How often should a piano be tuned?

Pianos lose their tuning from several factors; even pianos that are not played need regular tunings to stay in good condition. These factors include string tension, climatic conditions, and playing time.

Each of the 230 or so strings is tensioned at approximately 165 lbs., for a total of over 20 tons of tension in the piano overall. This extremely large force is always readjusting (balancing) itself and causes a certain amount of pitch variations.

The basic structure of the piano is wood, which is subject to change due to temperature and/or humidity fluctuations. These fluctuations happen whether or not the piano is regularly played.

The metal strings, under this extreme tension have a tendency to gradually lose a small amount of tension from being struck by the hammer. The "out-of-tuneness" caused by use is in direct proportion to the amount of use it receives, and the force with which this use is applied. Piano strings, made of pulled steel, can also have a harmonic “memory”, in that they have points of flexibility where vibration waves (nodes) occur. Keeping these wave nodes in correct tune helps the harmonics sound smooth and pleasant.

Periodic tuning of the piano corrects these changes in pitch that occur gradually over time. In addition, tuning is important as an overall guide to the health of the piano through regular inspections for potential problems (like bugs or mice), and make minor adjustments to the thousands of moving parts involved.

A Technicians Formula:

1. A piano should be tuned every 150 hrs. of playing time.
2. Voicing - every 500 hrs of playing time.
3. Action - every 1500 hrs of usage.
4. The piano will undergo four season changes.
   Each season change = 25 hrs = 100 hrs. per year

For Example:

4 hrs playing a week X 50 weeks	= 200hrs
4 season changes	= 100hrs
Total playing time/yr	= 300hrs

Tune - 2 times a year
Voice - every 1.6 yrs
Regulation - every 5 yrs.

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