To Tune or Not to Tune: This is the Answer

First of all - what is “tuning”? “Tuning” is merely an adjustment of the strings and pitch so that the piano becomes “in tune”; just like tuning any other instrument except for the fact that the tuner needs to check, correct and adjust over 250 strings and the tension from these strings measures over a ten tons!

There are many factors involved in the maintenance of pianos through tuning; some of which are: 

1) Geographical Location

2) Room Location

3) Usage

4) Condition 

5) Frequency of Tunings

6) The Person Playing it

7) The Tuner

1) In the Northeastern United States, temperature and humidity changes usually necessitate a minimum of twice per year.

2) A piano placed next to a heat source, air conditioner or open window can usually go out of tune quicker than one not so positioned.

3) Usually, the more you play, the more frequently the strings will need adjustment.

4) If a piano has loose tuning pins, has too much tension after rebuilding (not everyone knows what they are doing) or some other mechanical situation that needs attention, its ability to hold a tuning or even take to one will be lessened.

5) A piano that is tuned regularly will be prevented from going out of tune too far, need less adjustment and will therefore hold a tuning better. The more the pitch has to be raised, the faster it will drop again. 

6) Each piano owner will have different ears, different needs and different opinions on what can be tolerated before they consider another tuning. Even slight out of tune-ness makes the piano loose its beautiful harmonics and singing tone.

7) Some tuners are better than others. Some have tuned tens of thousands of pianos and have learned through experience. I have found that a great tuner, tuning by ear, is better than any tuner using a machine.

Many times I am tuning a piano in someone’s home and I see a guitar or a violin, etc. If the customer asks “How often should I tune my piano?” I often ask them how often do they tune that I other instrument. The answer is usually “Every time I pick it up.” And although it’s not feasible or economical to have your piano tuned every time you sit down to play, most people don’t have it done often enough.

To Tune or Not to Tune?

Tips for the care of your piano

Your piano is basically a machine like a car or a computer, but with the capability of allowing someone to create music. All machines need to be properly maintained or they will eventually break down.

Importance of proper maintenance

We recommend tuning at least twice a year (due to climatic changes) and regulating ever 3-10 years based on use. Pianos such as old Steinways, Mason & Hamlins and Baldwins are worth the time and money to completely rebuild and refinish as these instruments are of much richer sound than new pianos.

"Tuning" and "pitch raising" as opposed to "regulation"

"Tuning" is the turning of the tuning pins and thereby tightening of the strings, to raise or lower the pitch of the piano. When the wood of the piano shrinks or expands, the pitch will rise or drop. Therefore tuning corrects these changes. If the tuning pins of the piano are lose, the pins will shift quicker and the piano will go out of tune drastically. A "pitch raise" is when the piano has dropped in pitch significantly or when the piano has not been tuned in quite some time and has dropped in pitch from tension above. There is an extra charge beyond simple tuning for a pitch raise since it involves more work.

"Regulation" involves adjusting the many moving "action" parts (keys, hammers, etc.) inside the piano so that they work properly with each other to give you the best tune and feel possible. This procedure can sometimes take many hours to complete but is only necessary every 2-10 years, based on the piano and the amount of playing. Minor action regulation can be done more frequently for the more seasoned pianists.

If you're now wondering if your piano needs some work, contact us today!

Out With the New, In with the Old

No, this is not a typo. Here is my take on the following:

One is happy with "new" products as long as they-

1) Do what they are designed to do.

2) Do those actions efficiently and without repeated, unexpected maintenance or repair.

3) Continue to perform under rigorous use when designed to do so.

4) Make you grateful for its existence in that it makes your life easier.

5) Are made with quality materials that do not erode or decay quickly

6) Make you happy with your purchase.

There was a time where this was not only not too much to ask for, but was expected and, in my opinion, is one of the major causes of slumping economies. Money being exchanged depends upon the value of goods. If I sell you a spectacularly tasty and good looking apple with no worms, you'll come back for more - so will your friends and their friends. As long as I continue to deliver these types of apples, I'll be set for life. In reverse, the current US auto industry are based on the long-term inadequacies of the labor, design and efficiency of the automobiles.

Because of the lack of good quality "new" our current society has been leaning towards the purchase of "old" for some time now. "Pre-war", "vintage" and "antique" are some of the sought out adjectives being used in searched for homes, musical instruments and furniture. These commodities were built to last, made with quality materials and designed to function and perform. Their builders had a purpose in mind.

Therefore, "out with the new, in with the old"

Which piano should you buy?

Cars, houses, electronic equipment. We all want to buy the best right? And yet there is that "deal-seeker" inside us that wants "the best" for less. In some cases, will even buy the less expensive item based solely upon the facts presented by promotion, marketing - or a salesperson who is worth their weight in gold. Let's look at the acoustic piano market of which I am familiar. If a retailer purchases a "finished" product for $3,000 and sells it for $12,000, it is really not even worth the $3,000 because the wholesaler had to make some money too! How good can the materials, workmanship, overall sound, feel and durability of that instrument be? Yes, there are overpriced pianos on the market today and a wise shopper can avoid these pitfalls of "too little/too much" by doing their homework. Take a look around and see who is playing what. Then as "why?". Read up on the company selling the pianos how many brands do they sell? Are they looking to sell you a cheap, inferior product if you can't afford their top of the line instruments? Would they really be willing to buy back that instrument from you at a future date?

There will be consumers that seemingly cannot afford the best and so therefore, will always exist the "less-expensive". But I like to compare purchasing a piano to buying a home. Most other purchases are done with the quality of longevity not being an issue. But when you buy a home, you walk around inside and you look and you imagine where you'll place the furniture and whose room will be where with the idea of possibly living there for the rest of your life. That's the way it should be with a piano, especially one that can, in later years be restored, as you would do with the home. You would also want an instrument that you can develop into, that can raise you to higher levels of performance or creating. By its tone and feel and what it "gives" to you. This is why people who purchased rebuilt Steinways 25 years ago for $10,000-$15,000 made incredibly good investments. Not only for themselves but for their heirs, should they continue to pass these instruments along. They have also had the opportunity to enjoy these outstanding instruments for all these years and will continue to do so after further restoration, when called for. The $10,000-$15,000 of then, is the $40,000-$60,000 of now and 20 years from now it will be different, higher numbers. That is because these instruments have a great design, are solidly made and are loved by millions. In the coming years the issue of quantity will create an even greater desire for these instruments for their rarity and limited availability.