Piano Tuning - $75
Our maximum charge in 2010 for all piano tunings is $75.
There is no charge for travel anywhere in CT.
To set up an appointment, please e-mail Tom Dans at
All messages will be returned as soon as possible.
Just getting back into playing the piano? We offer a free piano chord chart with every tuning. Introductory lessons and referrals to local piano teachers are available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Piano Tuning
Why do pianos go out of tune so often in the Northeast?
Blame the weather. The strings are mounted on a spruce soundboard that absorbs moisture and expands during humid and rainy weather. This stretches the strings so they go slightly sharp. When the humidity goes back down, the soundboard dries out and shrinks, allowing the strings to relax and go flat. Some strings go flatter than others, making the piano sound out of tune.
How soon after moving my piano can I have it tuned?
Wait two to three weeks after moving a piano to have it tuned. The tuning will be more stable after the piano has adjusted to new environmental conditions.
Should I air-condition the room my piano is in?
If possible, yes. Reducing humidity swings will help keep your piano in tune longer. It's best to have your piano away from heating vents for the same reason.
How often should I have my piano tuned?
Let yours ears decide. Most manufacturers recommend tuning every six months because they know that's how long most pianos will hold a tuning. However, we suggest waiting until you can actually hear that your piano sounds out of tune. Why spend money if you don’t have to? The instrument will eventually go noticeably out of tune.
How are pianos tuned?
Each piano string is attached to a pin mounted in the soundboard. A lever is used to turn the pins clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust the pitch up or down. Nowadays, pianos are tuned in Equal Temperament [see Wikipedia] so that chords in every key will sound in tune. Why not tune with perfect fifths, the easy method? Because all of the thirds would sound slightly out of tune. Conversely, a piano tuned with perfect thirds will have fifths that sound out of tune.
Is there anything I can do to prepare for a tuning?
The tuning pins need to be accessible, so all objects should be removed from the piano. Good lighting and a quiet environment are helpful. In most upright pianos, the tuner will prop up the top and remove the front board above the keys for access to the tuning pins; grand pianos will be opened and the music desk removed.
What is a stretch tuning?
Due to the way humans perceive high and low pitches, keyboard instruments are “stretched”, with the bass notes below F#3 slightly flat and the treble notes above F#3 slightly sharp. This makes every octave and chord have a sweet sound. Stretch tuning is used on all acoustic and electric pianos so that they will sound like a unified musical instrument that sings.
Why does it take 2 to 3 hours to tune a piano?
A typical piano has over 220 strings, and every one must be tuned individually. If a piano is very out of tune or needs a pitch raise, the tuning will take longer, and some tuners charge extra for this.
I was told by a piano tuner that my piano will need to be tuned twice. Why?
Very few pianos need to be tuned twice. A piano may go out of tune sooner than expected if it was very out of tune, was recently moved, or needed a pitch raise. A second tuning in these cases will be a more stable tuning, but usually isn't necessary.
I just bought a piano. Can I move it with some friends?
Yes, but with risks, because pianos are very heavy. The risks are dropping the piano and damaging floors, walls, or the piano. It's better to let a recommended, insured professional do the move.
Can I make adjustments to the tuning myself?
Yes, but you have to use the proper tools. Piano tuning levers are available online, but if you try this at home, remember that changing the tension in one string may alter the tension in neighboring strings and throw other notes out of tune.
Only a few keys are out of tune. Is a complete tuning necessary?
It usually is, because correcting a few keys will likely throw other notes out of tune due to tension changes in the iron plate and the wooden soundboard they are mounted on. That's why the strings in a piano are tuned in sequence, usually from bottom to top.
Where did the name Piano Island Tuning come from?
For the complete answer to this and any other piano questions, or to make a tuning appointment, please call Tom Dans at 203-687-4388 or e-mail tom@pianoislandtuning.com.
We provide piano purchase consultation for $20, which is applied to the first tuning. The piano will be thoroughly inspected and tested for playability.
We always use the Sanderson Accu-Tuner by Inventronics for the best possible tuning results.
Tuning a Baldwin Acrosonic
