Professional Piano Tuning for Waynesville, St. Robert, Ft. Leonard Wood, Rolla, Lebanon, and surrounding areas in Missouri.
When to Tune my Piano?
Pianos are under a tremendous amount of tension which needs to remain constant. If the tension fluctuates too greatly, the stresses become unequal throughout the piano and can cause costly damage. So, remember to have your piano tuned at least once or twice each year if moderately used, and more frequently for heavy or professional use. If being used for performance or recording purposes it is important to have your piano tuned before each event.
Contrary to popular belief, just because a piano is not played much does not mean that it will magically stay in tune. In fact,
it won't hold it's tune just sitting there. Humidity and temperature are consistently flexing the soundboard, whether being played or not. Several seasons of not tuning a piano usually results in having to pretension the strings (sometimes called a "pitch-raise") before the piano can be fine tuned.
When choosing a time of year to have your piano tuned, some believe that fall and spring are the best times, being right after major seasonal changes. True, that is when the Relative Humidity is most ideal for a piano, at 43% or so. However, January and July are the best times if you want the longest period of time without major fluctuations, even though the humidity during those times are not always ideal. If your home or establishment maintains it's temperature and humidity rather well, or if your piano has a Dampp Chaser or similar
humidity control system installed and functioning regularly, then this is not as much of an issue. While there is never a "perfect" time, it is always better to have your piano tuned than it is to wait and risk forgetting. Pitch adjustments are costly and hard on the piano! I would suggest that whatever time(s) you decide, that you stick with it. For increased tuning stability, consider having a Dampp Chaser System installed on your piano. Ask me, or your local piano tuner, about how a Dampp Chaser System could benefit your piano.
Click here for more information regarding why pianos don't stay in tune.
Pianos need more than just tuning from time to time. Because of time, use, materials used in manufacturing, and sometimes abuse or neglect, pianos will need repairs and regulation in addition to their seasonal tunings in order for them to function correctly and not cause further damage.
Piano Repairs
Pianos need more than just tuning from time to time. Pianos are made from a variety of materials, from wood, metal, felt, plastics, and such. Although pianos are built to last, there will come a time when these materials will break down, leaving you with a sticky note, a broken string, broken pedal, broken hammer, and the list goes on. It is inevitable that repairs will need to be made.
Although piano tuners are usually thought of as "just" piano tuners, they must be able to handle any repair issue that may arise. I carry a number of spare repair parts in my vehicle, and if I don't have what I need, I can quickly get most any needed repair part from my supply house. I take pride in my repairs and feel that the repair should be as good as or better than new if at all possible.
It is very important to have any repairs made as soon as possible. Continuing to use an instrument that has a broken part, or is not "acting" just right can lead to further damage if not taken care of. Don't make things worse, get it repaired. You'll be glad you did.
Piano Action Regulation
As the piano is played and subjected to humidity changes, it becomes necessary to adjust it's many moving parts in order for it to respond correctly. If you notice notes that seem to double bounce when you play them; if you notice sloppy keys that are extra loose and wiggle from side to side, or are extra sluggish; if you notice notes that continue to ring when they should be quiet...these are signs that your piano needs adjustments. As a piano technician, I am qualified to make the necessary adjustments to your piano to make it function and sound it's very best.
Piano Accessories
I can provide many accessories items for your piano, including such items as: piano covers, key cover locks, humidity control systems, piano lights, piano benches, and piano dollies for easy moving on stage or down school hallways.
Do you have a wedding, concert, recital, or other event coming up? Don't forget to have your piano tuned!
Did you know that piano students will practice longer and learn better if their piano is at proper pitch, and if it is well regulated and in good repair?
Did you know that your piano will maintain its value longer by keeping it tuned, repaired, and regulated regularly?