"What makes my piano go out of tune?"

 "Since the piano contains materials such as wood and felt it is subject to change with climatic conditions. Extreme swings from hot to cold, or dry to wet cause its materials to swell and contract, affecting pitch, tone and action response or touch. You can reduce the severity of these effects by placing your piano on a wall away from windows or doors that open frequently. Avoid heating and air conditioning vents, fireplaces and direct sunlight. A piano also goes out of tune due to routine playing of the instrument."

 

"How often should I have my piano tuned?"

"Most piano manufacturers recommend that a new piano be tuned four times a year while settling takes place, which is usually within the first year. Once this has occurred a piano should be tuned twice a year. Of course piano owners may receive optimum performance from their piano by having it tuned more frequently. Tuning your piano regularly will help to ensure it’s performance for your lifetime. Ask your technician about regulation and voicing services as well."

ARE YOUR STICKING KEYS A PROBLEM?

"How can I protect my piano against drastic humidity changes?"

"Installation of a Piano Life-Saver system by Dampp-Chaser® will prove beneficial for your piano. This system automatically controls humidity within the piano, maintaining it at a wood-friendly 42% humidity. The Piano Life Saver system will pay for itself many times over during the life of the piano in reduced tunings and eliminated action repairs due to humidity cycling. It will prevent the growth of toxic mold inside of your piano. This system must be installed by a trained piano technician. As a CERTIFIED INSTALLER Seroe Michaud offers full installations on grand and vertical pianos. For more information click on the logo below."

"How long will it take to have my piano tuned?"

"A standard tuning takes approximately 90 minutes. If your piano has not been tuned annually was "tuned low" your piano may require a pitch raise. This process will take an extra 60 - 90 minutes as your piano will actually be tuned 2-3 times. Seroe will measure the A above middle C to a digital machine to determine how far below A 440 (standard pitch) the piano may be. Although uncommon, sometimes pianos can be sharp requiring a pitch lowering. A similar process would apply."

 

"What is a pitch raise?"

 "If your piano has not been tuned for a long time (3 years or more), it could be as much as a quarter step or more out of tune. As a result, bringing the piano up to pitch could add over two tons of pressure to the frame and plate. This requires tuning the piano two or more times to equalize the tension along the entire harp of the piano. The first tuning is a rough tuning called a pitch raise which is then followed by the fine tuning. If a pitch raise is not done, as one section of the piano is tuned, the warping effect would cause the other sections to go out of tune."

"How far from standard pitch must a piano be before a pitch raise is necessary?"

"I will measure the pitch of your piano using a digital tuning machine to determine how far from A440 it is flat. If it is over 15 cents flat I will be doing a pitch raise as well as a fine tuning. If it is over 50 cents flat I will be doing at least two pitch raises and a fine tuning. In general, the longer a piano has gone without regular service, the more tunings will be required to re-establish tuning stability."

"What is voicing?"

"Voicing has to do with the tone produced by the piano, and it is done after regulation. Strings are leveled and hammers are fit to the strings. Then hammers are treated to achieve the balance between attack, color and sustain that the artist prefers."

"What is regulation?"

"Regulation has to do with the action and leverage adjustments. Regulation tends to change as felt becomes packed and hardened through use and is also affected by humidity changes. To correct for these changes, keys need to be adjusted for even height, spacing and regulation depth of travel. The rest of the action is then adjusted to idealize all relationships and obtain the best "touch." Dampers are regulated to evenly leave and return to the strings effectively."

"How expensive is it to have a piano tuned?"

Remember tuning your piano will take about 90 minutes or more and requires a trip to your location. Our rates are among the lowest offered in the area. 

Please phone or email us for price quote.

 

 

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