Tuning
Tuning is iterative: the more out-of-tune the piano is, the more cycles (iterations) it will take to bring it back in tune.
Example: Finely tuning a piano is like creating a mirror-smooth wood coffee table from a rough unfinished or worn/scratched table. First: sand it with rough sandpaper to get everything in the same range. Then sand with progressively finer paper until the surface is mirror-like. If the table is not bad at the beginning, sand with fine paper.
If your piano is badly out-of-tune, or the pitch is too low, a rough tuning is required (often called a “pitch adjustment” or “pitch raise”) to get all notes in the same range (fairly close to their target pitches), followed by a fine tuning. If your piano is not badly out-of-tune, fine tune it.
Things that affect your piano’s tuning stability the most are: humidity changes, heavy use, the newness of the piano or strings (strings stretch significantly for the first few years). Open windows and doors around or near the piano will cause it to react to the weather changes as if the piano was put outside. During rainy periods using the heat in your house will help keep the humidity constant in your house.
Recommended Tuning Frequency: every 6 months will usually keep your piano reasonably in-tune. Most manufacturers recommend 2 to 4 times a year.
Reconditioning
Reconditioning brings the action (the moving parts) back into proper working condition. Parts may need to be refurbished, repaired or replaced. If there is significant reconditioning needed, regulation is usually needed also.
Regulation
Regulation brings the action (the moving parts) back into proper working adjustments. It is similar to a major service for your car. Regulation may be needed if you are experiencing limitations or difficulties controlling the dynamic range while playing, the keys are uneven or push down different distances, the hammers have deep grooves, and any other unevenness of feel when playing.
Reconditioning may be required before regulation.
Voicing
Voicing changes the tone/sound quality of the piano. This may be warranted by tone unevenness across notes, a harsh or bright tone, or a tone that is too soft. If the piano sound is too bright or harsh it can be changed to a more mellow sound. If the piano sound is too muted or not bright enough it can be brightened. If the piano sound is uneven, meaning some of the notes are much brighter than others it can be smoothed out.
Reconditioning and/or regulation may be required before voicing. The piano must be in-tune.
Repair
If minor repairs are needed often they can be performed during the tuning appointment. When you schedule a tuning appointment and are aware of problems, please mention them when scheduling so I can schedule enough time.
More significant repairs may need to be performed offsite and followed with an appointment to reinstall the repaired parts.
Rebuilding
Rebuilding can include all of the:
- Action (moving parts activated by the keys)/parts of action (e.g. hammers, wippens) replacement/repair
- Restringing
- Refinishing
- Soundboard replacement/repair
- Pinblock replacement/repair
- Key replacement/repair, recovering
- Trapwork (all the mechanical parts concerning the pedals) replacement/repair
Restringing
Restringing is usually done to higher quality/value pianos and also pianos with significant sentimental or nostalgic value for the owner. It is done to restore the sound quality close to its original sound and/or to restore the piano’s capability of holding a tuning.
Partial restringing, only the bass strings, will give the piano a fuller more robust bass, particularly when the bass strings’ tone is dull.
Climate Control
Weather will affect the stability and useful life of your piano. One of the most noticeable indicators of weather affecting the piano is how well it stays in-tune. The weather that affects your piano is in the room with your piano. If you leave windows and doors open to the outside regularly this normally will cause your piano to go out-of-tune more quickly.
If your piano is going out-of-tune more than is normal and there are no problems in the piano contributing to this, a climate control system for your piano may be necessary and recommended. The Damp-Chaser system is among the best.
Evaluations & Appraisals
Evaluations and appraisals are offered to determine market value for sales and insurance purposes. Evaluations also include a statement of condition and recommended work.
If you are considering one or more pianos for purchase, technical evaluations are offered to help you decide which piano is the most suitable.
Refinishing and Finish Repair
This work is referred to high quality piano refinishing specialists.