Leary's

Tuning

Tuning is the most common piano service provided. It is equivalent to putting gas in a car.

Musical function requires the piano to be in tune. The process consists of adjusting the tension of the approx 200+ strings until they all are in harmony with each other. The accumulated tension on a correctly tuned piano can be @ 40,000 pounds. 

The physics of stretched steel wires and curved wooden soundboards make a state of “in tune” elusive at best. Variations in the piano’s age, condition, environment around the piano, seasonal heating and cooling demands, quality of the piano’s construction and artistic requirement of the player all will affect the service frequency.

The high requirements of performing artists can be 3 separate tuning sessions in a single day or possibly a “stand-by” technician prepared to spot check the instrument on an on-going basis. Steinway & Sons home piano tuning recommendations are seasonal. Some lower quality manufacturers will recommend annual tuning as they scale their recommendations to the price point of their instruments.

Periods of neglect will have accumulated consequences such as the need for several passes through the tuning process. This naturally will cost more and can impact the life of the piano’s materials, i.e. string breakage. Pianos are trained to sound their best. They don’t arrive there by any other means. For those looking for consistent results, humidity control is highly recommended as pianos that are subjected to large changes in temperature and humidity suffer the most, ultimately ruining the piano.

Choosing more frequent service, while ignoring climate conditions surrounding the piano, contributes to accelerated aging/deterioration of the strings and action. 

Fees are assessed by calculating the pitch change required (not including possible repairs) and distance travelled to the appointment. Performance demands can cause the frequency recommendations and cost to vary.

Maintenance

Mechanical maintenance requirements can vary as much as tuning requirements for many of the same reasons. 

 Age, wear and contamination can all be problems that have different solutions. Artistic demands and performance requirements vary significantly dependent upon the skill of the player. 

 Comprehensive action work can be time consuming and expensive. Small problems can often be inexpensively managed at the time of a tuning appointment.  Regulation, adjustment, alignment, voicing and repairs are separate services from tuning. 

Questions about possible improvements are best answered at the piano during an appointment when the problems can be accurately identified and the pianist can show their concerns.  When scheduling a regular tuning you should let us know about any mechanical problems you are aware of. If we plan your appointment time to allow for repairs it can be more cost effective to manage small problems before they interfere with the use of the piano. Subsequent separate appointments for minor problems can significantly increase the expense of maintenance. 

We can expertly perform all levels of maintenance that you may require. We are equipped to handle any repairs your piano may need be it a grand, studio, upright or spinet style. While the mechanisms vary with the style of piano, the materials are remarkably similar. Please feel free to download any of the PDF documents provided here for more information on just some of the repairs we can provide.

Hammer Butt Spring Repair	Regulating a Grand Piano
Spinet Piano Maintenance	Brass Rail Repair
Upright Back Separation Repair