Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you're a private piano owner, teacher, professional musician or looking after a piano in a school, studio or concert venue, you may have questions about piano tuning and the condition of your instrument.
Below are answers to some of the questions we are most frequently asked.
How often should a piano be tuned?
For a piano that is played regularly, we generally recommend having it tuned at least once a year.
Pianos used frequently by professional musicians, teachers, students or in institutions may benefit from more regular tuning. Changes in temperature and humidity can also affect the tuning of a piano, even when it hasn't been played extensively.
Do you repair digital pianos or keyboards?
No. We specialise in acoustic pianos and do not repair digital pianos, electric pianos or electronic keyboards.
If you have an acoustic upright or grand piano, however, we're happy to advise on tuning, servicing, regulation, repairs or restoration.
How long does a piano tuning take?
A standard piano tuning takes approximately one hour.
This is based on a piano that is already reasonably close to the correct pitch and is in good enough condition to be tuned normally.
If the piano has fallen significantly below pitch, it may require a pitch raise, which generally takes around 90–120 minutes.
What is included in a standard piano tuning?
A standard tuning is for a piano that is already reasonably close to the correct pitch.
As well as tuning the piano across its full range, we will make simple adjustments where appropriate, including minor pedal and regulation adjustments that can be dealt with quickly during the appointment.
If the piano requires more extensive regulation, repairs or other servicing, we will discuss this with you and provide a separate quote.
What is a pitch raise?
A pitch raise is required when the overall pitch of a piano has fallen significantly below the correct level.
The strings of a piano are under considerable tension. When a piano has remained below pitch for a long period, bringing individual notes straight back to their correct pitch can result in the tuning moving significantly as the tension throughout the instrument changes.
A pitch raise brings the overall string tension back towards the correct level before the piano is fine-tuned.
A piano that hasn't been tuned for a year or more may require a pitch raise, although this depends on how far the instrument has moved from pitch and its general condition.
We will assess the piano and provide a quote for either a standard tuning or pitch raise as appropriate.
Can you tune a piano that hasn't been tuned for years?
Often, yes.
However, a piano needs to be in a suitable physical condition to be tuned. An instrument that has been neglected for a long period may require a pitch raise, repairs or other work before it can be properly tuned.
If you're unsure about your piano, you can send us photographs when making an enquiry. This allows us to assess its condition and advise whether we can help.
Can you tune an old piano?
Yes, provided the piano is in tunable condition.
Age alone doesn't determine whether a piano can be tuned. The condition of the strings, tuning pins, soundboard, bridges and other components will all affect what can reasonably be achieved.
If you have an older piano and aren't sure whether it is worth tuning or restoring, get in touch and we can advise you.
Can you tune a piano that is very badly out of tune?
It depends on the condition of the piano and how far it has fallen from pitch.
A piano that is simply very flat may require a pitch raise before it can be properly tuned. If there are damaged strings, loose tuning pins or other problems, additional work may be necessary.
If you're concerned about the condition of your piano, send us some photographs and we'll be happy to advise.
Do you tune grand pianos?
Yes. We tune all types and makes of piano, including upright pianos, grand pianos and concert grands.
Our team has extensive experience working on professional and concert instruments, but we apply the same care and attention to every piano we tune.
Do you tune upright pianos?
Yes. Upright pianos are a large part of our work, from older domestic instruments to professional uprights used by teachers, schools and institutions.
Do you tune all makes of piano?
Yes. We work on all makes and types of piano, provided the instrument is in a condition that allows it to be tuned. However, we have particular experience in working on Yamaha, Steinway, Bosendorfer and Steingraeber pianos.
If you're unsure whether we can work on your particular piano, let us know the make and model when you enquire.
Do you provide concert piano tuning?
Yes.
We have extensive experience preparing pianos for concerts, performances and recordings, including professional concert work at the Royal Academy of Music.
We like to think that all of our standard tunings are concert tunings in terms of the care and attention we give to the instrument.
Whether we're tuning a family upright or preparing a concert grand for the stage, every piano receives the same enthusiasm and attention to detail.
Specialist tuning requirements can also be arranged on request.
Who carries out your piano tunings?
Chapman Piano Services is led by Doug Chapman, Head of Piano Technical Services at the Royal Academy of Music.
Doug & his carefully selected team have extensive experience tuning and maintaining pianos for private clients, professional musicians, teachers, schools, conservatoires, recording studios and concert venues.
Can you make regulation adjustments to my piano while tuning it?
Yes, where the adjustment is simple and can be carried out as part of the tuning appointment.
This may include minor regulation adjustments or pedal adjustments.
More extensive regulation or repairs require additional time and will normally be quoted separately.
What is piano regulation?
Regulation is the adjustment of the mechanical parts of a piano's action so that they work correctly and consistently.
A piano can be perfectly in tune but still feel uneven or unresponsive if its regulation has deteriorated.
Regulation can involve many individual adjustments, depending on the piano and its condition. More extensive regulation is separate from a standard tuning and will require a separate quotation.
Does my piano need servicing as well as tuning?
Not necessarily.
Tuning corrects the pitch of the piano, whereas servicing and regulation address the mechanical condition and performance of the instrument.
If we notice something during a tuning that requires attention beyond the normal adjustments included in the appointment, we'll explain what is needed and provide a separate quote.
What if my piano needs repairs?
If we identify a repair that cannot reasonably be dealt with during a standard tuning, we'll let you know.
We won't carry out significant additional work without discussing it with you first. More extensive repairs, regulation or servicing will be quoted separately.
How much does piano tuning cost?
Our piano tuning services are priced on request.
The condition of the piano and the work required can vary considerably. A straightforward standard tuning is a different appointment from a piano requiring a pitch raise or additional work, so we prefer to provide an appropriate quotation based on the individual instrument.
Should I send photographs of my piano?
If you're unsure about the condition of your piano, particularly if it hasn't been tuned for a long time, photographs can be very useful.
You can send photographs when making an enquiry and we'll assess them to determine whether the piano appears to be in a condition we can work with and whether anything additional may be required.
Do you tune pianos for piano teachers?
Yes. We regularly work with piano teachers and understand the importance of having an instrument that is reliable, consistent and pleasant to play.
We also work with schools, conservatoires and other educational establishments.
Do you tune pianos for professional pianists?
Yes.
Our experience includes working with professional pianists and preparing instruments for concerts, performances and recording.
The requirements of a professional pianist can be very specific, so if you have particular requirements for an instrument, let us know when booking.
Do you tune pianos in recording studios?
Yes. We have experience preparing pianos for recording and can discuss the particular requirements of your session when you get in touch. Our recent studio work includes Abbey Road Studios and British Grove Studios.
Do you tune pianos in schools and conservatoires?
Yes. We work with educational establishments as well as private clients and professional musicians.
For institutions with multiple pianos, we can also discuss ongoing piano maintenance and servicing requirements.
Where do you provide piano tuning?
We provide piano tuning throughout London, Bromley, Orpington, Kent and the surrounding areas, as well as undertaking piano work throughout the UK.
If you're outside our usual local area, please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
How can I book a piano tuning?
You can contact Chapman Piano Services in whichever way is most convenient:
Call us using the telephone number on our Contact page
Email us
WhatsApp us - 07868838077
Use our online booking form
When making an enquiry, it's useful to provide the make and model of your piano and, if possible, when it was last tuned.
If you're concerned about the condition of the piano, photographs are also welcome.