Frequently Asked Questions

If your piano sounds out of tune when playing chords, has individual notes that sound "off," or hasn't been tuned in over six months, it likely needs tuning. Listen for a wavering sound in the tone or notes that don't blend harmoniously. Professional pianists can often detect even slight tuning issues, but most piano owners will notice when the instrument doesn't sound quite right.

Pianos should be placed away from direct sunlight, radiators, air vents, fireplaces, and exterior walls if possible. Avoid areas with dramatic temperature changes or high humidity. The ideal location is on an interior wall, away from windows, in a room with stable temperature and humidity. This positioning helps maintain tuning stability and protects the wooden components from warping or cracking.

The ideal environment for a piano is a temperature between 20-22°C (68-72°F) with relative humidity between 40-50%. Extreme fluctuations in either temperature or humidity can cause the wooden parts to expand and contract, affecting tuning stability and potentially causing long-term damage to the instrument.

For upright pianos, keeping the lid closed when not in use helps protect the keys and internal mechanisms from dust and debris. For grand pianos, closing the lid provides similar protection. However, leaving the lid slightly open periodically can prevent moisture build-up in humid environments. The most important factor is consistency—frequent opening and closing can lead to unnecessary wear and tear.

Tuning adjusts the pitch of each string to ensure the piano produces the correct musical notes. Regulation, on the other hand, involves adjusting the mechanical action of the piano—the keys, hammers, and other moving parts—to ensure proper touch, responsiveness, and uniform feel across all keys. While tuning addresses how the piano sounds, regulation addresses how it feels to play.

Yes, yellowed or discoloured keys can often be restored. Ivory keys that have yellowed with age can be carefully cleaned and polished, while plastic keys can sometimes be whitened with specialised products. For severe discolouration or damaged keys, replacement might be necessary. I can assess your specific situation during a service visit and recommend the most appropriate solution.

Sticking keys can be caused by several factors: swollen wood due to humidity changes, foreign objects trapped between keys, worn bushings, or misaligned action parts. The repair approach depends on the specific cause—it might involve lubricating joints, replacing worn parts, or adjusting the key spacing. Regular maintenance can prevent many of these issues from developing.

The stability of a piano tuning depends on several factors: the piano's age and condition, environmental conditions, frequency of play, and how long it has been since the last tuning. Generally, a piano will stay reasonably in tune for about six months in stable conditions. New pianos or those that have gone long periods without tuning may need more frequent attention as they stabilise.

A standard tuning appointment typically takes about 2 hours. This includes the tuning process itself, minor adjustments, and time to provide feedback or recommendations. Pitch raises or pianos requiring extensive work may require longer appointments, while regular maintenance on well-maintained instruments might be completed more quickly.

To make the most of your tuning appointment, please ensure clear access to the piano and a quiet environment during the scheduled time. Remove any items placed on top of the piano, ensure adequate lighting, and if possible, have the room at a comfortable temperature. It's also helpful to make note of any specific issues you've noticed with the piano's performance.

Yes, I offer concert tuning services for performances, recitals, and special events. These appointments are scheduled as close to the performance time as possible to ensure optimal sound. For important events, I recommend booking well in advance and possibly scheduling both a preliminary tuning and a final touch-up before the performance.

I offer pre-purchase evaluation services to help you make an informed decision when buying a piano. This includes assessing the overall condition, identifying any necessary repairs or maintenance, and providing an estimate of future maintenance costs. This service can save you from making a costly purchase decision on an instrument requiring extensive work.

The lifetime of hammers and action parts varies greatly depending on usage, maintenance history, and environmental conditions. With average use, hammers might need replacement or reshaping after 20-30 years. Other action parts like bushings may need attention earlier. Regular maintenance can significantly extend the life of these components. I can assess the condition of your piano's action during a service visit.

A piano's value is determined by multiple factors: brand, age, size, condition, tone quality, action responsiveness, and market demand. Prestigious brands like Blüthner, Steinway, or Bösendorfer typically command higher values. The piano's maintenance history significantly impacts its value—well-maintained instruments retain their worth much better than neglected ones.

This decision depends on several factors: the piano's quality, historical or sentimental value, current condition, and restoration costs compared to new piano prices. Some older instruments, particularly those from respected makers, can be excellent candidates for restoration. During a consultation, I can help you weigh these factors and make the most cost-effective and musically satisfying choice.

The fundamental difference is in the action mechanism. In grand pianos, the hammers strike the strings horizontally and return to position using gravity, allowing for faster repetition and more nuanced control. Upright pianos have vertically arranged strings and use springs for hammer return, which typically offers less refined control. Grand pianos also generally provide superior tone due to longer strings and a larger soundboard.

Buzzing sounds in pianos are often caused by loose objects vibrating sympathetically with certain notes. Common culprits include loose hardware, objects on or near the piano, or within the piano itself like loose dampers or agraffes. Sometimes, the buzzing may come from a cracked soundboard or loose bridge. I can diagnose the specific cause during a service visit and recommend appropriate repairs.

While a perfectly regulated piano should have uniform volume across all notes, some variation is common, especially in older or heavily played instruments. Uneven volume can result from worn hammers, uneven regulation, or design aspects of the instrument. Through voicing and regulation, these inconsistencies can be minimised to provide a more balanced playing experience.

"Let-off" refers to a critical adjustment in the piano action where the hammer is released from its driving mechanism just before it strikes the string. This prevents the hammer from blocking against the string, allowing it to rebound freely. Proper let-off distance ensures clean articulation and good repetition. If set incorrectly, it can cause notes to block, create double strikes, or fail to sound properly.