PIANO MANUFACTURER'S & MUSIC PROFESSIONAL'S STATEMENTS ON WHEN TO TUNE

(The following is from an article by Dr. Wm. Braid White, a musical professional)

"A fine piano is a work of art. Therefore, to treat it roughly, carelessly or negligently is to commit a crime against a beautiful piece of expensive craftsmanship. To pay a lot of money for a fine piano and then allow it to go to ruin for lack of expert care is not merely aesthetically wrong, it is bad business." 

"No matter what any salesman may say, no matter how finely the piano may be made, no matter, in fact, what the physical circumstances or the price or the domestic conditions may be, there is no such thing as a piano standing month after month in tune. The better the piano, the more frequent and careful tuning it should have." 

"In order to understand why a piano goes out of tune, it is first necessary to remember that the whole instrument is always under varying stress. The 230-odd strings are stretched at an average tension of from 150 to 200 pounds apiece, so that the iron plate, together with the heavy wooden frame, carries a strain totaling from 18 to 20 tons." 

"From the layman's standpoint, two tunings a year is customary, however, three or four times a year is highly recommended. Tuner's know, moreover, that if they had time to tune their own pianos as often as their ears tell them, they would tune them once a month." 

"From a strictly scientific point of view, it is a probably true to say that no piano ever made has stood perfectly in tune, without a drop or rise, for more than 24 hours, unless it were maintained at constant temperature and at constant barometric and hygroscopic conditions." 

Here's What The Manufacturers say..... 

Baldwin Piano Company: "All new pianos require frequent tunings and action adjustments during the first year as they adjust and settle under the local climatic environment. For Baldwin pianos, we recommend three or four tunings and inspection of the piano action in the first service year. Thereafter, we recommend a minimum of two tunings annually by a competent piano technician. It is expected that pianos in heavy commercial or artist use may require more frequent service attention." (Williard Sims, Baldwin Piano Service Manager.) 

Kawai Piano Company: "Quality pianos demand quality care. Time, environment, use patterns and artistic sensitivity all contribute to the need for a customized maintenance schedule. We advise that the piano owner follow the recommendations of a qualified tuner-technician who knows the climactic conditions of the area and is responsive to the needs of the performer." (Jim Harvey, Piano Technical Manager.)

Kimball Piano Company: "The regularity of service is as important as the frequency in keeping the piano in top condition. We recommend four tunings a year, at regular intervals, for optimal stability and performance.

Regulation is also required periodically to maintain the proper function of keys, action, and pedals. A qualified piano technician or reputable dealer can provide advice concerning regulation, as well as perform tuning or other services required for the proper care of the instrument."

Sohmer & Company: "A new piano, in particular, should be tuned at least four times during the first year in service. The tuning should be performed subsequent to a change of season. After the piano has settled in, we recommend three tunings a year, whether the piano is used a great deal oar not. A technician cannot get a neglected piano to hold tune with one tuning; sometimes, it is more costly to restore the neglected piano to hold tune than if it had been kept under regular and constant care. A piano is a major investment; it should be protected."

Steinway & Sons: "Your Steinway piano was tuned many times before it left our factory. It was tuned to and should be maintained at A:440 pitch. This is the internationally accepted standard and the standard for which all Steinways are engineered. Unfortunately, no matter how expertly a piano is tuned, atmospheric variations and the nature of the piano's construction constantly conspire to bring it off pitch....We recommend that your tuner be called at least three or four times a year. To put the matter of tuning in perspective, remember that a concert piano is tuned before every performance, and a piano in a professional recording studio, where it is in constant use, is tuned three or four times each week as matter of course. Tuning is an art practiced by skilled professionals and under no circumstances should anyone other than a professional be allowed to tune your Steinway." (Joe Bisceglie, Manager, Technical Standards.) 

Wurlitzer Company: "In the first year, Piano Manufacturers Association International recommends that you have your piano tuned four times. This is a period of adjustment for a new instrument and proper attention is important.  After the first year, you should have it tuned at least twice a year depending upon the frequency of use and atmospheric conditions."

Yamaha Piano Company: "New pianos should be tuned a minimum of four times the first year to compensate for the normal settling that takes place. Subsequently, as a matter of standard maintenance, a piano should be tuned at least two times per year. Of course, some musicians will choose to have their piano tuned more often to satisfy their own personal musical requirements. When your piano needs tuning, call a skilled qualified specialist." (Yamaha Piano Service Manager.)

Young Chang America: "Piano owners will receive the longest life and optimum performance from a new piano if it is properly serviced during the first year and regularly care for subsequently. It is our recommendation that a piano receive at least 4 tunings during the first year of ownership, and a minimum of 2 tunings per year thereafter. We suggest that the piano owner follow the recommendation of his/her local piano technicians, who is most qualified to advise the owner about the needs of the piano in its specific location."

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