Why Pianos Go Out of Tune
A piano has over 200 strings under roughly 20 tons of tension. Because the instrument is primarily made of wood, it naturally responds to changes in humidity and temperature. Seasonal shifts cause the wooden soundboard to expand and contract, which slightly alters the tension on the strings and changes the pitch.
This is why even a piano that isn’t played frequently will still drift out of tune over time.
The General Recommendation: Two to Three Times Per Year
Most piano technicians recommend tuning your piano every four to six months. This schedule allows the instrument to stay relatively stable and prevents the pitch from drifting too far from standard tuning. Keeping a consistent tuning schedule has several benefits:
- Maintains the piano’s tonal quality
- Keeps the instrument closer to proper pitch
- Prevents the need for larger pitch corrections later
- Helps preserve the long-term health of the piano
When You May Need More Frequent Tunings
Some situations call for more frequent tuning.
1. Professional or Heavy Use
Pianos used for teaching, recording, or performance may require more frequent tunings. Instruments that are played heavily tend to drift out of tune faster simply due to the constant use of the strings and action. It’s also a good idea to schedule a tuning shortly before an important performance or recording session to ensure the piano is sounding its absolute best.
2. New Pianos
New pianos go through a settling period as the strings stretch and the structure adjusts to tension. During the first year, they may require 3–4 tunings.
3. Changing Environments
If a piano has recently been moved to a new home or a different climate, it will likely need a tuning once it acclimates to the new environment. Because pianos are highly sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, moving them can cause the pitch to shift. It is generally recommended to wait about two weeks after the move before scheduling a tuning, allowing the instrument time to adjust to its new surroundings.
What a Piano Tuning Actually Does
Many people assume that tuning will fix every sound issue in a piano. In reality, tuning specifically adjusts the tension of the strings so that the notes are in proper pitch and harmony with each other. (FYI. If you’re curious about the full process, we’ve written another article that takes a deeper dive into what a piano tuning does—and what it doesn’t do.)
Piano tuning DOES NOT address other aspects of the piano’s performance, such as:
- Sticky or sluggish keys
- Uneven touch or response
- Worn hammers
- Mechanical noise in the action
Those concerns fall under piano regulation, repair, or voicing. We have a team of professional technicians who can address those issues. [Contact Us]
A Good Rule of Thumb
If you’re unsure where to start, this is a simple guideline most piano technicians recommend:
Tune your piano at least two to three times a year.
Regular tuning keeps the instrument sounding its best and helps prevent more complicated (and expensive) corrections down the road. Tuning your piano two to three times a year is ideal, especially when the seasons change.
If your piano hasn’t been tuned in a while, it may be the perfect time to bring it back to pitch and let the instrument sing again.