Frequently Asked Piano Tuning Questions

The Piano Tuners' Association recommends having your piano tuned twice a year.  For the average household, once a year is sufficient. New pianos typically require more frequent tuning during their first year as the strings stretch and settle. Pianos in environments with fluctuating humidity or temperature may need tuning more often.  Leaving your piano untuned for more than 18 months may mean it requires a longer session, or multiple sessions to stabilise.

​

At Ruby Tunes, a standard fine tuning session costs £80, and takes up to 2 hours.  Discounts are offered to venues with multiple pianos, to charities, and when booking tuning biannually.  For more information on prices, please find our price list here. 

Your tuner will take off the top and front panels of your piano to get inside, and so, if you're able to, its helpful to remove any items sitting on top of your piano before they arrive (and please don't put vases or drinks on a piano at any time!) Ruby will assess your piano's pitch, and discuss the options available to you, and proceed according to your needs and wishes.   During the tuning session, please don't play music, as it will interfere with your tuner's ears! But equally, don't feel you have to tip-toe around the house - we tune in all kinds of places and are able to focus in on the piano.​

​

Most pianos can be tuned regardless of age, with quality instruments remaining serviceable for 80-100+ years with proper care.  Even pianos that haven't been tuned for many years can usually be restored to playable condition, though they may require several tuning sessions to fully stabilise. In rare circumstances, a piano is"untunable" because of severe structural damage to the pin block. While pianos naturally deteriorate over time (felt compresses, strings corrode, wood changes), regular maintenance will extend its lifespan considerably.

​

DIY piano tuning is not recommended without proper training and specialised tools (not purchased from sites like Amazon!). The process requires adjusting over 200 strings to precise tensions, understanding complex acoustic principles, and having developed ears that can detect subtle frequency variations.  Much of the repair work we carry out as piano specialists is as a result of poor, insufficient or incomplete work done in the past, so please resist the urge to have a go yourself and contact a reputable piano technician, like Ruby Tunes.

​

It's never too late to learn the piano!  And having your piano tuned might be the motivation you need to get started.  Here's what some of my clients have been saying: “Ruby granted my piano a late lease of life, and ditto my playing”;“I was inspired by your visit to dig out some sheet music. All I need to do now is pluck up some courage and have a go!”

​​

Congratulations on your new home! If you are moving house, we strongly recommend that you hire a specialist piano removal service to move your piano.  Once your piano is safely in your new home, it is tempting to get it tuned instantly, but it is important to give the piano a couple of weeks to adjust to its new environment before getting it tuned.
For any other piano queries, please get in touch below.