Piano tuning is the act of making minute adjustments to the tensions of the strings of a piano to properly align the intervals between their tones so that the instrument is in tune. The meaning of the term in tune in the context of piano tuning is not simply a particular fixed set of pitches. Fine piano tuning requires an assessment of the interaction among notes, which is different for every piano, thus in practice requiring slightly different pitches from any theoretical standard. Pianos are usually tuned to a modified version of the system called equal temperament (see Piano key frequencies for the theoretical piano tuning). In all systems of tuning, every pitch may be derived from its relationship to a chosen fixed pitch, which is usually A440.
Piano tuning is done by a wide range of independent piano technicians, piano rebuilders, piano store technical personnel, and hobbyists. Professional training and certification is available from organizations or guilds such as the Piano Technicians Guild. Many piano manufacturers recommend that pianos be tuned a minimum of twice a year.
Read more about Piano Tuning: Temperament and Beating, Stretched Octaves
Famous quotes containing the word piano:
“It is not always possible to predict the response of a doting Jewish mother. Witness the occasion on which the late piano virtuoso Oscar Levant telephoned his mother with some important news. He had proposed to his beloved and been accepted. Replied Mother Levant: “Good, Oscar, I’m happy to hear it. But did you practice today?””
—Liz Smith (20th century)