Despite its size, a piano is well crafted instrument joined together by numerous delicate parts that change to respond to how the piano is being used and the prevailing climate. If well maintained, a piano can retains its quality and sound for many years. If you need to keep your piano in good condition, regular tuning will help you realize the full benefits of using your piano. Ordinarily, the price of tuning a piano ranges anything from $65 to $225 depending on various factors. In some instances, the cost can run into hundreds of dollars in cases where repairs or multiple tuning sessions are required.
Why is it Important to Tune Your Piano?
Regularly tuning your piano gives a technician an opportunity to inspect your piano for any signs of damage as well as to ensure everything is working as it should. Many piano manufacturers recommend you should tune your piano at least twice a year at the least. If you have a new piano, you may need to have it tuned at least three to four times a year to enable the strings stretch adequately and settle. Additionally, pianos that are used extensively in places such as in churches, practice rooms and studios require more tuning sessions since extensive use affects the strings. Pianos used for recording and performances are often tuned before use as well as pianos that are regularly moved from one place to another.
How the Cost of Piano Tuning is Determined
- Many piano tuners levy their charges per hour. When a piano is completely out of tune, a technician has to first work to raise the pitch before embarking on tuning the piano. The work involves adjusting the tension of each spring until it vibrates at the recommended rate. Ideally, the strings should be adjusted so that they vibrate faster than A440 which refers to the standard tuning of a piano i.e. 440 cycles per second. Overstretched springs are eventually expected to roll back to A440 to enable the technical perform fine-tuning.
- An unevenly tuned piano also takes long to tune. This happens when owners wait for an extended period of time to take the piano for tuning or when the piano experiences humidity changes that make the soundboard to expand or contract. In this case, the technician tunes the piano until each the notes at each octave have matched. After rough-tuning, the technician then fine-tunes the piano.
- When a piano has to be first repaired before tuning it means additional work and more hours spent thus you will be required to pay more. Repair in most cases includes replacement of worn out or old strings, fixing a damaged soundboard and repairing loose tuning pins.
Is it a Good Idea to Find a Cheaper Piano Tuner?
Absolutely, it is okay to find a piano tuner who charges lower than others. A price in the range of $80 would be considered affordable. In most cases, tuners trying to market themselves will charge less in order to attract customers. However, if you come across a piano-tuner charging a significantly lower price, you need to be careful to avoid using someone whose workmanship is poor. Usually, the more you are charged for piano tuning, the better the service.
How Long Does Piano Tuning Take?
Contrary to what many think, tuning a piano is not an easy exercise. Actually, it takes about an 1 hour to 1.5 hour to complete the tuning. Tuning is a sensitive exercise as it requires careful listening to get things right. It is important to pay the market price and have the tuning done by a professional because partial tuning leads to inconsistencies in sounds.
Is it Possible to Tune the Piano Myself?
Yes, it is but you’re better off paying a professional for them to do it as they are formally trained and have experience to deal with any kind of challenges. However, some people do it just for fun but in the long run, spending on an expert to do the tuning ensures a thorough job is done.
Piano tuning is important as you should never play a piano that is out of tune. It is vital to hear the right harmonies and this can only be achieved with a well maintained piano. In terms of costing, do your research and find out the average piano tuning rates in your city though you may get the accurate quote after an expert has examined the entire instrument.