How to care for the piano Piano Tuning Schedule

As a general guideline, just to keep the instrument alive, the piano should be tuned at least two times every year. But with two slight variations in the piano tuning schedule, you will help extend the life of the piano and help reduce the chances of a cracked soundboard and bridges, as well as maintenance costs. Whether it's played or not, every piano, no matter whether it's a spinet or a concert grand, is a high-tension instrument which bears thousands of pounds of string pressure on its soundboard.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A reference for the right piano tuner from Amadeus Piano Co., Inc. (800)33-TUNER www.amadeuspianos.com
• a free consultation from Amadeus Piano Co., Inc. at (800)33-TUNER

1. As a general guideline, just to keep the instrument alive, the piano should be tuned at least two times every year. But with two slight variations in the piano tuning schedule, you will help extend the life of the piano and help reduce the chances of a cracked soundboard and bridges, as well as maintenance costs.
2. When your piano is brand new, the new strings will stretch out like rubber bands and the piano will go out of tune. This is a normal and crucial process for the piano. The fresh wood is settling and it's very important to maintain the right pressure at all times. After the piano has been delivered, let it acclimate to its new humidity levels for one to two weeks and then have it tuned. After the initial tuning, have your piano retuned every three months for the first year. Tuning your piano more often in its first year will stabilize string tension and will help the piano hold its tune much better for future generations. After the first year, the piano should be tuned twice every year.
3. Tune by Seasons
   
   Because humidity is the key factor in the piano's stability in tuning, it's best to have the instrument tuned after the major climactic change in the FALL and then again in the SPRING. The easiest way to remember to tune your piano on time is to schedule your tuning for two weeks after you shut off the heat in your home in the SPRING, and once again, for two weeks after you turn the heat on in the FALL.

Tips & Warnings

• Besides piano tuning, the piano action (mechanism) should be readjusted every two years. In order to do so, your piano technician will remove the mechanism from the piano, clean the entire piano, including under the keys and adjust the keyboard and pedal mechanism
• keep your piano as far away as possible from everything that affects change of humidity, including heat vents, ac vents, radiators, windows, outside walls, open kitchens, laundry rooms, humid basements, etc...
• A humidity control system for the piano is the optimal solution to keep the climate stable inside the instrument at all times. Call (800)33-TUNER for a free consultation and visit www.amadeuspianos.com for more resources.