ClassicPiano Gayle's Blog

6 February 2007: Considerations When Choosing a Piano Tuner.
(For those who have not had experience with pianos and their maintenance)

When visitors sit down to play your piano and after a few tentative chords shrink away muttering about it being out of tune – you know a tuning is probably in order. When a piano is out of tune, almost everyone knows it, except perhaps you who has just bought a piano for your kids or your adult self to learn how to play.

Now that you know you need a Piano Tuner – first ask one or more of those piano playing friends of yours if they can recommend a tuner. If they are not particularly enthused about their own experience, question no further, but if they have high praise for someone ask for name and number. Piano Teachers usually have a regular tuner who they will recommend.

If the above first source doesn't pan out – there is always the good ol’ yellow pages which is my personal favorite as a consumer and as an advertiser. Many of the people who call to inquire about tuning services have found my name in the Yellow Pages. Recently one of my tuning clients told me that he had recycled the new Yellow Pages as soon as it came this year, opting to search on the Web for anything he might need. Still I contend the YP is a good source if you can endure their bulk. That’s where I go when I need to find a service.

Once you have culled the names and numbers of suitable candidates you can begin the telephone tag. After all, most tuners are out tuning pianos all day and for the most part have only their machines at work back in the office . Have your questions ready in case you reach someone in person - ‘ How much do you charge?’ is always a good ice breaker. Respect for your piano should be apparent in the tuner’s approach, regardless of its humble or superior origin.

Here is a recent anecdote from one of my clients which gave me the idea to write on this topic. She has a small 1950ish console and her neighbor recommended a tuner and she scheduled a tuning with him. After tuning through 4 octaves he summoned her to indicate he was finished and that is all that could be done for today….’now here is my bill’. There was no talk of returning to complete the work and she, not knowing any better, accepted his explanation that this was how it was done and that he would complete the bass and high treble on the next scheduled visit. One tuning for the price of two - shocking but there it is.

Don’t hesitate to ask about their experience and what procedures they use for tuning, i.e. tuning fork or stroboscope, do they guarantee their work. If I may, another anecdote. This week I did a tuning in the sanctuary of a local Synagogue. The next day they were having Shabat service with a special visiting musician so I took extra care on the tuning. That evening they had a rehearsal, moved the piano and turned on some hot lights, et voila the piano had a couple of tuning issues. They called to let me know this and I returned in the morning to touch up the piano’s stray notes. Fortunately the pianist was there and he quickly pointed out three particular spots that had wandered and I was able to fix them and satisfy his ears without further ado. Everyone was happy and moved on with the show.

It is important that you know the tuner will stand behind his/her service by guaranteeing the work. Ask about their policy and if you get attitude about it then perhaps that isn’t the tuner for you. A phone conversation can tell you quite a lot. Now you are ready to make the appointment.

Once the tuner is in your home and introductions are made you will have a good sense of how he or she operates. I always tell people what I am going to do and that they can go on about their lives or feel free to watch and ask questions. It is very important for you to feel comfortable with a stranger in your home. For example, if someone comes in with a B.O. problem and stinks up the place you might not want to have them back. This is not an uncommon complaint surprising as it is. So what if they do a good tuning when you have to fumigate afterwards.

After the tuning your piano should sooth the ear rather than jar it if it was badly out of tune. Sound a bit nebulous? Ask for opinions from a visiting player if you are unsure. Knowing what to listen for will take some time and practice but a good tuner will educate you. Now go and find a piano tuner.