How often should my piano be tuned?
It is usually recommended to have your piano tuned at least twice a year. Brand new pianos and some older instruments require tuning more often. The pitch of a piano will drop if a piano is not tuned on a regular basis and the stability of its environment will determine how often it needs to be tuned. It also depends on how much use the piano receives. Many pianos only need tuning once a year while others need continuing maintenance.
If you tune your piano only once a year, try and tune it around the same time each year.
Some pianos go quite sharp or high in pitch in the summer months and then very flat in the winter when the heat comes on. Several factors contribute to that problem. The piano may be subjected to direct sunlight or direct heat from a floor register, or the piano could be subjected to a swamp cooler, which is also harmful. The piano may be of poor quality with a weak structure that cannot withstand the relative humidity changes that occur each season.
How much does a piano tuning cost?
A standard concert tuning is $150. If the piano hasn't been tuned in several years, a pitch raise is usually recommended for $100 additional. I always measure the pitch first to see if a pitch raise is necessary. If there are other repairs required to make the piano playable, that is also mentioned up front.
Do you move pianos?
No, but I highly recommend A Star Movers out of Fort Collins.
970.484.8100 or email dylan@astarmovers.com
How old is my piano?
First, find the serial number.
Second, check this website.
Yamaha, try this website.
Kawai, try this website.
Steinway, try this website.
If you can't find it, ask me and I will try to help.
What is voicing?
Voicing, also referred to as tone regulating, primarily involves making changes to the tone of the piano. Manipulation of hammer hardness is done with the use of needles, shaping, the use of chemical hardeners and a number of other techniques. Voicing is a highly technical procedure requiring experience and expertise and is as important as tuning in bringing out the potential of the instrument and in giving tonal control to the player. The customer's personal preferences ultimately dictate tonal levels.
Where should I place my piano in my home?
The ideal place for your piano to be is against an inside wall, away from anything that could possibly affect the humidity levels. Best to avoid windows, doors, cooling/heating systems vents that direct air at or near your piano, and proximity to fireplaces. Exposure to direct sunlight over a period of time can absolutely ruin your piano's finish. Severe swings in humidity and temperature caused by the above listed hazards can be harmful. Overly dry environments cause cracks or glue joint failures to develop in your piano's wood parts, and exposure to too much moisture causes rust on the strings, tuning pins and other metal parts. If you find yourself restricted in your options for placement, do not despair, just do your best to minimize the danger. Installing the Piano Life Saver System will also increase the longevity of your piano tuning. Contact me for more information about this system.
How does the climate in Colorado affect my piano?
We are blessed to live in quite a moderate climate here in Colorado. That doesn't mean that the temperature or humidity stays the same year round. In fact, humidity is the number one reason for piano pitch fluctuation. Too little humidity results in a dry soundboard with strings that go flat, especially in the winter months when the heat is on. Too much humidity causes the soundboard to swell, pushing the strings sharp. This happens in the summer months.
42% relative humidity is the recommended level for any piano. If your piano experiences large pitch variances between summer and winter, consider installing a Dampp-Chaser Piano Life Saver system.
How does Spider-Man play the piano?