Frequently Asked Questions

---

This is probably our most frequently asked question. Almost all  piano manufacturers suggest tuning a new piano four times in the first  year and then twice a year thereafter.  At a minimum, a piano should be  tuned at least once a year.  Click here for a much more detailed answer.  

We service the areas of Saint Louis, Chesterfield, St Peters, St Charles, Maryland Heights, Creve Coeur, Ladue, Clayton, University City, Kirkwood, Ballwin, Eureka, Wildwood, Fenton, Mehlville, Affton, Fenton, Maplewood, Webster Groves, Des Peres, Town and Country, Valley Park, Ellisville, Lemay, Arnold, Manchester, Richmond Heights, and all areas in between. 

Cash, check, debit/credit card, Paypal, Venmo, and Cashapp. 

For chuches and schools, we will invoice if needed. 

I tuned strictly by ear (starting with just a tuning fork) for 20  years. I continuously rejected the idea that electronics could make an  improvement over centuries-old methods. Then a highly respected colleague insisted that I watch him use an ETD (electronic tuning device). I was amazed - the added visuals and precision can tell us things that we simply could not detect by ear alone. I adopted an ETD into my routine, and indeed, it made my tunings even better. I do not rely on the ETD alone, I still listen as carefully as ever. I do not use an ETD  to tell me what to do, rather I use it as an additional valuable tool to help me decide what is optimal for bringing out the very best in your piano.  Even though I have taught my son Ike to tune using an  ETD, he has been educated in aural tuning and tuning history.   

A piano tuner only tunes pianos, while a piano technician is qualified to  diagnose and correct issues with the piano action, pedals, strings,  dampers, etc... It is not insulting or incorrect to refer to a piano technician as a piano tuner, but no one who only tunes pianos should call themselves a piano technician. 

Sadly,  the field of piano technology is not regulated by any government or official agency. Several organizations exist in order to give customers a level of confidence in the person you are hiring. In the U.S., the primary titles that you might see are certified, registered, and master. 

The term "Certified Piano Technician" is generally given to those who have  completed a course in piano technology. No other qualifications are implied by this title. 

The title "Registered Piano Technician" (RPT) is given to those who have successfully completed a series of 3 tests which are administered by the  Piano Technicians Guild. Most good technicians can accomplish this within 5  or so years of piano tech experience. Hiring a tech with this  designation does not guarantee top-notch work, but it does let you know  that the tech is qualified to do most field work and is not a novice. 

In  order to be bestowed the title of "Master Piano Technician" (MPT), one  must have an impressive resume and considerable experience. Membership in this organization is exclusive, and new members must be approved by a vote of current members at the annual convention. 

This is not an exhaustive list of designations that have been given to piano techs, but these 3 are the most common. Even though the titles come from different sources, it may be useful to think of them in the standard trade terms of Apprentice, Journeyman and Master.

A pitch adjustment (or pitch correction/pitch raise) is a rough tuning performed prior to a fine tuning.  This is necessary when a piano hasn't been tuned for several years, in order to bring the tension on the strings and plate into equilibrium and to restore stability.  When a  piano is not tuned regularly, this desired balance is thrown off, and the results of a tuning without this preparation are unsatisfactory.   

Through the years, the various felts and leathers in the moving parts of the piano action become compressed, creating lost motion.  Furthermore, each note of the piano will be played a different number of times and to varying degrees, eventually causing considerable variation in the feel from one note to the next. Regulation is the process of correcting for these inconsistencies by adjusting the numerous screws and springs in the action, thereby setting these  tolerances and measurements back to factory specifications. Regulation also includes making sure the hammers are hitting the strings exactly right, adjustment of the pedals, and a thorough check of all parts of  the piano.   

Years of playing causes piano hammers to gradually lose their ideal pear shape and flatten out where they strike the strings.  This also causes the hammers to form grooves on them from the strings, which can dramatically affect the tone quality of the instrument. Reshaping is the act of carefully filing the hammers down to their correct original shape. Reshaping is always followed by voicing.    

Playing on a piano causes compression of the felts, not only in the action, but the hammers as well.  As the hammers become more dense and hard, the tone of the piano will become brighter and louder.  In  advanced cases, the piano will sound harsh and unpleasant, losing the warmth of tone that the hammers once had. Voicing is the process of  inserting needles into the hammers to soften the felt and break up overly dense layers. By knowing exactly where on the hammer to insert the needles, and how deep to go, a good technician can change the tonal qualities of a piano considerably.    

How much does piano tuning cost? Nationally,  the average piano tuning price in 2024 is between $150 and $250. The price varies with the skill level of the tuner, location, and what is  included in the service. 

Some techs, such as myself, will make small repairs and adjustments for no  extra cost during a piano tuning appointment. Other techs may charge less for the tuning, but tag on fees of $15 or more for each sticky key or minor repair. In other words, one tech may advertise $200 for a basic  service and fix several issues for no extra cost, while another tech may advertise $150 but then add on $75 in extras, costing you more in the long run. Make sure you know what you are getting included in your service! If your piano is very out of tune (if it's been several years  since the last tuning) it will likely need a pitch raise, which adds  approximately $70 to $130 to the basic cost. It is important to consider that an experienced piano technician works more efficiently and at a  higher skill level than a novice tech. As the old adage says, "You get  what you pay for."

This will be covered in detail a blog post soon, but in brief:
 

• Spinets have little or no monetary value. 
• Tall old upright pianos, in spite of their beauty, historical value, and sound quality, are a dime a dozen - unless they have been very well cared for, restored, or were made by a great maker such as Steinway, Mason & Hamlin, or Chickering, in  which case they may   have some value, but will almost never bring more than a couple thousand  dollars. 
• Console and Studio pianos, if well cared for and of good quality, may be worth $400 - $1500 or more. 
• Grand pianos vary considerably and could be worth anywhere from $500 - $50,000 or more. 
• I am available for appraisals and insurance estimates of a piano's monetary value. 

A  piano's true value though, lies in what it's worth to you and your family. Kept in good playable condition, your piano is priceless!