Acknowledging an asset - Next to our cars and home theaters, one of the most valuable things owned is a
fine piano. In many cases, the instrument has been there so long, and general knowledge of the piano so limited, that
there is little understanding of how, or even why, a piano should receive care. Quality pianos last for generations, and are
often so well designed and built that their age or declining condition is not apparent. It is longevity and sturdiness,
however, that prove the long-term value of the investment. Just as we maintain our physical bodies, our homes and cars, so
must we care for our instruments. To some, the piano is baffling. The most expensive of musical instruments,next to the
pipe organ, its nuances are clouded by the intricate wonder of i
fine piano. In many cases, the instrument has been there so long, and general knowledge of the piano so limited, that
there is little understanding of how, or even why, a piano should receive care. Quality pianos last for generations, and are
often so well designed and built that their age or declining condition is not apparent. It is longevity and sturdiness,
however, that prove the long-term value of the investment. Just as we maintain our physical bodies, our homes and cars, so
must we care for our instruments. To some, the piano is baffling. The most expensive of musical instruments,next to the
pipe organ, its nuances are clouded by the intricate wonder of i
Finding a technician - There may already be somebody tending to the needs of your instrument, although
I have met owners who had no idea who, or even if, somebody had ever tuned or maintained it. Getting involved is
critical, since you may be the only person who has a vested interest in the health of the piano. Make an effort to find a
tuner, or technician and establish a relationship based upon clear communication. If there is presently no service
person or if you have not had satisfactory service, find someone with the qualities listed on previous pages in this
site.
I have met owners who had no idea who, or even if, somebody had ever tuned or maintained it. Getting involved is
critical, since you may be the only person who has a vested interest in the health of the piano. Make an effort to find a
tuner, or technician and establish a relationship based upon clear communication. If there is presently no service
person or if you have not had satisfactory service, find someone with the qualities listed on previous pages in this
site.
What to expect - If you own or play a piano and the yearly tuning takes thirty minutes, something is wrong.
Tuning and maintenance are detailed and time-consuming jobs. The end result, not speed, is a sign of expertise.
Some tuners work faster, others need more time, depending upon conditions. Older pianos with more problems take
longer. Your tuner should also bring to your attention matters of concern, such as worn parts, old strings, hammers,
damper felts etc. Do not ignore these when they are raised, they can combine over time into a complete rebuild or
result in wear of other parts that could have been prevented.
Tuning and maintenance are detailed and time-consuming jobs. The end result, not speed, is a sign of expertise.
Some tuners work faster, others need more time, depending upon conditions. Older pianos with more problems take
longer. Your tuner should also bring to your attention matters of concern, such as worn parts, old strings, hammers,
damper felts etc. Do not ignore these when they are raised, they can combine over time into a complete rebuild or
result in wear of other parts that could have been prevented.
Can you hire an amateur? - Of course you can, but why? It costs less in the long run to hire a
trained professional who is in the piano trades full-time. If a trainee or hobbyist is interested in the profession, there
are opportunities to apprentice with established craftsmen before attempting to tinker with customer instruments.
Piano craftsmen know what to look for, and also know their limitations. Some are brilliant technicians, capable of
diagnosing and fixing any technical fault, but rely upon other colleagues for special repairs. The most accurate
tuner in America may not know how to restring, or replace a pin plank, but he most likely has a colleague who does.
As a rule, only skilled professionals should attempt voicing, revoicing or tonal finishing. Volunteers and piano
tinkerers mean well as a rule. That's why they are interested in performing the work. But without the obligations
and consequences of professionalism, you may be left hanging with damage that will have to be fixed by another
tuner or
technician. With a dedicated professional, you have both commitment and recourse.
trained professional who is in the piano trades full-time. If a trainee or hobbyist is interested in the profession, there
are opportunities to apprentice with established craftsmen before attempting to tinker with customer instruments.
Piano craftsmen know what to look for, and also know their limitations. Some are brilliant technicians, capable of
diagnosing and fixing any technical fault, but rely upon other colleagues for special repairs. The most accurate
tuner in America may not know how to restring, or replace a pin plank, but he most likely has a colleague who does.
As a rule, only skilled professionals should attempt voicing, revoicing or tonal finishing. Volunteers and piano
tinkerers mean well as a rule. That's why they are interested in performing the work. But without the obligations
and consequences of professionalism, you may be left hanging with damage that will have to be fixed by another
tuner or
technician. With a dedicated professional, you have both commitment and recourse.
| The Tuning Hammer The third hand of the tuner/technician. (JUST KIDDING!) Although some tuners may use it like this! |
| The Tuning Fork This set of Deagan matched forks at $1000, serve as frequency standards. |
| The Mutes For silencing strings during the tuning procedure. |
| The Ear Without a good "ear" you will never be a good tuner. |
| The Tool Kit This typical kit will contain a variety of tools for every adjustment or repair to pianos in the field. $2000 in tools is the normal complement. |
| Electronic Aids Numerous aids include computers, laptops, for special temperment settings, scale stretching plus archived tunings and customer records. BUT not a substitue for the EAR. |
| The Shop and its various work stations: wood working, metal cutting & drilling, fabrication, buffing and handling pianos. A shop with AC & heat is important. Well organized and clean work spaces indicate a quality oriented work ethic. |
Raising awareness - Historically the piano has been the center of music in the home, where music was once
a priority. Everybody played and sang during holidays and other times in the life of families. Contemporary life has to
some extent discarded the piano in favor of the tv and stereo. However there is and seems to be, a renewed interest
in the piano in the home. Thousands of children now take piano lessons and many adults are good amateur
pianists. A gradual reintroduction of traditional music, or willingness to use the piano as a centerpiece in the home
just might be the ticket to greater concern for the well-being of the instrument.
a priority. Everybody played and sang during holidays and other times in the life of families. Contemporary life has to
some extent discarded the piano in favor of the tv and stereo. However there is and seems to be, a renewed interest
in the piano in the home. Thousands of children now take piano lessons and many adults are good amateur
pianists. A gradual reintroduction of traditional music, or willingness to use the piano as a centerpiece in the home
just might be the ticket to greater concern for the well-being of the instrument.
How often? - One of the most frequently asked questions is, "How often does a piano need to be tuned or
repaired?" You may find that you can get by with a yearly visit, others need additional tunings or service. If the
piano is new, it should be tuned twice a year at least for two or three years to insure tuning and pitch stability. After
that once or twice yearly is sufficient depending on use. The other reasons for service depends on your use.
Churches, universities and schools where pianos are used daily require tuning several times a year. Talk with your
technician and get his recomendation. The rule of thumb is for homes, once a year at about the same time; for
churches and schools, no less than twice a year.
repaired?" You may find that you can get by with a yearly visit, others need additional tunings or service. If the
piano is new, it should be tuned twice a year at least for two or three years to insure tuning and pitch stability. After
that once or twice yearly is sufficient depending on use. The other reasons for service depends on your use.
Churches, universities and schools where pianos are used daily require tuning several times a year. Talk with your
technician and get his recomendation. The rule of thumb is for homes, once a year at about the same time; for
churches and schools, no less than twice a year.
Preparing for a visit - Your tuner/technician is not a mind reader. Keep a small bound book in the piano
bench as a log of tuning, repairs or mechanical problems noted during practice. This will help when you sell or
trade the piano. Make sure the room is at the normal temperature. There is no point in hiring a professional to
fine-tune a musical instrument under conditions that do not match those of its use. Don't worry about temperature
fluctuations during the week. The piano will usually pull back into tune when the normal temperature is reached.
bench as a log of tuning, repairs or mechanical problems noted during practice. This will help when you sell or
trade the piano. Make sure the room is at the normal temperature. There is no point in hiring a professional to
fine-tune a musical instrument under conditions that do not match those of its use. Don't worry about temperature
fluctuations during the week. The piano will usually pull back into tune when the normal temperature is reached.
Cost effectiveness - We all know about and probably have heard about Beethoven's piano. It is quite old
now but still endures and is played from time to time. It is maintained and kept in the best condition possible. Many
old instruments that have historic backgrounds are kept this way. Many times pianos are replaced because of fad
or fashion or whim, not necessity. If you like your piano and it is worthy of care, then it should last and last and
sound just as good as the day it was new.
There is nothing quite as exciting for me when an old piano is brought to our shop to be restored to its original
condition. After all the work and tuning, the true joy is playing it, hearing it and seeing it in all its original glory.
now but still endures and is played from time to time. It is maintained and kept in the best condition possible. Many
old instruments that have historic backgrounds are kept this way. Many times pianos are replaced because of fad
or fashion or whim, not necessity. If you like your piano and it is worthy of care, then it should last and last and
sound just as good as the day it was new.
There is nothing quite as exciting for me when an old piano is brought to our shop to be restored to its original
condition. After all the work and tuning, the true joy is playing it, hearing it and seeing it in all its original glory.
| TOOLS OF THE TRADE |
| The professional tuner/technician will carry $2000+ of tools in his tool case. There is a tool for every operation, adjustment and regulation. This does not include special equipment such as computers and other electronic devices or shop tools. The most important are the following: The Tuning Hammer, The Tuning Fork, The Mutes, The Ear |
| UNDERSTANDING THE PIANO Establishing a program of care |