|
1. How much does it cost? That depends upon the
condition of the piano. Pianos that have not been tuned regularly
over several years may need extra work. A “pitch raise” may be necessary
to tension the piano before a final tuning can be done. The technician
will usually quote a range of prices depending upon the need for
a pitch raise.
2. How long does it take? It usually takes about
an hour and a half. If the piano hasn’t been tuned recently, if
it needs repairs or has other problems, it will take a little longer.
Sometimes a follow up appointment is necessary to complete the work.
3. How often should I have the piano tuned? Of
course, it should be done at least once a year at a minimum. The
mild weather in San Diego is conducive to keeping the piano in tune.
However, if you have a discerning ear, twice a year is better.
4. Do I have to tune the piano if I move it? Actually,
yes. Well, if you only move it a few feet it probably won’t affect
it. Especially if it is a grand piano. After tuning an upright piano,
if you move it from it’s resting place, the cabinet can twist on
an uneven floor. That alone will affect the tuning. If you move
to another location, even another part of the room, the average
humidity and temperature change may affect the tuning.
5. What if I live in a very humid area near the water, or
have a pool? You may need to have a dehumidifier system
installed. The brand most tuners use is Damppchaser. It warms the
air inside the piano and keep the moisture from settling in the
piano.
6. How do I care for the piano besides tuning?
The cabinet may need polishing, and possibly vacuuming out the dust.
Different finishes on pianos require special polishes, so it’s best
to ask the piano technician which products would work best. Older
pianos with lacquer or varnish finishes can use ordinary furniture
polish or wax. Just be sure not to use too much as it may attract
dirt and dust.
7. Who should I call about moving my piano? Be
sure to hire an experienced piano mover. DO NOT trust your piano
to a house moving company. If they damage the piano, you are in
for an unpleasant experience. Some may know how to move a piano,
but most don’t. Check your local pages or go online to find a reputable
piano mover, or get a recommendation from your tuner.
8. What is a “pitch raise”? When the piano is in
tune, there is an immense amount of tension in the wires. There
are over 280 wires inside, each one at about 150 pounds. That’s
a lot of tension! If the piano is flat more than about 10 percent,
the added tension is enough to destabilize it. The first tuning
won’t hold, so a second, fine tuning, is required. It amounts to
a double tuning. Some technicians like to make a second appointment,
allowing the piano to settle first before giving a final tuning.
9. How do I care for the keys? You can use almost
any cleaning agent on the keys, except for harsh chemicals like
nail polish remover or acetone. Just be sure not to apply any liquid
directly on the keys, but apply it to a cloth first. Never allow
water to stand anywhere on or around the piano.
10. What if I spill something inside the piano?
Try to mop it up immediately, and call 911. Ok, well maybe not,
but call your technician immediately so he or she can assess the
situation. Don’t wait, as rust may begin immediately and begin corroding
vital parts. If your home is flooded, remove the piano immediately
from the area and allow it to dry.
Tuning:
A minimum of yearly tuning is necessary for proper piano maintenance.
San Diego is a perfect place for a piano since the weather is very
mild year-round. Most piano manufacturers recommend twice a year
at least, but I’ve found once a year is a good minimum schedule.
Tuning involves adjusting the tension on the piano wires, so if
the piano isn’t tuned regularly, the piano will need a pitch adjustment
or “pitch raise”. Usually the piano will tend toward being low,
or flat. See “Pitch Adjustment” or “Pitch Raise”
Regulation:
Regulating a piano simply means adjusting the action so that it
performs to its potential. Thousands of tiny parts and fine clearances
must be adjusted to make it work properly. Because most of the piano
is made of organic materials like wood, felt and leather, over time
the piano will need periodic adjustments to maintain good playing
condition. If your piano is ten years old or more, it probably needs
some kind of regulation.
Voicing:
Adjusting the tone of the piano is called voicing. Voicing is individual
for every piano. If you compare pianos side-by-side in a store,
you can hear differences in the tone. For example, a Yamaha piano
is usually bright sounding. The pianos built in Japan and other
Oriental countries are often made with a bright sound. European
and American pianos are made with a more mellow sound. To a certain
extent, this brightness or mellowness can be changed. Softening
the piano hammers by poking them with needles will soften the sound,
and adding stiffeners to the hammer felt will make them sound brighter.
Think of hitting a nail with a claw hammer. It has a very strident
sound. Then imagine hitting a tennis ball with a racquet. The sound
is a lot different. Which one is preferable is a matter of personal
taste and what one is used to hearing or playing
Sometimes a piano will have stronger or weaker notes across the
keyboard. Some notes may be brighter or softer sounding, and so
the job of the voicer is to even out the tone. Experience is the
key to voicing properly, since it is possible to go too far and
ruin the piano hammers.
When you go to purchase a piano, take note of the overall sound,
and be sure you like what you hear. Don’t buy a piano based upon
name only. There are many nice pianos, with a variety of tone, that
may fit your taste and have a name you never heard of. And the price
may just fit your budget too!
Pitch Raise
There is quite a lot of tension on all the wires in the piano. That’s
why it needs a heavy frame to keep it in tune. If the piano hasn’t
been tuned regularly, it has to have a “pitch raise” or adjustment
so the tension is reestablished on the frame (called the “plate”).
If this is not done, the process will make all the wires unstable
and a fine tuning can’t be achieved. The piano has to be very close
to the target before a fine tuning will hold
Cleaning:
This service mostly is intended for grand pianos, but cleaning can
also be done for an upright piano. The cosmetic appearance of the
a piano is important for piano owners, especially for grand pianos.
Strings can become dull, and covered with dirt and rust. Removing
rust from the strings will make it look much newer. Removing dirt
from underneath the strings is not easily done, since the strings
are in the way. I have special tools for removing dirt.
The action also collects dust and dirt, and may need to be vacuumed
out or blasted with compressed air. Normally, dust doesn’t affect
the performance. However, dust mixed with dirt particles and sand
can cause the action to freeze. A string cover, which lays over
the strings, seals out dust and prevents corrosion and rust on the
strings. A new piano will still look new after many years if protected
with a string cover. String covers are made so that the piano can
be played with it still in place. Though it muffles the sound a
little, you wouldn’t even know it was there if you close your eyes.
Many modern pianos come with a shiny, High Gloss finish. This finish
is fairly new, and is very durable. However, it is very prone to
scratches. Be sure to prevent scratches by putting felt or a linen
under anything that lays on the finish. Using proper cleaners and
polishes will help maintain the finish. You will find these elsewhere
on this site. If you need polishing or have scratches, I’ll be glad
to polish them out with special equipment.
Moving:
Piano moving is a specialty. It requires years of experience to
move a piano properly. Visit my Referral page for the best moving
companies. Don’t even consider using a house mover, since they often
are staffed with inexperienced people. Call me if you have any questions
about this.
Appraisals:
Having your piano appraised for insurance purposes requires a licensed
appraiser. I do not offer this service, but you can visit my Referrals
page for recommendations. Especially if you plan to take a tax deduction
for donating your piano to charity, be sure to hire a professional
appraiser and consult your tax professional before you take that
deduction.
Damage Repair and Finish Touchup:
When your piano is damaged, I can usually repair it. Sometimes parts
aren’t available, so they have to be remanufactured. I can help.
I can also do furniture repairs, and I do touchup on almost any
finish. I do not do refinishing, which involves stripping off the
old finish and building it back up again. This is beyond my capabilities,
but I can recommend several refinishers if needed. Again, visit
my Referrals page for more information.
Purchase Consultation:
Finding the right piano is important, and I have experience with
most piano brands. Give me a call before you purchase. I can offer
advice and insight into the many brands available. Be aware that
brands names are traded often, and most of the famous name pianos
are now made overseas. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are not
good pianos. In fact, many of the pianos produced overseas in China
and Korea are better than when produced under that name in the United
States.
If you are considering a used piano, be aware that problems may
lurk inside. Be sure to call me about a piano you may be considering.
There are bargains out there, but don’t buy somebody else’s problems.
Teachers and Lessons:
Finding the right teacher for piano is important. If someone has
many degrees and other impressive achievements, it doesn’t necessarily
mean they know how to teach a beginner. They might lack the patience
to teach children, or have expectations beyond their student’s interest
and commitment. Try to find someone you feel comfortable with, and
don’t be afraid to move on if you feel you or your child isn’t making
progress. Some teachers will come to your home, and some require
you to go to their home for lessons. Having a decent piano to practice
on will make learning to play much easier. If you have doubts about
whether your child will maintain interest in lessons, perhaps an
electronic keyboard will suffice until they can demonstrate their
commitment. Be aware that shortly thereafter, they will ask for
a real piano!
This information is brought to you by
Paul McCloud's Accutone
Piano Tuning Service
|
