Piano Tuning & Repair
Piano Services, Descriptions, & Fees
Important: The longer a piano goes without tuning, the more difficult it is to get it in tune and to stay in tune. Tuning stability comes with regular, consistent tunings over time. How long the tuning holds will vary by many factors. These factors are: location of the piano, age and condition of the piano, quality of the piano, how long since it was last tuned, and seasonal changes/extreme weather swells. This is particularly important to note for any piano receiving a pitch correction. Pianos require ongoing, regular maintenance, so a pitch raise is only the first step in the process of stabilizing the piano. Anticipate needing a follow up tuning after any pitch correction.
Standard Fine Tuning $135:
This service is for pianos that have been serviced within 1 year and have gone no longer than 14 months since service. If you aren’t sure, assume it needs a Pitch Correction. If you are a regular client and your piano has not been serviced by The Piano Gal Shop in over 14 months, please book a Pitch Correction. A piano should be tuned at least annually. This is regardless of how often the piano is played. A piano’s fluctuations in pitch are due to humidity changes throughout the seasons.
Mid-Year Fine Tuning $100:
Book this service ONLY if your piano was tuned less than 8 months ago AND you are already a current tuning client. This service is a discounted fee for pianos that are tuned more than once per year.
Pitch Correction $160:
Book this service if your piano has not been serviced in over 1 year, but less than approx 5 years. A piano that has gone several years without tuning will often fall 20% or more from standard pitch. A pitch raise is required to pull the pitch up, then stabilize and fine tune to standard pitch of A440. Standard pitch is A440, which means A above middle C is set at 440 hertz. A pitch raise is needed to correct the pitch of the piano because of fluctuating humidity levels. A piano that is significantly flat or sharp requires a pitch correction. This is sometimes due to extremes in humidity, but most often it is required to bring a neglected piano back to standard pitch. *the longer a piano goes without tuning, the more difficult it is to tune and stabilize. This means the piano will not be very stable after a pitch correction and will likely slip sooner rather than later. For a piano to consistently sound in tune, it needs regular maintenance at consistent intervals of fine tuning. Huge pulls in string tension results in instability. Expect the piano to need a follow up appointment and then begin regular tuning at least annually. It’s a process for a piano to sound stable and consistently in tune.
Pitch Raise Plus $200:
Book this service if your piano has gone approx 5 or more years since its previous tuning service. Pianos that have gone more than a few years require a great deal more work to pull up the string tension to a place where fine tuning can occur. Pianos are constantly shifting in pitch due to changes in relative humidity. When they’ve gone an extended amount of time between tunings the pitch will fall drastically enough to need multiple passes on the strings in order to pull the pitch up and then stabilize it.
*the longer a piano goes without tuning, the more difficult it is to tune and stabilize. This means the piano will not be very stable after a pitch correction and will likely slip sooner rather than later. For a piano to consistently sound in tune, it needs regular maintenance at consistent intervals of fine tuning. Huge pulls in string tension results in instability. Expect the piano to need a follow up appointment within 6 months and then begin regular tuning at least annually. It’s a process for a piano to sound stable and consistently in tune.
*with old and/or neglected pianos, sometimes the piano is unable to be safely pulled to A440 and a lower pitch is recommended. This is recommended on certain occasions depending on the condition of the piano. This is also occassionally recommended for the first large pitch raise visit and then a follow up tuning is recommended to complete pulling the piano up to A440.
Hourly Repair/Regulation $100 Minimum Service Charge:
Custom In-Home Painting & Update:
This appointment must be pre-approved and booked by The Piano Gal Shop, not by the client. If you are interested in having your piano custom painted and updated, please contact Marta directly at thepianogalshop@yahoo.com to discuss your project.
Consultation (fees vary):
Have general questions about a piano and need guidance? Please read about consultations and fees HERE.
Piano Life Saver: Humidity Control Systems (Please contact directly for more information, pricing, and to schedule):
As a fundamental component of complete piano care, it protects your piano from the undesirable effects of extreme or fluctuating humidity levels. The Piano Life Saver System will enable your instrument to maintain proper pitch between tunings and protect the myriad of tiny wooden parts that make up a piano. A stable piano will be more enjoyable to play and listen to while rewarding your fingers with a consistent, proper touch. The Piano Gal is a certified installer of Piano Life Saver Systems.
The Piano Gal Shop services the following areas for Tuning & Repair: Sun Prairie, Deforest, Waunakee, Columbus, Beaver Dam, McFarland, Madison, Middleton, Fall River, Randolph, Fox Lake, Marshall, Rio, and surrounding areas within approx 35 miles of Sun Prairie.
Piano Tuning 101: How to Keep Your Piano Pitch Perfect
In the market for a piano? Watch The Piano Gal Shop and Musicnotes Essential Guide for Buying New and Used Pianos video first!