The questions we hear most, answered plainly.
At least once a year for most homes. Pianos that get heavy use, were recently moved, or sit in rooms with big temperature and humidity swings often do better with two tunings a year. New pianos usually need more frequent tuning in their first year or two while they settle.
Almost never. It most likely needs a pitch raise to bring it back toward A440, followed by a fine tuning. A follow-up within a few months helps the new tension settle and hold. Pianos are tougher than people expect.
Tension and weather, mostly. Around 18–20 tons of total string tension is constantly trying to pull the piano flat, and the wooden soundboard swells and shrinks as humidity changes through the seasons. Playing it barely moves the needle by comparison — the climate does the real work.
A standard tuning fine-tunes a piano that's already near pitch. A pitch raise is a heavier correction for a piano that's drifted far below pitch — a first pass to restore overall tension, then a fine tuning on top. Think of it as prep work plus the tuning, versus the tuning alone.
A standard tuning is usually about 90 minutes in your home. A pitch raise plus tuning takes longer because it's effectively two passes over the instrument.
Yes — all work is done in-home, since moving a piano to a shop and back would cost far more than the tuning itself. We just need access to the piano and a reasonably quiet space to listen.
Toronto, North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough, and the surrounding GTA including Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Vaughan and Richmond Hill. Outside that range, a small travel charge may apply — just ask.
Often, yes — many minor regulation and repair issues can be handled during a visit. For anything larger, you'll get an honest written estimate before any work begins.
Usually worth finding out. Many older uprights tune up beautifully. Occasionally one is past saving, and if that's the case we'll tell you plainly rather than charge for a tuning that won't hold.
Yes, both — verticals and grands of all sizes, in homes and institutions alike.
Clear anything off the top of the piano and the area around it, keep the room quiet during the visit (tuning is done by ear), and have the piano accessible. That's all.
Call us, email booking@canadapianotuning.com, or use the booking form on our contact page. Accepted payment methods: [list yours here — e.g. cash, e-transfer, card].
Booking takes two minutes. Call, email, or send us a note and we'll find a time that works.