Richard W. Bushey
Piano Technician
1694 N. State Hwy 125, Strafford, Mo. 65757
Tuning
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.
Call (417) 294-3377 cell,
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