How to Choose a Piano Tuning and Repair Service

A piano tuning and repair service is a luxury item these days, but if you've already invested in a beautiful musical instrument, or you're rehabbing an antique heirloom piano, it's well worth it. Even if your piano was a garage or estate sale find, you'll want to keep it clean and tuned and sounding its best. Here's how to find a great piano tuner.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A phone book or internet connection
• A phone
• Enough disposable income to care for a fine musical instrument

1. Play the scales on your piano. Does it sound out of tune? If so, then it's time. Ideally, a piano should be tuned three to four times a year to keep it in perfect working order. If your piano hasn't been tuned since your kids were young, it will need at least three tunings from a qualified piano tuning and repair service to bring it up to perfect pitch.

2. If you have a friend with a baby grand, an upright or a spinet piano, ask who does their tuning and repair. If you're new in the neighborhood, call fine arts associations, music schools or conservatories and ask who they use. Chances are, you can find a reputable service that way.

3. Choose a piano tuner with at least 20 years in the business. Ask if they tune by ear with tuning forks, or if they tune digitally, with hand held computers. A digitally tuned piano will sound 'brighter', much the same way a CD sounds different than an old-fashioned LP on a record player. Pianos tuned by ear sound warmer and mellower. Choose according to the kind of sound you prefer.

4. A good piano tuner will give you an estimate only after seeing the condition of your piano. There is much he needs to see. Your piano may have a cracked harp, damaged strings and felts, a warped sounding board. Some repairs may be as simple as adding wood filler to a hairline crack - others are more expensive - all affect your piano's ability to hold a tune.

5. Be prepared to negotiate, and have a firm idea of how much you want to spend. A good piano tuner will, for example, give you three tunings at a discount, rather than just tune it once at full price. He knows it will slip out of tune in a matter of weeks if the piano hasn't been tuned in a long time. He'll also be willing to negotiate on major repairs, especially if your piano needs a new felts or hammers.

6. After tuning, your piano's sound will once again be 'full brilliant.' This is to be maintained and enjoyed. Remember that humidity drastically affects how long your piano will stay in tune, so maintaining moderate and steady humidity with a humidifier, dehumidifier or air conditioning is best.

7. Take full advantage of the time your piano tuner spends in your home. Ask questions. There is much he can tell you about the make, model and manufacturer of your piano, its history, and its value.
   
   And, if you ask nicely, he might sit down and play for you, or ask you to do the same. If this happens, relax and enjoy. You've found a piano tuner you'll keep for years.

[survivoryea]

on 10/3/2009 Excellent tips on getting your piano tuned properly-Thanks 5*