pianos go out of tune?
Temperature and humidity are the main causes of pitch change. This is because the piano's main acoustical structure, the soundboard, is made of wood. While wooden soundboards produce a wonderful sound, they also react constantly to climate changes. As the relative humidity goes up, the soundboard swells, increasing its crowned shape and stretching the piano's strings to a higher pitch. Then during dry times the soundboard flattens out, lowering tension on the strings and causing the pitch to drop.
How is a piano tuned?
Although there are only 88 keys, a piano has over 200 strings - one per note in the low bass, two per note in the upper bass, and three per note in the treble. The average tension per string is approximately 160 lbs. The combined tension of the strings is 15 to 20 tons, or almost 30 tons in a concert grand piano. The strings gradually increase in thickness and length from treble to bass, and bass strings are also wrapped with copper. Most of the piano has 3 thick steel strings at high tension struck by a felt hammer. These are called ‘Trichords’. The Piano Tuner places a wedge between 2 of the 3 strings and tunes them one string at a time. The other 2 strings are then tuned to exactly the same pitch. These are called ‘Unisons’. The higher end of the bass has 2 copper wound strings tuned together in ‘Unison’ and the low bass has 1 thick copper wound string, a ‘Solo’ string. All of the strings are held at high tension by a 2 inch long tuning pin which has been hammered into a large laminated block of wood until the pins are very tight. The Piano Tuner turns these pins with a tuning crank, just like a guitarist turns the pin that the guitar strings are wound around, until it is in tune.
How do I look after my piano?
Have your piano tuned at least once a year and dust it regularly. It's that simple!