Melodic Pianos LLC FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should my piano be tuned?

All pianos need tuning on a regular basis. Most piano manufacturers recommend tuning twice a year. Of course, it depends on the individual piano's situation. Concert hall pianos are tuned as often as once a week. Even pianos that "just sit" need regular maintenance. Pianos left un-tuned for long periods of time can be very expensive to bring back to playing condition. Your piano technician can help you determine an appropriate schedule for your indivitual piano. Factors controlling a tuning schedule include the type of room the piano is in (whether air-conditioned or not), and the age of the piano.

New pianos are a special case. Their pitch drops quickly for the first few years as the new strings stretch and wood parts settle. It’s very important that a new piano be maintained at proper pitch during this period, so the string tension and piano structure can reach stable equilibrium. Most manufacturers recommend three to four tunings the first year.

Why do pianos need tuning?

Aside from the initial settling, seasonal change is the primary reason pianos go out of tune. To understand why, you must realize that the piano’s main acoustical structure, the soundboard, is made of wood (typically 3/8-inch thick Sitka spruce). And while the wooden soundboards produce a wonderful sound, they also react constantly to weather. As humidity goes up, a soundboard swells, increasing its crowned shape and stretching the piano’s strings to a higher pitch. During dry times, the soundboard flattens out, lowering tension on he strings and causing the pitch to drop.

Unfortunately, the strings don’t change pitch equally. Those near the soundboard’s edge move the least, and those near the center move the most. So, unless it’s in a hermetically sealed chamber, every piano is constantly going out of tune!

Does a piano need tuning after it's moved?

It depends. If it's simply moved within the same building and not up or down stairs, probably not. However, when moving involves temperature or humidity changes, a tuning is usually advised.

Pianos need periodic tuning anyway, whether they are moved or not, so it’s likely that a piano that has just been moved was already due for tuning before the move. If so, it’s best to let the piano adjust to its new environment for a week or two, then have it tuned. On the other hand, if the piano had been recently tuned before the move, you might just hold off and see how the piano sounds after a few weeks. If the climate of the new location is similar to the old, your piano will probably sound fine until its next regular service date.

Does It Hurt My Piano When Kids Pound On It?

Because it’s so annoying, the racket of keys struck at random may rattle your nerves, but it won’t damage the piano.

Most pianos are built to withstand very heavy use. Next time you see a serious pianist perform a flamboyant classical piece, notice how forcefully he or she attacks the keyboard. Or listen to how hard your tuner pounds each key when tuning your piano. In comparison, a child’s small hands couldn’t possibly play that hard.

The real danger of children playing with, as opposed to playing, a piano is that they often can’t resist dropping small toys inside, slipping coins into the slots between the keys, or running toys across the finish.

But remember that music exists to give pleasure. Encourage your child to have fun with the piano, not to be afraid of it. Don’t worry if young children play haphazardly and loudly. If you teach respect for the instrument and they discover how enjoyable playing can be, they’ll treat it properly. And if your children learn that playing the piano is fun, you won’t have to plead with them to practice when they’re older.

Positioning a Piano in Your Home

“Is it wrong to place against an outside wall? How far from the fireplace must it be? Can I keep my piano in an unheated room?”

These are all common questions posed by piano owners. The answers lie in two important criteria: temperature and humidity.

Pianos are mostly wood and are greatly affected by seasonal change. Variations in the air’s relative humidity, and to a lesser extent temperature, case a piano to go out of tune. In the long run, repeated swings in relative humidity can cause damage to the finis, cracking of the wooden soundboard, and even structural failure. So, when locating your piano, try to choose a spot with the fewest drafts, no direct sunlight and stable temperature and humidity.