Tuning & Playing Pianos
piano tuning
Tuning and repairing pianos for over 45 years.
Tuning for schools, churches, individuals, restaurants, Inns, concert venues and more.
Tuning starts at $175.00 for tuning within 25 miles of Bucksport Maine.
I cover most of DownEast and Midcoast.
Also a certified Piano Life Saver Installer.
And a professional piano player.
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piano tuning concepts
PIANO STRING TENSION
Each individual piano string is under high tension, averaging 150 to 200 pounds, with the entire piano often holding 18 to 30 tons of total tension
. For the tuning pins to hold this tension, they require a torque (torque resistance) of 80 to 120 inch-pounds in new pianos, which often drops to 50–70 in older instruments.
Key Details on Piano String Tension and Torque
Total Tension: A modern piano has over 200 strings, resulting in a cumulative tension of 18–20 tons, with some grand pianos reaching up to 30 tons.
Individual String Tension: Each individual string is under approximately 150 to 200 pounds of tension.
Tuning Pin Torque: To keep a piano in tune, the tuning pins must hold the tension. Ideally, this requires a torque measurement of 80–120 inch-pounds.
Ageing and Stability: As pianos age, this torque often drops to between 50 and 70 inch-pounds.
Loose Pin Indicator: If the tuning pin torque falls below 30–40 inch-pounds, the pins may be too loose to hold a stable tune, often requiring service.
CENTS DEVIATION OF PITCH
A note that is 30 cents flat is
significantly lower in pitch than its target, sitting 30/100ths (or nearly one-third) of a semitone below the correct note. Because one semitone (e.g., C to C#) equals 100 cents, a 30-cent discrepancy is generally very noticeable, often indicating a piano that has dropped in pitch and needs a pitch raise.
Definition: "Cents" are a logarithmic unit of measure for musical pitch intervals, where 100 cents represent the distance between two adjacent keys on a piano.
Measurement: A note 30 cents flat is 30 units below 0, where 0 is the perfectly tuned pitch.
Significance: While a 1-5 cent variance is normal for a, "in-tune" piano, 30 cents is quite flat, often requiring a special, intense tuning technique called a "pitch raise" to increase the tension on the strings.
Context: Pianos usually go flat over time due to seasonal humidity changes or loose, "pin block" pins, requiring regular maintenance to stay at the standard pitch.
In summary, it means the note is significantly under-pitched and requires a professional, multi-stage tuning. (Keep in mind if you are in Maine, I am a professional piano tuner-tech and piano player. )
Piano Bench Height
The standard, ideal piano bench height is generally between 18 to 22 inches (45–55 cm) from the floor,
although the most critical measure is that the player's forearms are parallel to the floor with elbows slightly above the keyboard.
Adjustable benches are highly recommended to ensure proper ergonomic positioning, preventing shoulder, back, and wrist strain.
Key Guidelines for Proper Bench Height:
- Optimal Alignment: When sitting with fingers on the keys, the elbow should be at or slightly above the level of the white keys.
- Forearm Angle: The forearm should be roughly parallel to the floor, forming a slightly open or 90-degree angle at the elbow.
- Body Position: Sit on the front half of the bench, with feet flat on the floor or on the pedals, ensuring shoulders remain relaxed and down.
- Adjustability: If a fixed bench is too low, use cushions or mats to raise it; if too high, consider a different stool or adjustable model
We sell Piano Benches in our online store: https://www.pianosupplies.com/piano/benches.html
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