How to Tune a Piano?

Place the rubber mutes under the strings which are not being tuned in order to stop their vibration.

To tune multiple strings piano tuners may use a muting felt, instead of, or in addition to using rubber mutes. This is inserted between the strings and mutes the strings they do not wish to allow to vibrate.

Using the tuning hammer when learning how to tune a piano

This tool is used to change the tension the strings of a piano (why hammer - probably because of its shape, and not because you bang with it!).
It's a piece of metal with a handle, and its head has a socket like a wrench at the end. Here is where you have to be careful -

while continuously striking the piano key firmly, slowly turn the pin with the tuning wrench until the string is in tune.
It is very important to turn the pin very slowly as you may break the string because there is already a lot of pressure on it!

If the string is broken all you have to do is open the other pin, and release the string.

Never, I repeat, never use a substitute hammer for tuning the piano (any other tools - such as pliers). You will damage the pin, and it will cost a lot of money to replace it. Buy a real Piano Tuning Hammer from here instead and make sure you know what you're doing.

Piano tuners are specialists - At the beginning they use their tuning forks on middle C (or A) -
starting with a string in the middle of the piano and then they get on with the job - all by ear! The middle octave is tuned exactly,
but the higher notes are a bit sharpened and the lower notes are slightly flattened.

This is one of the reasons you should not tune your whole piano by your self using an electric tuner for each of the strings-tuning piano is an art and the professional knows the nuances when tuning the whole piano.

After - what we think is a nerve wracking couple of hours of cacophony - here we have a tuned piano with a perfect sound and pitch.

An advice - how to choose a piano technician

Some websites try to answer the question how to tune a piano as well, and they claim you can tune a piano by yourself. I think it could be very dangerous for the piano or for yourself if you break a piano that is used by your wife/husband/children or your mother-in-law! A tuning hammer bashed into your head could be quite painful as well!

And now, seriously - I'd be happy to help you to find the right technician that will also teach you how to tune a piano yourself.

Choosing a technician:

Choose your piano technician carefully. There is no license required for tuning pianos, and that is the reason that there are untrained people who might cause damage to your piano.
The best thing to do is to find a registered tuner-technician:
a member of the "Piano Technicians Guild" or a similar organization - which means he or she were examined by experts.

If you don't have a guild in your area don't worry, there are many ways to get a professional.
Call your local conservatory, music school or even orchestra, and ask them to recommend a technician.
Of course, recommendations from friends would also be very helpful.

How often should the piano be tuned?

There are various schools of thought - concert pianos are tuned before each concert.
It is recommended to tune the piano between two to four times a year, but not less than once a year!

Weather conditions can affect the piano, and if there are extreme climatic changes, the piano might go out of tune more often.
However, not all piano players are professional and if the piano is in a good shape and not placed near the kitchen oven, in front of the sun, or in the backyard, once a year could be enough.

It is necessary to let a professional check your piano at least once a year in order to see if there are problems which should be fixed.
When your tecnician arrives ask him how to tune a piano yourself. He'll probably give you a tip or two.

I have played on many kinds of pianos, and although I know how to tune the piano (after spending many hours, working with technicians),
I prefer to let the professional get on with the job. I recommend that you do so too.
Admittedly, this costs money, but it guarantees the healthy sound of your piano and its long life.

I hope you have more idea on how to tune a piano after reading this article.
If you'd like to go into the small details I suggest you call your piano tecnician and ask him to show you how to tune a piano step by step.

There's nothing better then a descent demonstration!