Tuning: The Piano Dealer's Master Touch

Jun 5
07:13

2012

Anna Woodward

Anna Woodward

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Many owners of pianos do not realize that their instrument needs to be tuned regularly. The masterful touch of a piano dealer can bring your old instrument back to life.

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It's hard to believe that something as finely crafted as a baby grand could ever fall into disorder,Tuning: The Piano Dealer's Master Touch Articles but even the nicest of musical instruments become out of tune over time. While the highly tensioned musical strings are firmly secured in the back of the classic instrument, the hammers that strike these strings will eventually cause them to fall out of tune. While the change is so gradual that you probably won't notice that anything is amiss, the changes that an experience piano dealer can do to fix up your instrument will make your instrument sound like new. There are a few telltale signs that your clavier needs a tuneup, as well as a few different techniques to make its sound pop.

A fine instrument generally sounds good, so knowing when it's in need for a tuneup can be difficult. Routine tuneups from your piano dealer a few times a year are recommended, though this figure varies depending on how often you play. Keyboards used in professional settings are tuned quite frequently, but for recreational use mileage can vary. Generally, you'll want to have your instrument re-tuned once per year, if you move it into another room or building, or if it begins to sound dull and less lively.

A piano dealer will also adjust your keyboard's voicing from time to time. Voicing has nothing to do with the pitch of the strings, but rather the brightness or dullness of the sound it makes. Different methods of construction and different materials provide for unique sounds. An upright will never sound quite the same as a grand, for example, but the tone of the instrument will change over time. Voicing your strings involves adjusting the strings to match each other better and give a more cohesive sound to the instrument. This process need not happen quite so often as a tuning, and usually only needs to occur every 3 years or so.

Tuning and voicing is a very tedious and delicate process that takes years to develop properly. While it is technically possible to learn how to do these things yourself, it takes a fine and nuanced ear to be able to tell what needs to be fixed and how much to adjust it. A passionate piano dealer usually has spent years practicing on many models and can offer an expert ear to your aid. Adjusting over 200 strings in tiny, consistent amounts is a chore in and of itself. Doing it accurately and carefully for your particular model is an art best suited for a master. Usually a piano dealer will do house calls and can help you identify problems on older pianos that could lead to costlier damage further down the line.

Getting your keyboard tuned is always worth the trouble. If you've never had it done before you'll be surprised to hear the difference- and you will be able to hear the difference! After all, though it does take a master to perform tuning and voicing, everyone can and will appreciate it.

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