To tune or not to tune

[dss62467]

It's early June, and the mugginess of Western NY is upon us.  My piano is horribly out of tune, and the pedal is squeaking.  I really, really, really want to have my tuner come out - but I know the humidity is just beginning.  I've got my dehumidifier running in the room where I keep my piano, but it can only do so much.

If I have him come out to tune it now, am I just throwing my money away?  He's not very expensive, but still... I'm afraid I'll have to have him just come back in September. 

How often is typical for tuning and, other than installing central air into my house, is there a way to protect my piano from the humidity?  It's an old Story & Clark upright from the 1940's, if that makes any difference.

[Bob]

Maybe invest in some AC? (I see you said that now.... duh.)

I've heard twice a year or four times a year.  After the season changes enough where the environment is stable.  (Except I don't think it really gets that stable unless you're controlling it.)

It probably doesn't matter either way.  Tune it now, enjoy it, and it will still go out of tune.  Don't tune it, save some money, but possibly have to tune it twice later since it will be more out of tune.

Even a dehumidifier can be a problem if you don't constantly watch it -- If it fills up with water and stops running, then you change it and it runs, then stops again....  You just made the humidity go up and down, up and down in the room... which is possibly worse than just leaving it consistently off.


I would say twice a year for tuning though.  Once about now since it's almost summer.  One around Halloween or Thanksgiving.

[quantum]

Twice a year for average use is often considered acceptable.  Bare minimum once a year. 

For those who play a lot, such as performers or teachers, tunings may be needed more frequently than twice a year.  Usually at the change of seasons, or when the piano sounds like it needs a tuning. 

Recording studios and concert halls tune very frequently.  Before every recording or concert, which may mean more than once a week. 



The weather where I live has been throwing off my piano as well as of late. 

[dss62467]

Oh wow.  I didn't realize people did it so often. He's very reasonably priced, so I guess I'll have him come out.

Thanks!

[Bob]

If it goes for a long time without a tuning it may take a couple tunings to get it to hold.  It will try to go back to how it was for a few years. 

I knew of one piano that was like that.  Hadn't been tuned for several years.  It took two tunings to get it to hold its pitch. 

[keys60]

Pianos naturally go flat due to the downward tension on the strings, however, if you've tuned recently, the heat and especially humidity may have raised the pitch. I just had to lower mine yesterday since I tune my own every six weeks. If its driving you nuts, tune it. Between the humidity and the a/c going on and off, it will probably be out in a short while. It really depends on what you perceive as out of tune. My octaves and unisons start to beat a little after a month or so. Small house, no ideal environment.
A good solution is:
You can have a technician install a Lifesaver system which is a humidifier/dehumidifier installed into the piano. About 500 bucks for an average upright. The add stability and protects the piano from soundboard cracks to sticking flanges. Look it up online. Its a worthwhile investment.