Measure the note (the A above middle C) with a simple phone tuning app. Free Iphone tuning apps include Panotuner and Tracetuner. Android apps include Datuner Lite and Gstrings If the note is close to A440 (meaning the dial is close to the A) the piano probably only needs a standard tuning. If the note is 20% or 20 cents or more away from the note (around 1/4 of the way towards another note) then the piano will probably need a pitch adjustment. If the tuning app shows an entirely different note (other than A) then the piano is extremely out of tune. In this case your piano will need to be evaluated by our technician.

A yearly tuning is sufficient for most amateur pianists. Churches, institutions, and more advanced pianists require more frequent tunings at six month or more frequent intervals.

Generally, it's best practice to let the piano acclimate to its surroundings and wait at least 5 days before tuning. If a piano is being moved from another area where the humidity is very different a longer wait may be required.

Like a very old car, a very old piano may need very extensive work in order to function as a musical instrument. Antique instruments should generally be avoided unless they have been rebuilt or they are in exceptionally good condition for their age.

There are about 220 strings in a piano. Each string must be tuned individually. The strings are at a higher tension and only require very small, controlled movements in order to bring them into pitch. This skill requires a lot of time and effort to learn. While it may be possible for an amateur to tune a piano (we all started as amateurs) it generally takes a very long time, 6-8 hours, to complete your first tuning, with generally poor results. You also risk breaking a damaging a string in you unknowingly overtighten it. If you are interested in piano tuning we can teach you! Call or text for more information.