What Does A Piano Tuner Do?

Pianos are a beloved instrument and a timeless centerpiece in many homes. Playing piano is a gateway to a lifetime of wonder. Owning a piano is even more fulfilling. But taking care of a piano can be a daunting task. Pianos are intricate and delicate. Properly maintaining them requires skill. Luckily, piano tuners train to gain those exact skills. Below are a few things piano tuners can do.

Tuning

Obviously, piano tuners tune pianos. Tuning the piano requires adjusting every string within the instrument. The tuner uses special tools to do this job, like tuning forks, wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, mutes, and pliers. They use these tools to calibrate each string. They make sure that each note has the right pitch and sounds good in relation to the other notes. 

Many factors can cause the piano's strings to loosen or shift. Temperature, humidity, and moving can all knock a piano out of tune. Piano tuners can re-tune the instrument when these changes happen. They can also find the ideal tightness for each string which helps keep the instrument stable over time. Because of this, pianos should be tuned every few months.

Maintenance

Many piano tuners are also trained as piano technicians. This means they can do work on pianos beyond string adjustments. They can care for the instrument's wood. They can replace missing and damaged parts like keys, pads, and pedals. They can also show you how to best care for the instrument. Tuners and technicians know what products are best for cleaning a piano and can demonstrate how to use these products. They can also help move a piano. They likely have contacts for piano moving companies and they can check on the health of the instrument after the move. 

Customization

Pianos already have a classic, wonderful sound. But with some slight changes, they can produce many other extraordinary sounds. Plenty of fun pieces actually require changing the piano's tone like John Cage's "Bacchanale." A piano tuner or technician can help customize the piano safely and easily. Additionally, if something goes wrong, they can help fix anything that may have been damaged. They can also give advice on how to properly modify a piano to create all sorts of wacky sounds.

Owning and playing a piano can be a marvelous experience for anyone. Keeping a piano healthy and beautiful, however, doesn't need to be difficult. A good piano tuner will help you find joy and wonder with your instrument.