How often should I tune my piano?

Typically, pianos should be tuned every six months. Waiting longer periods of time could lead to more costly repairs in the future.

I’m thinking of buying a used piano. Should I have it checked out?

Absolutely! Pianos are more than musical instruments. There are many parts that an uninformed person would not be able to check, and you could be buying someone else’s problems. Pianos are also a great hiding place for unintended “guests” (mice, insects, or worse). The fee for this service is nominal, and cheap insurance.

I’ve bought a piano, and now I need it moved. Who should I call?

You should seek out a professional piano mover, such as All Things Piano. While many household movers can move a piano, it’s always best to leave it to an experienced mover. Much damage has been caused by inexperience.

My new piano is coming home. Where is a good location?

When figuring out where to place your new piano, there are some do’s and don’ts. You should avoid: heat and cool sources, such as heat and A/C registers, radiators, and woodstoves/fireplaces. You shouldn’t put that big investment in front of a picture window, as nice as it might look. After a few years of baking in the sun, it won’t likely look or sound as good as it once did. An inside wall with no radiators/registers is usually best. Basements could be a death sentence for a piano, due to higher humidity. So, unless it’s bone dry, you may want to pass on that idea.

Why is my piano out of tune?

Pianos are about 80% wood. The wood in the rim and soundboard swell and shrink with the seasons and weather, and cause the strings to get slack or tight. Also, it is a natural thing for strings to stretch, even if you only occasionally, or even never play. Each string (not note) has over 200 lb. of tension, and will stretch over time. Multiply that by about 230, and you get the total tension that your piano must withstand.