Introduction
“How often should I tune my piano?” It’s one of the most common questions we hear from piano owners, and the answer matters more than many people realise. A well-tuned piano isn’t just about sounding pleasant—regular tuning actually protects your instrument and maintains its value.
After over 33 years of moving pianos across Gloucestershire as a third-generation family business and the South West, we’ve worked alongside countless piano tuners and seen the consequences of both excellent and neglected maintenance. We’ve collected pianos that hadn’t been tuned in decades (the results weren’t pretty) and delivered instruments to owners who have their tuner’s number on speed dial.
This guide covers everything you need to know about piano tuning frequency—from the basic recommendations to the factors that might mean your piano needs more or less attention. We’ll also explain what tuning actually involves, what it costs, and how to find a reliable tuner in your area.
The Standard Recommendation
For most pianos in stable environments, tuning twice a year is ideal. This typically means:
- Once in spring (after winter heating season ends)
- Once in autumn (before winter heating begins)
This twice-yearly schedule aligns with the UK’s seasonal changes, which significantly affect piano tuning stability.
Why Twice Yearly?
The British climate creates two main periods of environmental stress for pianos:
Winter: Central heating reduces indoor humidity dramatically. Wooden parts contract, and tuning typically drops flat.
Summer: Higher humidity causes wood to expand. Tuning typically rises sharp.
By tuning after each seasonal transition, you’re correcting the drift caused by these environmental changes before it becomes too severe.
Minimum vs Ideal
| Schedule | Suitability |
| Once yearly | Acceptable minimum for lightly used pianos |
| Twice yearly | Standard recommendation for most pianos |
| Three times yearly | New pianos, heavily used instruments |
| Four+ times yearly | Professional use, concert instruments |
Why Pianos Need Tuning
Unlike electronic instruments, acoustic pianos are constantly changing. Understanding why helps you appreciate the importance of regular maintenance.
String Tension
A typical piano contains 220-230 strings under enormous tension—typically 18-20 tonnes across the entire instrument. This tension is always trying to equalise, meaning strings naturally lose pitch over time.
Wood Movement
The soundboard, bridges, and pin block are made from carefully seasoned wood, but wood never truly stops responding to humidity. Seasonal changes cause expansion and contraction that affects string tension and therefore pitch.
Playing Impact
Heavy playing stretches strings slightly, particularly in the bass. Professional pianists and institutions need more frequent tuning than occasional players.
Mechanical Wear
The tuning pins that hold string tension can loosen slightly over time. Regular tuning helps identify this before it becomes a significant problem.
What Happens Without Tuning?
Pianos that go untuned for extended periods:
- Drop in overall pitch: Eventually falling so far below concert pitch that returning requires multiple tuning sessions
- Develop uneven tuning: Some notes drift more than others, creating particularly unpleasant sounds
- May suffer structural stress: Uneven tension can stress the frame and soundboard
- Become harder to tune: Very flat pianos require “pitch raises” before fine tuning
- Sound increasingly unpleasant: Discouraging practice and playing
We’ve collected pianos that hadn’t been tuned in 10-15 years. Getting them back to concert pitch required multiple tuning sessions over several months, costing far more than regular maintenance would have.
Factors That Affect Tuning Frequency
The twice-yearly recommendation is a starting point, but your piano might need more or less attention based on several factors.
Environmental Stability
More frequent tuning needed if:
- Your home experiences significant humidity swings
- The piano is near exterior walls, windows, or radiators
- You don’t use heating consistently (weekend cottages, for example)
- The room has poor insulation or draughty conditions
Less frequent tuning may suffice if:
- Your home maintains stable humidity (40-60%)
- You use a piano humidity control system
- The piano is in a consistently conditioned space
- Temperature and humidity remain remarkably stable
Usage Level
More frequent tuning needed for:
- Daily practice of several hours
- Multiple players in the household
- Teaching studios
- Church or institutional use
- Performance use
Standard tuning may suffice for:
- Occasional recreational playing
- Light daily practice
- Single player households
Piano Age and Condition
More frequent tuning needed for:
- New pianos (strings still stretching)
- Very old pianos (components may be unstable)
- Pianos after restoration
- Instruments with worn tuning pins
Standard tuning may suffice for:
- Middle-aged pianos in good condition (10-50 years)
- Well-maintained instruments
Piano Quality
Higher-quality pianos are typically built with better-seasoned wood and more precise components, making them more stable. However, they’re also more revealing of tuning imperfections, so owners often tune them more frequently despite their better stability.
Signs Your Piano Needs Tuning
Between scheduled tunings, watch for these indicators that your piano needs attention:
Obvious Signs
You notice it sounds “off”: Trust your ears. If something sounds wrong, it probably is.
Chords sound harsh or unpleasant: Out-of-tune pianos produce beating and dissonance that makes chords sound rough.
The piano sounds different from usual: Any change from its normal sound may indicate tuning drift.
Subtle Signs
Certain notes sound worse than others: Uneven tuning is common; some strings drift faster.
You’re avoiding playing: Subconsciously, you might be playing less because the sound is unsatisfying.
Others comment on the sound: Fresh ears often notice what you’ve gradually adjusted to.
Definite Signs
It’s been over a year since the last tuning: Time for a tuning regardless of how it sounds.
The piano has been moved: Always tune after relocation. See our specific guidance on post-move tuning.
There’s been a significant environmental change: Major heating or humidity changes warrant checking.
Strings have been replaced: New strings need time to stabilise.
New Pianos and Tuning Requirements
Brand new pianos require more frequent tuning than established instruments.
First Year Recommendations
Most manufacturers recommend 3-4 tunings in the first year:
- Initial tuning upon delivery (often included)
- After 3 months
- After 6 months
- After 12 months
Why New Pianos Need More Attention
String stretching: New strings, particularly steel piano wire, stretch significantly during their first year. This is normal and expected.
Wood settling: New soundboards and bridges continue adjusting to their environment.
Initial stabilisation: All components are finding their equilibrium in your specific conditions.
After the first year, most pianos stabilise and can move to the standard twice-yearly schedule.
New Piano Warranties
Many piano warranties require proof of regular tuning to remain valid. Check your warranty terms—typically, twice-yearly tuning by a qualified technician is required.
Piano Tuning After Moving
When you move a piano, tuning is always affected. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Moving Affects Tuning
Physical disturbance: The vibration and handling of moving slightly shifts tuning.
Environmental change: Moving from one building to another means different temperature and humidity conditions.
Acclimatisation period: The piano’s wooden components need time to adjust to the new environment.
When to Tune After Moving
Wait 2-4 weeks before scheduling a tuning. This allows the piano to:
- Adjust to new temperature and humidity levels
- Settle in its new position
- Stabilise after the stress of moving
Tuning immediately after a move wastes money—the piano will drift as it acclimatises, requiring another tuning soon after.
Exceptions
Professional and performance pianos: May need tuning immediately for an event, with the understanding that another tuning will be needed after acclimatisation.
Long-distance moves: May need longer acclimatisation, especially if humidity levels differ significantly.
Pro Tip: When we move pianos across Gloucestershire, we always recommend waiting before tuning and can suggest trusted local tuners for the new location.
What Happens During a Tuning
Understanding the process helps you appreciate its value and know what to expect.
Standard Tuning Process
Duration: 1-2 hours for a well-maintained piano
Process:
- Tuner assesses the piano’s current state
- Reference pitch is established (usually A440)
- Temperament is set across the middle octave
- Tuning is extended across all 88 notes
- Final check and adjustments
Pitch Raise
If a piano has dropped significantly below concert pitch (more than 15-20 cents flat), a “pitch raise” is needed before fine tuning.
Duration: 2-3 hours (or two separate visits)
Why it’s needed: Raising pitch significantly changes the tension across the whole piano. The soundboard responds, and everything shifts. A pitch raise roughly restores correct pitch, then fine tuning follows.
Additional cost: Typically £50-£100 on top of standard tuning
What’s NOT Included
Standard tuning addresses only pitch. Other maintenance—regulation, voicing, repairs—are separate services:
Regulation: Adjusting the mechanical action for proper touch response
Voicing: Adjusting hammer hardness for tonal quality
Repairs: Fixing broken parts, sticking keys, etc.
Piano Tuning Costs in the UK
Piano tuning costs vary by location and tuner experience.
Typical UK Prices (2026)
| Service | Typical Cost |
| Standard tuning | £80 – £120 |
| Tuning with minor adjustments | £100 – £150 |
| Pitch raise + tuning | £130 – £200 |
| Grand piano tuning | £90 – £140 |
| Concert/professional tuning | £150+ |
Regional Variations
London and South East: £100-£150 for standard tuning Major cities: £85-£120 Rural areas: £75-£110 (but tuners may charge travel) Gloucestershire typical: £85-£115
What Affects Price?
Tuner experience: Established professionals charge more but often work faster and more accurately.
Travel distance: Rural locations may incur travel fees.
Piano condition: Very neglected pianos take longer.
Piano type: Grands may cost slightly more due to access complexity.
How to Compare Quotes
Look beyond headline price:
- Is travel included?
- What if a pitch raise is needed?
- Are minor adjustments included?
- What qualifications does the tuner have?
- Do they guarantee their work?
Finding a Piano Tuner
A good relationship with a skilled tuner is valuable for any piano owner.
Qualifications to Look For
UK Guild of Piano Tuners members: The main UK professional body, requiring training and examination.
BPTTA members: British Piano Tuners and Technicians Association.
Manufacturer certification: Some tuners have specific training from major manufacturers.
How to Find a Tuner
Ask for recommendations:
- Local music shops
- Piano teachers
- Other piano owners
- Us! We can recommend tuners across our service areas
Professional directories:
- Pianotuner.org.uk
- BPTTA directory
- Local musician networks
Questions to Ask
- “What are your qualifications?”
- “How long have you been tuning?”
- “Do you work on my type of piano regularly?”
- “What’s included in your standard service?”
- “How far in advance should I book?”
- “Do you offer any guarantee?”
Red Flags
- No formal qualifications or professional membership
- Significantly below-market pricing
- Reluctance to answer questions
- No insurance
- Inability to provide references
Frequently Asked Questions
In the UK, pianos should typically be tuned twice yearly—once in spring and once in autumn—to compensate for seasonal humidity changes. New pianos need 3-4 tunings in their first year. Heavily used pianos may benefit from more frequent attention.
Yes, but it will likely require multiple tuning sessions rather than a single standard tuning. After 20 years without tuning, a piano will be significantly flat and may need pitch raises spread over several months to safely restore concert pitch without stressing the structure.
Yes, absolutely. Pianos go out of tune due to environmental changes (temperature and humidity), not primarily from being played. An unplayed piano in a fluctuating environment will drift out of tune just as quickly as one that’s played daily.
Piano tuning in the UK typically costs £80-£120 for a standard tuning in good condition. Pitch raises add £50-£100. London and South East prices are higher (£100-£150). Grand pianos may cost £10-£20 more than uprights.
Leaving a piano untuned for years allows it to drop significantly in pitch, requiring expensive pitch raises to restore. More seriously, uneven tension can stress the soundboard and bridge, potentially causing cracks. Regular tuning is both cheaper and better for the instrument long-term.
A standard tuning takes 1-2 hours. Pianos in good condition tune faster; those needing pitch raises or additional work take longer. Your first tuning with a new tuner may take longer as they assess your instrument.
After moving. Wait 2-4 weeks after a move before tuning to allow the piano to acclimatise to its new environment. Tuning immediately after a move wastes money as the piano will drift during acclimatisation.
Summary
Key tuning recommendations:
- Standard frequency: Twice yearly for most pianos
- New pianos: 3-4 times in the first year
- After moving: Wait 2-4 weeks, then tune
- UK costs: £80-£120 for standard tuning
- Never neglect: It’s cheaper and better for your piano to tune regularly
Regular tuning maintains your piano’s sound quality, protects its structure, and preserves its value. The modest cost of twice-yearly tuning is one of the best investments a piano owner can make.
Moving Your Piano?
When you move your piano, remember to schedule a tuning 2-4 weeks after arrival. We’re happy to recommend qualified tuners across our Gloucestershire service area and beyond.
Get a piano moving quote or call us on 07787 135541.
About A1 Piano Removals
We’ve been moving pianos across Gloucestershire for over 33 years as a third-generation family business. While we don’t tune pianos ourselves, we work alongside excellent tuners throughout the region and understand the importance of proper piano maintenance. Contact us for all your piano moving needs.
Last Updated: January 2026 Author: A1 Piano Removals Team.
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