How to Find a Qualified Piano Tuner

If you're looking for a piano tuner, you'll find many listed locally, but you should be selective about who you hire to tune your instrument, which contains 500 working parts. Just about anyone can learn to tune a piano, but stick with someone who is a registered and qualified tuner who can also do repair work.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Make a list of the work that you know needs to be done on your piano. Play each key and note which ones are sticking or not functioning correctly. Make a note of any noticeable damage to the piano's interior and exterior. Check the 3 pedals to be sure they work properly or if they need to be adjusted: damper pedal is one on the right, the soft or "una corda" pedal on the left, and "sostenuto" or middle pedal. Play passages using each pedal to be sure you notice a difference in sound and volume. You want to be able to point out to the technician any pedal problems.

2. Find a member of the Piano Technicians Guild who has "RPT" after the name. This stands for "Registered Piano Technician." Or, ask a piano teacher, piano studio or music school to recommend a technician in your area.

3. Contact several technicians and ask what their rate is to tune the piano. Be sure to find out if they charge an hourly or flat rate just for tuning, not for any adjustments, which will be extra. If they charge an hourly rate, ask what the typical number of hours are to tune only. If you are faced with deciding between technicians who charge an hourly versus flat rate, go with the flat rate. Ask what kinds of payments they accept.

4. Ask what they charge for any additional work, such as balancing or key and hammer adjustments. This is usually an hourly rate. Be prepared to cap the work at a rate you can afford.

5. Get an estimate from the technician, while they are at your house, on any additional work above tuning they feel needs to be done. Point out any problems you have noticed on your own. Approve only the work you can afford and be sure there is an understanding of the additional work that will be performed and what the rate is.

Tips & Warnings

• Regular servicing by a qualified tuner-technicians will preserve your instrument and help you avoid costly repair in the future.
• You can ask the technician ahead of time if he/she uses an electronic tuning device or tunes "by ear." Most technicians now use an electronic device for more accuracy.
• Be prepared to have the piano tuned at least twice a year, even more if it's new.
• Don't feel obligated to get all the work, above tuning, performed that is recommended. Just like an auto shop, a technician may recommend work that isn't necessary and you won't know the difference unless you're a professional pianist.
• Do not try to tune a piano on your own or have a friend or relative tune it. This is a job for a professional and fiddling around on your own can cost you more money in the long run when you need to call in a technician.

Resources

• Piano Technicians Guild