When should you tune your piano?
And why do pianos go out of tune?
Piano regulation is just as important as tuning!
In some cases moving your piano will put it out of tune, or playing really loud staccato music could also lead to strings slipping. Though in reality, what really makes a piano go out of tune is the change in humidity!
In New York City humidity changes constantly. In the winter months it can be 0 percent humidity while in the summer months it can be as high as 80 percent humidity!
For clients that book with us at Prosper Pianos & Tuning Service, we recommend tuning the piano when humidity reaches a seasonal average ie middle of winter or summer such as January or June.
What is “A44o”?
A440, often referred to as A440 tuning or A440 pitch, is a standard for tuning musical instruments, particularly pianos. It represents the frequency at which the A above middle C (A4) is tuned to vibrate, and it corresponds to a frequency of 440 Hz (hertz). A440 tuning is widely accepted as the international standard for concert pitch, which ensures that musical instruments are tuned to the same reference frequency so that they can be played together in harmony.
Why tune to A440?
-Pianos are designed to sound their best at A440.
-Studio recordings all have their pianos and instruments tuned to A440, so if you want to play along to recordings from YouTube, streaming, or your headphones/speakers your home piano needs to be at the same pitch those recordings were made.
-If you plan to have friends who are musicians over having the piano tuned to A440 will make everyone sound good in the correct frequency.
More Details for the curious:
Here are some of the other reasons why pianos lose their tuning:
Tension Changes: The most significant factor contributing to a piano going out of tune is changes in string tension. Pianos have thousands of strings, each under considerable tension. Factors like temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure can affect the elasticity of the strings, causing them to stretch or contract. As a result, the pitch of the strings changes, leading to the piano going out of tune.
Environmental Factors:
Temperature: Extreme temperature fluctuations, especially rapid changes, can cause the wooden components of a piano to expand or contract. This, in turn, affects the tension of the strings and the overall tuning.
Humidity: Changes in humidity can cause the wooden soundboard and other wooden components of the piano to swell or shrink. This can lead to shifts in string tension and, consequently, pitch fluctuations.
Atmospheric Pressure: Variations in atmospheric pressure can have a minor effect on piano tuning, but they can contribute to changes in pitch, especially in sensitive or high-quality instruments.
Frequency of Use: The more a piano is played, the more likely it is to go out of tune. The impact of playing on the strings can cause subtle changes in tension, affecting the overall tuning. Regular tuning is necessary for pianos that see frequent use.
Age and Wear: As pianos age, the materials they are made of, such as the soundboard, strings, and tuning pins, can deteriorate or wear out. This natural aging process can lead to tuning instability.
Poor Maintenance: Lack of proper maintenance, including infrequent tuning, can accelerate the piano's tendency to go out of tune. Neglecting the instrument's care can exacerbate the effects of other factors.
Poor Quality Tuning Pins: Low-quality tuning pins can slip, making it difficult to maintain stable tuning. Upgrading to higher-quality pins may be necessary in some cases.
Rough Handling or Moving: Moving a piano without proper care or bumping it into objects can cause the piano's components to shift, affecting its tuning stability.
Don’t try moving a piano own your own!
To mitigate these factors and keep a piano in tune, it's essential to:
Place the piano in a stable environment with controlled temperature and humidity.
Tune the piano regularly, ideally at least once or twice a year, even if it's not played frequently.
Avoid exposing the piano to extreme environmental conditions.
Hire a professional piano tuner or technician to perform maintenance and repairs as needed.
Proper care and regular tuning can help prolong the life of a piano and ensure that it stays in tune for longer periods between tunings.