Generally, a single session of piano tuning will include following elements: Tuning, Pedals inspection, Heater inspection, Overall condition evaluation and Providing maintenance advice to piano owner.
Tuning
Piano tuning is the process of adjusting the tension of the strings inside an acoustic piano so that the notes sound correct and harmonious with one another. Because a piano has more than 200 strings, each under high tension, tuning is both a science and an art.
What Piano Tuning Involves
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Adjusting String Tension
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Each note on a piano is produced by one, two, or three strings.
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A tuner uses a special tool (a tuning lever) to tighten or loosen the tuning pins, changing the pitch of each string.
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Equal Temperament System
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Modern pianos are tuned to a system called equal temperament, where the octave is divided into 12 equal semitones.
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This allows the piano to play in all keys without sounding out of tune.
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Reference Pitch
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Tuning usually begins with the note A above middle C (A4), set to 440 Hz (known as “A440”).
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Other notes are tuned relative to this pitch.
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Fine Adjustments
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A skilled tuner listens for “beats” (wavering sounds when two notes are slightly out of tune) and adjusts until the intervals sound stable.
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Every piano is slightly different, so tuning requires both technical skill and a trained musical ear.
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Pedals inspection
Pedals are often overlooked, but they’re absolutely essential to a piano’s playability and musical expression. That’s why a technician should always check and adjust them during every servicing.
Why Pedals Must Be Checked Every Time
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Core to Musical Expression
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The damper (sustain) pedal is one of the most used parts of the piano. If it doesn’t lift the dampers fully, notes won’t sustain properly.
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The soft (una corda) pedal and sostenuto pedal also need precise alignment to function as intended.
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Wear and Tear from Use
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Pedals are mechanical levers connected to rods and trapwork. With frequent use, screws loosen, felts compress, and rods shift.
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This leads to noisy, squeaky, or sluggish pedals if not adjusted regularly.
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Preventing Damage
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Misaligned pedals can cause dampers to drag on strings, wearing out felt prematurely.
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Excess play in the mechanism can strain rods and joints, eventually requiring costly repairs.
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Silent Problems
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Pedal issues often develop gradually, so players may not notice until the function is badly compromised.
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A technician can catch these early and make small adjustments before they become major problems.
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Professional Standards
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For teaching studios, performance venues, or serious practice, properly functioning pedals are non-negotiable.
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A poorly adjusted pedal undermines both the sound and the player’s technique.
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Reference:
Northwest Pianos – Maintaining Your Piano: Expert Advice on Regular Maintenance and Care – https://www.northwestpianos.com/blogs/news/maintaining-your-piano-expert-advice-on-regular-maintenance-and-care
Bradfield Piano – Repairing or Replacing a Piano’s Pedal – https://bradfieldpiano.com/replacing-piano-pedals/
Heater inspection
The “heater” in a piano isn’t about keeping the piano warm, but about keeping its humidity stable. Because pianos are made of wood, felt, and metal, they are extremely sensitive to moisture changes. That’s why a technician should always check the heater during every servicing.
Why the Heater Must Be Checked Every Time
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Humidity Regulation
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Wood swells in high humidity and shrinks in low humidity.
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A working heater prevents swelling, sticking keys, sluggish action, and soundboard cracks.
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Tuning Stability
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Fluctuating humidity makes the soundboard expand and contract, which throws the piano out of tune faster.
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A functioning heater helps the piano hold its tuning longer.
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Protection of Materials
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Prevents rust on strings and corrosion on metal parts.
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Keeps felt and leather from becoming too damp or brittle.
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Safety & Reliability
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The heater is an electrical device—technicians check it to ensure it isn’t overheating, shorting, or failing.
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Early detection of faults avoids both safety risks and costly repairs.
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Preventive Maintenance
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A small heater failure can lead to major damage (e.g., cracked soundboard, rusted strings).
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Regular checks ensure the piano’s climate system is doing its job.
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Overall condition evaluation and Providing maintenance advice to piano owner
The “action” is the complex mechanism of levers, hammers, and dampers that translates a key press into sound. A technician doesn’t just check it while static; they need to observe it in motion—while keys are being played—because that’s when its true behavior is revealed.
Why Check the Action in Motion
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Dynamic Behavior
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The action has thousands of moving parts. Some issues (like sluggish repetition, uneven hammer return, or double-striking) only appear when the mechanism is moving at playing speed.
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A static inspection can’t reveal how parts interact under momentum.
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Regulation Accuracy
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Key dip, hammer travel, let-off, drop, and repetition spring tension are all dynamic adjustments.
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These can only be measured and fine-tuned while the action is being played, not just by looking at resting parts.
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Consistency Across Keys
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By testing motion, the technician can compare how each key responds—whether some feel heavier, slower, or uneven.
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This ensures uniform touch and control across the keyboard.
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Noise & Friction Detection
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Clicking, rubbing, or squeaking noises often only occur when parts are in motion.
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Watching the action move helps pinpoint exactly where friction or misalignment is happening.
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Real-World Performance
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Ultimately, the piano must respond to a pianist’s touch.
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Checking the action in motion simulates real playing conditions, ensuring the instrument feels responsive and expressive.
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