If it sounds fine, why should I have my piano tuned?

So you’re sitting there at your piano, playing to your heart’s delight, and you think to yourself, “I know it’s been over a year since my piano was tuned, but it doesn’t sound that bad. Does it really need to be tuned again?”

This question seems very reasonable. If the piano doesn’t sound bad, it doesn’t need a tuning, right?

Well, even if a piano doesn’t sound out of tune, it should be tuned regularly because the pitch of all pianos will fall flat over time (5-15% of a half step per year, on average). In some cases, if a piano goes long enough without a tuning, it may even slip an entire half-step flat without the player noticing (that is, until they try to play along with a recording or with other musicians). 

So then arises the question, how often should a piano be tuned, really? Ideally, a piano should be tuned every six months. However, in a well-controlled climate, a piano may only need to be tuned once per year (Mario Igrec, Pianos Inside Out, 89).

You say, alright, alright, Mr. piano tuner, how do we know you’re not only saying that so you get more business? I wish I could say I was that clever of a businessman. The truth of the matter is, if you want a piano that stays in rock-solid tune, the optimal tuning window is 6-12 months. 

So as you are playing along and have tuning-musings, you might decide that it’s time. Even if you’re piano has fallen a half-step flat or more and it’s been years since a tuning, there is grace. We will be happy to help you, whatever condition your piano is in. We’re always just a text/phone call away. 

Bobby Marcum 

(404) 780-3340