PianoUnlimited offers piano tuning in Southwest Florida. Below are some of the most common questions asked of piano tuners. If you have a question that is not asked, please feel free to contact us.
Humidity and temperature changes are the common causes of pianos going out of tune. There is swelling and contraction of the wooden parts which change the tension on the strings.
The National Association of Piano Manufacturers recommends at least two tunings per year. However, at least once a year is a decent policy. If you have a good ear, that can be a guide. Some pianists may not be bothered by the tone deteriorating for some time--even months! Others have a regular schedule for tuning. Keeping your piano in tune is most important in the long run.
Yes. It may be hard to believe, but if a piano is left out of tune for a long period of time, it will need more than one tuning because it is difficult to bring a piano back to its intended pitch. The piano must adjust itself after being out of tune for so long to stay in tune.
Any time a piano is near or by a window or door, it can be subject to drafts. That can help the piano to go out of tune faster.
Likewise, vents can cause pianos to go out of tune faster too. Buy an air deflector if you cannot move the piano elsewhere, as it will help. But, avoiding vents is best.
I teach piano, so I know how keys can become soiled when you have so many students playing on the keys week after week. Clean hands can help. The best way to clean keys is with a mild liquid soap (dish soap) diluted with water. Use a soft, clean cloth wrung out with the soap water. After that, use a clean cloth with clean water wrung out and go over the keys again to get the soap residue off of the keys. Then, let it air dry or dry off the keys with a soft, clean cloth. This advice is for plastic topped keys. If you have ivory keys, do not let any water stand, as the ivories will fall off. To keep dust off of the keys, close your fallboard when the piano is not in use. It helps.
Don't! Do you have a relative or someone you can trust to keep, use and take care of your piano until you need it again? That would be the best solution. But, if not, a climate controlled storage unit may be your only choice. Overheating is obviously not good. Minimal heat is better. You certainly don't want a really cold space! Upon moving, I left my piano with a piano dealer I knew until I was ready to get it. That may be an option.