The "Dirty Secret" of Piano Tuning

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

What?? It sounds counter-intuitive. But it's true! And I've seen it over and over in my 30+ years as a professional piano technician. How can this be? It's 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 certain advantages to annual 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. Believe me, our goal is not to convince our clients to spend as much money as possible servicing their pianos, but to give them the most value possible. Ultimately your ears can be your guide. If you are looking to be re-inspired to start playing again, or find that your expression is not coming accross as it used to be you might be surprised at how much a full-service appointment will make. At the very least, if you spend the money, you better play your piano to get your money's worth! And, guess what?? After servicing, you will sound better than ever!