How often should I tune my piano?

So, how often should you tune your piano?

The ideal answer is: regularly!

The general guideline in the piano technology industry is once or twice per year. Just like your car needs regular oil changes and your teeth need regular brushing, your piano needs regular tuning to stay in top shape. But, I know that's not always possible. 

I like to tell people it depends on several different factors:

1. What’s your budget?

Can you afford to service your piano every 6 months or when the seasons change? Keep in mind that a piano that is regularly serviced can save money in the long run by preventing minor issues from turning into major ones. That’s a little harmony joke. 

2. Playtime frequency:

If you're a piano enthusiast who plays daily, your instrument will likely go out of tune faster than a piano that's only dusted off for the occasional rendition of "Heart and Soul" or “A Thousand Miles” or…”Bring Me to Life”.

3. Environmental Factors:

The piano's surroundings play a significant role in its tuning needs. Consider its location: Is the piano placed in a room with stable temperature and humidity levels, or is it exposed to fluctuations near a window, vent, or outside door? It should also be noted that moving your upright piano, even from one side of the room to another, could cause it to go out of tune (this is not as much of an issue for grand pianos).

4. The age of your piano:

Brand new pianos tend to be more unstable as new strings settle and the piano acclimates to its new environment. It may take a full year or two for a new piano or piano with new strings to settle. Also, older pianos can also develop structural issues over time (i.e. loose tuning pins, cracks in the bridge) that can contribute to tuning instability.

The bottom line is that if it’s in your budget, tuning and servicing your piano every six months is ideal. Plenty of clients opt for yearly servicing, which is the next best thing. Going much longer than one year can be tricky, as the further the piano drifts out of tune and away from concert pitch of A440, the longer it will take and more expensive it will be to restore it.

As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions or you’d like to book an appointment in the GTA. 

Happy playing!

- Megan