If you can’t find an answer to your question, please send me a message!
We rebranded to Burd & Sons to reclaim our family’s original name and build a brand that stands for more than just “tuning” — while retaining the same craftsmanship, service area, and values. Customers who used to know us as St. Louis Piano Tuning or St. Louis Pianoworks will find we still offer the exact same services and quality.
Read this short article for my best answer to this oft asked question.
Probably not! Here’s why.
This is probably our most frequently asked question. Almost all manufacturers suggest tuning a new piano four times in the first year and then twice per year thereafter. At a minimum, a piano should be tuned at least once a year. Click here for a much more detailed answer.
Follow this link to learn more about the process of tuning a piano.
Cash, check, debit/credit card, Paypal, Venmo, and Cashapp.
For churches and schools, we will invoice if needed.
Payment by card is preferred.
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 sons to tune using an ETD, they have been educated in aural tuning and tuning history. More about tuning here.
No, but I can play it’s scales!
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.
What is a pitch raise? Regulation? Hammer reshaping and voicing? What do all of these things mean and does my piano need them? These terms are explained in our glossary.
“How much is it to tune a piano?”
Nationally, the average piano tuning price in 2025 is between $150 and $250. The price varies with the skill level of the tuner, location, and what is included in the service.
Keep in mind that while price is a factor, the quality of the work and the specific needs of your piano should be the primary consideration. A higher initial cost might be worth it if a technician can address underlying issues that a cheaper service might miss, saving you money in the long run.
This will be covered in detail in a blog post soon, but in brief:
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!
You can schedule an evaluation of your piano if you’d like to know more about it’s condition and market value.
Most likely! I have information on upgrading specific systems available on this site.
To learn more, select the maker of your system below.
Read my short blog post on this for a good answer!