Pianos are tuned many times before they leave the factory. For most American pianos, including New York Steinways, they are tuned to and should be maintained at A440 pitch. Hamburg Steinways are designed to be kept at A442, which is a bit sharper than we’re used to here in the United States, but is an accepted pitch standard in Germany.

Unfortunately, no matter how expertly a piano is tuned, atmospheric variations, particularly humidity, and the nature of the piano’s construction constantly conspire to bring it off pitch. We recommend that your tuner be called at least 3 or 4 times a year. You, however, are the final judge and should have the piano tuned as often as you think necessary.  Twice a year is considered a minimum in most climates due to seasonal fluctuations and changes in humidity.

To put the matter of tuning into 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 3 or 4 times each week as a matter of course.

Tuning is an art practiced by skilled professionals and under no circumstances should anyone other than a professional be allowed to try to tune your piano!

When is the last time you tuned your piano?

To schedule a tuning for your piano, call us at (504) 733-TUNE or complete the form below.