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?

The “Dirty Secret” of Piano Tuning:

Pianos often sound better in exactly one year than in six months.

This is because the tension on the strings rises and falls with humidity changes — and not uniformly across the keyboard. Some pianos can drift noticeably out of tune in a week. Other times, I’ve returned to a piano I tuned over 10 years earlier and it only needed a touch‑up.

The right tuning schedule depends on your ears, your playing intensity, your piano’s design, the environment, and your budget. Some players are perfectly happy when the tuning moves from “perfect” to “just OK.” Our most discriminating clients have their pianos serviced 3–4 times a year. Concert venues often tune their pianos more than once a week, and sometimes twice a day— once before rehearsal and once before the performance.

Your piano’s design matters too. Pianos with longer, higher‑tension strings — such as full‑size uprights (52" and taller) and larger grands — generally hold their tuning better. Smaller grands, consoles, and spinets have shorter, lower‑tension strings that are much more sensitive and respond more dramatically to seasonal humidity changes. And those lower‑tension strings are concentrated in the lower part of the midrange where instability is especially noticeable.

From a strict maintenance standpoint, there are advantages to yearly tuning.

When the piano is tuned around the same time each year, it’s more likely to need only a light touch‑up. That gives me more time to focus on the whole instrument — voicing, regulation, lubrication, and cleaning.

Budget plays a role as well. Some clients want the piano at its absolute best year‑round and can afford it, while others prefer to wait until the sound has become distracting.

What's included in a tuning appointment?

We Practice "Full Service" not "Tune & Run"

When we show up for a "piano tuning" appointment, we interpret that to mean "make the piano play and sound as good as possible with the time allotted." In some cases — especially when a piano is extremely out of tune, and time is limited—most of the attention goes toward getting piano tuned and stabilized. However, in many cases, especially with pianos I see on a regularly, I spend more time on touch and tone issues. We also often include complementary cleaning as part of the service.

We love it when clients make a note of which issues are bothering them the most: noisy pedals, non-responsive keys, or clicks or buzzes, so that we can focus our time on what matters most.

Generally, we offer two main tiers: Regular and Extended. The extended appointments give me an extra hour of additional maintenance to spend on the mechanical issues that can affect the touch and tone more than just strictly tuning.

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.

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.

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. Mine is available at Pianova.net.

Most importantly, choose someone you trust — someone who communicates clearly, listens to your concerns, and handles follow‑up issues with professionalism and grace.

FAQ

Here are some important questions clients ask — answered with honesty, clarity, and a little bit of piano geekery.