Marianne Martinez
Tuning a piano is a meticulous task that requires a good ear and a lot of patience. While it is recommended to hire an experienced piano tuner, it is possible to do it yourself with the right tools and guidance. To open a piano for tuning, you must first identify the type of piano you have. Upright pianos, for example, typically have a hinge that allows the top to swing open, providing access to the tuning pegs. Once you have accessed the strings and pins, you can begin the process of tuning, using tools such as an electronic chromatic tuner or piano tuning software to adjust the pitch of each string.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Piano type | Upright piano |
| Tools required | Tuning lever, rubber wedges, chromatic tuner, tuning software or app, tuning fork |
| Steps | 1. Remove the piano's external panels to access the strings and pins. 2. Mute the strings you're not working on with rubber wedges. 3. Play middle C (C4) to identify which pin to adjust. 4. Place the tuning lever on the pin and turn it clockwise to raise the pitch or counterclockwise to lower it. 5. Check your progress by playing intervals. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a tuning lever to open and tune
A tuning lever, also called a tuning hammer, wrench, tuning wrench, or tuning key, is a small, tapered wrench that allows you to tighten or loosen each tuning pin individually. It is an essential tool for tuning a piano, as substituting it with any other tool could damage the instrument.
To open and tune a piano, start by playing the middle C (C4) piano key loudly and firmly to identify which pin the single string is wound around. Gently place the head of your tuning lever over the pin and turn it counterclockwise to loosen the pin slightly. Then, slowly turn the lever clockwise to tighten it to a true middle C. It is important to be gentle and turn the lever as little as possible to avoid over-loosening or over-tightening the pin. Play the note continuously as you tune.
Once you have tuned the middle octave, you have "set the temperament". You will now use this middle octave as a reference for the rest of the keys, rather than an electronic chromatic tuner. Work on one string at a time, muting the others, and compare it to the corresponding note in the middle octave. Then, tune the other strings within the note to match the first string. Finally, work your way outward, octave by octave (e.g., A5 to A6, then A6 to A7, etc.). Hit both a reference and the key being tuned simultaneously with one hand while using the lever with the other.
Professional piano tuners use a technique called "setting" to finish tightening a pin and make the string hold its tune longer. The stability of the tuning depends on setting the pin properly, and it requires skill and experience to do this effectively.
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Remove the piano's external panels
To remove the external panels of a piano, follow these steps:
First, open the key cover and piano lid. The key cover is located over the keys, and the lid is on the top portion of the piano. These pieces should open easily by sliding the key cover back and lifting it slightly, and by lifting the lid from the front as it is usually attached by a hinge. If the lid is screwed down, simply unscrew it and then lift.
Next, unhinge the piano desk to expose the harp. The desk is the part where sheet music sits. With the lid open, you can reach behind the desk and undo the hinges on each side to free the desk. Then, lift the desk off the piano. Some desks may be secured with screws, so be sure to remove these if present.
After removing the piano desk, look behind the cover and find the screws to remove the key cover. Pull out the lower board to expose the inner mechanism. This is usually secured by a pin and spring. Push the pin upward to release the board, and then guide it out. Keep your hand on the board as you do this to prevent it from falling.
Finally, unscrew the top lid. This is the final outer piece and is secured with hinges. Unscrew the hinges from the piano body and then lift the lid off.
Note that dismantling a piano requires patience and care. You will likely damage pieces while taking it apart, so only proceed if you are comfortable with this. If you are removing the panels to make the piano easier to transport, be aware that there is only a certain length to which you can disassemble the instrument.
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Use an electronic tuner
Tuning a piano with an electronic tuner is a mechanically simple but challenging process to master. While today's electronic tuning devices (ETDs) and apps are sophisticated and can help with certain aspects of tuning, they do not replace the skill and discernment of a professional tuner.
To tune a piano with an electronic tuner, first protect the instrument with appropriate, quality tools. A set of good piano tuning tools will cost less than a single professional tuning. The most important tool is the piano tuning lever, which is specifically designed to fit piano pins, and a hammer, wrench or key. Extendable handles make it easier to use on different piano cabinet styles. If you purchase a lever with an interchangeable tip, you will also need a tip wrench to tighten the tip without damaging it.
Next, you will need to choose an electronic tuner. Basic chromatic tuning devices or apps for guitars are useless for piano tuning, so make sure you select a professional device or app specifically designed for piano tuning. The Korg OT-120 Wide 8 Octave Chromatic Orchestral Tuner is recommended for amateurs, as it has a physical needle that is smoothly responsive, whereas LCD needles tend to jump as they move between display positions. An external contact mic is a very useful accessory for a chromatic tuner, as it helps to reduce confusion from extraneous sounds and vibrations in the room. For any Korg tuner, the Korg CM-200 Clip-On Contact Microphone is a good choice.
Once you have your tools and tuner, you can begin the tuning process. Play any note and you will see the needle move and the strobe rotate until it finds the pitch you are playing. If you play an instrument pitched in C, such as a piano, you will see the name of the pitch you are playing. Once the tuner recognises the note, try to adjust it so that it stays perfectly steady and centred on the dial. If you had to bring the pitch up, you were flat, and if you had to bring it down, you were sharp. Make an adjustment to your instrument, either by adjusting a slide, a peg, or whatever your instrument's equivalent is. Play the note again, and if the needle and strobe are centred and steady, your instrument is tuned.
Remember that temperature can affect the tuning of an instrument. If an instrument is cold, it will tend to be flat, and if it is hot, it will tend to be sharp.
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Use tuning software
Piano tuning software is a great alternative to dedicated tuning devices, especially if you're on a budget. While it may not be as accurate as hiring a professional tuner, it can still get your piano sounding noticeably better.
There are several options for piano tuning software, ranging from free to a few hundred dollars. Some examples include Tunelab, Verituner, and Cybertuner. Tunelab, for instance, has been around since the 1990s and is widely used by professionals. While a full license costs $300, the Android and Windows versions are free to download, with periodic prompts to upgrade. Another option is PianoMeter, which is also used by professionals. The app itself is free to download, but requires an in-app purchase to tune a piano. The "Plus" tier for hobbyists costs $30, while the "Pro" version costs $350.
Before using tuning software, you'll need to take off the piano's external panels to access the strings and pins inside. Then, you can use the software to identify what note each key currently plays and how far off it is from the target note. The software will also guide you on how to manipulate the tuning lever and pins to adjust the tension of the strings.
It's important to note that using piano tuning software does require some knowledge of piano tuning and acoustic properties. Additionally, as each piano is unique, the software will need to take measurements of your piano's tone to calculate a custom tuning. This may involve pre-measuring several notes on the piano and understanding how to read the display.
Overall, while piano tuning software can be a helpful tool, it may take some time and practice to master.
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Identify the piano type
There are two main types of piano: the grand piano and the upright piano. The grand piano is considered superior in terms of sound and key control, but the upright piano is more commonly found in homes due to its smaller size and lower cost.
Grand pianos are further divided into at least seven subtypes, including the petite grand, baby grand, medium grand, classic/parlour grand, ballroom, semi-concert grand, and concert grand. The length of grand pianos varies from 4.5 to 9 feet.
Upright pianos are also known as vertical pianos and are placed against a wall or in a corner. They are more prone to wear and tear and have shorter strings and smaller soundboards compared to grand pianos. Examples of upright pianos include the spinet, consolette, console, studio, and professional.
Digital pianos are another type of piano that replicates the tones of traditional or acoustic pianos. Examples include the Fender Rhodes, the Clarinova, and the Synthesizer Keyboard. Digital pianos are more accessible and affordable compared to grand and upright pianos.
Other types of pianos include the square piano, the prepared piano, and the pedal piano. The square piano was popular in the 19th century, while the prepared piano is found in some contemporary art music, with objects placed inside to alter its sound. The pedal piano is a rare type with a pedal keyboard at the base, designed to be played with the feet.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have an upright piano, the tuning pegs are likely accessible from the top. You can open the lid and use rubber wedges to silence the strings you're not working on.
You will need a tuning lever and an electronic tuner. The lever is essential, and substituting it with another tool could damage your piano. The tuner will provide a reference frequency so that you don't tune the note too sharp or too flat.
First, play Middle C (C4) to listen to the single unmuted string and see what note the tuner picks up. Then, identify the pin that the string is wound around and place the head of the lever on the pin. Turn the pin clockwise to raise the pitch and counterclockwise to lower it.
Yes, you can use piano tuning software or applications. Some applications are free and open-source, while others may offer free trials.
