Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I tune my piano?

For the average household in Bay Area, I recommend every 12 months.

How long will the tuning appointment take?

Most tunings are completed within 1.5-2 hours. If a pitch raise is needed prior to the tuning, the appointment will take about 2.5 hours.

What is a pitch raise?

When a piano sits for a while, the strings loosen and the overall pitch drops flat. A pitch raise is a preliminary, rough tuning pass to pull all those loose strings back up to baseline pressure.

Why is a pitch raise required if my piano hasn’t been tuned in 2 or more years?

Pianos hold a massive amount of tension (around 18 to 20 tons across all the strings combined). Over time, seasonal changes in humidity cause the wood soundboard to move, and that tension slowly slips away.

If I try to fine-tune a very flat piano in just one pass, tightening all those loose strings puts thousands of pounds of new pressure back on the frame all at once. That sudden shift causes the frame to flex, which immediately knocks the strings I just finished right back out of tune. Doing a quick rough tuning first evens out the overall string pressure so the final fine-tuning actually holds.

How do I know if my piano needs a pitch raise?

If it’s been two or more years since your last service, it will almost certainly need one. When I arrive, I check the pitch right away. If the piano has dropped noticeably flat, I’ll let you know we need to do that quick setup pass first so your tuning lasts.

Does a pitch raise cost extra or take longer?

Yes, slightly. Because I am essentially tuning the piano twice in one visit. First the rough pass to restore the baseline pressure, then the precise fine tuning, it usually adds about 45 minutes to the appointment and an additional fee.

Is a pitch raise safe for older pianos?

In almost all cases, yes. Older strings can sometimes be brittle under new tension, so I always do a thorough visual inspection of the strings, pins, and structure before starting to make sure the piano can safely handle the adjustment.