Caleb Crockett

It’s not hard to tell that the team here at Chicago Piano Tuners loves pianos! Whether we’re tuning or playing, we can’t get enough of pianos of all ages and styles. If you’re thinking you’ve got a piano in your future, consider these before you buy a piano. It’s a big investment so you want to make sure it’s the right one for you!

Why are you looking to buy a piano? 

Pianos are beautiful instruments that provide a lifetime of musical goodness for you and your family. Or they can become the best, biggest, and most expensive laundry folding table you will ever buy. Before making the decision to buy a piano, think about your reasons.

• Is someone in your family a promising or established pianist?
• Are you tired of driving to and from piano lessons at a studio?
• Does your piano student need extra practice time?

Answering yes to any or all of these questions may mean that you’re ready to buy a piano…but where to start?

Do you want a new or used piano?

A new piano means not worrying about much more than regular maintenance and having a warranty while enjoying perfect or nearly perfect pitch but it comes at a higher cost than buying used. However, even new pianos, if they are of lower quality, can change their pitch over time making them quite different than perhaps what you wanted; you may be better off spending the same on a well-kept, higher quality used piano. Your best bet is to take your pianist with you to try new and used pianos.

Play a variety of them, paying attention to the touch of the keyboard and responsiveness of the keys. While some issues can be resolved with piano tuning, you don’t want to be stuck with a lemon of a piano. We recommend visiting a dealer that has both new and used pianos so that you can get a feel for each.

What is your budget to buy a piano?

Addressing why you’re purchasing the piano is a big step toward determining how much you’re willing to spend. If you’ve got a budding pianist on your hands, you likely want a higher quality new or used piano. If you’re not sure of the level of interest or are just looking to re-engage an old hobby, then you might consider a lesser quality. Also consider the space where the piano will be showcased and the cost to move it to your home or studio. The last thing you’d want to happen is that you purchase an expensive, huge piano that won’t fit in your space!

At Chicago Piano Tuners, we are excited that you’re considering buying a piano! Whether new or used, your piano needs regular tuning and we’re happy to help. Schedule yours today.

When it comes to string theory, we think your best action is to hire a Chicago piano tuner!

If you’re thinking the term string theory is one you’ve heard in science class or on The Big Bang Theory, you’d be correct! We’re using it as a play on words. Forgive us for our dad joke; we’re feeling punny today.

With more than 12,000 parts, including 10,000 that are moving, a piano requires keys, pedals, hammers and 230 strings to be working together in order to get the proper sound from it.

How the Piano Works 

Each string is made out of steel and produces sound when struck by tiny hammers inside the piano. Each of the strings holds approximately 170 pounds of tension. Adjusting the strings and hammers takes the precise work of a trained piano tuner.

Interesting fact about pianos is that while it is often considered a strong instrument, it can also be considered percussion because the strings only make sound when hit by a hammer.

Piano pedals are used to change the sound.

The left or damper pedal moves the hammer closer to the string to create a softer sound. The middle or sostenuto pedal sustains the sound of the notes that are pressed while at the same time allowing other notes to be played without the sustain. The right or sustain pedal is the most commonly used and allows all strings to vibrate freely.

Why You Need a Piano Tuner

With 230 strings that are naturally elastic, it is recommended that a piano be tuned two to four times of year during the first year and annually thereafter. This is due to the fact that the strings and tension can change which alters the sound. Perfect pitch is considered to be A440 which means the strings above middle C need to be tight enough to vibrate 440 times per second or 440 Hz. Tuning helps the strings vibrate as close to perfect as possible.

Another reason a piano tuner is needed is that pianos are made of wood and depending on the weather, the tension and sound will change. In a more humid climate, like Chicago in the summer, the wood expands while in the cold winter the wood contracts. The changes to the wood impact the tension of the strings and thus the sound.

At Chicago Piano Tuners, we are dedicated to making your piano sound as good as the day it was made. Schedule a piano tuning today!

What’s the difference between a fish and a piano? You can tune a piano but you can’t tune a fish! All kidding aside, including our bad attempt at humor, piano tuning is as important to your performance as practice. Think of it like the oil change you get for your car or the annual physical you get for your body. Everything runs better with a bit of TLC.

How often should your piano be tuned?

For the last 15 years, Caleb Crockett of Chicago Piano Tuners has been tuning for professional pianists, schools, and individuals. His mission is to make your piano sound as good as they day it was made. The frequency of tuning depends somewhat on how often you’re playing but more on weather conditions. You’re likely not playing outside but the temperature where you store your instrument matters. That’s because pianos are made of wood.

Ideally a piano will perform best at 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 42% relative humidity.

Most of us, especially through a humid Chicago summer and blustery winter, do not have the ability to keep a piano in museum-like conditions. As a result, when the humidity rises, the wood expands and when temperatures drop, wood contracts both of which change the string tension resulting in the need for piano tuning up to four times a year.

Strings of a Piano                                              

Every piano has approximately 230 strings with each tightened or pulled to an average of 150 to 200 pounds of pressure against a cast iron plate. The variance is due to the length and thickness of the strings. Piano tuning is done to keep the string tension at an optimal A440 and equalized against the soundboard and plate. A440 or 440 Hz is the pitch of the musical note of A above middle C and is the standard for perfect pitch.

That’s why piano tuning should be part of your maintenance plan. We want you to sound your best! Call us today to schedule a tuning!