Ryan W. Sowers, RPT
Pianova Piano Service
Established 1994
Call or Text (360) 480-5693 service@pianova.net
FAQ
Here are some important questions clients ask —
answered with honesty, clarity, and a little bit of piano geekery.
How often should I tune my piano?
Most pianos in Western Washington stay stable with one to two tunings per year, especially with humidity control. Annual tuning works best when it’s done at the same time each year, because the piano returns to similar humidity conditions—July tunings stay closer in tune the next July than in winter. The ideal schedule still depends on your piano’s design, environment, playing habits, and ears.
For more info read my blog post "The Dirty Secret of Piano Tuning"
What's included in a tuning appointment?
We Practice "Full Service" not "Tune & Run"
A tuning appointment includes full‑service care: tuning, stability checks, touch and tone improvements, minor mechanical adjustments, and complementary cleaning when time allows. We don’t do “tune and run”—our goal is to make the piano play and sound as good as possible within the time allotted.
If a piano is extremely out of tune, most of the appointment goes toward getting it stable. But for pianos I see regularly—especially those with humidity control and a consistent annual tuning schedule—the tuning itself takes less time, which allows more of the appointment to be spent improving touch, tone, and overall performance. Over the years, this extra attention adds up to a noticeably better‑playing instrument.
We also appreciate when clients note specific concerns like noisy pedals, sluggish keys, clicks, or buzzes so we can prioritize what matters most. We offer two tiers: Regular and Extended, with Extended providing an extra hour for deeper mechanical work that enhances touch and tone beyond what standard tuning time allows.
What does “full‑service" piano care mean?
I treat the piano as a whole system — tuning, action regulation, voicing, pedal adjustments, and mechanical health all work together to support expressive playing. I start with the most obvious issues and work toward the subtle ones so you get the best musical improvement for your time and money.
Are you OK with dogs and/or kids?
Absolutely! I love both!
Dogs are usually very excited for the first few minutes, and then they calm right down once they realize I’m there to work. I’ve met everything from tiny lap dogs to giant gentle giants, and they’re almost always great company while I tune.
As for kids — I’ve raised three of my own (two boys and a girl), and I now have two six‑year‑old grandsons. As long as a child is respectful around the piano, I genuinely enjoy answering their questions and showing them how things work. I often even bring spare piano parts, and kids love getting to hold a hammer or a key and see how the action moves.
If your home has dogs, kids, or both, that’s perfectly fine with me. They’re part of the joy of visiting families and helping keep their pianos in great shape.
Does it need to be super quiet during the tuning?
I do 80% of my piano tuning with careful listening
A calm, still space is essential for accurate tuning. Continuous noise — like vacuums, mowers, and the dreaded leaf blower are my mortal enemies. But surprisingly, even quietly passing near the piano distorts the air and thus the sound waves I rely on. Brief, occasional noises aren’t a problem at all, but a chaotic environment can compromise the precision of the work.
What forms of payment do you accept?
I try to make it easy to give me money!
Our favorite way to get paid is a good old-fashioned check, but we’re not picky. We also take credit/debit cards, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, PayPal, and of course cold, hard cash. Also, we never charge extra fees for credit cards. One client even pays me in silver ounces at market price — so if you’ve got a treasure chest lying around, I’m game.
In most cases, your appointment cost is exactly what we quoted — we don’t believe in nickel‑and‑diming clients. About 90% of the time, everything your piano needs fits within the scheduled appointment and the estimated cost. If we ever encounter an unexpected issue that requires extra time or parts, we’ll tell you immediately so you can decide how you’d like to proceed. Our goal is to keep the process transparent, predictable, and respectful of your budget.
Why are Ear-Tuning Skills and Voicing so Important?
Electronic Tuning Devices Have Serious Limitations
The best technicians have strong ear‑tuning skills. Even though modern tuning apps are useful tools, they cannot replace the ability to evaluate a tuning by careful listening. Many tuners rely entirely on their app and never develop the skill to judge tuning relationships, unisons, or stability. This often leads to unnecessary tuning or tunings that sound “correct” to the app but not to the ear.
Voicing is equally important — and often more important than tiny tuning nuances. A well‑voiced piano will sound more in tune than a perfectly tuned piano with harsh or uneven tone. Voicing and hammer maintenance are among my strongest specialties. I spend significant time shaping and fitting hammers, so they strike all three strings cleanly, then needle the felt to achieve the right balance of warmth, clarity, and articulation.
Many pianos — even new ones — lack proper hammer fitting, and correcting this dramatically improves tone, tuning clarity, and tuning longevity.
Stable, clean unisons are the foundation of all good tuning and voicing work. I’ve spent decades perfecting the art of tuning solid, stable unisons that support high‑quality tone.
What Else Should I Look for in a Piano Technician?
A good technician practices full maintenance, not upselling. It’s extremely rare for me to exceed the price quoted when scheduling an appointment, and on the rare occasions when extra work is needed, I explain clearly and transparently. When I see a piano regularly, it often gets better and better over time.
Referrals matter. Ask the best piano teachers, reputable Yamaha or Steinway dealers, and schools. While some school districts hire low‑bid technicians, many schools in Thurston and Mason counties trust us with their instruments.
Another important question: Do they play the piano? You’d be surprised how many technicians don’t. Playing at even a beginning‑advanced level allows a technician to experience the instrument the way you do, which is essential for evaluating touch and tone. One of the first things I do at any appointment is play the piano and ask myself what issues can be improved.
Every technician should have a résumé listing their training and experience. .
Most importantly, choose someone you trust — someone who communicates clearly, listens to your concerns, and handles follow‑up issues with professionalism and grace.
How do I Choose a Piano Technician?
Technicians Vary Tremendously
Choosing a piano technician can feel overwhelming, but there are a few reliable ways to separate true professionals from hobbyists or minimally trained tuners. The most important factors are training, experience, listening skills , maintenance philosophy, and reputation in the musical community. A well‑trained technician should have extensive hands‑on education, not just online coursework. Look for someone who has studied with respected mentors, attended factory training, and continues to learn through seminars and professional organizations. A technician should also be able to demonstrate strong listening skills, stable tuning technique, and a commitment to full‑service maintenance rather than quick “tune and run” appointments. Referrals from top piano teachers, reputable dealers, and schools can also help you identify technicians who consistently deliver high‑quality work. Above all, choose someone you trust — someone who communicates clearly, respects your instrument, and stands behind their work.
What Training Should a Technician Have?
Beware: Anyone with Tools, an App, and a Website can Claim to be a Technician
My own training is unusually extensive for the South Puget Sound area. I studied under a mentor who trained directly with nationally renowned technician Steve Brady, and I’ve received direct mentoring from Steve myself. I’ve attended all five week‑long seminars at the Steinway & Sons factory in New York, a Shigeru Kawai week at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, a Yamaha week at their North American headquarters in Buena Park, and two week‑long sessions at Oberlin Conservatory with some of the top technicians in the country. Beyond that, I’ve attended dozens of seminars and conventions and have served as a regular instructor at piano technician conferences, specializing in touch and tone development. It’s important to understand that some modern certifications — such as "CPT” or “Certified Piano Technician” from the online Piano Technician Academy — only require an online, open‑book test. They do not require any demonstration of skill. I’ve personally known several “Certified Piano Technicians” who lacked even basic tuning competency. Hiring a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) at least ensures the technician has passed rigorous, in‑person exams judged by certified examiners. While the RPT tests have gaps — particularly in voicing— they still represent a meaningful baseline of skill, commitment, and professionalism.