How to Hire a Piano Tuner

Tuning a piano is a major task requiring complex skills that take much training and experience to do well.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Finding an excellent piano tuner can be a challenge. Look for someone who has good contemporary references that you can check. The track record is crucial.

1. Hire a professional to do the job.

2. Finding a good one is often a difficult task.

3. Get a recommended tuner from the music dept. of a nearby college or university.

4. Realize that "Ear Training" development, understanding "Harmonics" and how the "Overtone Series" function in the tuning process are major skills to possess.

5. Mastery of specialized tools are required in this trade.

Tips & Warnings

• The advanced musician is trained to 'hear' the "Overtone Series".
• The piano tuner uses this skill to tune and match the sounds of each one of the 88 strings. Much time is needed to learn and refine this skill.
• A "piano-tuning" school will include this within its curriculum.
• Highly refined ear training develops over a lifetime. A properly trained young person can possess or be taught this.
• Be prepared to service, replace or repair worn and broken portions of the piano when it has been opened for examination.
• Consider budget limitations depending on the age and value of this particular instrument.

[pianolessons]

on 7/25/2009 To find the most qualified piano tuner in your area, get on the phone, call local churches, schools, music teachers, and music stores. Ask who they use. You don't necessarily need to ask if this tuner is qualified, just observe who's name is mentioned the most. These places have their pianos tuned on a regular basis, have many different performers, and if the tunings are sub-standard, they find a better tuner. Take advantage of their knowledge and experience. Don't take the advise of friends or neighbors. These people typically only have their piano tuned once a year at best, and generally could not distinguish between a bad tuning and a good one.