Online tuning

[cheap_piano_a]

Hi!
Is it possible to tune your piano yourself if the tuner guides you online through video conferencing and you follow him step by step?
Thanks

[quantum]

A large part in tuning is learning to hear beats and correlating the movement of the tuning hammer with changes in beats.  Tuning requires practice and skill development, just like learning to play the piano. 

If you are going to the trouble video conference with a tuner, you might as well get some lessons so you can learn to become self-sufficient in tuning. 

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You have started a number of posts here and have received replies.  It would be good if you responded to some of those replies to get a discussion going. 

[j_tour]

The only keyboards I've tuned from top to bottom have been a Rhodes Electric Piano and a Wurlitzer Electric Piano:  the same principle of observing/hearing the beats applies, somewhat/sort of, although not as complicated with multiple strings per note, since those two instruments both strike the hammers against a single metallic element (one for each key) that is then passed on to an amplifier.  But also more difficult in that actually reaching the physical elements are struck by the hammers is not right there in the open, like on a piano.

I'm inclined to suggest that if one can tune a stringed instrument, like a guitar, perfectly by ear, using just a single A=440 tuning fork for a reference note, then you could probably do a piano if you can figure out the tuning hammer/wrench/whatever-it's-called, and those little dampers they use to isolate each string.

You could hook a scope, perhaps a free software one, to a microphone, I guess, but where's the fun in that? 

So, based on my very limited experience, I'd say it's probably possible if you have a pretty good ear and lots of patience.  And the right tool(s) and assuming your piano doesn't need to be brought up like a whole step or something.

[volcanoadam]

I tried to tune my own piano few times and however I could manage to do that I was never satisfied with the tuning, so I gave it up and have it done by a pro.
Tuning of a piano is much more then just hearing beats, it is a very complicated process. It not only requires ear practise but also very strong, and gentle at the same time, touch of the tuning hammer. There are also plenty of problems with tuning, like false beats, and general knowledge of piano build is necessary.
Tuning of a guitar is not much use in piano tuning. It helps at the start, but not much beyond that.

[cheap_piano_a]

Hey quantum! I don't have much to say. What will I add? 

[timothy42b]

There is free tuning software that is as good as most people can do.  Your ability to hear beats may exceed the software at some point but many people will never get there.  This software measures the inharmonicity of your piano and calculates the correct stretch.  Tunelab is an example and there are others.

The problem is that learning to use the tuning hammer to set the strings so they don't go out of tune, as fast as you get them in tune, is a difficult skill.  That part of it may take you years. 

[quantum]

It took me years before I was comfortable doing a full tune on my piano.  Having to live with and practice piano on my own tuning was an incentive to improve though.  Tunings were a little rough at first, but I'm very glad I stuck with it and persisted.  It is very rewarding to be able to tune your own instrument.

[cheap_piano_a]

Thank you everyone.

[timothy42b]

Hi!
Is it possible to tune your piano yourself if the tuner guides you online through video conferencing and you follow him step by step?
Thanks

I would highly recommend that approach.  There are lots of tips for how to mute, how to set things up, etc., that vary from piano to piano, and a tuner can walk you through that. 

There's more to it than just listening to beats and getting the hammer on the right pin. 

Although, getting the hammer on the wrong pin can be a significant problem.