Common Questions

Before the Appointment

Why does my piano go out of tune?

-Pianos go out of tune for a number of reasons. Seasonal temperature, humidity, and atmospheric changes can cause the piano’s wooden case to expand and contract, which causes the tension on the strings to change, leading to the piano sounding “off” or “sour”.

How often should I have my piano tuned?

-How often your piano needs to be tuned is somewhat subjective. Some sources insist on yearly tuning, others twice yearly, or less frequently. I can’t give a blanket answer since all pianos are unique, however the best advice I can offer is to have the piano tuned in accordance with how often it is played. Humidity and atmospheric changes play a large role in seasonal shifts, but if your piano is played daily for hours at a time, you’ll most likely need to have the piano tuned more often.

How much does it cost to have a piano tuned?

-Each piano technician charges their own rate or fee schedule, varying by region, location, and experience level. Some break down travel costs by mileage, while others charge a flat rate depending on the area. Some charge for individual repairs while others build it into their quote. My fee schedule is flat rate and includes small repairs that can be completed within the 2 hour time slot of the appointment. As of 2026 I charge a flat rate of $200 for the Merrimack Valley area. If you’re outside the immediate area, contact me for a quote.

How long does the tuning process take?

-It generally takes me an average of 60 minutes to tune a piano. Some pianos take more time, some less. It generally ranges from between 45-90 minutes. My appointments are scheduled in 2 hour time blocks to allow for any small repairs that may be needed.

Do you offer weekend or evening appointments? Do I need to be home during the appointment?

-I can accommodate weekend and evening appointments, please contact me for scheduling.

-You do not have to be home while I tune your piano, provided I have access to the instrument. For everyone’s safety and peace of mind, appointments cannot be completed if unattended minors are present in the home.

How should I prepare for your visit?

-The best way to prepare for the appointment is to have unobstructed access to and around the piano. Items on the lid or music rack should be removed, and noise levels (music, televisions, etc) minimized as much as possible.

What brands do you service?

-I service most major brands, such as Yamaha, Baldwin, Steinway, etc. I have extensive experience with more obscure brands and can generally tune any piano ranging in age from the mid 19th century onwards. If you’re unsure, please reach out and I can let you know!

Moving & Climate

Should I have my piano tuned before or after it’s moved?

-It is best to have a piano tuned after it is moved to its new location. Allowing 2 weeks for the piano to acclimate is the best course of action after a piano is moved. If the piano is simply being moved across the room, it likely won’t affect the current tuning.

Does humidity affect my piano?

-Humidity plays a big factor in a piano’s tuning stability. Since wood expands and contracts with humidity changes, it affects the amount of tension on the strings, which is the most common cause seasonal changes. Different wood species used in piano construction respond to changes in humidity to different degrees, which is another variable. Even the method of construction for some components such as the soundboard in different piano brands can be more or less likely to have large shifts in tuning stability through different seasons.

Does my piano need to be moved professionally?

-While it’s not a requirement to have a piano moved professionally, I strongly recommend it due to the weight, size, and monetary value involved, especially if it’s being moved cross country. When looking for piano movers, make sure that they have specialty experience in this area. If you’re not sure where to go for a reputable company, feel free to contact me and I can help you find one!

Do I need a humidity control system?

Humidity control systems can be beneficial in some cases. If your home has drafty windows, or the humidity swings wildly throughout the seasons then it may be worth investing in one. I would suggest having one installed if your piano needs to be tuned more than twice yearly with medium playing. I strongly recommend against DIY methods suggested online such as situating a container of water inside the piano or having a humidifier blowing directly on the soundboard or other parts.

Repairs

Can my piano be repaired, or should I replace it?

-While I can repair most common issues, the question of repair vs replace is often up to you. If the piano has immense sentimental value it may be worth it, but if the cost to repair the piano is greater than replacing it then it may be worth doing a cost vs benefit analysis.

-Regulation is the process of bringing the mechanical components of the piano into proper alignment, which is a completely separate process from tuning the strings. Regulating ensures that the touch sensitivity, tactile feedback, and expression control are consistent across the entire keyboard. Piano actions (the mechanism that translates your finger pressing the key down to the hammer striking the string) are built from wood, leather, and felt, and over time the felt and leather can become compressed to the point that the piano doesn’t feel as good to play as it used to. Regulating brings back the proper feel and touch, and makes a tremendous difference in the enjoyment of your playing experience.

How do I know what my piano actually needs?

-Having your piano professionally evaluated is the best way to know what your piano needs. When I evaluate a piano I always like to show you what parts I’m looking at, how they work, and if they need adjustment or repair. I do my best to make things easy to understand and always give you all possible options and an estimate of costs if the piano needs more than a routine tuning.

Player Pianos

Do you work on player pianos?

-Yes! I have extensive experience rebuilding, restoring, and servicing mechanical player pianos. They are my specialty! I also tune pianos with digital player systems.

Can you fix my player piano if it no longer plays automatically?

-Yes! I will always evaluate your piano and the player mechanism to determine the source of the problem. If the piano played well but suddenly stopped then it’s likely that it’s a smaller issue, but if the piano has slowly over the course of years become more difficult to pump, it’s likely that the player mechanism may need to be rebuilt.

Do you work on modern digital player piano systems like Disklavier and PNOmation?

-While I will happily tune a piano outfitted with a digital player system, unfortunately I do not work on digital player systems such as QRS PNOmation, Yamaha Disklavier, Steinway Spirio, and others. The best course of action is to contact the manufacturer of the player system to be referred to a qualified service technician.

I’m looking for paper rolls to play on my player piano. Where do I find them?

-Player piano rolls are still being produced today! QRS has been manufacturing them for over 125 years, and you can buy them directly from their website (qrsmusic.com). Smaller producers in the US and UK are also great options, such as Meliora Music Rolls (melioramusicrolls.com), Julian Dyer (pianorolls.co.uk) and Short Mountain Music Works (popmusicrolls.com). Alternatively, eBay is the best source for finding rolls that are rare, out of production, or for more obscure late 19th century and early 20th century pieces. I’m happy to answer questions for finding piano rolls, feel free to reach out with any questions!

Buying & Selling

Can you inspect a piano before I buy it?

-Absolutely! In fact I strongly encourage prospective buyers to have a piano professionally evaluated prior to a sale. This will save you time and money, and you will gain expert advice along the way.

How much is my piano worth?

-This question is one I receive a lot, and it’s one of the most difficult to answer. Not only are pianos unique, the value can be affected by the condition of the internal components, age, and brand name. The price a piano dealer or rebuilder posts for a piano doesn’t always translate to the same model that’s within a similar age range, much the same way cars do. Antique status also doesn’t automatically convey monetary value, since pianos need more work as they age to maintain a good condition. A grand piano from 1875 that has been newly rebuilt could be worth over $50,000 while an upright piano from a large brand name built in 2020 could be worth $3,500. It all depends on condition, materials used, the area you live in, and often the brand name. The best way to find out is to have your piano professionally evaluated, as there are a lot of variables. Feel free to reach out for an evaluation and I’d be more than happy to help!

Should I buy a new piano, or is a rebuilt one better?

-The short answer is: it depends. Are you looking for a distinct sound? A specific style of case? A specific brand? Some pianos from the late 19th to the early 20th centuries will have a more mellow tone that’s great for a medium-sized living room, while newer ones can have a more bright tone with greater projection that would sound harsh in the same room. It depends on what your goals and budget are. There are many high quality pianos, both old and new!