According to the Piano Technicians Guild, piano tuning varies according to manufacturers:
“While pianos generally fall into vertical and grand model categories, each manufacturer selects its own materials and utilizes its own unique scale and furniture designs. Every piano requires a different level of maintenance, depending upon the quality of materials used and the design and level of craftsmanship. Manufacturers can provide general advice on tuning frequency but your technician can give specific recommendations based upon your usage and locale.”
Here’s what some of the major piano manufacturers recommend:
Baldwin Piano Company (also Chickering, Wurlitzer)
Professional service is the key. In the first year, the National Piano Manufacturers Association recommends that you have your piano tuned four times. This is a period of environmental adjustment for a new instrument, and proper attention is important.
Chickering Grand Piano Restoration 2016
After the first year, the piano should be tuned at least twice each year, depending upon the frequency of use and atmospheric conditions. Contact Artisan Piano Services to schedule an appointment with our professional technicians to perform this service.
Our customers often ask us why their piano seems to go out of tune when the weather changes. According to the Piano Technicians Guild:
“Because your piano contains materials such as wood and felt, it is subject to change with climatic conditions. Extreme swings from hot to cold or dry to wet cause its materials to swell and contract, affecting tone, pitch, and action response or touch.
You can reduce the severity of these effects by placing your piano near a wall away from windows or doors that are opened frequently. Avoid heating and air conditioning vents, fireplaces and areas which receive direct sunlight. Your piano will perform best under consistent conditions neither too wet nor dry, optimally at a temperature of 68 degrees F and 42 percent relative humidity.”
To read more information on how to keep your piano maintained and sounding beautiful, see the Piano Technicians Guild article: How Often Should My Piano Be Serviced?
The New Artisan Piano Services Blog
With the unveiling of the new Artisan Piano Services Blog we want to celebrate over the next several weeks some of the new and exciting things that have happened in 2014.
At the beginning of 2014 we welcomed two exceptional piano technicians as new team members in our Portland, Oregon location: Michael Turano and Jonathan Valentine. Both of them are graduates of the North Bennet Street School of Piano Technology (NBSS) in Boston, MA. Both are Registered Piano Technicians (RPT) with the Piano Technicians Guild, and quickly became important to our success this year.
Micahel Turano comes to us from Windsor, CA, having been highly recommended by his professors at the North Bennet School, which he finished in 2013. Michael is a fantastic technician, who loves the complexity of the inner workings of pianos. Michael is always surprising us with his wide range of interest which includes everything from weaving and Scottish country dancing to volunteering at Guide Dogs for the Blind in his spare time.
Look for Michael in the North Bennet School promotional video (at 28 seconds)
DO WHAT YOU LOVE EVERY DAY from North Bennet Street School on Vimeo.
Jonathan Valentine is an accomplished Classical Concert Pianist from Bayport, NY. He is a gifted technician who loves to bring pianos back to life, and enjoys seeing the passion people have for music. His attention to detail and inherent understanding of the customers’ needs and wants have made him an incredibly valuable addition to our team. Along with a love of playing the piano, Jonathan also appreciates the great outdoors and has recently taken up rock-climbing and bouldering.
To learn about the rest of the team, visit “Our Team” on our website!
