Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum does vibration caused by outside sources hurt a grand piano?

I agree with those that say you should be more worried about the house. The piano will be fine unless, as BDB says, something large and heavy falls on it.

I was actually thinking about getting it tuned, since it's been six months since the last tuning. If I tune it now, would it go out of tune faster due to the construction?

My old teacher had his Steinway knocked out of tune by an advanced student in one lesson because he played so hard. Yeah, you'll probably lose some pitch from the vibration. If the demolition is almost done, just hold off. But if they need 2 months longer, go for the tuning now.

Thanks 4ever8! If I tune this, will I need another tuning after the construction?

Strings are designed to vibrate violently, the legs of the piano are not. On a truck, a piano is off its legs and most over-the-road bouncing affects the tuning less than being in a hot/cold/humid/dry truck.

I guess I'd have to ask our California techs, but does a real earthquake knock a piano out of tune? After months, no one will be able to prove why it is out of tune, but it is possible - if you can get a free tuning for your inconvenience, then go for it.

Perfect time for the tech to evaluate it for condition. It's bad juju to let it go out of tune, voice, or regulation--- twice a year tech visit, at least. You don't save money by letting it go so long it needs a pitch raise.

There's sometimes outside vibrations that are actually real good.

Coming from people totally thrilled with their new instrument...

Norbert

The vibrations from the construction are not likely to affect the tuning. If they do, chances are the tuning was not that good to begin with.

I'm not sure how much shaking the OP is experiencing, but being from California, I consider anything less than a 6.0 on the Richter scale to be a nothing. I assume vibration that needs concern to be like a 6.5 to 7.0 on the Richter scale, which should be sufficient to see visible shaking of heavy furniture and cabinets. If the shaking can be felt but not seen, then it's a nothing.