How much does it cost to have a player piano tuned?

Piano Tuning Service

$260 (New Customers). Discounted rate for regular Piano Care Clients

All pianos require tuning. Manufacturers recommend pianos be tuned twice a year but piano technicians in Australia will simplify that to at least once a year.

Table of Contents Show

Piano Tuning Service
Piano Tuning & Maintenance Services
restoration
How much does it cost to tune a player piano?
Can player pianos be tuned?
Do player pianos need tuning?
Can a piano be tuned after 20 years?

All pianos also require maintenance. This can be a simple pedal adjustment through to a full adjustment of all the moving parts. This keeps the playing mechanism at a certain standard.

House pianos that you use to play for pleasure or for lessons, require less piano tuning and maintenance services than a concert grand piano in a performance venue.

I am often asked for my best price on piano tuning. However, there is more to piano tuning than just adjusting strings and trying to finish as fast as possible. My philosophy is one of complete piano care where I help you get the very best musical experience out of your instrument.

My piano tuning service involves tuning and working on your instrument to achieve a desired result. If the piano hasn’t been tuned for a number of years, it will require a pitch correction, which is basically described as a rough tuning to establish the pitch so that you can play along with other instruments or your playlist. There could be adjustments required to the playing mechanism to improve the response, or to fix a sluggish note. This all falls under my tuning service.

My tuning service includes a two hour visit to tune and adjust your piano. On a regularly serviced instrument I can complete the tuning in about 1¼ hours (that’s an average tuning time). I then work on the playing mechanism to improve the touch, adjust the difference in tone from note to note, adjust the pedals, or vacuum the interior. However, the emphasis is on tuning.

If the instrument has not been tuned in a number of years, we will recommend a follow up tuning service within a certain timeframe.

If I inspect the piano and there a number of problems and I cannot complete a satisfactory tuning service in the two hours, I will provide a written quote which I will email to you.

Given the greater depth of service and adjustments I undertake as standard, my fees reflect the extra time spent on the instrument.

Piano Tuning & Maintenance Services
With over 25 years of experience in tuning, maintenance and restoration, our technicians consistently deliver concert quality piano tuning and workmanship.
As an Australian Registered Piano Tuner, PTTA of WA member and an authorised Yamaha & Steinway piano technician, Patrick Carre will ensure that your piano constantly attains the highest standard of sound and playability, whether it is serviced by himself or his tuners.

More than just tuning...

Regulation

The moving parts in a piano that’s regularly played are subject to wear and tear, and should be regulated every few years.

Repair

Things may go wrong with your piano from time to time: keys stick, the case gets damaged, or a string might even break.

restoration

Restoration will give your worn out piano a new lease on life to bring a lifetime of enjoyment for generations to come.

FAQ's

What is the cost of a piano tuning?

A standard piano tuning is $230.00 including GST.

Regardless of what type of piano you have, our tuning costs start from $230. This includes tuning to concert pitch and pitch raise if needed. Piano’s that haven’t been tuned for while may require a pitch raise in order to keep them in tune – we don’t charge extra for a pitch raise which some piano tuners don’t include in their basic price.

If your piano hasn’t been regularly tuned (i.e. at least once per year), it may go flat quickly and will therefore need a second tuning within 6 months. A piano tuning and a pitch raise are not the same thing.

How often should I tune my piano?

A piano should be tuned at least once every 12 months regardless of use.

If you ‘re a music teacher or your piano is played consistently by piano students practising a few hours every day, you’ll probably find your piano may need to be tuned once every 6 months.

If you have recently moved the piano or the piano is situated in a part of the house which is effected by weather changes, it should be tuned each time it is moved or in accordance with hot and cold changes

What is a pitch raise?

Piano tuning and a pitch raise are not the same thing.

A piano will begin to drop pitch or go flat the longer it is out of tune. This means that the average tension level of the strings is not as they should be. In order for the piano to stay in tune, the piano tuner must first raise all the strings to their proper tension level or “raise the pitch to A440”. Once this has been done, the piano can be successfully fine tuned.

Even though a pitch raise may take longer than a normal tuning, at Artisan Music we include a pitch raise as part of the cost of tuning. Most piano tuners will charge an extra fee on top of the standard tuning price.

Why are other piano tuners cheaper?

Servicing your piano is like servicing your car! You would want a qualified professional looking after your investment.

People don’t have to be registered to advertise as piano tuners. Be sure that you check the persons qualifications and background. Patrick Carre has undertaken training as a piano tuner and has 25 years experience in the industry. He is also a registered piano tuner.

What is the APTTA?

APTTA stands for Australasian Piano Tuners & Technicians Association.

The APTTA was formed in 1984 and currently has over 300 professional piano technicians as members. Members must pass a comprehensive assessment of their skills as piano tuner and piano technician. Any person who is a member must pass the examination know as ARPT or Australasian Registered Piano Tuner and are then permitted to use the letters ARPT in their advertising.

How much does it cost to tune a player piano?

Typically, most piano tuners charge by the hour, but $100 to $200 every 6-12 months is much cheaper than having the piano restrung. This process can sometimes cost nearly as much as a piano itself. Regular tuning will also ensure that the instrument sounds its best and that people can successfully play it.

Can player pianos be tuned?

Keep your piano in good tune – we recommend twice yearly tunings for the best health of the instrument. This also gives your technician a good opportunity to monitor any adjustments that might be needed on the action or the player mechanism. These adjustments are normal during the period following a major restoration.

Do player pianos need tuning?

Maintenance – Digital and player pianos do not necessitate tuning and tweaking. All you need to do is to plug it in and play it as you like. Bear in mind that digital pianos do not go out of tune and furthermore, you simply need to dust it off on a monthly basis.

Can a piano be tuned after 20 years?

Yes, any piano can be tuned after years of no use, as long as it is working condition. Keep in mind, however, that a severely out-of-tune piano will have gotten used to the lowered string tension, and the strings not stay at the correct tension for a longer period of time until it has had several tunings.