Piano Tuning Report

[ShiroKuro]

Ok, now that I've calmed down (a wee bit) I thought I should make a proper report, with a clearer title!

So, you might remember that I have had two tunings in a row that I didn't like. The first was Aug. 2023 (after we moved). I think the tuner was just too inexperienced. The second was Feb 2024, when I had the tuning by the gentleman who recommended a well-tempered tuning. I asked him to give me a standard equal-tempered tuning, and in the final analysis, I imagine that he did. But I hated it. It sounded shimmery, for lack of a better word. The shimmer eventually mellowed, but it didn't sound great. And then we moved, about three weeks ago. So the piano definitely needed some TLC.

Oh and by the way, both tuners left immediately upon finishing, didn't ask me to play or check the tuning. And I didn't ask, which, granted, is on me.

The new piano room is the smallest space I've ever had for the piano, although it opens and kind of flows into a hall and the living room. But when we first moved, I thought I might need some kind of acoustic treatments for the walls because it was too loud and harsh. But as we unpacking, I started to think that maybe it would be ok with just a good tuning and possibly voicing.

So the new tuner is someone who recently retired from his position as head piano tech at the music school at the university where I work. He came to me very, very highly recommended. I had a few phone conversations with him and we discussed my concerns about the shimmery tuning, and we discussed possible voicing in addition to tuning.

So today when he came, he tuned up first (already, 100 times better). Then he asked me to play, and I played two pieces in particular that bugged me, one with 5 sharps, the other with 4 flats. These pieces did work well under the February tuning.

So we talked about those notes in the upper registers and he did some light, very light, voicing in those areas. And I played again, and he voiced again. Just a little. When I had my piano regulated and voiced in 2019, it was a day-long job and voicing across the entire keyboard. This time it wasn't 20 minutes of voicing I don't think. And he said he would be taking a conservative approach to voicing as well.

But now (as you know, if you read my yelling thread) it sounds amazing!! All the harshness is gone. And I definitely am not worried about needing any acoustic panels for the room (of course, as you probably also know if you've seen my other thread, the piano room is now covered with canvas artwork and has three upholstered chairs in, so that surely helps, I would imagine).

So that's it, that's my tuning report.

There's nothing better than a freshly tuned piano... Well, except for a freshly tuned piano that is tuned the way you like it and has been worked on by a master technician who cares about getting the piano to sound the way you want it to.

Oh and I almost forgot! I talked to him about my experience with the piano movers, and looked at everything, got down under the piano etc. and gave it a very thorough evaluation, and said everything is fine. Whew. That really put my mind at ease, as you can imagine!

I am so, so happy!!! My piano is all tuned up, and my piano room is all finished. It's my own little slice of heaven now.

@Rontuner I don't know if you'll see this tag, but thank you for all the PMs! As you can tell, I'm quite happy with the new tuner!!

[Rontuner]

University techs often have skills to get things done quickly, thinking about the voicing. Tons of practice on known instruments in heavy-use situations...

[Mik]

Yes, my brother was a uni tech for 15 or so years. He was good when he started but got a lot better.

[Rontuner]

Oh, and about asking to check or play before leaving, I used to ask, but always got a variation of "oh, I heard you play, it's fine." Often clients seem shy to play in front of the tuner! But yes, especially with any voicing or action work that has been requested!

[ShiroKuro]

@Rontuner said in Piano Tuning Report:

University techs often have skills to get things done quickly, thinking about the voicing. Tons of practice on known instruments in heavy-use situations...

Ron, he said that the school of music at the university here has over 500 pianos! Tons of practice indeed!

@Rontuner said in Piano Tuning Report:

Oh, and about asking to check or play before leaving, I used to ask, but always got a variation of "oh, I heard you play, it's fine." Often clients seem shy to play in front of the tuner!

Yes, it’s on me for not asking, esp. with the well-tempered gentleman.

BTW I used to be shy to play in front of tuners but I’m not anymore. I think I got over that when I was piano shopping and I got over being nervous to play in front of a dealer.

But yes, especially with any voicing or action work that has been requested!

Yes, this makes sense.

Also, I’m obviously picky enough that I should make it a point to ask after each tuning, whether it’s this new tuner, or someone else.

[CHAS]

Good to know you are happy with your piano and the room.
I need to be less shy about playing in front of the tuner. I think he is as old or older than I am. I do not want to use the "imagine the audience is naked" method to get over my stage fright.

[Steve Miller]

@CHAS

[ShiroKuro]

@CHAS said in Piano Tuning Report:

I need to be less shy about playing in front of the tuner.

When I was piano shopping, I knew that even if I was making a bunch a mistakes, the seller/dealer would know that I was trying to evaluate the instrument rather than give a performance. I also knew that (at least with dealers) they had heard players of all levels, way above me and probably below me, and there just wasn't any point in thinking about how I sounded to them.

With the tuner yesterday, I just felt that he would be listening to the piano, not my playing. And I was trying to do the same. So I didn't feel any nervousness at all.

I wish I could recreate that when actually performing for other people!

[CHAS]

Thanks, guys.