How often should my piano be tuned?

For most pianos, professional tuning every 6 to 12 months is recommended to maintain accurate pitch, tonal clarity, and responsive touch. Regular tuning keeps the instrument stable and enjoyable to play.

With over 200 strings under significant tension, pianos can lose pitch over time due to temperature and humidity changes and regular use, impacting performance. For pianos used frequently—such as for daily practice or performances—a six-month tuning schedule is ideal to ensure reliability and support accurate pitch development, especially for students.

More frequent tuning may be necessary if the piano has been moved, exposed to significant climate changes, extensively played, not tuned in years, newly purchased, or installed in a fluctuating environment.

Routine tuning not only keeps your piano in tune but also protects your investment by maintaining string tension and structural integrity, minimising the need for extensive repairs. Regular professional tuning ensures your piano continues to deliver its rich sound and performance for years to come.

What is piano tuning?

Piano tuning is a blend of science and art. It involves adjusting the tension of over 230 strings, each under about 75 kilograms of tension, resulting in nearly 20 tonnes of combined pressure. The aim is to create a piano that resonates with clarity and harmony, rather than just achieving correct individual notes.

Each piano is unique, influenced by its character, age, and tonal personality. An experienced tuner evaluates these traits and makes countless precise adjustments to enhance sound quality and pitch stability.

Professional tuning does more than improve sound; it maintains proper string tension, ensures long-term performance, and preserves the piano's value. Whether a cherished upright or a concert grand, expert tuning enables your piano to reveal its full depth and beauty.

What is pitch raise?

When a piano is not tuned for a long time, its strings lose tension, causing the pitch to fall below the standard A440. Raising the pitch quickly can disturb the instrument's balance. 

To properly restore your piano, the tuner starts with a pitch raise, gradually bringing the strings to their correct tension and re-establishing overall balance. Following this, fine-tuning is performed to ensure every note is refined and the instrument's character is revealed. 

A piano is a delicate system, and the goal is to guide it back into equilibrium, not just force it into tune. After a pitch raise, the piano needs time to settle, so a follow-up fine-tuning after three months is recommended to ensure lasting stability. 

This careful process protects your instrument, improves tuning stability, and helps maintain its rich tone, allowing your piano to perform beautifully for years to come. 

What Is A440 Piano Tuning? 

A440 is the internationally recognised tuning standard that sets the reference pitch for the note “A” above middle C at 440 vibrations per second (Hz). This note provides the foundation from which every other note on the piano is carefully adjusted, creating the balanced tonal structure that allows the instrument to sound harmonious across its entire keyboard.

Achieving accurate A440 tuning requires more than simply matching individual notes to a reference pitch. A skilled piano tuner considers the relationship between every string, interval, and register to create a cohesive sound that is both musically accurate and pleasing to the ear.

Over time, environmental changes, regular playing, and natural string movement can cause a piano’s pitch to drift away from this standard. Professional tuning restores the instrument’s correct pitch, improves tonal clarity, and ensures every note works together as the manufacturer intended.

Whether your piano is used for daily practice, teaching, performance, or simply enjoyed as the centrepiece of your home, regular tuning helps maintain its beautiful tone, responsive touch, and long-term stability.

Should my piano be tuned after moving?

Moving a piano significantly affects its internal components, even if it appears unchanged externally. Pianos are sensitive to temperature and humidity, which can cause their wooden and felt parts to expand or contract in a new environment. Even careful transportation can alter string tension and overall tonal balance. 

It's recommended to let your piano settle for 4 to 12 weeks before scheduling a professional tuning. This allows it to acclimatise for a more accurate result.

To protect your piano after moving, position it away from direct sunlight, fireplaces, and vents, and avoid placing it against external walls. A professional tuning not only restores pitch but also helps regain balance and tone, ensuring your instrument performs at its best, whether it’s moved locally or across the country.

Can you replace broken strings?

Yes, broken piano strings can be replaced. A broken string disrupts your piano’s sound and affects tonal consistency if not addressed. While breakage is rare, it can happen due to age, corrosion, or changes in tension. Our professional service carefully removes the damaged string and installs a suitable replacement that matches your piano’s design and tonal requirements. 

After installation, the piano will need adjustment and tuning for the new string to blend with the others. Each piano is unique, so this process requires skill and attention to detail.

Whether it’s a family heirloom or a grand piano, prompt string replacement restores its voice and performance. If you have a broken string or notice a different-sounding note, contact us for an assessment and professional repair.

For bass strings, which are custom-made, we need to take precise measurements before ordering a replacement. Once installed, careful tuning helps the new string integrate smoothly.

Contact us today to arrange an assessment and bring your piano back to its best.

What can I do if my piano is too heavy to play? Can it be made lighter for easier playing?

Yes, your piano’s touch can be adjusted. If it feels difficult to play, uneven, or unresponsive, a professional regulation service can make a significant difference. Over time, the thousands of moving parts inside a piano can shift due to regular use and environmental changes, affecting key movement and responsiveness.

A full piano regulation involves adjusting the mechanical components to restore balance and responsiveness. We can also make smaller adjustments to tailor the touch to your preferences, whether you prefer a lighter, more responsive touch or a firmer one for greater control.

Targeted adjustments have helped pianists improve comfort and ease of play, even with subtle refinements. If your piano feels heavy or less enjoyable to play, talk to us about how regulation can help restore your connection with the instrument.