How to Tell if Your Piano Tuner is Good?

Even if you've never observed different piano tuners at work, you can evaluate their performance through the following tests, which many tuners, especially those relying on Electronic Tuning Devices (ETDs), often get wrong:

1. Major Third - Look for no significant change (only 25% of piano tuners achieve this correctly).

   Try pressing any major third in the middle of the piano, then press the next major third above it, and so on. If you hear the beating speed change significantly between any of the major thirds (e.g., fast, slow, fast), it indicates a poorly set temperament. This suggests the tuner may have cut corners or lacks proper understanding.

2. Double Octave - Expect no obvious beating (only 10% of piano tuners manage this across the entire piano, especially in the highest notes).

   Test by playing octaves and then double octaves (e.g., C to the next C, and then C to the C two octaves above). A good tuning should not produce noticeable beats in double octaves. This is a challenging criterion that applies from A0 to C8 on the piano.

3. Bass 19th - Anticipate no major change (only 1% of piano tuners excel here).

   Start with a major third, such as C and E, then move the C two octaves lower and play again. Progressively adjust both notes down by one semitone at a time. A seamless decrease in beating speed without sudden changes as you move indicates a high-quality tuning, especially in the bass section.

From The Tuning Process:

1. Cross-Checking Different Notes: Good tuners frequently check the harmony between various notes, indicating they're focused on how notes sound together, not just individually.
2. Tuning the Bass Notes with Care: The bass notes, crucial for the piano's overall sound, require detailed attention. Their proper tuning, particularly in longer pianos that produce more overtones, is a hallmark of skilled work.
3. Quality of Treble Tuning: Tuning the treble, especially the last three octaves, demands precision. If these notes remain pure and stable after tuning, it reflects the tuner's expertise.
4. Retouching After a Full Tuning: Since treble notes can detune quickly, a conscientious tuner will retune them to ensure the tuning's longevity.
5. Striking the Keys Firmly: This practice during tuning is essential for setting the strings properly, promoting a more durable tuning.

Understanding Good Tuning:

• Equal Temperament: A tuning standard that evenly spaces all 12 keys within an octave, essential for a harmonious sound across all note combinations.
• Harmonizing the Whole Piano: Besides tuning fundamental tones, a tuner must consider the instrument's overtones, which require harmonization with higher notes for a rich sound.
• Unisons: Achieving a pure, stable sound by tuning the two or three strings for each note identically, without beats or variations, is crucial for quality tuning.