…but we hardly play our piano.
There is a misconception that a piano’s tuning stability is related to how often it is played. This is not true. A piano’s tuning stability has everything to do with humidity.
A piano is a stringed instrument. The strings are tightened around metal pins that are held with tons of tension inside a piece of wood called a pinblock. Think of a guitar times a bazillion. The jist is that there are ALOT of strings. When the strings are tightened via the pins, the pitch rises (goes sharp). When the strings are loosened via the pins, the pitch lowers (goes flat).
“So, once my piano has been tuned it will stay in tune and doesn’t need to be tuned again?” NOPE. There are multiple reasons for this, with the biggest one being weather/humidity. When the air is dry the wood in the pinblock will shrink, which loosens the pins. This, in turn, causes the strings to loosen and go flat. When the air is moist the wood in the pinblock swells, which tightens the pins. This, in turn, causes the strings to tighten. These changes in pitch happen all the time throughout the year, whether your ear hears it or not. Pianos are constantly making subtle changes in pitch. The most extreme is during the winter and summer months.
When a piano is tuned regularly, i.e. at least once per year, these changes become nominal and allow the tuner to fine tune and only move the pins a tiny bit. This creates stability with the piano. When a piano goes a long time without tuning, the pinblock goes through a lot of stress with so much new tension. This means several things: 1. The piano won’t stay in tune very long 2. It doesn’t sound good 3. It shortens the life of the piano 4. The piano can’t be fine tuned 5. Strings can break etc…
Moral of the story?
Please have your piano tuned at least once per year. Ideally, two times per year. Owning a piano is an ongoing investment. It’s not a one and done kind of purchase. Taking good care of your instrument will help it last longer, maintain its value, sound and feel better and tons more reasons.
Musically,
Marta
The Piano Gal
