Piano Tuning & Service Information

Piano service can be very confusing to the lay-person or inexperienced piano owner. Here we attempt to provide you with the definitions and explanations of common service issues so that you might make informed decisions regarding the care of your piano.

For a description of piano and action components, please see our Piano Components page.

Our Topics Here:

Your Piano Technician/Tuner
Piano Maintenance & Tuning
Minor repairs
Humidity Problems
Hammer Care & Voicing
Soundboard & Bridge Issues
Polyester And Other Finish Issues

Your Piano Technician/Tuner - The most important aspect of the care of your piano is having a relationship with an experienced Piano Technician that you have confidence in. Your piano is an expensive instrument and often sentimentally priceless. If you wouldn't allow your teenage neighbor work on your new car, you shouldn't let just anyone work on your piano. Just because they have a tool box, tuning fork and business card, don't assume they are a skilled technician. More about Piano Technicians...

Piano Maintenance & Tuning - Piano manufacturers, the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG), and piano technical training institutions all recommend that you maintain a regular schedule of tuning your piano every six months. This is not because technicians are out of work and attempting to cook up business. The reasons for this recommendation are numerous and valid and if not understood could result in severe damage and costly repairs to your piano. In this section we will cover the basics of piano maintenance & tuning and give you some helpful tools to keep your piano in excellent condition at the lowest cost possible. More on Maintenance and Tuning...

Minor repairs - During the life of your piano, you will experience minor problems every now and then. The piano is a complex mechanical instrument and wear and climatic issues will cause component malfunction or failure at one time or another. The piano is also often a music study desk, coffee table, holiday decor center and family photo display. There is nothing more frustrating than reporting that awful buzzing or sticking key to your technician and paying a service call fee to have him/her hand you a pencil found resting on the strings or a coin stuck between the keys. Prevent minor problems, resolve non-technical issues and know when you need to call your technician. More on Minor Repair...

Humidity Problems - The piano is primarily composed of wood, felt and other bio-materials which are very susceptible to humidity and climatic variances. Of all service issues, a majority of them could be avoided with attention given to the climatic environment. Extremes of humidity or humidity variances can cause minor to irreparable problems with your fine instrument. Know how to avoid climatic effects on your piano and find solutions to symptoms common to low or high humidity conditions. More on Climatic Problems...

Hammer Care & Voicing - The hammers of an acoustic piano are responsible for much of the tonal quality of a piano. The hammer is the percussive component that strikes the strings of the pianos creating the vibration energy in the string. Tone increases with both the quality and condition of the pianos hammers. Proper maintenance, conditioning or replacement can revive original sing tone now lost due to poor hammer condition. More on Hammer Care...

Soundboard & Bridge Issues- The Soundboard is the speaker of the acoustic piano. It is actually a large diaphragm made of wood which vibrates from the string energy moving airwaves thereby amplifying the frequency of the vibrating strings. The Bridges are dense extensions from the soundboard by which the string transfers it's energy to the soundboard. Being comprised of wood and under extreme tension, the these are not only primary components of the piano but are extremely susceptible to damage or faults. Discover the facts about soundboard and bridge care, defects and resolves. More on Soundboard & Bridge Issues...

Polyester And Other Finish Issues - French Polish, Lacquer and Polyester has been the standard piano finish evolution in the piano industry. Each finish has different characteristics, care procedures and repair techniques. Which finish do you have and what is the best way to preserve, restore or repair? Ascertain the distinguishing elements of each and what are acceptable and ill-advised approaches to dealing with piano finish issues. More on Polyester and Finish Issues...