Pianos are made primarily of wood, metal and felt. These materials respond to changes in temperature and humidity. It is important for the longevity of your piano, to try to keep the temperature and humidity as stable as possible in the room where your piano resides. This is especially important in the Chicago-land area; as we get extreme changes in temperature and humidity throughout the year. These two factors are also the main reasons why your piano goes out of tune.
Why does my piano go out of tune?
During the winter months when relative humidity is low, the moisture content in your pianos soundboard drops, the wood contracts and the strings in your piano will tend to go flat. Conversely in the summer when humidity is high, your pianos soundboard will expand causing the strings in your piano to go sharp.
Your piano will also hold a tune longer if it is kept away from direct sunlight, because the steel strings in your piano will expand in the sunlight (or bright stage lights) causing the pitch to drop. Then, when the sun goes down, the strings will contract again and the pitch will rise. If this happens every day your piano will be out of tune in a hurry.
How often should I tune my piano?
How often you should have your piano tuned depends on a number of factors. It is recommended to have your piano tuned at least twice a year to keep the overall tension even; and at the correct pitch level for which the piano was designed (A4 at 440 Hz). If your piano is being played multiple hours a day you may want to consider having it tuned more often; 3 to 4 times a year. Other factors that could have an effect on the frequency of your piano tunings are the condition and quality of your piano as well as the stability of the humidity and temperature in the room where you keep your piano.
Why does my piano go out of tune?
During the winter months when relative humidity is low, the moisture content in your pianos soundboard drops, the wood contracts and the strings in your piano will tend to go flat. Conversely in the summer when humidity is high, your pianos soundboard will expand causing the strings in your piano to go sharp.
Your piano will also hold a tune longer if it is kept away from direct sunlight, because the steel strings in your piano will expand in the sunlight (or bright stage lights) causing the pitch to drop. Then, when the sun goes down, the strings will contract again and the pitch will rise. If this happens every day your piano will be out of tune in a hurry.
How often should I tune my piano?
How often you should have your piano tuned depends on a number of factors. It is recommended to have your piano tuned at least twice a year to keep the overall tension even; and at the correct pitch level for which the piano was designed (A4 at 440 Hz). If your piano is being played multiple hours a day you may want to consider having it tuned more often; 3 to 4 times a year. Other factors that could have an effect on the frequency of your piano tunings are the condition and quality of your piano as well as the stability of the humidity and temperature in the room where you keep your piano.