How to tune my piano by myself
If you have an acoustic piano it needs to be tuned twice a year or at least once a year. Tuning is a procedure that turns and holds the pins that are connected to the strings. There is strong tension pulling the strings to create the correct pitch. Most of the notes on the keyboard have several strings per key. There are over 200 pins (andstrings) per piano even though the piano has but 88 keys. Since one key consists of several pins/strings, a piano-tuner uses a rubber wedge to mute the next string that he/she is tuning. There are electric tuners (you can purchase an app for your device as well) to check the pitch. The most common pitch is A440.
One needs skill and good ears to set the correct pitch. If you turn a tuning pin back-forth too many times this may cause the pins to loosen, resulting in the pin-hole getting bigger and the pins no longer being able to stay where they are set. If this happens, bigger pins are usually required and the costs of repair far exceeds the cost of tuning.
A. Tuning a pin with a Tuning Hammer
B. Basic tools for tuning. (Tuning hammer, rubber wedges, muting felt)
Tuning pins are drilled into a pinblock- many layers of thin wood built with criss-crossed grain and glue to make it stronger. The tuning pins are threaded to stay inside the pinblock, and are drilled at a 3-4% angle to keep tension. There are several lengths and circumferences of pins. A new piano uses #0 or #1 pins (skinniest), and the size number system goes up to #7 pins. If the pins are too thick this may, of course, break/split a pin block. Applying bigger pins can be done once or twice during a piano’s lifetime. If the bigger pins are loose, your piano will need to get a set of new pin blocks. This procedure is no longer one in which an individual who can operate at home. It will cost $800 ~$1200 plus round trip moving to the rebuilder. At this time you may need new strings, hammers, and action regulation on top of the pin rebuilding which adds a lot of money to the total repair cost.
C. Pinblock
D. Tuning Pin
E. Image of tuning pins
1.To tune your piano you need a tuning hammer, wedges, and muting felt. (image B)
2.Install a tuner app that measures the pitch. (or purchase an electric tuner)
3.Learn how to tune a piano by going to school or learning from Youtube.
Tuning school: (North Bennet St. School Boston)*
*There are many so-called “Tuning Schools” but this is one of the most reliable schools with a great reputation.
Youtube
**you may find better Youtube videos. This hit on my research.
4.Apply what you’ve learned, gently, understanding the risk that this may cause for future repairs.
5.Professional tuners take 45~60 minutes for a regular tuning if the piano has been tuned regularly and not too low on the pitch.
You can always hire a professional tuner.
Reliable resource: Piano technician’s Guild
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