You Can Tune Your Own Piano: DIY Guide Part 1

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[benspiecker]

This is absolutely an invaluable skill to have. Pianists often know the least about their instruments when compared to other instrumentalists, and learning how to make even a few small adjustments can be a total game changer. From touch up tuning, to regulating the damper pedal, sometimes a small five minute fix can make the world of difference in your playing experience.

[DrChaad]

Just about enough information to make me appreciate the complexity and experience required to do the job correctly.

[Zal]

I'm a piano tuner. I've tried several times to teach some of my clients to be brave and touch up some notes if they need to. But most of them don't want to, some of them for caution and don't want to make mistakes, which I think It's ok. Some of them because they are too lazy to learn manual labor. And some do touch up their notes but they hurt the instrument because they don't have good musical hearing, It's common among pianists in my country not being able to sing in tune. those don't even appreciate the work I do when calling me is inevitable because they've done too much of a mess to even dare to try fixing it for themselves.

Tricky issue. But great video as usual!

[DebbieNeuzil]

I am handicap and not a lot of money is did buy tuner tool your video was such a blessing

[MrGreatTenor]

April 4, 2023
Greetings to you, my Respected and Admired Pianist and Professor: "ROBERT ESTRIN".
For some "Time..." I wanted to Learn and Know about the "Art of Tuning a Piano".

Because although I began the Study and Practice of the "PIANO" a few years ago..., I always had the "Dream" of Learning to Tune Pianos.

Your -EXPLANATION- on the subject of Tuning, has been very PROFESSIONAL in the Basics and of course from "you", and I have understood it. I have understood and understood it; for that, I express my highest THANKS!
And it is that now -I Understand and I Understand-, in the Readings and Videos...that I see and listen to the -Why is it Explained and Taught, that to become a
Great Piano Tuner, you need a lot of .... but a lot of -PRACTICE- tuning Pianos.

Thank you once again...my Admired and Respected Pianist and Piano Teacher: Mr. "ROBERT ESTRIN".

I am writing and greeting you from the city of Miami, FL 33130.

Excuse me if I did not introduce myself before: My name is "Hannibal Selas". Although I am a Lyric Singer, it is only about 12 years ago..., that I started to study the Piano.

Greetings and Hugs .... and may you have a "Wonderful Month of APRIL!

Yours Affectionately: "Hannibal Selas"

[russd.]

Great work as always, Robert! When I still had my Baldwin SD-10, I tuned and touched it up constantly so it would hold its tune longer. Finding a local PTG technician that also likes to teach is INVALUABLE.

Tip of the trade for upright tuning: tie a bit of strong cord between the two metal skewer rings at the other end on the mute wedges. That way, if one of the mute wedges falls into the piano, pulling on the remaining length of the string will quickly rescue it.

[JamesDean-fizw]

What about 'voicing' the hammers? What about 'touch' and regulation? What about chasing sounds, ie...' rattles' ? What if keybed is unlevel? Can y of replace keybed felts front, back, center an level them properly? What do you do about loose hammers/ wippens? Can you remove string marks in hammers by hand w/ sand paper the voice said hammer ? Much cheaper, to have to a professional tuner/tech to service your piano yearly than to try to DIY and then have to call a piano tech. Folks, by hand?

[jeffroutledge]

One of the most common sense videos I've ever seen regarding piano tuning. Thanks 🙂👍

[flylooper]

I live in a rural community in Oregon. Im interested in this because I can't even get a tuner to return my calls to tune my 6-foot Yamaha C-3 which I just bought! Amazing! I need to learn this skill on my own I think.

[valaincort]

Thank you, Robert! Not only are you a fount of great information, but your outstanding presentation skills make the information crystal clear. You are a master!

[nfexec]

Robert - this was a good lesson for those who can use caution and a careful use of the tuning hammer. I realize mentioning the issue of setting a temperment was beyond the scope of your lesson, but this is indeed a very important matter for potential "tuners" to know about. One suggestion, though -- I would refrain from using your finger to pluck strings. The natural chemicals and moisture in skin can corrode a piano string over time. Using a small plucking tool or even a metal dental pick would be preferable. Otherwise - well done!

[Deluge]

When will there be a part 2?? Great video, very educational, looking forward to a part 2!

[joshtube]

Very good detail in this video, appreciate this very much, need to help a friend tune his and this will help a lot!

[natashamickle]

Oh wow! That was fantastic! Thank you Robert for sharing the knowledge and for the demonstration! A completely new knowledge for me. I will find the courage to try this out. However, what I will be sure to do is to salute my piano tuner next time he is in - I realised it is insane! Cheers!

[UCSBSpeech]

Thanks for your video Robert. I agree. I too have been touch tuning those few off notes on my Baldwin SF10 for years. And like you mentioned, I leave the big arduous tunings to my tuning technician where real experience and expertise is definitely needed.

[JoseVGavila]

Thanks for this insightful video. It helps to appreciate the tuner work!

[hrobert]

Very helpful. Tried it on middle c and e. It worked!

[LetsPlayPianoMethods]

I have to do this on my piano regularly since I only get my piano tuned a couple times a year normally. It helps a lot to be able to tune a note to itself.

[armandogusa]

Thank for the video. In order to gain courage, I am trying this a couple of weeks before my piano tech visits me. If I make a terrible mistake, he will be here anyway to fix my issues.

[gloriajungsunhwang]

This video is absolutely helpful. You explain so well clear! Thank you so much!