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Recently, I bought a used Kawai Piano, I wanted to ask how regular should I tune the piano?
I also wanted to know if moving the piano using its dollies will affect the tuning?
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Twice a year is generally OK, unless you live in an area, an in a house, that has very large seasonal variations of humidity and temperature.
What do you mean by moving the piano "using its dollies"? Do you mean the casters (wheels) that are on the piano? Moving it within a room, or from room to room over an even floor, should not be a problem.
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Thank you for your response (so there is no problem if I moved the piano within a room)
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Should not be a problem moving a piano around a room. Un-level casters and/or floor can cause some uprights to flex a little and this can change the tuning. But this is usually only seen with spinets or consoles that have very thin or even no back posts.
In a seemingly infinite universe-infinite human creativity is-seemingly possible. According to NASA, 93% of the earth like planets possible in the known universe have yet to be formed. Contact: toneman1@me.com
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How often a piano should be tuned will be based on several different factors. As was mentioned the biggest factor is the environment the piano is in. If the piano is kept in a relatively stable environment as far as the humidity goes, then it wouldn't be a problem to go a year between tunings. It also depends on how sensitive you are to the piano being slightly out of tune. A piano goes out of tune a little at a time unless there is a change in the humidity level so the small amounts that a piano goes out of tune in 6 months in some circumstances may not really be noticeable to some pianists. But if you have a very sensitive ear, you may want to have it tuned every 6 months.
Steve Howard Piano Technician
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a second hand piano in a good environment should stand one year if not played brutally, if it stand on its 4 casters on a stable floor (od tile floors make the piano move all times and the tuning goes away sooner)
When the plain wire begin to be tired in soprano and high treble they do not keep tension, sound "pinched" or a little strangles, deforem an break.
On grands it can be a good idea to change all treble wire before having to change 10 strings. It may even be a little less expensive in the end.
one hour tuning will not leave your piano in the most stable tuning, generally speaking (unless a good long term stability was installed yet)
the usual time considered is 1:15, but a more nit picky job can be done then if you are willing to pay for it.
There are (grand) pianos I see yearly where I work more on keeping voicing and regulation than tuning.
But even better is to have one tuning, another after 3 months, another after 6 months, then the piano is supposed to begin settled. (again, on a stable floor if it is a vertical)
The change of tuner can create some instability if they method differ.flat surface will not harm much
If your piano have dollies (casters ?) moving it on a flat surface will not do harm much as this is probably a piano with a strong back.
Small pianos without bracing at the back change their tuning by pushing them from the wall 10 cm , they are very supple (while I have seen a tall Bopesendorfer upright that went out of tune because a caster was not touching the floor, the key dip changed as well (despite the bracing and the heavy weight of the instrument)
Last edited by Olek; 08/30/15 06:25 AM.
Professional of the profession. Foo Foo specialist I wish to add some kind and sensitive phrase but nothing comes to mind.!
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I recommend tuning intervals of no more than two weeks.
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When I started tuning for a major international manufacturer in the late 1960's, the standard contract for home pianos was mostly four times per year, mainly large grands in opulent surroundings. Sometimes three tunings a year, very rarely only two.
There were seven or eight of us tuners in greater London and about the same number stationed around the UK each tuning 5-6 pianos per day. There were around ten companies with similar sized tuning departments, Harrods being one of them.
As you may imagine, the work was incredibly easy. Some of the pianos had stood in the same place for many many years. Possibly next to the same aspidistra. The soil in the regularly watered huge plant pots no doubt playing its part in keeping the job easy. Sometimes a heavy plant on top of the grand making dexterity in the use of a T hammer in the top octave or so a must.
A Bit of historical perspective.
Amanda Reckonwith Concert & Recording tuner-tech, London, England. "in theory, practice and theory are the same thing. In practice, they're not." - Lawrence P. 'Yogi' Berra.
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I recommend tuning intervals of no more than two weeks. Sure David, that would be wonderful. Heck, I'd love to have mine done EVERY week! Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, (like most people) I have to settle for twice a year. I've read a few posts from regular members who manage 4 times a year. Lucky dogs.
18 ABF Recitals, Order of the Red Dot European Piano Parties - Brussels, Lisbon, Lucern, Milan, Malaga, St. Goar Themed recitals: Grieg and Great American Songbook
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I recommend tuning intervals of no more than two weeks. Sure David, that would be wonderful. Heck, I'd love to have mine done EVERY week! Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, (like most people) I have to settle for twice a year. I've read a few posts from regular members who manage 4 times a year. Lucky dogs. I know it's unrealistic, but it's a standing joke with many of my clients.
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But your customers are probably used to you -- a different situation than answering a person totally new to pianos and piano care who is writing in for information --
Last edited by bellspiano; 09/04/15 06:58 PM.
Dorrie Bell retired piano technician Boston, MA
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Once every ten years is more regular than once every 2-3 weeks.
Amanda Reckonwith Concert & Recording tuner-tech, London, England. "in theory, practice and theory are the same thing. In practice, they're not." - Lawrence P. 'Yogi' Berra.
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In the '70's one manufacturer made two versions of the same model. One with blackposts and one without. I tuned enough of them to gain the distinct impression that those without backposts stayed in tune better that those with. The plate looked to be the same weight in both versions.
Amanda Reckonwith Concert & Recording tuner-tech, London, England. "in theory, practice and theory are the same thing. In practice, they're not." - Lawrence P. 'Yogi' Berra.
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Once every ten years is more regular than once every 2-3 weeks. a reason why a certain model did stay in tune better without back posts and bracings ? the plate is supposed to have a perimeter when no back-post ("self supporting plate" ) some are well designed, while in the 70 it was a new technique; may be they where unsure it would hold so they anticipate and designed the same with backpost I am not sure the same plate can be used.
Professional of the profession. Foo Foo specialist I wish to add some kind and sensitive phrase but nothing comes to mind.!
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Once every ten years is more regular than once every 2-3 weeks. a reason why a certain model did stay in tune better without back posts and bracings ? the plate is supposed to have a perimeter when no back-post ("self supporting plate" ) some are well designed, while in the 70 it was a new technique; may be they where unsure it would hold so they anticipate and designed the same with backpost I am not sure the same plate can be used. Quite so, dear friend, quite so. Both versions had full perimeter plates with rounded corners and an extra ridge. They were Yamaha M- something or other 45" or so. Nice small pianos, as small pianos go. There must be many of them still around unless, as small pianos go, they went. In those days, American piano salesmen emphasised the number of back posts as a mark of quality. Consequently, everybody and his brother put on back posts which were often flimsy non structural affairs. I think Yamaha was cashing in on this trend. The Broadwood barless had a similar contingency, they retained a gap in the stringing on the treble bridge so that, if the barless frame failed, a cast iron one with the usual struts could easily be substituted. I have one in front of me now, with the original barless plate. 7'6" fine piano. 1912 rebuilt. Great warmth of tone even though it is voiced bright. Thank you for catching my little joke. My significant other also has English as a second language, too. (Japanese). She also catches on to these idiosyncracys of our language faster than most.
Amanda Reckonwith Concert & Recording tuner-tech, London, England. "in theory, practice and theory are the same thing. In practice, they're not." - Lawrence P. 'Yogi' Berra.
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We bought a 1970s grand piano four months ago (Yamaha G2) and had it tuned three months ago and it's now starting to sound flat. Is a piano that is played an hour or two per day (my son is playing level 3 music), considered a heavily used piano? If so, how often would a piano like this generally need to be tuned assuming there are no structural problems with it? The piano is in our family room so it is not exposed to extreme temperatures. When we bought our piano, I had assumed we would tune it 2 times per year but at the current rate, it will be 4 times per year. Thanks in advance!
Last edited by pianoMom2006; 09/05/15 07:37 AM.
Yamaha G2
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Don't worry. Assuming no structural problems and yamahas I have known are quite good in this, A lot depends on previous tunings before you bought the piano. your piano may not have been tuned for some time before you bought it. This happens often if nobody is playing it, otherwise, why would they be selling it?!
A reputable tuner will bring the piano slightly above standard pitch and allow it to gradually settle on to the standard over the subsequent few tunings which could be six months apart.
This is standard practice in factories, warehouses and dealerships.
The first of this series of tunings can be quite a shock to the pianos' system and it may be unstable. It wIl eventually settle to where you may leave it for six months or even longer between tunings depending on the general acuity of hearing in the household. It has little connection with the amount of ordinary playing. It is households that may have concert & opera stars over for supper at a moments notice and professionals that need the additional insurance of four or six times a year.
It's only the first two tunings that need to be close together under these circumstances. If there is a problem, however, with the piano or its atmosphere, a reputable tuner will inform and advise you.
Amanda Reckonwith Concert & Recording tuner-tech, London, England. "in theory, practice and theory are the same thing. In practice, they're not." - Lawrence P. 'Yogi' Berra.
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some Yamaha are getting their pinblock a little too soft in time , 40 years seem to be a limit , I would say that I think this is due to tuners pushing as dumb on their levers to gain some tension reserve, a very common way I see done on Yamahas
Feeling the pin without bowing it is a method that ask much tactile feedback, and some patience to learn it
SO I think you can try to find a tuner that would be more efficient but if the pinblock does not grip enough he will have trouble
The pins can be tapped a very little, to help
If not new pins and strings are in order
40 years old Yamaha strings are not sounding well generally, also
Sorry for the news
Regards
Professional of the profession. Foo Foo specialist I wish to add some kind and sensitive phrase but nothing comes to mind.!
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Don't worry. Assuming no structural problems, A lot depends on previous tunings before you bought the piano. your piano may not have been tuned for some time before you bought it. This happens often if nobody is playing it, otherwise, why would they be selling it?!
A reputable tuner will bring the piano slightly above standard pitch and allow it to gradually settle on to the standard over the subsequent few tunings which could be six months apart.
This is standard practice in factories, warehouses and dealerships.
The first of this series of tunings can be quite a shock to the pianos' system and it may be unstable. It wIl eventually settle to where you may leave it for six months or even longer between tunings.
It's only the first two tunings that need to be close together under these circumstances. If there is a problem, however, with the piano or its atmosphere, a reputable tuner will inform and advise you. agreed I could be a little negative there but I have seen some yam G series that do not hold correctly, as if the pinblock where enlarged (may be lubed with cigaret smoke , too) that on not grey market ones (the infamous 'kitchen oil fumes contaminated blocks' are something else.) when I see how strong tuners tend to bow the pins sometime ( or tune by waving the lever) I wonder how the wood will accept that in time, indeed it could be also the softer pins that loose their threading... it is not so easy to stress Yamaha pins , but it works if it is the goal. (visibly is for Yamaha trained concert tuners, while many try to reinvent an easier method, and then only the bottom of the pin stay tight) regards on stabilization I would more come after 2 or even one month, then spread from 3 to 6 months, to one year if exigence is not asking for 6 months if it can hold, it hold for one year usually.
Last edited by Olek; 09/05/15 08:41 AM.
Professional of the profession. Foo Foo specialist I wish to add some kind and sensitive phrase but nothing comes to mind.!
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On the other hand......
....I have Yamaha's from the seventies still in my conservatoire that give excellent service and require the least tuning, being all original except the top two sections of strings, keeping original pins, one has newer hammers also, others are over centring now but that's not a bad thing for the use they are put to. Really quite amazing. Of the twelve hundred or so tuning pins involved between them all, only two tuning pins total have been problematic and those were easily dealt with. that's with many quick string replacements in the treble over the years, too. One of the few private homes I still service has a small yamaha grand from the sixties that is still eminently viable. I don't think I've had any serious pin block problems on yamahas in any country that I have operated in. Anybody else?
On the other hand...... .....What we need is a one handed piano tuner.
Amanda Reckonwith Concert & Recording tuner-tech, London, England. "in theory, practice and theory are the same thing. In practice, they're not." - Lawrence P. 'Yogi' Berra.
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