Why do pianos need tuning?

Because of the tension on the piano strings, there is approximately 20 tonnes of pressure across the back of an average piano. This is a huge force. The stretched strings are pulling at the piano frame, trying to ease this tension. Regular tuning maintains the tension and the beautiful harmony of the instrument. It also provides an opportunity for regular inspection to assist with the possible diagnosis of potential piano health problems.

How long does it take to tune a piano?

• Usually professional piano tuning takes up to an hour and a half per visit, although if a piano hasn’t been tuned for years it can take much longer than this.

• When I was engaged to tune Sir Elton John’s piano on his first concert tour in Northamptonshire, the stage management insisted that I had only forty-five minutes in which to tune the piano. The piano, having been badly tuned at the last venue, was wildly out of tune by concert standards. Within the hour, the piano was up to scratch.

• When I tune pianos for orchestras and professional performances, the piano is tuned before the afternoon rehearsal and again before the evening performance so that the piano is ready for the concert. For domestic pianos I would recommend tuning them every six months. 

Keep your piano in fine condition by having it tuned regularly.