Piano Tuning: The Tools and the Technique?

Answer 1

The piano is one of the most complex and elegant Musical Instruments ever manufactured. The piano is also one of the most versatile (and recognizable) instruments of all, featured in every genre of music from classical concertos, arias, and American Jazz Music to modern pop rock. Not surprisingly, the piano is such a cherished work of art that vintage "grand daddy" models have been passed down in families from generation to generation as heirlooms.

With the advent of computer technology, the "classic" piano may have given way to the electronic keyboard (a.k.a. a synthesizer). But many people will still tell you that there is no substitute for the melodious timbre of a finely tuned piano. Time, however, changes that once precious sound into a cacophony of off-key tones and flat chords.

Every piano needs regular tuning, new and old alike. And the art of professional piano tuning encompasses a unique set of mechanical and musical skill. Few people are even aware of what goes into tuning a piano. But in general, professional piano tuners recommend performing regular minute tunings in order to avoid costly repairs in the future.

There is no substitute for a skilled, professional piano tuner. However, with some basics tools and techniques of the trade, you too can learn to tune your own piano, keeping it as concert-ready as the day it was manufactured.

Piano Tuning Tools

The bare minimum tools used to tune a piano include a tuning lever, an electronic chromatic tuner, and an assortment of piano mutes. There is no shortage of piano tuning kits available over the web.

But suffice it to say, any one of these will contain the three bare essential tools. With enough practice and patience, these may even be all of the tools you will ever need since major tunings will require a professional tuner.

Technique

As with learning to play the piano, Middle C is the most important note of all. And the same holds true for piano tuning. An electronic tuner will be able to indicate if Middle C is out of tune or not.

The slightest, tiniest of adjustments to a piano string's tension using a tuning lever can have a profound effect on the pitch of Middle C. And as a general rule, you can probably tune Middle C ever so slightly sharp of perfect pitch, which will account for the variances in electronic tuner displays.

From here, the same idea is repeated for each key and each set of strings included in that key. But the number one thing to keep in mind is to go slowly - very slowly. Most importantly, piano strings are delicate and even dangerous if popped. So, if you find yourself in over your head, don't be leery of calling a professional.