FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I tune my piano?
A: By far the most common question. A good rule of thumb is at twice a year. Many factors contribute to the stability of a tuning, but keeping a piano in tune is critically important to a student's development and frankly, no lesson however well performed will sound right if the piano is out of tune. Bear in mind that pianos in recital halls and concert venues are generally tuned before each performance.
Q: There are just one or two clinker notes, do I have to get the whole piano tuned?
A: Pianos drift out of tune gradually, what you are probably hearing is the group of two or three strings that make up a single note going out of tune. If your piano has recently been tuned, you may need a simple touch-up. If it has been awhile, your piano has probably drifted flat or sharp, just so gradually that you may not have noticed.
Q: Where is a good place in my home for the piano?
A: Against an inside wall, shaded from exposure to direct sunlight. Try to avoid placing the instrument in the stream of a heat register. Place the piano in a main room so as to not isolate the player, and position the piano so the player is playing to the room, not to the corner. With a vertical piano, leave 3-4" of air space between the piano and the wall.
Q: What about temperature and humidity?
A: Pianos are constructed of many different types of woods, varying greatly in size and shape. With this in mind, pianos should be in a consistent environment free from large swings in either temperature or humidity. Ideal humidity for a piano is 40-45%. Many modern homes have humidifiers built into their furnace systems, if your system is not so equipped, there are solutions for both the home and for specifically the piano. Contact us for further information.
Q: How far will you travel and do you charge for mileage?
A: I have clients from Rice Lake, Wisconsin to Northfield, Minnesota and have never charged any extra for distance. However, if you live a ways away and have a friend that has a piano in need of service, I would be happy to offer a discount to both of you if the service can be scheduled on the same day.