How old is my piano?

Most pianos can be dated to the year they were built by cross-referencing their name to their serial number, and examining a piano atlas.  Although you can pay for this type of service, I am happy to date your piano for free.  Email me your piano name and serial number to do this. (Your piano name should be listed on the front of your piano, on the key cover or inside near the strings – cast into the iron plate).  (The serial number usually consists of 4 to 7 digits either stamped or etched inside the piano, near the tuning-pin end of strings).

What are the best pianos?

Much like the world of cars and media bias, many opinions exists about which pianos are to be considered “the best.”  My experience and residence in Europe informs me that the German pianos are generally of superior quality.  A few years back I created a document to compare pianos with cars, in an effort to relate piano quality into more obvious terms. Comparing pianos to cars

Do tuners have perfect pitch?

Generally speaking, no.

Tuners do not actually listen to pitch for tuning, but rather, to the multitude of beat waves that form the basis for pitch.  Although we always hear pitch, tuner's ears are trained to separate the beat waves, which when accumulated become a pitch.  Listening to pitch for tuning can only get you “into the ballpark” but is not precise enough to provide good tuning results.

How long does a tuning take?

The time tuners take to complete a piano tuning varies based upon experience, piano condition, and their attention to detail.  My tuning time runs between 1 and 1 ½ hours, as I choose to give every piano a high-level tuning.  It must be noted that pianos not recently tuned or maintained will often require an initial quick tuning to get all the strings “in the ballpark” – which can add another 30 – 60 minutes.

What is the price of piano tuning?

You will find differences among tuners and regions, but my fees are as follows:

$100 tuning

$20 - $100 for small to very large pitch raises.

Why do pianos go out of tune?

Many factors affect tuning stability.

→ Changes in humidity and temperature (seasonal changes, swamp coolers, open windows…)

→ Heavy or continuous piano playing

→ Weak or damaged piano structure

→ Piano relocation to different environment (humidity levels)

→ Poor ability by tuner

Why do strings break?

String breakage is not usually related to tuner error and results from:

• Aged strings (metal becomes brittle and less flexible)

• Defective material from factory (even new pianos)

• Sharp angles, rough edges and excessive tension in scale design

• Wear and fatigue from overuse

• Corroded and damaged strings

What is a “baby grand”?    (Grand pianos)

Baby grand is somewhat of a misnomer as it does not directly relate to a particular piano and can mean different things to different people.

Grand pianos are determined by their length, from keys to tail – and fall roughly into 5 categories:

9’ Concert grand pianos     (8’6 to 10’4)          [Full]

7’ Concert grand pianos     (6’10 to 7’6)          [3/4 ]

6’ Grand pianos                    (6’ to 6’9)              [1/2 ]

5’ Grand pianos                    (5’ to 5’10)            [1/4 ]

4’ Grand pianos                    (4’7 to 4’11)          too small…

What is a “spinet”?            (Upright pianos)

Upright pianos are also divided into categories by vertical height and style – from floor to top lid.

Concert/Professional           (50 to 54”)

Professional                          (48 to 49”)

Studio                                    (45 to 47”)              A studio has a larger leg secured to bottom of piano

Console                                 (40 to 45”)              A console has a thin free-standing leg under keys

Spinet                                     (36 to 39”)              A spinet has hammers & action set below the keys

“Upright-grand”                   (52 to 58”)              This misnomer refers to older, taller upright pianos