Musical instruments such as keyboards, pianos, and synthesizers (including digital pianos) all require tuning from time to time. You might be surprised at how often you need to adjust the tuning of your instrument – even if you consider yourself to be meticulous about tuning it.
What is a piano tuner and what does he do?
Derived from the Italian word "tastare" which means "to touch", a piano tuner is a craftsman who ensures that any pianos, harpsichords or other keyboard instruments are in tuned.
As a former piano student myself, I know first-hand how important the tuning of a piano is. The sound produced by a piano can really determine whether or not someone wants to listen to it. For example, if the pianos are tuned sharp, then people will tend to go away because they think that there is something wrong with them.
How much is it to tune a piano?
The cost varies from one country to another and depends on the size and age of your piano. You can also ask for a quote before you book an appointment with your piano tuner if the price is important to you.
Piano tuners will mostly charge per half hour or full hour, but it is possible that they may do it by the number of notes or frequency. As a general rule, it shouldn't cost you more than $15 for one note for a standard piano.
When I was in China, the price of tuning should be around CNY 70-80 ($13-$16) per half hour if you want to hire someone who charges by the number of notes that need tuning. This price may be different in other countries.
When should I have my piano tuned?
To get the best tones out of your piano, you should have it tuned regularly. The recommended time frame for having a piano tuned is one year. Any longer than that and the strings will become loose and may cause damages to the internal structure of your piano or any other keyboard instruments.
However, if need be, pianos can last up to two years without being tuned. Pianos are not designed to be kept in tune for more than one year, so it is best if you have your piano tuned yearly.
How often should I tune my piano?
Most musicians recommend that you get your piano tuned yearly even if the strings are used rarely or only for practice at home.
The pitch will also change as the temperature and the humidity fluctuates. It is best to get your piano tuned around five times a year or at least twice a year. If you have an old piano that has not been tuned for years, then it would be advisable to tune it every month than wait for one year before having it done again.
What is meant by equal temperament?
In musical terms, it means that all octaves are equally spaced between the frequencies of the keyboard. If you have a piano that is in tune with itself or within its own temperament system, then you should try tuning it to other scales until it meets standard tuning.
All pianos come with their own temperament systems, and it is a must for a piano tuner to know how to finely tune a piano. The only exception for this would be the use of electronic or digital pianos because they can change scales easily themselves.
How will I know if my piano needs tuning?
Pianos need to be tuned as soon as you notice that the tones are no longer crisp and clear. You can even hear some squeaks or snaps. The touch of the keyboard will also feel uneven, and if you play it for too long, then you will start to get a headache because the frequencies hurt your ears.
As you can see, it is important to get your piano tuned at least once a year. The cost of having your piano tuned will often depend on the size and age, but it shouldn't be more than $15 per note if you hire someone who charges by notes or frequency tuning.
You should also get your piano tuned every time you notice that the sound is no longer crisp and clear.
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