Look for a model labeled “apprentice,” “student,” or “craftsman. " These are professional-grade tools designed for beginners. You can usually find one for around $50. [4] X Research source Generally, price is an indicator of quality. Buying a tuning lever is not the time to shop for bargains. Get the best lever you can within your budget.
The smaller tip size, #1, is used on some European piano models. Some professional tuners prefer #1 because it gives them more control, but it’s far easier to start with a #2. When replacing a damaged pin, tip #3 may be used because it grips more of the pin.
A quality handheld electronic chromatic tuner will set you back anywhere between $500 and $1,000.
With any software, you may need an external mic to get the best results. Don’t rely on the built-in mic in your laptop. [7] X Research source
Mutes themselves are relatively inexpensive, typically only a few dollars a piece. Get some standard rubber mutes, as well as plastic tweezers and felt strips.
Expect the inside of the piano to be dusty. A feather duster or a few rags will probably come in handy. You also may want to grab a strong flashlight or other source of light. No matter how bright the room is where you’re working, you’ll have a hard time seeing once you get into the piano.
It is relatively essential to have a decent understanding of music theory before you try to tune a piano. You should at least understand octaves and the relations of notes, because you aren’t going to tune each note to perfect pitch. Rather, you tune the notes in relation to each other according to a concept called inharmonicity.
A mid-treble note, such as middle A, typically has 3 strings per note. Mute the first 2 strings so that only the third can be heard. Tune that string to match the tone on your chromatic tuner, then tune the other 2 strings to match that string. The other strings are called the unisons. When tuning the unisons, do it by ear – don’t tune the unisons using your software or chromatic tuner. [10] X Research source
Remember the phrase “righty tighty, lefty loosey. " If you turn the pin right (clockwise), you raise the pitch. Turning it left (counterclockwise) will lower the pitch. Avoid wiggling or twisting the pin. If it becomes loose or damaged you’ll need to call in a pro and have it repaired. Steady hands are important. Make a slight turn, then check the tone. Keep doing this until the sound of the string and the tone you are getting from your chromatic tuner or software program are in sync.
It takes practice to get this delicate movement correct. Don’t expect the first piano you tune to stay that way. After you’ve tuned several pianos (or tuned the same piano several times), you’ll have a better feel for how to set the pin correctly.
Unless you are working with a severely neglected piano that hasn’t been tuned in years, you’ll typically find that you don’t have to tune all the notes. [13] X Research source
As you move through the notes, you’re going to be tuning more and more of the notes by ear rather than relying on your software or your chromatic tuner. If you tune every note using your chromatic tuner, by the time you cycle back to the original note it will sound sharp. Tuning your piano by ear will get easier as you gain experience. If you plan to advertise yourself as a piano tuner, it’s important that you get lots of practice tuning before you try to do it for others.
Even for professional tuners, some pianos can take several days to tune correctly, especially if they haven’t been tuned in quite some time or if they are played heavily. Patience is key if you want to tune a piano.
