MAGSMUSIC TUNING

ABOUT ME

I completed my bachelors degree at Concord University. While there, I became very interested in acoustics and the physics involved with musical instruments, and enthusiastically pursued information on this subject. After reading everything related in the Concord Library, I used the Virginia Tech library as a supplement. Since pianos have inharmonicity problems not always found in other instruments, there were books specifically devoted to this subject. After reading these, I became fascinated with the history of temperaments and what was involved with setting temperaments in pianos as well as other instruments. I learned the basic concepts of how to set a temperament by ear, but didn't have an RPT to apprentice with or high quality pianos to practice on, so never mastered this skill while in college.

When I was fortunate enough to become a McNair Scholar, I used their resources to further pursue my interest in acoustics and music theory. I started a pre-graduate thesis related to acoustics, but eventually settled and completed one related to music theory. Although less directly related to piano tuning, this further helped my understanding of harmony and how important it is for certain overtones to line up to attain an aesthetically pleasing sound.

My husband learned basic aural tuning from an RPT at the Cincinatti Baldwin factory before completing his doctorate in music theory and composition at the Cincinatti Concervatory of Music. He taught me what he knew and got me started in the field of piano tuning. I learned more about tuning, regulation, and repair from the members of the Piano Technicians Guild. Through the guild and work experience, I am now able to work with the most common regulation and repair issues. Since I never mastered the art of setting a temperament by ear, I use an ETD (electronic tuning device) specifically designed for pianos.

There are several ETD's on the market. I have faith in most of them. ETD's for pianos are NOT the same as chromatic tuners for stringed instruments such as guitars, fiddles, mandolins, banjos, etc. These tuners are usually equally tempered, but not in the same way a piano is tempered to compensate for inharmonicity problems. Also their resolution is not as fine as piano ETD's. The most noticeable difference in these tuners is their price. A basic chromatic tuner costs between $20 and $50, while a piano ETD costs between $800 and $1500. With the help of my ETD (a program called TuneLab), I have been successfully tuning pianos in Southern WV and parts of VA since 2002. Included with my satisfied customers are The Ahn Trio, Leon Bates, Fran Bellin, Chris Bruebek, Freddy Cole, Gerald Lee, Evan Mack, Lynn Mackey, Pianafiddle, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Jane Smith.



ABOUT YOUR PIANO

A piano should be tuned regularly. This can range from every month for a piano played constantly, to every 2 years for a piano never played. In general, every 6 to 12 months is recommended. These tunings should include regulation and general maintenance.

A piano is affected by temperature and humidity. Changes in temperature can put a piano out of tune more quickly, but this does not usually cause damage. Changes in humidity can not only put a piano out of tune quickly, but most likely WILL cause damage. The problem with this type of damage is that it is slow and subtle, and doesn’t always show until it’s too late. A piano needs to be kept between 35% and 55% humidity, with 42% being ideal. This can be done by treating the room with a humidistat controlled humidifier and/or dehumidifier, or with a climate control system developed specifically for pianos. You can learn more about these systems at .

DO NOT let anyone “bang” on the keys. This can put the piano instantly out of tune, as well as cause damage to the action.



PIANO TUNING FAQ'S



MORE PIANO TUNING FAQ'S



Prices depend on location.



For further information or to set up an appointment, call (304)952-8615 or e-mail: mags@magsmusic.net.

Please put "tuning" in the subject line of e-mails.



REMEMBER!

The quality of any piano tuning is inversely proportional to the level of noise in the area during the tuning!

BACK TO MAGSMUSIC HOME