PIANO SERVICE KNOWLEDGE • PSI-001
How Often Should You Tune a Piano?
Every 6 Months, Once a Year, or When?
A piano has more than 200 strings and a highly detailed internal mechanism. Regular piano tuning is therefore not only about correcting notes that have gone out of tune. It also helps students hear accurate pitch and gives the technician an opportunity to perform a basic internal inspection at the same time.
QUICK ANSWER
6 Months
or
1 Year?
How often should a piano generally be tuned?
For a piano used normally at home, tuning at least once a year is recommended. If a child is learning, the piano is practised regularly, or the room experiences frequent changes in temperature and humidity, consider tuning every 6 months. For a piano that has recently been moved or has not been maintained for many years, have a technician inspect its condition first.
WHY PIANOS CHANGE
Why can a piano go out of tune even when it is not played often?
Piano strings remain under high tension at all times. Humidity, temperature, seasonal changes, air-conditioning cycles and normal use can all gradually change string tension. When individual strings move away from their standard pitch, the notes across the keyboard begin to lose their normal relationship, especially when playing chords or together with other instruments.
Piano tuning means adjusting the tension of the strings so the pitch relationship across all 88 keys returns to the proper standard, rather than simply correcting a few notes that sound out of tune.
TUNING SCHEDULE
Should a piano be tuned every 6 months or once a year?
General home use
At least once a year
Helps maintain pitch and gives the technician an opportunity to inspect the piano periodically, including checking for insects, rodents or other animals inside the instrument.
Student / regular practice
Every 6 months
Helps improve pitch awareness and accuracy when practising or playing with other instruments.
Large temperature / humidity changes
Every 6 months or as assessed
Environmental changes can affect string tension and the wooden components inside the piano.
Recently moved
Tune after the piano settles
Moving the piano and changing its environment can cause the pitch to shift.
Not used for several years
Inspect before tuning
There may be mechanical or humidity-related issues that should be addressed before tuning begins.
IF YOU WAIT TOO LONG
What can happen if a piano is left untuned for too long?
01
Students may become accustomed to inaccurate pitch, which is not ideal for ear training or remembering note pitch correctly.
02
Playing together with other instruments or accompaniment tracks may sound less harmonious.
03
If the overall pitch has dropped significantly, bringing it back may need to be done gradually and may require more frequent tuning than usual.
04
Small mechanical issues may go unnoticed, such as stiff or sticking keys, ageing parts, or signs of insects or animals inside the piano.
ENVIRONMENT
Does a piano still need tuning if the home uses air conditioning or the piano is rarely played?
Yes. Playing frequency is not the only factor that affects pitch. A piano contains wood, felt, leather and metal, all of which respond differently to temperature and humidity. Even when the piano is not played for a long period, string tension and the condition of its components can still change.
Avoid direct sunlight
Do not place it against a hot or damp wall
Keep it away from water sources
Avoid direct airflow from an air conditioner
Inform the technician if you find mould or a musty smell
Report stiff keys or unusual surface conditions before the appointment
TIME TO CALL
Signs that it may be time to book a tuning or piano inspection
1
Chords or two-handed playing no longer sound balanced or harmonious.
2
The piano does not match the pitch of videos, accompaniment tracks or other instruments.
3
More than a year has passed since the last tuning, or you do not know when the piano was last tuned.
4
The piano has recently been moved, repositioned or exposed to a period of high humidity.
5
There are sticking or stiff keys, mechanical noises, or unusual pedal sounds in addition to pitch problems.
SERVICE CHECK
What does a piano technician check?
Each service visit should begin with an assessment of the actual piano to determine whether the issue can be corrected by tuning alone or whether mechanical repair or adjustment should be carried out first.
Overall pitch Checks pitch level and relationships across the keyboard
Action and keys Checks sticking keys, stiff keys and key response
Pedals Checks operation and unusual noises
Internal condition Checks components, humidity and basic signs of damage
BEFORE BOOKING
Information to prepare before booking a piano tuning
01
Know when the piano was last tuned and whether there are other symptoms besides pitch problems.
02
Ask what happens if the piano cannot be tuned immediately and needs repair first, including the service process and costs.
03
Ask about warranty conditions for tuning and repair work.
04
Provide your service location so the team can check travel feasibility and available appointments.
CHURAIRAT PIANO SERVICE
Piano Tuning, Repair and Maintenance Services by Churairat Music
Churairat Music has more than 37 years of experience in piano care, with service centres in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Khon Kaen. For customers in the main service areas and nearby provinces, our team can check available appointment slots. For other locations, please contact us to check travel routes and service schedules. Services include piano tuning, repair, action adjustment and general piano inspection and maintenance.
BOOK BENEFITS
Piano tuning discount benefits may be available
Users of Churairat Music books can check current piano tuning benefits and conditions on the Book Benefits page.
View Book Benefits FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times a year should a piano be tuned?
Generally, at least once a year. If the piano is used regularly or the environment changes frequently, consider tuning every 6 months.
Does a piano still need tuning if it is rarely played?
Yes. It should still be tuned and inspected periodically because string tension and component condition change with temperature and humidity even when the piano is not being played.
Are piano tuning and piano pitch adjustment the same thing?
In general everyday usage, they refer to the same service: adjusting string tension so the piano returns to the proper pitch standard.
Should a piano be tuned immediately after moving?
Allow the piano to adjust to its new location and environment first, then arrange for a technician to inspect or tune it afterwards.
Is tuning alone enough if a key is sticking or there are unusual mechanical noises?
Possibly not, because these symptoms may involve the piano mechanism. Inform the technician in advance so they can assess whether repair or adjustment is needed before tuning.
Where does Churairat Music provide piano tuning services?
Churairat Music has service centres in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Khon Kaen. Customers in the main service areas and nearby provinces can ask about available appointments. Other locations depend on the team's travel routes and schedules.
SUMMARY
At least once a year — or every 6 months with regular use
For a piano used normally at home, tuning at least once a year is recommended. If a child is learning, the piano is practised regularly, or temperature and humidity change frequently, consider tuning every 6 months. If there are sticking or stiff keys, mechanical noises or pedal problems, inform the technician so the condition can be checked as well.
BOOK A PIANO SERVICE
Not sure whether your piano needs tuning or repair first?
Send the piano model, the date of its last tuning and the symptoms you have noticed to the Churairat Music team for an initial assessment and service availability check via LINE.
KEEP READING
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PSI-006
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PMV-001
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